[houltmac]

People keep expressing how they see the MacBook Air as being based on the MacBook Pro and I just don't see it. Externally the design is bar more similar to that of the MacBook - the keyboard, the clamshell, the display bezel... The only similarity to the MacBook Pro is the case material. Internally it is of course completely revolutionary, wether the general public appreciate that or not. It's not like anything we have seen before (at least in the Mac line-up). With regard to assembly it most closely relates to the iBook if anything, but is pretty far from anything we have seen before. Specs compare most closely to the MacBook also.

I do like the new IR port, sleep light and camera assembly (the round look with the matching mic and ALS). I also like the new hinges and magnets since closing the machine feels so much smoother and thanks to the full bezel it feels much more taught when closed. These are all things I would like to see in the rest of the line-up over time. Of course I am also a big perponent of the backlit keyboard, and while once it seemed like a "pro" feature I really think it's of at least as much use to my little brother, if not more (he is IM'ing way into the night in the dark).

There are a lot of small touches I would like to see in all the machines taken from the MacBook Air, but the overall designs of the machines to me are just about perfect. Weight is of course something I would push for, and the environmental stats could also be pushed. The real killer for me right now in everyones portables is the battery life. Get moving on the whole power thing - it's not Apples nor Intels job to make up for the lack of progress in this area.