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I Want (or Don't Want) MacBook Air

Updated: certainly some of the reported problems (obscure USB among others) might make this device not as appealing. I also priced out a similar Sony Vaio - and they ended up being equally priced but you got more with the Vaio. Hmph...my foray back into Mac land may have to wait a bit...

OK - now I know what I definitely want for my new notebook. The overall HW specs don't sound that great - but it's time to dump my Dell (I reviewed the buy-out on my HW lease - what a rip-off - this machine is going back) - and I really do think it's time to come back to my true 6-color roots (even if Apple's colors these days run more platinum)

But seriously...it's THAT thin???? Cripes...and it looks like their pricing for Canada is close to on par. $1899 Cdn vs. $1799 US. If you look at today's exchange rate ($1.0378), it's pretty close.

Yes , I suppose I could look at a Sony VAIO - but no thanks, Sony. I've pretty much stopped doing business with you (even if you did go DRM-Free at Amazon).

Could I use it as my development workstation? Hard to say, but I remember almost 8 years ago, seeing Ed Leafe doing all his dev on his MacBook and I was envious. Definitely time.

But VFP Developers, what are you using for your development machines?
Apple Canada - MacBook Air
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Comments

foo said…
I've been using VFP on my Macbook for a year now.

++Alan
January 15, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Juan Calcagno said…
Andrew,

From the software developer perspective, I don't see the point on getting a laptop for $1799 where its hard drive is 80gb and the maximum screen resolution rendered is 1280x800. These 2 points are deal breakers for me. Unless this is your second laptop, but still...
For around $2200 I can get a Dell M 1530 with a 300gb HD and a 1650x1050 max screen resolution, plus 3 years of on site total care (accidental or not).
Are actually looking at other features that I am missing?
January 16, 2008 at 8:34 AM
Anonymous said…
I'm a desktop guy... but I'm pretty much satisfied working on a Gateway laptop.

That... and those bulky IBM models.

Apple products are good... but it's 50% technolust.

We can't deny the skills of their engineers and designers though. Steve Jobs included... : ]
January 16, 2008 at 7:23 PM
Anonymous said…
That MacBook Air is just for Womanizers ;) Yes it has a huge WAF (Woman Accepance Factor), but it's not usable for real work. Come on: 13" with 1280x800? I'm already running out of space on my 15" 1680x1050!
And a superslow 80Gb 1,8" 4400rpm PATA harddisk? I barely find enuf place on my 200Gb 7200rpm SATA 2,5" harddisk.
Then there's only 1 USB port, and not even a microphone jack (for Skype or VOIP). No smartcard-, no PCExpress-, no PCCard slots. All you have is one lonely USB-Port for all your gadgets you'll need to connect. Thus you'll find yourself equipped with a lot of carry-ons additionally to that thin thingy....
Nope. No way that I would use that overpriced thing for work.
I'm happy with a fully equipped DELL D830. Not that lightweight, but: hey, we are mans, we can stand that weight! ;)
February 7, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Andrew MacNeill said…
Agreed, Woody. After hearing about a number of the problems with the Air, it's making me rethink my decision (good thing I didn't order it).

It's a great looking machine - but definitely needs more power.

And the price is still a little high.
February 7, 2008 at 1:12 PM
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