Vincent, always the enabler, knows that I am tempted by the MacBook Air - even though I can’t exactly justify it, and even though I so recently complained about Apple Tech Support. But his video is so intriguing…and the Air is so thin, so light, and so drool-worthy.

I can’t help but wonder though, if this would be one of those technolust purchases that would only disappoint me in the end? I mean, I really wanted an Apple tablet of some kind - larger than the iPhone, running the full Leopard OS. I really don’t need another 13ish-inch laptop, ya know?

If I get a MB Air, I would only buy the basic $1799.00 version. The extra 0.2 GHz shouldn’t make a big enough difference to bother, and I don’t think the SSD option would speed the Air up or give it $1299 worth of extra battery life. Okay fine, the SSD is only a $999 option, considering that the extra 0.2 GHz is a $300 option on its own. Frankly, the only option that I think I “need” would be the $29 Ethernet adapter. So including tax, I would be able to get into the paper thin Air for a little bit less than $2K…which is really pretty pricey, all things considered.

Of course Mike has has own take on everything: he opines that the MacBook Air is the first in a line of possible thin and light Air-branded devices. Could he be right?

“Nevertheless, I believe that the Air designation will not be limited to the new MacBook. I firmly believe that an iPod Air is coming and that it will be the rumored tablet computer from Apple.”

Hmmmm!

If there is an iTablet coming, it would make much more sense for me to hold out until it comes, since that is what I really wanted. Or I could get the MB Air now and start learning the (new-to-me) OS.

So what are your thoughts? Are any of you going to spring for the Air? Or do you think it is a first generation disaster best left to those with more money than sense? Or are you holding out for an iTablet or “iPod Air”?

Do tell…

24 Original Responses to “Talk Me Out of This…MacBook Air Edition”

1. 1 Wayne Schulz Jan 23rd, 2008 at 7:53 pm

   Hey you talked me into an iPhone .. so no way I’m going to argue against the MacBook Air. My MacBook Pro just arrived or I’d be tempted too..

2. 2 Judie Lipsett Jan 23rd, 2008 at 7:56 pm

   It would probably make more sense for you to talk me into the MBP! Ha!

   Are you still loving your iPhone? I am…

3. 3 Wayne Schulz Jan 23rd, 2008 at 8:01 pm

   Yes I love the iPhone — I don’t think I can get rid of my Blackberry but the iPhone definitely rules for browsing.

   And when I unboxed the MBP I thought that size wise it is not too far fro the Air in the “fit into an inter-office envelope” category. It’s much smaller than I had remembered. I sprang for the 15″ because I have a DELL Inspiron (which had to go to the shop 4x) with a 17″ screen and it’s a beast to carry on a plane..

4. 4 Gatewood Jan 23rd, 2008 at 8:16 pm

   Why not get a ModBook? That’s what I did. It’s not going to be here for a month, but it answers all the questions except that thin one.

5. 5 kevinnugent Jan 23rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm

   Technolust is such a dangerous thing to argue against. Usually the sufferer does not wish to listen to logic and more times than not inserts a sharp metal object into the logical “friend” and therefore renders the argument moot (or mute as the case may be).

   I prefer this approach: “Wow, Judie, that MacBook Air makes you look SO MUCH younger and more beautiful!”.

   There. Ordered yet?

   Kevin

6. 6 Judie Lipsett Jan 23rd, 2008 at 8:20 pm

   “I prefer this approach: “Wow, Judie, that MacBook Air makes you look SO MUCH younger and more beautiful!”.

   There. Ordered yet? ”

   Sure, I just bought five. If you had said “skinnier”, I would have ordered ten. hee

7. 7 Judie Lipsett Jan 23rd, 2008 at 8:26 pm

   Gatewood, you will have to tell us what you think of the ModBook once you have received it.

8. 8 Gatewood Jan 23rd, 2008 at 8:38 pm

   I will; it won’t get shipped until late February, but I’ll let you know. I’m on again off again with Apple, so it could be wonderful, or it could be one of my famous too expensive disasters. My fingers are crossed.

