(no subject)

[raptorck]

 Dear Apple,

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA-- No.

Thank you.

Comments

[fangwing.livejournal.com]

Oh, you KNOW you want one.

[raptorck.livejournal.com]

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.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm still getting one. :)

--Enia

[raptorck.livejournal.com]

The only reason that surprises me in the slightest is that you're another 12" PB owner, and in my eyes, that's still the pinnacle of Apple notebook design. Sure, the MBA is slimmer, but for me, footprint is everything.

[(Anonymous)]

Actually, I had to get a MacBook 13" for school because my 12" PB was a little long in the tooth. I do care about footprint as well, and I wish they hadn't kept increasing screen size but weight is now the major issue for me since I'm carrying around all those damn casebooks. And 3 lbs? Can't beat that.