Sounds like MacBook Airs are finally being delivered around the US. The usual suspects at Gizmodo, Engadget and Macworld have all received their units and are in the process of putting the MacBook Air through its paces.

Some early notes so far via MacRumors:

• Wireless Remote disk details: can’t play DVD media, can’t burn a CD, can’t listen to a music CD.
• The Novatel U727 (3G USB modem) won’t fit in the MacBook Air without a USB extender.
• MacBook Air’s MagSafe charger works in the MacBook/MacBook Pro and vice-versa but the regular MagSafe won’t stay attached to the Air when it is sitting flat on a desk.
• Engadget provides some Xbench 1.3 benchmarks of the MacBook Air compared to a MacBook, MacBook Pro, and iMac, though with a mismatch of configurations. Unsurprisingly, the MacBook Air came in at the lowest speeds amongst the machines tested.

Looks like the reviews are not very positive so far!

written by Mr. Mayor \\ tags: MacBook Air

Well, I happened to be in San Francisco (back from other trips) during the Macworld Expo week. I decided to buy a 45-dollar ticket to go inside and get the chance to see the new Macbook Air.

The Macbook Air is really incredible! When I held it in my hands, I got the feeling that I was holding a piece of paper. It is light and amazingly thin! “Way to go Apple, I want one”, I thought.

However, the one I tried out at the Expo seemed to take such a long time to wake up from the sleep mode. I closed it and opened it and I had to press different keys so that it would wake up again. After it came back, it was still processing information and I had to wait some more. The lady who was displaying the Macbook Air said: “I think we have to reboot it”. She rebooted it and it started working again. Now, I am thinking twice before getting one. I do want one, but I might wait some more. Is that a problem with all Macbook Air computers? Or was it a random problem? Should I wait for an update?

I remember when the Macbook/Macbook Pro were released. Some of the computers were presenting random shut downs and people started complaining. I waited for almost a year before buying my macbook.

The Macbook Air is definitely amazing! But when should I get one? Or should I even bother getting one at all? I would like to hear the opinion of the Mactropolis readers… What do YOU think about it?

Discuss the new MacBook Air in the Forums >

written by Mike Santos \\ tags: MacBook Air

After having tuned in to the live text/pic feed from the folks at MacRumorsLive, I was moderately excited to find out more details on the new MacBook Air. I knew for a fact that I didn’t want one (I’m fine with my MacBook Pro), but nonetheless I wanted to know all the details. After giving the Air a good look over, here are some conclusions I’ve come to.

Price. The base $1799 price tag didn’t make me flinch at all. But c’mon, $3089 for the top-end model with a 64GB SSD drive? I’m having some trouble figuring out who would buy it for that price, and why… But hey, maybe I’m completely wrong!

RAM. You’re stuck with what you get. If you want to upgrade, stay away from the MacBook Air!

Wireless Only. Really? No ethernet connection? Now that’s putting faith in wireless technology. I don’t think the timing is right for this yet. Sure, at my home or office wireless works flawlessly… But out in the real world, what am I going to do then? What happens if I want to ‘plug-in’? I suppose I could buy the USB to ethernet adapter that is available. BUT… There is only 1 USB port! Arghh!

No Firewire. This shocked me. I thought there would be at least ONE Firewire port to match the one USB. Guess there wasn’t enough room on this tiny little device.

Battery. The battery is non-replaceable! You kidding me!? The battery on my MacBook Pro has been put through its paces, and let me tell you, I’m probably due for a new one soon. Thankfully this isn’t a problem because I can just pick up a new one. If you’ve drained your MacBook Air battery and it won’t hold its charge very good… Guess what chappie, you’re out of luck.

Overall the MacBook Air is one great looking device. But really think about what you would need it for before you purchase. If you travel a lot and need an ultra-light mobile solution, then ok… This might be a decent purchase. Otherwise, I would point you in another direction.

For the record, my MacBook Pro fits in an envelope too… You just have to cram it in there.

written by Mr. Mayor \\ tags: MacBook Air

Along with the Time Capsule and movie rentals announcements at this mornings’ Macworld keynote, Steve Jobs perhaps saved some of the biggest news for last. He unveiled the long-rumored and speculated upon MacBook Air. The thing looks pretty darn amazing. In fact, he brought it on stage in an envelope. Intel has shrunk the processor down by 60%. The processor on this is apparently as thick as a nickle and as wide as a dime! The MacBook Air is 0.16″ to 0.76″ at its thickest. Now that’s thin!

Some environmental details:

• Full aluminum case (good for recycling)
• Mercury and lead free display
• Circuit boards are BFR free
• Retail packaging uses 56% less volume than the MacBook.

Some key features and specs:

• 2GB memory (standard)
• 1.6 GHz Standard, 1.8 GHz Option - Intel Core 2 Duo
• 80 GB hard disk standard
• 13.3″ display
• Magnetic closure
• 5 hrs battery life
• Superdrive acceessory available for $99
• 802.11n + Bluetooth 2.1/EDR
• 45 Watt MagSafe
• 1 USB 2.0 port (only 1???)
• Micro-DVI, Audio Out
• Multi-touch trackpad
• Backlit LED
• iSight built-in

The MacBook Air is pre-ordering today, and will ship in two weeks. You can pick one up from $1799.

Read more from Apple, or pre-order here.

[Source]

written by Mr. Mayor \\ tags: MacBook Air, macworld