The MacBook Air As The Only Machine
Linked List March 12th, 2008The MacBook Air could easily be the only machine - (37signals) -
For a laptop, those other things are exactly what the Air is optimizing: Thin, light, and sleek. But what I continue to be impressed with the most on the Air is simply the build quality. The MacBook Pro has OK build quality, but the regular MacBook frankly blows in this department in my mind.
If you fall into the category of feeling your machine is fast enough to do what you’re currently doing, I’d strongly encourage you to take a look at the Air and enjoy somebody optimizing for other factors than just performance.
37signals employee David Heinemeier wrote an inspiring post on the MacBook Air, and its potential to be an only computer.
As much as I’d love to discard the MacBook Pro in favor of a lighter, thinner, and sexier MacBook Air - it really isn’t in my best interest to do so. The negatives of moving to such a machine far out-weigh the positive facts.
Although in saying, I’m looking forward to seeing how the MacBook Air develops in the Apple product line in the future.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Interesting thoughts. I read article on 37signals and I agree that it could be an only computer. It would depend on what you are doing with your computer but it is a good machine but in comparison to others it falls behind. Even if it is the equivalent of a old powerbook or ibook and people still use those and are still selling on ebay for top prices.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
I think the main problem with using the Air as a main computer is mainly graphics. Any type of graphical work that you would do the Air is just not equipped. Also, the lack of user-upgradable memory also is a downside for any high-memory applications.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
If all you do is take notes, go online, listen to music and go online, it’d be a perfect “only machine.”
I do some photo and video editing, so I want a little more.
But 99% of computer users need nothing more than a MacBook Air.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Right on Christopher. I feel I have a need for dedicated video RAM as I use Aperture upwards of ten hours per week.
March 12th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Once again, spot on Will. The Air would suffice 85% of my computer use, it’s the other 15% which rules it out for me. To each and their own I guess.
March 12th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Once Apple can get the prices of these down to become affordable for the average computer user, I will definitely be recommending these as the sole computer for many people. 90% of computer users I talk to are using a Pentium 4 computer. The MacBook Air would be much speedier, and allow them to do everything they need with their computer.
March 12th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Its interesting to note that some have embraced MBA with whole-heartedly - like Stammy, for example.
Minimilist users need only MBA, and it has enough power.
But in your case, I don’t think that’s enough - you have those truckloads of images to run Aperture on, and who knows what other power apps? I’m surprised that you didn’t feel the pinch when switching from Mac Pro to MBP.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I think the Air should only be aimed at the very basic of users. Obviously it’s not priced at that market, which is where it’s let down.
Apple have to either decide that the Air is for Pro user - Therefore “beefing” up the GPU, user replaceable RAM and possibly user replaceable HD
or
Decide that it’s for basic home users - Keep the spec as it is and lower the price between Mid range White Macbook and Black Macbook.
End of the day, it’s only good for Email, Internet and other basic tasks.
I’d like to think the next time they update the Air, they will include a selection of 3 different models, with the top spec aimed at professional users.
March 14th, 2008 at 3:50 am
Darren: I don’t see Apple beefing up the MBA. In fact, I don’t think they could beef it any further, it’s just not build for the kind of performance users like us need.
For managers, journalists and the like, people who have no use for 4GB RAM, I’m pretty sure the MBA could be an only machine. I am concerned about the harddrive space, though. My iTunes library is approaching 150GB, and at the current rate of growth, my LaCie external probably won’t cut it anymore within less than a year.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:35 am
The MacBook Air could easily be someones only computer especially since the kind of things that people do on a computer haven’t really changed in the past 5 years or so and the MacBook Air is quite a bit more powerful than a computer of 5 years ago.