The new MacBook Air

[Lincoln]

I realize that most of the discussion around is based on 1.1.3, but Steve also introduced the new MacBook Air at the Keynote today.

The new MacBook focuses on being very lightweight and completely wireless. It has a 3.3 inch display at the same resolution as other Macs with a full-sixe, backlighted keyboard.

The trackpad features the same multi-touch technology on the iPhone nd iPod Touch. With it you can pinch, swipe, or rotate to zoom in on taxt, flick through photos, or adjust an image.

It has only 4 ports; a USB 2.0 port, a headphone jack, a micro-DVI port, and the magnetic power cord port. It comes with 2MB of RAM and an 80 gig Hard Drive, with the option to update to a 64 gig solid-state Hard Drive. Just like the other current Macs, the Air has the Intel Core 2 Duo processor. It also has a built-in iSight camera.

The Air is entirely wireless. It has the 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR built in. The disc drive has been wiped from the Air; movies can be rented from iTunes and files can be backed up via the new Time Capsule. When software needs to be installed, a new feature, Remote Disc, lets you access discs in other computers. Migration from other Macs is also done through Remote Disc.

The 13-inch 1.6 GHz MacBook Air can now be pre-ordered for $1,799, and the 13-inch 1.8 GHz can be pre-ordered for $3,098. Alternatively, you can get the MacBook Pro, at 17 inches with a 2.4 GHz processor and a 160 gig HD for only $2,799. I recommend it over the Air.

- John

[420greg]

3.3 inch display and only 2 megs of RAM? Does not sound like a very good computer to me....

[sl0ppyshat]

Originally Posted by John

I Alternatively, you can get the MacBook Pro, at 17 inches with a 2.4 GHz processor and a 160 gig HD for only $2,799. I recommend it over the Air.

- John

Agreed.. Air seems like a neat concept but not worth the price for pretty much a motherboard in a pretty housing. Get the PRO!

[Lincoln]

I personally prefer a larger computer. Don't get me wrong, I'm spoiled; I hate monitors and computers being separate. But I like to have a bit of size and a nice big screen.

- John

[patrickj]

The price for the SSD version is huge. I think a UMPC / Newton type device would've had a lot more 'boom' factor ...

[chris]

I really wanted to get a MacBook Pro, but held off in anticipation of MacWorld. I'm not sure about the MacBook Air. If it came in a 15", then I think it would warrant consideration. For now, I'm going to remain on the sidelines. This of course could all change when I find myself in front of the thing at my local Apple Store.

How much is the SuperDrive? I couldn't locate it in the store.

[Sleeper]

Superdrive is $99.

Macbook air is a bit of a waste of time to be honest.

[psylichon]

Originally Posted by chris

How much is the SuperDrive? I couldn't locate it in the store.

Thought I saw a picture on Engadget from the keynote showing it at $99....? That was before my coffee, though...

[chris]

I guess it fits neatly between the MacBook and the MacBook Pro. It'll probably get buyers from both groups. Potential MacBook buyers will step for the thin, aluminum casing. MacBook Pro buyers might find value, plus of course the super thin size.

Is it me or will anyone consider a MacBook Pro purchase? They are way overdue for an update. I'm surprised it wasn't refreshed with the Mac Pro desktops last week. I thought a Penryn processor was definitely in the cards for MacWorld.

[JoHnOfDaDeAd]

2MB and 3.3 inches?

I hope you mean 2 GB and 13.3 inches.