Let's start with the reasons that *I* don't want one.
1) 1.8" hard drive. IO rates on a platter that small are pathetic. This is pretty much a bigger, dual-core version of my existing system, and CPU is not something that I need a whole lot of. 2) No Ethernet. I run server diagnostics, and I often need to plug into the Ethernet to attach to a management port. *All* I need is Ethernet and a web browser, and this is missing one of those. 3) Footprint's too big. It's about two inches wider, and over a quarter inch deeper than my old 12" PowerBook, which was pretty much the pinnacle of ultralight computing. This also means that it doesn't fit in my bag, because using a manila envelope as a baseline is fucking ridiculous.
Now, for why I think that people are crazy to want one, period.
- One USB port. On its own, this isn't bad. - No optical drive. Okay, now we may have an issue. - No Ethernet. Why is this here? - No broadband data options. Why is THIS here? - No ExpressCard slot. Am I onto something? -- Long story short, I have a neat new USB device. I have a driver CD for said device. I'm not at home, and Wifi is either unavailable, or too expensive. How in the hell do I detect the device AND install the drivers? Whoops!
Back to the story... - No user-replaceable parts. Apple views laptop batteries as consumable parts. Once it's dead, it's dead. The MacBook Air is sealed, so I can't replace the battery, and I'm going to go out on a limb and bet that I can't upgrade the RAM or hard drive. (Of course, this is why they're shipping it with 2GB. They KNOW they'd be in trouble otherwise.) - Similar footprint as the MacBook. How ultraportable is it when you're on a plane? - Do you really want a system that absolutely *requires* you to find an outlet every 5 hours, since you have no other option, and ties you to Apple's relatively pricey accessories? (I have a Sony, and I can power it from a generic charger tip, or either of Jenny's Fujitsu chargers. I have yet to see a universal charger tip for MagSafe devices.)
Does it look sexy? Fuck yeah, but I don't buy what amounts to disposable equipment for critical tasks. I can live without an iPod for weeks, if I had to. I can give up my XBox, PSP, DS, Wii, hell, I might even live without a Tivo. My computer, however? FUCK no.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2008-01-15 09:01 pm (UTC)1) 1.8" hard drive. IO rates on a platter that small are pathetic. This is pretty much a bigger, dual-core version of my existing system, and CPU is not something that I need a whole lot of.
2) No Ethernet. I run server diagnostics, and I often need to plug into the Ethernet to attach to a management port. *All* I need is Ethernet and a web browser, and this is missing one of those.
3) Footprint's too big. It's about two inches wider, and over a quarter inch deeper than my old 12" PowerBook, which was pretty much the pinnacle of ultralight computing. This also means that it doesn't fit in my bag, because using a manila envelope as a baseline is fucking ridiculous.
Now, for why I think that people are crazy to want one, period.
- One USB port. On its own, this isn't bad.
- No optical drive. Okay, now we may have an issue.
- No Ethernet. Why is this here?
- No broadband data options. Why is THIS here?
- No ExpressCard slot. Am I onto something?
-- Long story short, I have a neat new USB device. I have a driver CD for said device. I'm not at home, and Wifi is either unavailable, or too expensive. How in the hell do I detect the device AND install the drivers? Whoops!
Back to the story...
- No user-replaceable parts. Apple views laptop batteries as consumable parts. Once it's dead, it's dead. The MacBook Air is sealed, so I can't replace the battery, and I'm going to go out on a limb and bet that I can't upgrade the RAM or hard drive. (Of course, this is why they're shipping it with 2GB. They KNOW they'd be in trouble otherwise.)
- Similar footprint as the MacBook. How ultraportable is it when you're on a plane?
- Do you really want a system that absolutely *requires* you to find an outlet every 5 hours, since you have no other option, and ties you to Apple's relatively pricey accessories? (I have a Sony, and I can power it from a generic charger tip, or either of Jenny's Fujitsu chargers. I have yet to see a universal charger tip for MagSafe devices.)
Does it look sexy? Fuck yeah, but I don't buy what amounts to disposable equipment for critical tasks. I can live without an iPod for weeks, if I had to. I can give up my XBox, PSP, DS, Wii, hell, I might even live without a Tivo. My computer, however? FUCK no.