14 DAY TRIAL // Not wanting any suspense hovering over this simple (and logical) piece, I'm just going to get straight to the point. How much do you think the MacBook Air really has you forking for, if you're going to use it as your primary work tool? 3,394$ That's how much! Here's why.
Say you're an editor for a hot-shot technology-based website, always on the road, attending important events such as Macworld and CeBit, the usual stuff. A laptop is clearly in order for this kind of work and Apple's latest is a must-have since it's your business to use new tech and become familiar with it. So, instead of asking the same question in the introductory column, let's ask first and foremost, what do you lack in the MacBook Air?
The answer is simple: pretty much everything, if you're going to work with it. Here's what an Air owner will pay in extra after buying the high-end 64GB SSD model ($3,100), if (I repeat) they use it as a primary working tool.
Lacking feature no. 1 - Although voices on the Internet claim Air's non-user-replaceable battery is the biggest issue with the notebook, I personally find the lacking optical drive as the biggest possible problem, not just with the Air, but with any laptop or PC out there. Not being able to hook a system up with a decent operating system using its own internal features is upsetting and downright hilarious to say the least. Sure, we can all understand the world was screaming for the thinnest notebook ever (not to mention that everyone's crazy about wireless), but come on... The least Apple could have done was to provide a smaller Apple-exclusive-format-something that goes with the Air and makes up for the missing drive, at least to be able to boot the thing.
Add-on - MacBook Air SuperDrive: it can read and write/burn CDs and DVDs, "taking up little space on your desk or tray table" in MacBook Air spirit, according to Apple; it weighs 0.71 pounds (320 grams; it costs $99 (plus fuss).
Lacking feature no. 2 - Yes, let's take on that battery now. Why is it that Apple didn't place a slide-in, slide-out battery on the Air? On the road, a spare is always required (should heavy computing be necessary), yet the Air doesn't allow its user to swap it. It's no secret that they wanted the new laptop to look and feel as sleek as possible. And they did that. We can now buy a laptop that sports a clean and streamlined aluminum case, that looks sexier than anything in its class. However, a 5-inch wide battery chamber right underneath and behind the Air's LCD screen makes a lot of sense, don't you think?
Battery replacement program: $129 (plus fuss).
Lacking feature no. 3 - Out of the box, the Air can only use its Wi-Fi abilities to get on the Internet. Ethernet was so last Tuesday anyway, right Apple...? The built-in Wi-Fi connection is quite fast, no arguing there, but only as long as you're in Wi-Fi range. If not, tough luck. You either have to use Apple's add-on Ethernet Adapter, or a cellphone modem that connects via USB. Which brings us to our next unsatisfactory feature.
Add-on - Ethernet Adapter/Dongle: $29 (plus fuss) and this one's not even available yet.
Unsatisfactory feature (no. 4) - To top it all, the MacBook air features a single measly USB 2.0 port. Don't even get me started on how overworked that port is going to get, since it's the only bridge between the Optical Drive, the Ethernet Adapter, a flash memory stick and whatever else connects via USB to a laptop. Bottom line is: the Air sports one headphone jack, one DVI port (for connecting an external monitor) and a single USB port. So, the only way to use more than one USB-connected devices on Apple's notebook at the same time (and you'll need to) is by using a USB hub. The one in the image to the left matches the notebook's design quite a bit, I'd say, so there you are:
Add-on - Mini USB 2.0 HUB - 4 Ports (480Mbps) w/Extension cord. Current bid (eBay): $7.58 (plus a bit of fuss, again - you never know when the dog chews on your mail).
And then, there are those other upsetting facts about the MacBook Air (recently revealed), such as the headphone jack that doesn't support all third party jacks, which is why you'll probably need to get an adapter, again. Those are pretty cheap, so we'll just skip this part for added cost (and fuss).
BUT! Watching the MacBook Air guided tour, before the notebook started shipping, I was pretty convinced that its impressive wireless capabilities would make up a bit for the lacking features. Well, as it turns out, wireless issues have already been reported with the device:
"Other MacBook Air wireless issues involve slow speeds when connected to multiple Bluetooth devices and balky routers that refuse to work the Remote Disc magic. For the latter, Apple suggested that users update the firmware of their non-Apple 802.11n wireless routers to get disc-sharing operational", reads a recent Apple support document.
SlashGear has an entire piece dedicated to the Air's technical difficulties. They too tackled its wireless issues saying "...if you are using an external monitor and close the lid, the wireless signal on the 2.4GHz band is degraded, second, if you are using more than one Bluetooth device, your 2.4GHz WiFi is once again, degraded or completely knocked out. [...] the fix is changing to the 5GHz band or changing which channel you are on in the wireless router's config, or, as usual, moving closer to the AP."
Apple confirmed that Windows XP or Vista cannot be installed in a Boot Camp partition via the Remote Disc CD/DVD-sharing software. Instead, users are advised to do it using... guess what?! Lacking feature no 1: an optical drive! Told you it was hilarious.
Last, whatever laptop you intend on using, you'll certainly need something to carry it in. Sure enough, you're not going to want to scratch your fancy MacBook Air while carrying it from and to the office (or whatever your whereabouts are), so Belkin's Macbook Air Sleeve, made of neoprene, can protect the laptop from damage by absorbing shock. Starting at $29.99, the neoprene Sleeves will become available in March, 2008. A $49.99 Sleeve, that includes leather and the option to access the laptop from the top or side, will start shipping in May.
Add-on - Belkin's Macbook Air Sleeve (neoprene): $29.99.
Adding Belkin's "low-end" Macbook Air Sleeve to the list of required accessories to use with the MacBook Air, if you want to keep your job as a successful news editor at the hot-shot technology-based website your work for, here's your final endorsement: $3,394.
And... let's just forget the fuss.