9. 9 JDTagish Jan 23rd, 2008 at 8:45 pm

   Maybe it’s just me, but I gotta say that it really doesn’t do much for me. I mean, it’s shiny, and if one turned up on my doorstep, I wouldn’t turn it away, but I wouldn’t be in a big rush to get one.

   The things I like about it: Shiny (I must be part raccoon or something!)light and definitely cool.

   Things that make me nervous: no optical drive - yeah, I know Steve wants me to rent movies from iTunes to watch, but I don’t really want to have to. I also don’t trust the Mac to PC connection that will let me “borrow” the optical drive just yet, since this is totally new. I know that is part of the cool factor, but it means that I HAVE to have another computer to install software from a CD or DVD. That makes me nervous. Yeah, you can get the external drive for an extra $100, but then it’s more stuff to keep track of, pack, etc.

   Also, the lack of ports…I’m not a touch pad person, so I’ve always got a mouse plugged in, which means if I need to plug anything else in, I need a USB hub, and from the look, that fold out thing is gonna be a pain with the hub, and it means I have to carry more stuff with me, which starts to offset the light factor.

   The gestures seem cool, but I can’t even figure out the Mac keyboard shortcuts - I can’t imagine trying to figure out gestures to do stuff. Besides, it would feel foreign rather than using the mouse anyway. Gestures make sense on the iPod Touch & iPhone - I don’t really see the big attraction on the MBA.

   The “fits into an interoffice envelope” is cute for a commercial, but I don’t know anyone that would put a $2k laptop in an envelope for any reason. (But, I’m a freak when it comes to stuff like that - people are not even allowed beverages near my laptops.)

   Light - well, you can’t beat that. It was part of the reason I bought my MacBook, because my 17″ HP Monster is a pain (literally!) to take around.

   Here’s what I can tell you - buying a Mac ain’t cheap - not because of the cost of the device itself (although they definitely are NOT cheap!) but because you wind up buying a whole bunch of “things” to go with it. New bag (cause it will be a different size than anything you already have) new mouse (cause I like to keep one with each device, changing all the time or remembering where I left it is a pain) new software, cause nothing you already own is compatible, new shoes (cause they need to match the new bag - it’s a chick thing!)then, you find yourself in the Apple store, and buying an AirPort extreme, a new backup hard drive to test out Time Machine (and then switching to something more reliable) and an Airport Express for the road - cause they are just too cool not to have. Then, you get the credit card bill and are trying to figure out how that $1800 laptop suddenly cost you over 3 grand! (Good shoes ain’t cheap either! )

10. 10 Judie Lipsett Jan 23rd, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    @Gatewood - my fingers are crossed for you! May I ask what your final investment was in the ModBook?

    @JD - Your breakdown on actual costs of ownership was too true!!

11. 11 Gatewood Jan 23rd, 2008 at 8:55 pm

    It was exactly $2920.45. I got the biggest drive, most RAM, and an optical drive. No three year warranty, or it would have gotten off the charts. As it was, I had to grit my teeth a little.

12. 12 Judie Lipsett Jan 23rd, 2008 at 9:00 pm

    Well, it wasn’t quite as bad as my Fujitsu T4215 last year…and it sounds lovely. If you like the Modbook, it will be money well spent - right?

    Would you care to do an unboxing or a review for GD when it comes? Email me, if so. I think we would all love to see this. And if you are already doing it for another site, just let us know when the time comes so we can link to it.

13. 13 Gatewood Jan 23rd, 2008 at 9:04 pm

    Let me give this some thought. I’m an old person, and rather shy. I’ll email you and discuss it with you.

14. 14 Judie Lipsett Jan 23rd, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    Whatever you are comfortable with; I look forward to talking to ya!

