Jason's review of reviewing the Macbook Air

By RAID 0
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Grand Master

RAID 0

Posted
Posted

I'm on Apple's website, and I'm thinking about buying a MBA. Let's get started.

Base price? $1799.00. OK, I can live with that. I really don't want a base model because I want more in a laptop that costs 1800 dollars and can't even burn a CD/DVD and has only one USB port. But hey, it's the latest from Apple, and yes, iet does look nice. Building "system of my dreams".

Here I am customizing my Macbook Air. Going down the list, CPU is first. You know. I don't need an extra 200 MHz on my laptop; my desktop is fast enough when I crave speed. It's not worth the extra 300 dollars for 200 MHz. I'll leave it at 1.6. So price is still at $1799 at this point. Cool.

Hard drive is next on the list. I have everything backed up and being served on my desktop at home. Besides, if I want to watch a movie or listen to music, I'll just use my iPod. I don't need all 80 gigs. I want the latest-n-greatest of what Apple and the computing world have to offer. I'd also like longer lasting battery life in a "ultra portable", not to mention no moving parts makes it more reliable. Solid State it is. Upgrading. $999 for 64 GB SSD. Total now up to.... $2798. OK. I can live with that. Bragging rights cost money.

I need/want a Super drive. I don't like having to need another computer's optical drive to install or backup (if available) data. Upgraded. Tack on another $99 bucks. We're up to $2897.00 Still fine with price, kinda. I'm willing to spend what it takes to get the respect and envy of people at my local Starbucks.

Monitor: I don't need one. Why would I want to buy a monitor to hook up to my "ultra portable"????

MagSafe airline adapter: Nope. I never fly. I don't need that.

USB Ethernet adapter: Yeah. I don't want to be stuck with out Internet access if someone does not have wireless. Upgraded. $29.00. $2926 is the total. Are we really getting THAT close to three grand? We started out at $1799.

MODEM: Humm. Have not have the need to use one of these since circa 2001. Do not need. Did not upgrade.

Apple Remote: Every Apple computer has one, STANDARD save Mac Pro. Well crap. I guess it's worth buying since it comes with all other Apple computers. I don't want to be bragging about my super cool MBA, and not have the remote.. and have someone say their MBP is better because it came with a remote, for free. I especially don't want a Mac Mini owner to be able to have a edge over my (getting close to 3 grand) Air. Upgraded. Total is now $2945.00. I guess building the system of my dreams is costly.

NO SOFTWARE! I don't need or want any of it. OS X 10.5.something is good enough for me, at this point.

Apple Care : This IS a first gen product. Something could go wrong and I don't want to spend a lot of money trying to fix a (close to) three grand computer. Yeah. All the Mac guys always say get the Apple care. Doing it. Price now $3194.00. Man. After tax this thing is going to be AT LEAST $3300. Maybe I was wrong to want one? I don't want to spend $3300 on a laptop that's not even that fast. Sad I am.

Conclusion: Upgrades cost too much money. The Eee PC is looking mighty nice right about now. For three grand less than a MBA, I can get a "ultra portable" laptop AND have 3 grand left over to buy a nice HDTV or go on a two week vacation. I'll live with out a optical drive in my laptop for a two week trip to Maui. Or I could even build one CRAZY FAST desktop with killer specs for three grand, maybe even build an octo-core!! Besides, who needs a "ultra portable" to do everything, right?

  • 3 weeks later...
Proficient

brayan27

Posted
Posted

I just wish apple would take their godly attitude out of their you-know-what. I'd rather get a 500$ windows PC than a MBP that's 2 grand with the same specs. oh wait I actually did get a 500$ notebook over an apple notebook, that was yesterday!

no wonder apple has a minor share in computers.

Grand Master

Wannes

Posted
Posted

Leave out the solid state drive and you've got a reasonable price. It's still expensive nonetheless. If you have to pay yourself - and you aren't to wealthy - get a Macbook or Macbook Pro. If you can get - and need - an ultra portable laptop from you work you can get the Macbook Air. I got one because it's handy to have such thing laptop. All laptops/desktops in our offices are equipped with Mac OS X so it would be stupid to buy an Eee PC.

The Macbook Air is no personal computer, it's an ultra-thin laptop trying to set a new standard. It is also testing the market, Apple will release upgrades, updates and other feature in the near future when they know what public they have achieved. Let's just wait...

Mentor

cosrocket

Posted
Posted

I played with a base MacBook Air at BestBuy today. I was really surprised at how quickly programs opened, even though the base model uses a 4200rpm HD. Most programs opened in two bounces after clicking on the dock. I played with a SSD version at the Apple Store a few days ago and even though it was definitely faster the base model to my surprise was no slouch. Later on I stopped in at Panera Bread where a guy was at the next table with a MacBook Air, what was striking was how bright the display is, truly beautiful. I was very skeptical of the MBA when it was released but in the several times I've tried it I've really been impressed with it. It does exude quality.

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