Comments on: MacBook Air is the Apple Netbook, End of Story http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/ TheAppleBlog, published by and for the day-to-day Apple user, is a prominent source for news, reviews, walkthroughs, and real life application of all Apple products. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:25:42 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Nokia Booklet 3G – Upsetting the apple cart - The Red Ferret Journal http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-62337 Nokia Booklet 3G – Upsetting the apple cart - The Red Ferret Journal Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:05:04 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-62337 [...] of smartphones, I know, my last four phones were Nokias. Apple on the other hand believes that the netbooks are too much of a compromise and the iPhone or MacBook Air is all you need to stay connected and portable. The huge volume of [...] [...] of smartphones, I know, my last four phones were Nokias. Apple on the other hand believes that the netbooks are too much of a compromise and the iPhone or MacBook Air is all you need to stay connected and portable. The huge volume of [...]

]]> By: Rita http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-60690 Rita Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:49:37 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-60690 I'm very impressed with your comments. My desktop PC is dying as we speak and I'm leaning strongly toward a Mac...but which Mac? I consider myself to be 'into photography' and 'family history research'. So, do I want the Mac Desktop with big monitor? along with the iPod Touch for portability? or do I want a 15" MacBook Pro with the iPod Touch? The other option would be a 15" MacBook Pro that I can dock to a non-Apple monitor when I want to 'see large'? HELP...need to make a decision soon. -R I’m very impressed with your comments. My desktop PC is dying as we speak and I’m leaning strongly toward a Mac…but which Mac?
I consider myself to be ‘into photography’ and ‘family history research’. So, do I want the Mac Desktop with big monitor? along with the iPod Touch for portability? or do I want a 15″ MacBook Pro with the iPod Touch?

The other option would be a 15″ MacBook Pro that I can dock to a non-Apple monitor when I want to ’see large’? HELP…need to make a decision soon. -R

]]> By: Ima Queen http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-58119 Ima Queen Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:32:07 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-58119 I have used a mac since 1984. I love macs and currently have mac 2 laptops and 1 desktop. Apple currently can not compete against the ASUS eee pc 1005ha netbook with the six cell battery. For under $300 (from PC Mall) I have a laptop with 1 gig of ram (extra ram purchased separately), a 7 hour battery, built in camera with mic. I can watch Hulu, access Facebook, post to Twitter, use Skype's video and edit my research database online for all of seven hours. With the built-in usb port I transferred all my movies and pics off my camera to post online with ease during my trip last week. Battery life is a nightmare on Apple products. I've had 1 iPod & 3 iTouch but their battery life when watching video can not compete with the ASUS 6 cell/ 7 hour battery. My newest mac laptop purchased in February 2009 only provides 4 hours of battery life. For those of us who are older with bigger less nimble fingers the iTouch's keyboard make it a nightmare to use. The ASUS keyboard while cramped is far easier to quickly type with than the iTouch. Enabling wifi on the iTouch drains the battery so quickly a power gorilla is required for any extended use beyond a couple of hours. I can never get the iTouch to recognize the Apple Snow airport I use at home. The little ASUS pc had no problem accessing my home airport. The little netbook meets all these needs. The ASUS netbook will not be my primary computer for video or graphics editing because I have a mac desktop and a couple mac laptops customized for that purpose. However, the ASUS eee pc 1005ha has become the primary laptop I carry with me every day. I have used a mac since 1984. I love macs and currently have mac 2 laptops and 1 desktop.

Apple currently can not compete against the ASUS eee pc 1005ha netbook with the six cell battery.

For under $300 (from PC Mall) I have a laptop with 1 gig of ram (extra ram purchased separately), a 7 hour battery, built in camera with mic.

I can watch Hulu, access Facebook, post to Twitter, use Skype’s video and edit my research database online for all of seven hours. With the built-in usb port I transferred all my movies and pics off my camera to post online with ease during my trip last week.

Battery life is a nightmare on Apple products. I’ve had 1 iPod & 3 iTouch but their battery life when watching video can not compete with the ASUS 6 cell/ 7 hour battery. My newest mac laptop purchased in February 2009 only provides 4 hours of battery life.

For those of us who are older with bigger less nimble fingers the iTouch’s keyboard make it a nightmare to use. The ASUS keyboard while cramped is far easier to quickly type with than the iTouch.

