[Macworld]

Post your comments for MacBook Air: First Lab Tests here

[K_C]

I'm an IT director for a school and I need to have a very portable computer in hand at all times. I've continued to use a 1.33Ghz 12" Powerbook while waiting for it's replacement from Apple. The Airbook looks perfect for me.
I don't care about what it's not. What it is is a significantly faster computer that I can carry throughout the day. It'll be great for my needs.
I've got a Mac Pro for the heavy lifting, a Mini as a Filemaker server and an Xserve holding down the hosting.
Can't wait for my Airbook to arrive!

[hillstones]

Jason,

You forgot to mention the reason why you had to use Apple's $99 USB Optical Drive for the DVD Handbrake test. I think people would be interested to know that the Remote Disc feature of sharing an optical drive can only be used for installing software, Mac only software. It does not work for watching DVD's or importing music from an Audio CD into iTunes. It doesn't even work for installing Windows in Boot Camp. Pretty much makes that feature useless! Apple figured out a way to gouge customers for another $99. Funny how Steve Jobs failed to mention the severe limitations of the Remote Disc feature. He seemed to claim that there was no need for an optical drive because you can remotely share one. I guess he forgot on purpose to mention what it won't do.

Since your tests seem to prove how slow the AirBook is when compared to the rest of the Intel offerings, why would anyone be dumb enough to waste money on an AirBook when the MacBook is cheaper, faster, and the same size footprint as the AirBook? No one gives a rats behind on how thin something is! If you think an inch is too thick, break out a piece of paper and a pen instead!

[leicaman]

I just wondered if you waited for Spotlight to finish indexing the drive before conducting tests? That seems kinda slow.

[Jason Snell]

hillstones: Honestly, I don't think we'd have used Remote Disc to do a HandBrake test even if we could have :-) However, thinness is relevant for some people. But more importantly, lightness. Three pounds instead of five is EXTREMELY noticeable.

KPO'M: Yes, we're planning on testing as many configs as we can get our hands on. But this one's first. Our other models are on order.

Leicaman: No spotlight indexing occurs during our testing.

[hillstones]

The "First Lab Tests" forgot to mention the long list of CONS! AppleInsider has a run down of the three major newspaper reviews and the cons far outnumber the pros for this Road Apple! One favorite complaint is how the AirBook claims to be a subnotebook, but doesn't offer any space savings when trying to be used on an airplane in coach class, when compared to other subnotebooks.

http://www.appleinsi.../08/01/24/firsthddbasedmacbookairreviewshitthewires.html

[Jason Snell]

hillstones, "First lab tests" is pretty much what it sounds like. It's details on speed tests, not a roundup of what everyone thinks and what the other issues are with the product. For those, stay tuned for the full Macworld review.

By the way, MacUser has that story too.

http://www.macuser.c...ardware/macbookairthefirstreviews.php

[k2director]

Some people just can't seem to understand the Macbook Air's raison d'etre. They compare its specs to bigger, heavier machines, and wonder why anybody would want a slower computer with less expansion, etc. For these people, the weight of the machine is simply an afterthought, like having a fifth USB port, or some other exotic feature that no one really needs.
Wake up (that's you, Hillstones). The svelt form and low weight ARE the major draws of this machine, the whole point of its existence. If you don't highly value a thin, very light Mac (and understand that such a computer requires some compromises), then please just move along, rather than blathering on about a product that isn't meant for you.

[drdreric]

Load up Vista under bootcamp and compare the speed to a Sony Vaio. THAT's one I am interested in seeing.

[edmetric]

hillstones said:

Steve Jobs failed to mention the severe limitations of the Remote Disc feature. He seemed to claim that there was no need for an optical drive because you can remotely share one. I guess he forgot on purpose to mention what it won't do.

Thanks for bringing out this detail which is being not mentioned by SJ and ignored by reviewers.

If the Air external DVD will only work with the Air and not other USB computers and if the Remote Disc feature is only for Mac software and not access of a remote DVD for other than software install, that almost entirely takes away DVD access to the Air. What about burning iTunes playlists? What about burning iPhoto albums? What about burning GarageBand creations? Would these have to be burned in the conventional manner after the Air wirelessly transferred files to another computer? Or, is the Air DVD toast (pun intended)?

The preliminary Air tests don't seem to be suited to the Air. CS3 on the Air? iMovie HD instead of '08? MP3 encoding when it's delivered by iTunes ready made? Unreal Tournament gaming? Handbrake ripping? The only thing these tests show is that the Air outperforms a G4 Powerbook.

Where are the tests that show the Air outperforming any other computer?

The Air seems to require a different mindset - maybe even a different computing environment and a different computer skills set. The Air seems to be ideal for browsing and e-mail and uploading video clips to YouTube (in a hotspot).

[sadsack]

it would be interesting to see how hot the Air gets after several hours of use and exact start-up times.

[muchomac]

Thanks for the early testing info. Also hoping you'll be able to test other configs like the 1.8GHz and SSD - curious how much of a handicap the 1.8" 4200RPM drive is on performance vs the usual 5400RPM and 7200RPM drives found in MB/MBP.
When I first reviewed these numbers I was thinking "holy smokes" that's a lot of money to pay for such low performance. But then I started thinking of the target market being someone who already owns a more powerful Apple model and this being a second unit. I normally do all my ripping, encoding and graphics work on my iMac. So anytime I'm at home I'm probably going to fall back on my more powerful iMac to do the heavy lifting. Really, when I'm away from home, how likely am I going to be doing the other stuff the MBA has problems with - installing software, ripping CD's, encoding movies?
If I knew I had a long flight, would I really want to bring along DVD's (that shorten battery life) or would I have been smart enough to rip them first or buy off iTunes - these are all limitations that can be worked around.
The argument still goes back to how thin and light this laptop is and how I'm less likely to leave a laptop at home due to size and weight. Guess it's something you have to see in person to understand the experience.
My biggest concern is still battery life over repeated use. How well does this new battery hold up before it starts to drop its maximum capacity, same as the MB and MBP or worse with the new design? I know it's too early to tell but I'm concerned that over a month of heavy use (and not plugged in all the time), the battery capacity will drop more than the MB/MBP design.
I would hazard a guess that this laptop model will be used unplugged more often than plugged vs the MB/MBP which makes it more likely that people will completely drain (or close to 100% drain) the battery.

[kyle988]

Looks like the perfect upgrade for my old 12" iBook G4 1.33Ghz

[sachxn]

If these are the results then I wonder what was in the steve jobs mind, why they launch it. If only because its sexy in looks, I don't believe this. I am in India. I want to buy a macbook Air, please tell any 3 strong reasons to buy this.

Sachin Dhall