Apple MacBook Air Review

Overall Rating

Obviously, its thin, very thin... As argued by Apple in fact, and I would not disagree, the thinnest laptop in the world.
However, I'm not sure if I am the only one here, but I could'nt help but think... so what? What if it's no good... Well, it is, my friend got one when it was first released, not long ago... and it's brilliant!
I ordered The Apple MacBook Air a week ago and recieved it yesterday, which is very good delivery in my opinion considering it was shipped. But anyway, the good points...
I have had thin laptops in the past (Sony TZ Series), however they all seemed to lack size of the screen, however the MacBook Air does not, 13.3 inches in fact, plus LED! This is great considering the weight and ofcourse how thin the laptop is. Trust me, its impressively thin, like shockingly, it really is a gadget to impress your mates with, infact as far as I am aware (not sad enough to measure it) I've heard it 0.16 inches!
However, my main postive point I can make about this laptop, and trust me there are many more than just the aspect of it being thin, is the option of solid state drive. I cant say I have learnt much about it so far, but what I can argue is I think it is the best device they have added to the Apple MacBook Air. Just what they needed, what it basically does is allow you to take the hard drive of a normal PC and share the content with the Macbook Air, this is what Apple needed from the start as far as I am concerned.
The next positive point I am going to make on this Apple Macbook is simply the ability of the wireless connectivity... I have always argued to my friends that Apple's Wireless Connectivity has bettered other competitors, but Apple MacBook have proved me right here, I have never actually used an Apple MacBook Pro, but my friend has and he argues it's just as quick as that too. Great...

However, being so thin, it is inevitable to think that there must be sacrifices, there must be something DRASTICALLY wrong with it, as the MacBook's competors in "thinness" dont even closely match up! Unfortunatly, this is actually true, although I said it's brilliant, and trust me, it is.
There are also many negative aspects that can be mentioned about it...
The price, as good as the laptop is, and impressive, I would argue that unless you are obsessed about showing off and impressing friends, this laptop is not worth the price! I bought mine just shy of 1600, which now I would argue is mad, luckily I had a reason as I work for a research company that needs to experience new products on the market...
Therefore, I personally conclude for the average man/women, I would not recommend to buy the MacBook Air, yet! The price will of course drop, which when it does should be great. However, my next negative point could make this point invaild anyway...
I suppose this is only my opinion, but the new apple laptop has no room for mistakes... What do I mean? Well, as far as I am aware, there is no Ethernet, no FireWire, no replaceable battery... Therefore, if this laptop is not reliable, then it will be worth nothing as you cant repair certain aspects of it, however this is to early to say considering its new release...
I personally am I slight geek if Im honest, I like to build computers and laptops so that I can better them, for example if I was to personally buy a laptop at this price, after a year the technology would of bettered, as it does... Therefore, since there is no room for expanding ram, bettering the battery... then after a year, when the price drops due to a better laptop or technology being released it will be inevitable to think "I wasted 1600 last year!". Hope that makes sense...

Right, I conclude, that the Apple MacBook Air is impressive, very impressive infact, it really is the latest piece of engineering that will create a lot of hype in the market, no doubt!
Second of all, it beats it competitors, which ofcourse means it's the best, right?
When the price drops, in my opinion it will be treated as the best too, I think everyone will want one to impress others as it makes other laptops look ugly, useless and fat.
However, as far as I am concerned, so what? Not long after its release, surely Sony, Dell and Acer... will all be looking at ways to drop the price but keep the new technology, or possibly even better it...
Therefore, I would recommend to not buy one, yet!
Just wait to see what happens, if competors cant keep up with Apple (which would be cool) and MacBook Air is redeemed reliable... Then this laptop will be worth the money, as it argued brilliant, impressive, reliable and most of all in demand!
However, as argued in bad points, this can swing both ways, if the laptop is not reliable, and this information should be released in a couple of months, then Dell, Sony, Acer... will better the MacBook Air with a replaceable battery, the ability to expand ram and most of all make it reliable...
And this is the reason I would recommend to hang tight, and to not think "WOW, the thinnest laptop in the world! How impressive will I be!" is simply due to this arguement. Wait, see how it goes, if it goes well for the Apple MacBook Air, and honestly I'm hoping it will, as this laptop truly is impressive, then sure, get involved with the hype, that I'm sure will happen!
Get one... Impress... Enjoy... but for now, Wait!

Members' Comments onPoloPete's Review

• azzers on 25th Mar 2008

  I disagree with this review because... "Second of all, it beats it competitors" I can't see how you can argue a laptop more than twice the cost of it's competitors with inferior performance and specifications beats it's competitors.
  

• welshgirl44 on 1st Apr 2008

  This was really helpful to me so thanks. I was thinking about purchasing a Mac Book Air but had some doubts. The price was a big issue of course, but I've been saving for a while (wanting a good laptop). I don't think I will get one now as we already have a poor battery laptop and I was looking for something a little... longer lasting. Before making any rash decisions and spending 1500 on some laptop I decided to check out the review centre. Glad I did, thanks-the laptop does sound amazing (and looks it too!) But I think ill keep looking. Good luck with the laptop PoloPete!