Enabling wifi on the iTouch drains the battery so quickly a power gorilla is required for any extended use beyond a couple of hours.

I can never get the iTouch to recognize the Apple Snow airport I use at home. The little ASUS pc had no problem accessing my home airport. The little netbook meets all these needs.

The ASUS netbook will not be my primary computer for video or graphics editing because I have a mac desktop and a couple mac laptops customized for that purpose. However, the ASUS eee pc 1005ha has become the primary laptop I carry with me every day.

]]> By: Let's Talk Apple » What’s Your Opinion on the MacBook Air? http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-55809 Let's Talk Apple » What’s Your Opinion on the MacBook Air? Tue, 25 Aug 2009 04:43:44 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-55809 [...] was reading an interesting article on The Apple Blog [Link to Article] that discussed the infamous MacBook Air, and how it was the Netbook of their our dreams. They [...] [...] was reading an interesting article on The Apple Blog [Link to Article] that discussed the infamous MacBook Air, and how it was the Netbook of their our dreams. They [...]

]]> By: William http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-52625 William Thu, 30 Jul 2009 03:02:44 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-52625 A MacBook Air is not a netbook its a full sized super thin note-book, an Apple tablet is not a netbook it is an oversized I-Pod Touch (which is not necessarily a bad thing). Although I believe Apple is missing the boat on this market segment. Consumers are not after another stylish gadget, they are looking for something compact and practical. A mini-notebook fits the bill perfectly in my opinion. Unless the Apple tablet has a keyboard accessory (which would seem to defeat the purpose of portability), it is not going to have the kind of impact on this new market segment (Netbooks) that Apple execs likely expect. A touch keypad will simply take away valuable screen real estate. Tablets are going to end up cannabalizing Apple’s other offerings like the I-Pod and I-Touch. Apple is not leading this the Netbook craze, they are following it (unfortunately). That is not a good thing. Netbooks are nothing new, Toshiba was the first to offer a mini-notebook April of 1996! I've heard all the same old criticisms about Netbooks: screen size, weak processors, cramped keyboard etc.. etc ... Do I-Touch’s and I-Phones offer 160GB-250GB drives and robust operating systems? Can you run and efficiently use a word processor on an I-Touch? Is a Blackberry keyboard a form of torture? Is it fun and efficient surfing the net on a 3.5 inch screen? The keyboard is the “key”. Consumers are tired of pecking at their MID’s and Smart Phones when trying to text one small sentence. A mini-notebook remedies this perfectly by providing a smaller (although useful) keyboard, portability, and larger screens than smaller MID’s. Apple makes some great stuff, but I am not blinded by their products. We really have a new breed of computer users that I refer to as Apple-Snots! I cannot help but wonder if Apple has been a little blind-sided by Netbooks. Apparently the Apple Tablet is in its 3rd or 4th incarnation as a proto-type. Have they waited too long to release this product? Hearing Jobs whine about Netbooks claiming that Apple will not release a similar device because of quality concerns and price point makes me laugh. This is the company that brought us the I-Pod (a revolution) but it is unable to tackle Netbooks! (LOL) Time will tell. A MacBook Air is not a netbook its a full sized super thin note-book, an Apple tablet is not a netbook it is an oversized I-Pod Touch (which is not necessarily a bad thing). Although I believe Apple is missing the boat on this market segment. Consumers are not after another stylish gadget, they are looking for something compact and practical. A mini-notebook fits the bill perfectly in my opinion. Unless the Apple tablet has a keyboard accessory (which would seem to defeat the purpose of portability), it is not going to have the kind of impact on this new market segment (Netbooks) that Apple execs likely expect. A touch keypad will simply take away valuable screen real estate. Tablets are going to end up cannabalizing Apple’s other offerings like the I-Pod and I-Touch. Apple is not leading this the Netbook craze, they are following it (unfortunately). That is not a good thing. Netbooks are nothing new, Toshiba was the first to offer a mini-notebook April of 1996!

I’ve heard all the same old criticisms about Netbooks: screen size, weak processors, cramped keyboard etc.. etc …

Do I-Touch’s and I-Phones offer 160GB-250GB drives and robust operating systems? Can you run and efficiently use a word processor on an I-Touch? Is a Blackberry keyboard a form of torture? Is it fun and efficient surfing the net on a 3.5 inch screen?

