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MacWorld 2008: MacBook Air - January 16, 2008

After a week’s worth of speculation of the big announcement, Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs presented us with a ultra-portable notebook entitled the MacBook Air. We were on the show floor and had a chance to mess with the tiny laptop. We got a few pictures of the MacBook Air, its SuperDrive (aka CD/DVD reader+writer), and a few comparison shots with the Dell 15-inch m1530. The first thing you’ll notice when you hold the MacBook Air is that it doesn’t have any easily visible ports. The device only has a MagSafe power cord connector on the left and a USB port, headphone jack, and a proprietary connector on the right. The notebook weights just 3 pounds since it even lacks a CD/DVD drive. Keep reading for more pictures and to find out what it offers. P.S. The price tag won’t be as exciting.

“We’ve built the world’s thinnest notebook—without sacrificing a full-size keyboard or a full-size 13-inch display,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “When you first see MacBook Air, it’s hard to believe it’s a high-performance notebook with a full-size keyboard and display. But it is.”

MacBook Air Specifications:

• Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz
• 13.3 inch Glossy LED Backlit (1280×800)
• 2GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM
• 80GB 4200RPM HDD or 64GB SSD
• Optional External SuperDrive
• Large Multi-Touch trackpad
• Intel GMA X3100 144MB
• 1 USB 2.0, Audio Line Out, micro-DVI
• WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1
• iSight webcam and omni directional mic
• Backlit Keyboard and Optional Remote
• Over 5-hours of Expected Battery Life
• Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard

The specifications look great, but the price is a bit ridiculous. Apple is going to charge $1,799 for the cheapest model, while the SSD configuration starts at $3,089. Although the tiny size of the notebook is the main reason for the high price, more powerful notebooks, which of course are a bit larger, from other manufacturers such as Dell are available for a fraction of the price. Portability is definitely something the MacBook Air offers, but there’s also other issues. For example you’ll need to carry adapters to connect the machine to a external display, there’s no microphone line in, and you’ll have to also carry an external DVD/CD burner. the worst part may just be the fact that the battery isn’t removable. Similar to iPods, the MacBook Air has a embedded battery. For a on-the-go laptop, Apple should have offered battery packs which anyone could just pop in when they run out of juice.

We took some comparison shots of the Apple MacBook Air versus the Dell’s 15-inch m1530. It isn’t exactly a great comparison in terms of specifications, but it does show how small this “ultra-portable” notebook is compared to a standard laptop on the market.

Overall the notebook is great for those willing to spend the cash, but might be overdoing for average consumers. In my opinion most people wouldn’t mind carrying a slightly heavier load if they can save a few hundred bucks. The laptop seems strong, durable, and is designed quite neatly. The encasing doesn’t seem like it leaves any weak spots for anything to get damaged. The only ports on the side all tuck away neatly into the notebook creating a smooth rounded body.

So what do you guys think? Anyone planning on buying one of these? Also if you guys have any further questions, please feel free to ask by replying in the comments!

Links: Apple.com/macbookair | Apple Store