Is the Macbook Air Worth the Cost?

The Macbook Air is Jobs first foray into making a miniscule notebook computer. In fact, as the thinnest notebook out there now, it's really anyone's first foray into this territory! The product specs are impressive for its size: two models with impressive capabilities, a few innovations that are unique to this notebook and Mac's traditional quality and beauty in a small package.

The major points to note: it is less than an inch thick. This is the computer, after all, that Jobs pulled out of a manilla inter-office envelope. (Don't expect that in your mailbox, though.) It weighs 3 pounds yet has a perfectly respectable 13.3 inch screen with a full keyboard. The MacBook Air uses Intel's Core 2 Duo processor, but one specially designed for this computer and 60% smaller than those used by competitors.

The processors come at 1.60Ghz or 1.80Ghz, which is more than Sony's option, but a bit slow in today's computing terms. The low-end MacBook comes in 1.80 and can lag when using Leopard's Spaces with lots of windows open. Check your computing needs carefully if you're looking to buy. It has fewer ports and the sound output is not as versatile as full size notebooks, but it has the basic connections one needs on the go: USB, audio and a DVI output (DVI, VGA, composite or S-video) so will connect to anything out there. This versatility is pretty snazzy for such a small machine.

The trackpad is the most interesting innovation and we can expect to see it on future Mac notebooks. It incorporates elements from the iPhone's touch system to help make trackpad use more intuitive. New features include the ability to swoosh through web pages or photos (three fingers swiped across the touchpad), enlarge or shrink web pages, finder windows, etc with the thumb and forefinger (iPhone's iconic two finger dance) and rotate pictures by rotating your fingers. It's nice to see the cross-breeding going on and promises that future products will continue to innovate and connect the touchpad (or touchpad techniques) into the fabric of the machine.

Competing thin notebooks (Sony's is the most widely used) usually run at least $2000 and frequently have less power, though they also weigh about a half a pound less. The Macbook Air weighs in at 3lbs and its extras (13.3 inch screen and a backlit keyboard) are worth that extra 'weight.' Thin notebooks are popular with people who need to carry their computers around with them and don't need too much power, but ultimately, they -- and the Macbook Air -- won't replace the desktop, which is what most people use their laptop for.

If you are looking to buy a thin notebook, Apple is most likely the one to buy: it's the cheapest one out there, has more power and runs Leopard, which is the most advanced operating system around. Still, its external optical drive may prove a nuisance, particularly if you plan to watch DVDs frequently or need to burn presentations (you'll need the additional SuperDrive for that) to give to other people. On the other hand, the display is magnificent. You won't feel like you're using a smaller computer since the screen size is the same as the Macbook. The full size computer will feel natural and the backlit keyboard is more than the Macbook offers.

Finally, good news for all of us whether we buy or not: Apple has made good on its various environmental commitments. There is no mercery or arsenic in the computer and the aluminum case is not just sturdier, but more recyclable than the previous plastic incarnations.

Sources:

Apple (www.apple.com) -- For specs and features. Check out their video tour, too.

Crunch Gear "MacBook Air, Sony VAIO TZ150 feature comparisons" (http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/15/macbook-air-sony-vaio-tz150-feature-comparison/) -- MacBook Air comes out on top with a lot of innovations above Sony's option.