The keyboard is the “key”. Consumers are tired of pecking at their MID’s and Smart Phones when trying to text one small sentence. A mini-notebook remedies this perfectly by providing a smaller (although useful) keyboard, portability, and larger screens than smaller MID’s.

Apple makes some great stuff, but I am not blinded by their products. We really have a new breed of computer users that I refer to as Apple-Snots!

I cannot help but wonder if Apple has been a little blind-sided by Netbooks. Apparently the Apple Tablet is in its 3rd or 4th incarnation as a proto-type. Have they waited too long to release this product? Hearing Jobs whine about Netbooks claiming that Apple will not release a similar device because of quality concerns and price point makes me laugh. This is the company that brought us the I-Pod (a revolution) but it is unable to tackle Netbooks! (LOL) Time will tell.

]]> By: Ryan http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-52279 Ryan Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:27:42 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-52279 This is coming from the perspective of a someone who has always used Windows and is now seriously considering getting the MBA either this generation or next. That being said, I consider it a netbook. As the video stated, the definition of a netbook is so malleable that not everyone is going to agree about what a netbook is. Taking all cost out of consideration (which isn't possible for some people I know), I view a netbook as a secondary computer. It makes sacrifices in terms of connectivity, or ports, and size in order to make an extremely portable, albeit underpowered solution. As far as the underpowered portion goes, that's purely objective. Anyone getting this to do things that require a powerful computer is just ignorant for getting such a machine in the first place. To check email, surf the web, sync your iPod/iPhone/music device, word processing, watch videos, or anything of the like this thing is more than capable. It appears to be very snappy with anything that isn't graphically intensive like gaming and the like. And as stated noone should be buying this thing to game on. I personally am wanting something small, light, and portable to use to do all the things stated above. On top of that though, I also want a full-sized, lit keyboard and a slightly bigger screen than conventional netbooks. In terms of usablity, it is a netbook. It is just a netbook for the people that don't want to have to strain their eyes and wrists so much and have a stylish machine to boot. This is coming from the perspective of a someone who has always used Windows and is now seriously considering getting the MBA either this generation or next.

That being said, I consider it a netbook. As the video stated, the definition of a netbook is so malleable that not everyone is going to agree about what a netbook is.

Taking all cost out of consideration (which isn’t possible for some people I know), I view a netbook as a secondary computer. It makes sacrifices in terms of connectivity, or ports, and size in order to make an extremely portable, albeit underpowered solution.

As far as the underpowered portion goes, that’s purely objective. Anyone getting this to do things that require a powerful computer is just ignorant for getting such a machine in the first place. To check email, surf the web, sync your iPod/iPhone/music device, word processing, watch videos, or anything of the like this thing is more than capable. It appears to be very snappy with anything that isn’t graphically intensive like gaming and the like. And as stated noone should be buying this thing to game on.

I personally am wanting something small, light, and portable to use to do all the things stated above. On top of that though, I also want a full-sized, lit keyboard and a slightly bigger screen than conventional netbooks.

In terms of usablity, it is a netbook. It is just a netbook for the people that don’t want to have to strain their eyes and wrists so much and have a stylish machine to boot.

]]> By: Jude http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-50876 Jude Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:37:56 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-50876 I STILL think people are making too big a deal of this for my taste. Can anybody answer me this? : Why don't people just shut their front doors and get what they want It shouldn't matter what others think is better, as long as you are satisfied, then isn't that what really counts? Please reply. I STILL think people are making too big a deal of this for my taste. Can anybody answer me this? : Why don’t people just shut their front doors and get what they want

It shouldn’t matter what others think is better, as long as you are satisfied, then isn’t that what really counts?

Please reply.

