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The Other (Bigger) Market for the MacBook Air

Thursday January 17, 2008 8:52 am PST by Arnold Kim
As a follow up to the 3g Deal Breaker article, I thought I'd write some additional thoughts about the MacBook Air, and some reconsideration of my initial reaction.

Traditionally, the "sub-notebook" class of machine has tended to be marketed at the power-user, so that's how many of the media approached the MacBook Air... but that may have been the wrong way to look at it. In speaking to Xavier of Notebooks.com, he mentioned (and later wrote about) how that the MacBook Air instantly appealed to his wife, who is normally less than thrilled at the prospect of Xavier getting new hardware:

I didnt bother to consider my wifes point of view on the MacBook Air until I got her Facebook status update (secretly hopes Xavier gets the MacBook Air."). But then I started thinking about how this new Mac will appeal to women. Its slim enough to throw in a purse, is stylish and has very few cords, which creates clutter.


There's certainly a class of users who simply don't care about 3G, don't care about hooking up more than one USB peripheral to their MacBook. So, I'll concede that the many bloggers may not be the intended audience for the MacBook Air, and it could very well see wide consumer appeal.
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devilot
53 months ago
*sheepish*

:o

I hate being the stereotype... but I know I'm really tempted by the MBA. And it's not just the "lighter and more comfy in a purse" argument. I genuinely have been lusting after a MB style KB but backlit, love the magnetic latch, and yes, overall, would use a portable that much more if it were actually portable (as in, weighed less).

Argh. I should stop reading MR. Just gonna get me to lust after the darned thing more.
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King-Louie
53 months ago
If the MBA really was aimed for a demographic of people who don't need all that stuff, why make it so expensive?
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Dustman
53 months ago
It is a sexy computer. Only one usb port though? Surely they could have fit just one more.
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IEatApples
53 months ago
It's actually not "that" expensive in the base configuration… (if you're a girl that doesn't care about the specs that is)! ;)
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Masquerade
53 months ago

If the MBA really was aimed for a demographic of people who don't need all that stuff, why make it so expensive?


brilliant. notebooks.com ummm... :eek:
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Claytoniss
53 months ago
Well I guess I am a chic now... Of course I care about tech, blah blah. But I think that apple is just setting the tone in their apple attitude. "You don't need 4 usb 2 firewire, DVD superextreme burner! you don't need wires"

I think this is paving the way to more of a wireless world of products. Importing pics, backing up, etc..

i would so rock the mba and be proud of it.

I just need 3k :rolleyes:
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jsnyd05
53 months ago
I agree, but I think that the price is too expensive for what it is.
The specs are lower than a Macbook and there is no way anyone could use that as his/her only machine.
However, I like the computer a lot and I really would've bought one had it been cheaper.
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devilot
53 months ago

If the MBA really was aimed for a demographic of people who don't need all that stuff, why make it so expensive?

Engineering/ design. Just because there are fewer ports or fewer gigs of storage, doesn't mean the machine is lesser. Nor does it mean it was cheaper to design or manufacture. There is always a premium for some aspect-- in this case, lightweight, slimness, portability.

Example: Lotus Elise, it's quite bare. Quite stripped down. The motor is decent. It's not as pricey as say, a Ferrari, but it's considered pricey and a great performer despite being "only a 4-banger." Why is that? It's super light. And the power to weight ratio is superb! The handling is fantastic! Why pay a premium for a short, tiny, car that has no real luxurious features? For a different sort of ride. For a different kind of performance.

(if you're a girl that don't care about the specs that is)! ;)

Right, because women are incapable of knowing or caring about specs, right?
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running
53 months ago
WOW!!!

Two of my friends, independently, told me, that their wives told them they would love to buy Air. This is gonna be a hit.


And btw, we are really living in a sad age, if man see his wife's needs only through facebook...
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Bob Knob
53 months ago

I agree, but I think that the price is too expensive for what it is.
The specs are lower than a Macbook and there is no way anyone could use that as his/her only machine.
However, I like the computer a lot and I really would've bought one had it been cheaper.


The overwhelming majority of computer users (especially notebook users) don't do any CPU intensive tasks. The MBA specs are more than ample and will be for years to come.

Engineering/ design. Just because there are fewer ports or fewer gigs of storage, doesn't mean the machine is lesser. Nor does it mean it was cheaper to design or manufacture. There is always a premium for some aspect-- in this case, lightweight, slimness, portability.

Example: Lotus Elise, it's quite bare. Quite stripped down. The motor is decent. It's not as pricey as say, a Ferrari, but it's considered pricey and a great performer despite being "only a 4-banger." Why is that? It's super light. And the power to weight ratio is superb! The handling is fantastic! Why pay a premium for a short, tiny, car that has no real luxurious features? For a different sort of ride. For a different kind of performance.

Right, because women are incapable of knowing or caring about specs, right?


WOW, a Lotus Elise reference in a Mac forum... I think I'm in love with you, want to get married???
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