15. 15 doogald Jan 24th, 2008 at 8:52 am

    *Sigh*

    I bought my MacBook last January, but if something like this would have been available then, I would have bought in a few heartbeats. My previous notebook was a Dell X200, which had its optical drive in a heavy docking station. But when I was out and about I could carry the very thin and light X200 and was happy using it. The Air is much better than the X200 was - full sized screen and non-cramped keyboard, and so long as the battery life figures are correct, having a non-replaceable battery would have been fine.

    I guess in a couple of years the Air (or its successor . . .) will be my next notebook.

16. 16 Wayne Schulz Jan 24th, 2008 at 9:17 am

    Definitely ModBook unboxing!! — you don’t have to photo your hands holding it (though I happen to think that makes the articles better)..

    On the subject of MacBook Air — the reviews are starting to come out with the majors and I don’t know about anyone else but at best they seems “polite” …. none of them outright bag the device but it is increasingly seeming like this will be a niche device.

    Even if I thought I’d like to use it on the plane — I’d really have to travel a lot to justify the cost and inconvenience of needing to hook a bunch of doo-dads to it to load movies, etc.

    And if the device’s main goal is web browsing — I think there are cheaper and better alternatives.

    It’s going to be interesting to see where this goes.

17. 17 jessica Jan 24th, 2008 at 11:09 am

    I’m in the market for a new Apple laptop, and I must say, the Air tempted me. BIG TIME. But since I use my laptop as my main computer, I know it wouldn’t be the best choice for me. If you get one, Judie, I plan on drooling vicariously through you.

18. 18 TrvlngDrew Jan 24th, 2008 at 3:53 pm

    In the immortal words of Judie Lipsett: Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it! Do it!

    Really if it is technolust a fire hose directed at you might cool you down a bit, but the fun factor is great and you know you can sell it and still get the majority of your investment back. Back off the extras and stay with the base cost until you really really decide to keep it for a year or longer.. I know girls like to “accessorise”

    I generally like to wait for Gen 2 of any new concept as the bugs get ironed out and so forth, hence my total avoidance of Vista.

    For the MacBook Air, the HD is too small and too slow, been there done that.. (Lenovo X41 Tablet!)

    But will definitely look at the next gen of the MacBook Air, a very cool concept indeed!

19. 19 dave_p_1 Jan 24th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

    Why go for a fat 0.76″ thick computer like the MacBook Air when you can get a thin 0.74″ computer like the MotionComputing LE1700 and it’s a tablet to boot!

    http://www.sizeasy.com/page/si…..per-Letter

20. 20 Judie Lipsett Jan 24th, 2008 at 4:23 pm

    Drew, you have your impression of me down pat! :lol:!!!

    To tell the truth, I nearly bought it yesterday…then didn’t. I nearly bought it again today, and then Mike Cane talked me down. (thanks Mike )

    We’ll see what happens tomorrow.

    I am trying to be patient, and wait for Mitchell’s review (Apple Australia is sending him one), but the waiting is sooooo hard.

21. 21 runningman Jan 24th, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    Drew and Wayne are on the money. This is a platform designed to test the market for some of the new technologies, but not really more than a surfing machine. It needs at least 100gb drive to be practical (or more), and the price needs to be somewhere on this planet (for the SSD option). Serious waste of money right now Judie. Doo-dads are bad!

22. 22 Judie Lipsett Jan 24th, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    Yep, consider me officially not interested.

    Drew just emailed me the Engadget article…and I am going to wait until V2.0+ (sigh)…

    http://www.engadget.com/2008/0…..ine-on-th/

23. 23 kevinnugent Jan 24th, 2008 at 7:35 pm

    sniff. It’s such a sad moment when common-sense prevails over techno-lust.

    But, honestly, Judie, you would have looked SOOO SLIM next to that lovely sleek body of the Air!!

    What are the words to the song? “Sad, so sad…..”

    

24. 24 Judie Lipsett Jan 24th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

    “But, honestly, Judie, you would have looked SOOO SLIM next to that lovely sleek body of the Air!!”

    Good try!!! But nope.