Comments on: MacBook Air is a niche product http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/16/macbook-air-is-a-niche-product/ Can you think of a better name? Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:36:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Frank http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/16/macbook-air-is-a-niche-product/comment-page-1/#comment-14561 Frank Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:54:09 +0000 http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/16/macbook-air-is-a-niche-product/#comment-14561 Steve, While i'm a fervent Mac user and admirer of Apple the MB Air, a wonderful piece of engineering and industrial design, will not suit the road warriors imo. Perhaps your readers can chime in but I think the lack of a built-in e-net jack will dissuade some as wifi may not be present in all hotel/motel rooms and lugging another piece of equipment (the 29$ enet-USB connector) is just another thing waiting to be lost. Cheers, Frank Steve,
While i'm a fervent Mac user and admirer of Apple the MB Air, a wonderful piece of engineering and industrial design, will not suit the road warriors imo. Perhaps your readers can chime in but I think the lack of a built-in e-net jack will dissuade some as wifi may not be present in all hotel/motel rooms and lugging another piece of equipment (the 29$ enet-USB connector) is just another thing waiting to be lost.
Cheers,
Frank

]]> By: blork http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/16/macbook-air-is-a-niche-product/comment-page-1/#comment-14554 blork Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:47:48 +0000 http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/16/macbook-air-is-a-niche-product/#comment-14554 There's no doubt it's a niche product. Also, it's a pretty big leap forward design-wise, in terms of it being a full size computer with a full size screen and keyboard that is also exceptionally small and light. I think they're trying to make a point. I think they're trying to really push the wireless thing, and this product is sort of a "proof of concept" for not having all the usual ports. Basically, it will appeal to people who have a lot of extra money ($3000 for the flash drive version!!!) and who want to have the slickest laptop around. I think they will actually find that market. I have a theory about the lack of upgradeability, or at least the lack of access to the battery and RAM ports. I think it’s due to structural limitations of the casing. The top priority of this design seems to have been to make it thin. So instead of it having a frame inside with a skin around it, I suspect it’s got some kind of “unibody” design. To cut holes in that body to make doorways to the battery and RAM ports (etc.), would probably weaken the structure. There's no doubt it's a niche product. Also, it's a pretty big leap forward design-wise, in terms of it being a full size computer with a full size screen and keyboard that is also exceptionally small and light.

I think they're trying to make a point. I think they're trying to really push the wireless thing, and this product is sort of a "proof of concept" for not having all the usual ports.

Basically, it will appeal to people who have a lot of extra money ($3000 for the flash drive version!!!) and who want to have the slickest laptop around. I think they will actually find that market.

I have a theory about the lack of upgradeability, or at least the lack of access to the battery and RAM ports. I think it’s due to structural limitations of the casing.

The top priority of this design seems to have been to make it thin. So instead of it having a frame inside with a skin around it, I suspect it’s got some kind of “unibody” design. To cut holes in that body to make doorways to the battery and RAM ports (etc.), would probably weaken the structure.

]]> By: Denis Canuel http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/16/macbook-air-is-a-niche-product/comment-page-1/#comment-14533 Denis Canuel Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:53:39 +0000 http://blog.fagstein.com/2008/01/16/macbook-air-is-a-niche-product/#comment-14533 I agree, they could've (at least) added a tiny slot for DVD or BlueRay. Knowing how Apple is often aggressive, I would've understood if they would've gone BlueRay only (no DVD capability). But going naked is strange. Perhaps they want to promote their Apple TV product. Steve's strange sometimes... or maybe he knows something we don't. I agree, they could've (at least) added a tiny slot for DVD or BlueRay. Knowing how Apple is often aggressive, I would've understood if they would've gone BlueRay only (no DVD capability). But going naked is strange. Perhaps they want to promote their Apple TV product. Steve's strange sometimes... or maybe he knows something we don't.

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