]]> By: Tony http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-50474 Tony Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:26:43 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-50474 The Apple Macbook Air is defenitly too big to be bring along in backpacks for students going to university. That extra bulk does get tiring after a while. How about the rumored tablet that Apple tablet touchscreen 9.7" . According to a reputable Mac forum and a large chinese newspaper, Apple is setting itself up for a new netbook push. Check this out http://www.bestnetbooksof2009.com/2009/07/apple-china-netbook.html The Apple Macbook Air is defenitly too big to be bring along in backpacks for students going to university. That extra bulk does get tiring after a while. How about the rumored tablet that Apple tablet touchscreen 9.7″ . According to a reputable Mac forum and a large chinese newspaper, Apple is setting itself up for a new netbook push. Check this out http://www.bestnetbooksof2009.com/2009/07/apple-china-netbook.html

]]> By: CrunchyMunchkin » What’s Your Opinion on the MacBook Air? http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-50174 CrunchyMunchkin » What’s Your Opinion on the MacBook Air? Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:35:38 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-50174 [...] was reading an interesting article on The Apple Blog [Link to Article] that discussed the infamous MacBook Air, and how it was the Netbook of their our dreams. They [...] [...] was reading an interesting article on The Apple Blog [Link to Article] that discussed the infamous MacBook Air, and how it was the Netbook of their our dreams. They [...]

]]> By: TheApe http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-50019 TheApe Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:00:00 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-50019 The Apple MacBook Air is too heavy and too large. Make a MacBook Air mini with 1/4 size and 1/3 weight and then it will cut it. With more ports, of course. Or... Apple Mac Tablet. Put Mac OS X inside for Apple Keynote and Microsoft PowerPoint, video out-port for videoprojector presentations, at least two USB 2 ports for wireless remote control and pendrive, and as light (300 g or less) and small (pocketable) as possible, and we will order thousands for our University. The Apple MacBook Air is too heavy and too large. Make a MacBook Air mini with 1/4 size and 1/3 weight and then it will cut it. With more ports, of course.

Or…

Apple Mac Tablet. Put Mac OS X inside for Apple Keynote and Microsoft PowerPoint, video out-port for videoprojector presentations, at least two USB 2 ports for wireless remote control and pendrive, and as light (300 g or less) and small (pocketable) as possible, and we will order thousands for our University.

]]> By: Jude http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-49741 Jude Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:58:52 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-49741 Size and weight? It weighs just about nothing! Only like three pounds! And MacBook Pro is much much better, so I agree. Size and weight? It weighs just about nothing! Only like three pounds! And MacBook Pro is much much better, so I agree.

]]> By: MacFanMan http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-49394 MacFanMan Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:14:00 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-49394 I am sitting here typing on my MacBook, next to me is my newly purchased EccPC 1000. Why? Traveling to Europe, did not want the size and weight of the MacBook. I took a week to "get" Windows, and now can email, find the files I save, upload photos(which is a must have for this photo trip), and ck email. Cant use my iPhone abroad because ATT will eat my bank account. So NetBook ( $350) or so, was worth it. Typing on it, not really an issue after a bit of practice, battery life, insane, screen is OK. So in the end, it was the size and weight. Thought about MBA, way to much money, and if I was going that way, I would bit the bullet and take my new MacBook. I am sitting here typing on my MacBook, next to me is my newly purchased EccPC 1000. Why? Traveling to Europe, did not want the size and weight of the MacBook. I took a week to “get” Windows, and now can email, find the files I save, upload photos(which is a must have for this photo trip), and ck email. Cant use my iPhone abroad because ATT will eat my bank account. So NetBook ( $350) or so, was worth it. Typing on it, not really an issue after a bit of practice, battery life, insane, screen is OK. So in the end, it was the size and weight. Thought about MBA, way to much money, and if I was going that way, I would bit the bullet and take my new MacBook.

]]> By: lemonadesoda http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-49301 lemonadesoda Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:27:28 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-49301 An Apple netbook, in an 11" or 12" format, sans fat bezel, would sell like hotcakes. It doesnt need to be lighter than the Air. But it needs to be smaller to fit into a briefcase or attache case, and have a matte not glossy screen, USB direct, VGA direct, and then it would be a the idea productivity tool for corporate road/airwarriors. It would also help if it was bootcamp ready. After all, no matter how much you might like OSX, it isnt in the office. An Apple netbook, in an 11″ or 12″ format, sans fat bezel, would sell like hotcakes. It doesnt need to be lighter than the Air. But it needs to be smaller to fit into a briefcase or attache case, and have a matte not glossy screen, USB direct, VGA direct, and then it would be a the idea productivity tool for corporate road/airwarriors.

It would also help if it was bootcamp ready. After all, no matter how much you might like OSX, it isnt in the office.

