Improving The MacBook Air
Apple February 10th, 2008After reading dozens and dozens of various posts related to the MacBook Air, the verdict is all over the board in regard to how the machine has been received by the community and general consumers.
After publishing my first thoughts, I came to the consensus that the MacBook Air had a lot going for it, and a lot going against it. It would pair up perfectly as a second more portable machine for those already running iMac’s/Mac Pro’s, etc.
After viewing Macworld benchmarks, the last statement above that the MacBook Air would be suited as a second machine for the creative professional is a somewhat accurate one. The MacBook Air clocks in as the slowest Mac in Apple’s lineup.
Speed aside, if anything could be added to the MacBook Air, on my terms, they’d be as follows.
Extra USB Port & FireWire Port
The MacBook Air’s hub is home to a magsafe power port, one USB 2.0 port, a micro-DVI port, and a headphone jack. While the term less is more is often used in the Mac world (typically when talking about software), the same doesn’t apply here.
One extra USB port, along with a FireWire 400 port would be greatly received. It’s on of my major gripes about the machines design. While it can be easily fixed with a USB hub, it’s not the most aesthetically pleasing or simple solution.
User Replaceable RAM
I’d almost be fully content to use a MacBook Air full time if the RAM limitation wasn’t set at 2GB, tethered to the motherboard. While I’m not certain on the practically of it, having the ability for the user to replace RAM with standard DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz DIMM RAM. It would take the RAM limitation to 4GB on the MacBook Air if two slots were open - much more acceptable for those multi-tasking on the notebook - although, that opens the question once again, if you’re multitasking heavily, why are you doing it on a MacBook Air? The irony.
Don’t get me wrong, the MacBook Air is super elegant in its current state. I still want one, and most of the problems above can be fixed with third-party products (well, not the RAM). All-in-all, the MacBook Air is shaping up to be much more desirable than I initially thought.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I wouldn’t buy it. It just being thin does nothing for me, if not actually making it more fragile. I’d be more happy with a Macbook. The Air seems to target a very very specific niche, but I’m sure many people outside of that will buy it just for the novelty value.
February 10th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I actually handled one of these things at the Apple Store today, and i have to say, it is almost flawless. It’s design is flawless. The multi-touch work amazingly. It stays super cool. It is light, and thin, but spacious enough to get work done.
I am pretty much convinced that I would trade a Mac Pro/MacBook Air combo for the current MBP I have today. The MBA redefines what a “laptop” is. Really, use my MBP as a portable computer, or a desktop replacement. But if you have a desktop, which I think is beneficial in multiple ways, the MBA is a perfect companion.
Only thing really going against it is the price and the RAM limitation. if the price was $300 cheaper, many more people would buy it. And I think the prices will come down over time. Actually, I am hoping to wait for the second rev 8 months or so down the line. Technology will have improved to have much larger storage, RAM, and CPU speed at much lower prices.
BTW, you said:
“The MacBook Air’s hub is home to a magsafe power port, one USB 2.0 port, and a headphone jack.”
Don’t forget the micro-DVI port that will power up to a 24″ display. :-)
February 10th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I also tried one at the Apple Store today. A 80GB drive isn’t enough for me. It should also have a replaceable battery.
February 10th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I’ve been looking at using the air as my primary device.
The major thoughts I have are:
a) Hard drive is to small, even 120Gb would be much better. If you have 20Gb music, 15Gb movies etc, 5Gb random projects, 10Gb System + apps, 3Gb dev tools. 60Gb is just cutting it to close. This should just be a matter of time through as larger capacity drives already exist
b) dual link dvi. I want to use a 30″ monitor and there is no way to work around this issue. Hopefully the new GMA X4500 graphics card on the Montevina platform will address this when its released later in the year. This is the only reason i need to by a macbook pro.
c) GigE ethernet port. There is just to much of a gap in performance with wireless, and its just to common to want to use a dongle all the time.
I would prefer an extra USB port so I can use the cd drive and something else (like my mouse) at the same time as the cd drive can’t be used though a hub. I can live with this though.
Firewire - meh, i can live with without that. USB2 works well enough that this is something i can afford to sacrifice.
Overall though, I don’t care much about the CPU power. Onboard mpeg decoding would be great to reduce the load/heat while watching movies, but i just don’t need the extra processor power. So this would generally work well as a primary device for me.
