Well, to begin with I’ve bought a MacBook Air and I’m really glad with it. I find nothing really bad in this laptop. If you are in ultrathin and ultraportable, and you travel much, it’s just a perfect computer!
Try to know more about this laptop: http://www.maconair.com
May it can change your mind..

Thanks Brett! I’m going to try & set aside some time so that I can visit my local Apple store. I guess I want to know what I’m missing by not using Apple. All I know is Windows. I want to know what I’m missing by not using an Apple product.

Thanks again!

@ Adrian (Potential 1st Time Apple Buyer)

“I’m just wondering, can I still use Microsoft office tools, outlook, all my windows shortcuts? ”

It’s up to you.

1) You can obtain and install Windows (using Apple’s supplied Boot Camp software) on your MBA, and never again boot into OS X if that’s what you wish. Unfortunately, you would be missing out on the best part of owning a Mac.

2) Or, once Windows is installed, you could use Parallels Desktop or VMWare Fusion to run your preferred Windows applications concurrently with OS X applications, thereby getting the “best” of both worlds.

3) Or, if Office is your main application, you may be able to avoid Windows altogether by purchasing Microsoft Office for the Mac which is mostly equivalent to its Windows counterpart. Some power-user features are missing on the Mac version such as Visual Basic and Word macros. The Mac version of Word doesn’t support Microsoft’s very latest proprietary file format, but should still open all your legacy files, and save files that others can open on their PCs. Office for the Mac includes the Entourage email client rather than Outlook. It is more limited than Outlook but suffices for many people. I couldn’t tell you offhand what difference is.

I’m not sure which “Windows Shortcuts” you typically use. It is likely that OS X offers similar shortcuts (and then some). Nevertheless, you should expect a little adjustment getting used to the Mac. Consider buying a book such as “Mac OS X Leopard: the Missing Manual” by David Pogue ($21 at Amazon.com). Your time will be rewarded.

If you can, go visit an Apple store (or find someone who has made the switch) and ask to see how things are done in OS X. There is a reason people love their Macs.

I have always been a DELL person. I’ve never used an Apple… well one time I have. I have a DELL XPS fully loaded notebook that I have used one time while traveling. I literally use my notebook for dumping photos into & surfing the net & checking email. For me personally I like the concept of saving the space & don’t need the huge hard drive. My notebook has a 160 GB Drive & is super fast. I could actually replace my DELL desktop with it. Anyway, I’m new to Apple & actually know little to nothing. From the little research I’ve done on the MBA it is perfect for what I need in a notebook. I’ve always been a MS Windows user though & it’s all I know. I’ve heard from many Apple friends of mine that once I get an Apple, that’s all I’ll want. I’m just wondering, can I still use Microsoft office tools, outlook, all my windows shortcuts? I guess I’m a bit nervous to go that route. Any feedback for a potential first time Apple buyer?

Thanks,

Adrian

After finally seeing and playing with a MacBook Air, I just have to have one. I am one of those frequent travellers (short-hop around town) that Apple designed this for, and for its intended mission it is perfect. I can finally retire my old Thinkpad X41 (which also uses a tiny and slow 1.8″ HD), and with Parallels, can even use a Mac for Outlook and Exchange.

The non-swappable battery is a big downside for me, but I think with OS X’s superior sleep performance it will get through my typical workday without running out of juice.

The only thing that keeps my money in my pocket is the horrible experience I had when I bought a then-new MacBook. That machine was replaced 3 times before I got one without serious defects, so I’ll wait a few months and see how the new Air does in terms of reliability. No more early-adopting of anything for me.

Very good article. You followed a decision making process that took you to to the right decision for your own needs. The same thorough process could lead others to equally valid personal choices than might be very different than yours but right for them.
If only the pundits of the world has the ability to think so logically and express themselves so clearly. But that might be asking too much. By the way, does anyone out there know the origin/derivation of the term “Pundit?”

If they did, I’d have less to write about

As to the origin of the word “pundit,” maybe this will help a little:

http://www.takeourword.com/et_n-p.html#pundit

Peace,
Gene

Very good article. You followed a decision making process that took you to to the right decision for your own needs. The same thorough process could lead others to equally valid personal choices than might be very different than yours but right for them.
If only the pundits of the world has the ability to think so logically and express themselves so clearly. But that might be asking too much. By the way, does anyone out there know the origin/derivation of the term “Pundit?”

I get the feeling that this is a machine that is being sold to test some concepts in the market that will show themselves in various ways in other products down the road.