]]> By: Christopher Anderson http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-49166 Christopher Anderson Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:48:53 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-49166 I like my Mac mini with dual 24" displays. Makes using any laptop seem like too little screen real-estate to be productive. I like my Mac mini with dual 24″ displays. Makes using any laptop seem like too little screen real-estate to be productive.

]]> By: Christopher Anderson http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-49165 Christopher Anderson Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:46:25 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-49165 Macbook Air is simply too big (read wide) and expensive for my travel needs. I prefer the netbook form factor. The performance sucks and the screens can be too small with poor resolution. The form factor makes it all worth it. I wish Apple understood this new form factor. I have to buy a Dell Mini 10 now. Macbook Air is simply too big (read wide) and expensive for my travel needs. I prefer the netbook form factor. The performance sucks and the screens can be too small with poor resolution. The form factor makes it all worth it. I wish Apple understood this new form factor. I have to buy a Dell Mini 10 now.

]]> By: » give us this day our daily kool-aid i drank the kool-aid: clutching my dixie cup of apple goodness http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-49148 » give us this day our daily kool-aid i drank the kool-aid: clutching my dixie cup of apple goodness Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:09:10 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-49148 [...] I have come to this same conclusion as The Apple Blog, MacBook Air is the Apple Netbook, End of Story. I have an Air, and I have a netbook. The netbook is just a “I must have every gadget [...] [...] I have come to this same conclusion as The Apple Blog, MacBook Air is the Apple Netbook, End of Story. I have an Air, and I have a netbook. The netbook is just a “I must have every gadget [...]

]]> By: WWD Weekend Reading List [WebWorkerDaily] http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-49132 WWD Weekend Reading List [WebWorkerDaily] Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:20:21 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-49132 [...] TheAppleBlog: “MacBook Air is the Apple Netbook, End of Story” [...] [...] TheAppleBlog: “MacBook Air is the Apple Netbook, End of Story” [...]

]]> By: James Dempsey http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-49102 James Dempsey Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:05:00 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-49102 I agree - the iPhone is no substitute for a laptop. I don't know why that's even a consideration as such. I agree – the iPhone is no substitute for a laptop. I don’t know why that’s even a consideration as such.

]]> By: Cathy http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-49089 Cathy Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:58:48 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-49089 I have an iPhone and a $387 Asus netbook. I love my iPhone, but there's no way it could replace my netbook. I need a keyboard and a screen that's big enough to display a web page at a readable size. I recently traveled for 2 weeks with both systems, and I used the netbook far more because it was such a hassle to use the iPhone for checking train schedules, troubleshooting one of my web sites, or writing business emails. The iPhone was good for only two things: displaying maps when I was lost, and letting me quickly check (but not easily respond to) email. I also disagree with the commenter who suggested that there's no difference between carrying a netbook and a regular laptop. My Windows laptop is considered ultra-portable, but my 10" netbook is more portable--it fits in a smaller bag, it weighs less, and it takes up less space on an airplane table and other cramped spots that are common when you're traveling. I have an iPhone and a $387 Asus netbook. I love my iPhone, but there’s no way it could replace my netbook. I need a keyboard and a screen that’s big enough to display a web page at a readable size. I recently traveled for 2 weeks with both systems, and I used the netbook far more because it was such a hassle to use the iPhone for checking train schedules, troubleshooting one of my web sites, or writing business emails. The iPhone was good for only two things: displaying maps when I was lost, and letting me quickly check (but not easily respond to) email.

I also disagree with the commenter who suggested that there’s no difference between carrying a netbook and a regular laptop. My Windows laptop is considered ultra-portable, but my 10″ netbook is more portable–it fits in a smaller bag, it weighs less, and it takes up less space on an airplane table and other cramped spots that are common when you’re traveling.

]]> By: WWD Weekend Reading List http://theappleblog.com/2009/07/01/macbook-air-is-the-apple-netbook-end-of-story/#comment-49077 WWD Weekend Reading List Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:01:41 +0000 http://theappleblog.com/?p=27280#comment-49077 [...] TheAppleBlog: “MacBook Air is the Apple Netbook, End of Story” [...] [...] TheAppleBlog: “MacBook Air is the Apple Netbook, End of Story” [...]

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