February 10th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
There’s nothing like improving the MacBook Air. Either ignore it and don’t buy one, or don’t write all over again why you don’t like it…
2 USB ports - where do you wanna fit them ? when you’re out, why do you need more than 1 ? At your desk you can have hub and…your mouse, card reader, dvb-t tuner and whatever you might imagine!
Firewire 400 6-pin port - where do you wanna fit that ? if they put in just the non-powered 4-pin (smaller), you’d whine again about external HDDs and other stuff.
User replaceable RAM - ok, now what ? where does it go again ?
To those “I want gigabit ethernet” people: I wonder if you’ve ever been on 802.11 pre-n network. Using Belkin N1 with simple Taurus mirrored RAID box on one of its gigabit ports is just fine for everyone. Guy editing RAW files from EOS 1Ds Mk II included. He’s very happy with it, finally a usable wireless..
February 10th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Onda hit the nail on the head there. Whatever it is that you folks want - you can’t fit it in there. This goes for 2 USB ports, FireWire, user replacable RAM, Ethernet, everything. the MBA is packed with almost everything it needs, and there’s absolutely no room for your shenanigans. Also, to clear up a popular misconception: The ports and interior hardware are part of the design too. Design is not just the outward appearance, it is much, much more. And I think Ive did a fantastic job with the MacBook Air.
February 10th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Don’t get me wrong, the MacBook Air is super elegant in its current state. I still want one, and most of the problems above can be fixed with third-party products (well, not the RAM). All-in-all, the MacBook Air is shaping up to be much more desirable than I initially thought.
February 10th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Hey Glenn,
writing this on my own MacBook Air right now, and I must say, in two days I’m falling in love with even more.
As for your suggestions: I think apart from having an additional USB port, the ports should be slightly more accessible. I can hardly get my headphones and USB stick (a super slim sony drive) stuffed in there. But they work fine.
I don’t think a second USB port is needed for me, as the sole purpose of it to me is to attach a thumb drive. I’m not planning on a mouse, because this new multi-touch pad is so phenomenal, it actually is faster and more comfortable than a mouse.
As for firewire, I think this only makes sense if you plan to connect a 5-year old iPod or a camcorder. And in the camcorder case, you’d need a more powerful machine overall, and I think that’s not the main purpose of this notebook.
I’m always for more RAM, but 2GB seem enough for what I think this machine is supposed to do: Writing, music, web surfing. And I’m willing to give up that option for the insane thinness of this thing.
Just my thoughts, and I’m sure you’ll begin to see the thinking Apple has put into this once you start using it a bit. From what I read from your comments you’re already on your way :-)
February 11th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Glenn I know know where you are coming from but I think that this laptop is aimed at an executive audience and how often do business men plug anything in?? I would say really especially if all they use it for is email, web browsing and wordprocessing.
February 11th, 2008 at 2:18 am
Just to clear things up I don’t believe the magsafe port is inside hub. To my knowledge its on the left side of the machine.
Check this link out
http://uneasysilence.com/media/2008/01/p1311842.png
Btw love the site but I do miss the video’s that I used to receive as a podcast what happen to them?
February 11th, 2008 at 4:26 am
this add-ons are great, just wish it come true with apple. it would be awsome if the apple macbook air had a bigger hardrive, expandable ram and replaceable batteries. some of the main “things” that is keeping the macbook air from being a primary apple machine.
February 11th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Some notable suggestions there Glenn. Then again rmaspero makes a pretty good point. I doubt MBA owners will need too many connectivity options when on the go. If Apple takes them into consideration for the next version however, so much the better!
February 11th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
The conclusion I have come to with the Macbook Air is the target audience is not everyone. The people who are complaining about the product should not be using it. It wont be for a few months until we all can really see who will use it. I think currently the Macbook Air will sell really well with woman.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
You just described a macbook.
Thus, anybody wanting 4gigs of ram, two usb ports, a firewire port etc should buy a macbook.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Ok Glenn, here are my wants for the Air.
* 2 “useable” USB ports. Useable stressed for obvious reasons.
* Bigger hard drive, 80GB is just not enough for anyone in this day and age. Faster wouldn’t hurt either.