I don’t need it either because I have a 13.3 Macbook. But I will say that I carry a lot of stuff in my briefcase, and the struggle is always to fit it in with the Macbook. That 1/2 inch difference would matter to me, and when there is a later version of the MBA, I am sure I will go with it.

I agree with Gene about the scrolling, I guess I have just gotten used to it over the years. I have not had a desktop machine for 5 years.

Totally wireless would be fine with me out in my community, no problem there, but what really irritates me is that the school system that I work in, 6000 computers, is mostly Windows and is so locked down for “security” reasons that Wifi availability is difficult. It’s not a priority with the IT people since “no one uses it.” Well, no one uses it because they don’t maintain it, and in a brick building, you need a lot more points. I can walk across the street if I want to and piggyback off someones residential network, but I don’t.

The real problem is the degree to which smaller and more portable devices are going to make the laptop obsolete. It used to be that if I were going on a short business trip to Cleveland I’d take along my laptop for such basic purposes as reading my e-mail, accessing the Web, and taking notes. Sure, a MacBook Air is lighter and more portable than a standard laptop. But for purposes like this how can it compete with an iPhone? As with the relation of the iPod Touch to the iPhone, Apple’s problem is to keep its various products from cannibalizing each others’ sales.

The above arguments pro and con go to show that differences of opinions are what make for an interesting horse race. What might be more serious is to wonder about to degree to which smaller portable devices are going to render the laptop obsolete. Is it possible that the iPhone is going to have a negative effect on the sales of Apple’s laptop line? Used to be, if I were going to Cincinnati on a short business trip I might take a laptop just to read my e-mail, make some notes, maybe carry a document or two. Sure,a MacBook Air is lighter and more convenient than a standard laptop. But for purposes such as this how can it compete with a device I can simply stick in a pocket? As with the relation of the iPod Touch to the iPhone, I wonder how carefully Apple has thought through the problem of what ecological niche each of its products is intended to fill and how to keep its various products from cannibalizing each others’ sales.

Actually, I really want one, but don’t need it. I have a great G5 iMac at work, and an Intel Mac Mini at home for all the desktop stuff. My MacBook is just used for web surfing, mail, and writing, and not much else. While there are smaller machines, I would never want to go with a smaller screen, so I love the form factor. As to the lack of I/O options, I rarely use more than wireless, BT and a single USB connection at any one time.

My problem is that the MacBook has been working great, and isn’t showing any sign of quitting. Unless it meets with an unfortunate accident, then I don’t think I can justify upgrading for vanity!

You tell ‘em gene! I always carry DVDs and CDs with me when I go to the beach. They were made for sand and surf. I too shall miss having a built-in optical drive.

However, all is not lost. The Macbook Air’s wedge shape allows it to be used to dig sand castles.

There is that. But I’m a little past my sand castle days.

Peace,
Gene

You tell ‘em gene! I always carry DVDs and CDs with me when I go to the beach. They were made for sand and surf. I too shall miss having a built-in optical drive.

However, all is not lost. The Macbook Air’s wedge shape allows it to be used to dig sand castles.

I think the MBA is more like the original iMac G3 than the Cube.

It’s Jobs’ “computer appliance” yet again.

Apart from the possibility of a 3rd-party battery, there are no upgrades for the MBA.

It will be 2009 before an affordable, higher-capacity drive (either hard disk or SSD) is available.

Wow, I agree with everybody! My Macbook (rev A black) was my main system for almost a year. Then (when I got my own house) I bought a Mac Pro. Now I use my Macbook just as Dave describes so for me the MBA would be a good choice if I wanted to save 2.2 pounds. I don’t mind a backpack/courier bag so 5-1/4 pounds is really nothing for me to tote around. Threfore, the Macbook is perfectly adequate and I will not be replacing it anytime soon.

I think the Macbook Air is a perfect product for a certain demographic. The traveler needing to take a subset of work with them. I believe that the MBA will be Cube/iPod like in that it is a great introductory platform for new design philosophies and components (flash memory main drives for example). Remember 1,000 songs in your pocket for “only” $500.00? Now you get 20,000 for half the price and the same physical form factor. The Cube was Apple’s first truly compact desktop machine. Much of what came from it has evolved into the present day Mini and iMac.

The MBA does not need to be a runaway hit in order to be a success, or for that matter to benefit all of us down the line. It is not for everyone, myself included. I would not rule it out as my next portable Mac, but that’s likely 2-4 years down the road on my upgrade cycle. Ultimately, though, I think it will have value for me even if I never own one.

Cheers