* Built-in ethernet port. I’ve seen that ugly, bulky, annoying dongle. There’s come a point when you’ll need that ethernet port, I guarantee it, and that dongle is the most inelegant, un-Apple-like solution I’ve ever seen. I’m beginning to think Ive’s intern designed the Air.
* €100 cheaper. Yes it’s a so-called ultra-portable etc., but €1,699 is just laughable in my opinion. €1,599 would be much easier to swallow, and yet is still very expensive considering.
The Air could have been a home run, but I’m betting rev. one goes the way of the Apple Hi-Fi.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Glenn, where are you? No videos on youtube and Podcasts on the iTunes. I really like your site, your videos and everything. But this disappearing act of yours is making me visit your site less and less.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
What do you mean Umair? I’ve been blogging very regularly, videos are on hold due to my course. Will resume next week.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Dont get me wrong Glenn, actually I visit your website atleast 5 times and your youtube channel atleast 10 times a day. But when I dont see any new vdos, I get sad. Really. Your last Podcast on the iTunes was “Keeping Personal Mail Organized”. But I didnt know that you are bz in your studies. So sorry about that. You take care …
February 13th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I still want one, and most of the problems above can be fixed with third-party products (well, not the RAM).
Acctually.. they are rare but they do exist cant seem to fin d a link atm but there are USB ram. How well it works i have no idea of.
February 20th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Just buy one already, everyone knew you were going to sooner or later. I don’t think Apple’s ever released a product you didn’t buy.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:57 am
I must say that I’m interested in the MBA, but I also know it’s not for me. I already have a MacBook, and the MBA seems more suited for people who have second desktop systems.
Having said that, I agree with what you’ve written. A user replaceable battery and RAM, along with more USB ports would do wonders for generating interest.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Hi Glenn
Good that I found your blog! I live in Tokyo and all these years I own “the PC” and looking at “Windows”. When the iphone was introduced and I started moving towards MacWorld and looking at nice things they have.
I have ordered an MAC recently and waiting to receive it soon. For me, in the last 4 weeks, looking at MAC and feeling the touch had been wonderful experience! When I stroll through an electronic store which displays a Japanese model, I stop and spend a few minutes on it. Though I cannot read and understand Japanese, it was so easy to see all those understandable user interface and multi touch pad and get things what u r looking for!!
The MAC area in the store is usually quiet and elegantly laid out. I had seen a MAC running both Leopard and Windows simultaneously! I was surprised to see that Windows menu appearing on the left side and MAC icons at the bottom and one can move the mouse to navigate between the two worlds. I asked the guy how they did it and the answer was “a silent but cordial murmur”.
Anyway, I would like to close this with one comment that I had seen so many “Windows” but MAC is much more cleverly carved to suit the simplicity of the user! It is like wearing a Burberry undershirt in place of an undershirt purchased in WalMart!!
I will visit your Blog quite often, I believe!!
thanx
February 29th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Man, I would love to have a macbook air, but there’s just so many things I wanna do that the MacBook air won’t be suitable for. Why can’t the macbook pro be this thin =[
March 6th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Most of the tasks that people would perform with a FireWire port require processing power that the MacBook Air simply doesn’t provide. I’m referring specifically to video editing - you could probably fit about 4 or so hours of DV video and Final Cut Express on the hard disk, leaving little room for the actual project files.
Many people, including Cali Lewis, simply need the processing power that the Air doesn’t have. It’s not a primary machine for just about any user.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Michael
For your kind of application, you need a high-end machine with larger screen. Macbook is for the people on the move and for those who want to do things quickly and efficiently (?)
Anyway, opinions do differ among people!! Right now, I am creating DVDs for all those videos we had taken using MiniDv camera. The only machine I have is a PC running the WINDOWS and some DVD creator. I know how painful it is!! But, we have to do as MiniDVs are history now (especially in Japan).
Waiting to receive my MBA and I hope I can do the editing a little better and easier!!
Cheers
March 7th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
@Thiru Jeeva: I wasn’t specifically referring to myself, but that is the point that I was trying to make. If you need extreme lightness and don’t mind a slower machine (not to say that the Air isn’t at all fast), get the MacBook Air. If you need power, a bigger screen, or other features, get a different laptop. Simple as that.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:59 am
I have been waiting long enough and i now feel it’s the right time to invest in a macbook air to be honest. I’m starting a graphic design course at college in September and want to have mastered the feel of it by then.