My MacBook Air Analysis

As most people are probably well aware, Apple last month introduced a new sub-notebook called the MacBook Air. A new addition to the MacBook product line, the MBA's real strength and differentiation lies in its svelte size (extremely thin and only 3 pounds) and stylish design. One frequent criticism lies in the MacBook Air not being small enough, due to its 13.3' screen and the MacBook size form factor this brings withit. However, I disagree. I want just such screen size, and anything smaller is too small - what really matters to me is weight, and then thickness (weight=portability). However, as most critiques' and bloggers have mentioned, Apple may have made too many sacrifices in specs, such as lack of expandability and low performing components, to achieve its amazing size. But, when compared to some competitors (such as Dell and Lenovo), Apple may not have needed to make such compromises at all. If PC makers can deliver a sub-notebook that's faster, has far greater expandability, with Ethernet and multiple USB, a removable battery, and an optical drive for essentially the same size and weight (maybe slightly heaver/thicker), why couldn't Apple? I know I would have preferred a MBA at 3.5 pounds and a little thicker if it could have been more competitive spec-wise in the market. Thus, I'm really torn on this product. I really want to like it, and I would really like my next Mac to be the Air! However, I think the cons might outweigh the positives in this case. Additionally, I'm asking myself how I can justify purchasing the Air when it's PC competitors can offer much more (not to mention the MacBook). The MBA is fairly weak, with a 1.6 or 1.8 GHz CPU and a non-expandable 2 GB of memory. Will these specs be able to adequately run apps and the Mac OS two years from now (as my PowerBook G4 can)? Can the MBA adequately run Windows Vista? Will a 4200 pATA hard drive prove too small and slow for my file use? I have my doubts. As many have pointed out, the Air's specs and lack of expandability really position the MBA as one's 2nd, mobile Mac - certainly not ones sole Mac, as something more powerful will undoubtedly be needed for graphics and processor intensive tasks and future compatibility/performance. The problem is, my next Mac will be my sole Mac, and it look's like the Air won't be up to the task. I've analyzed my largest concerns regarding the MacBook Air below.

• Slow/Small 80GB 4200 pATA Hard Drive
  • In my normal computing use, I use the HD - a lot! I download large files, transfer them to other computers or external storage, peruse large numbers of pictures and video, and hold a lot of music. In terms of sheer storage capacity, 80GB is too small for a modern digital hub. It's the same size as the disk in my 2+ year old PowerBook, with which I'm constantly running out of space. I'm of the opinion that when upgrading, you should get more than you had previously, and this certainly isn't the case with the MBA's HD (as compared to my PB). However, I could work around the storage limitation. What I can't work around is the disk speed, and that is what's really alarming about the MBA. With my typical disk use, I think I would see a huge slowdown with the MBA. In fact, Ars Technica noted tremendous system slow downs and lockups due to the drive speed, even when doing some rudimental file movements. This is truly unacceptable, and remains the major fault keeping from purchasing the Air.
  • The solution to the MBA's slow disk speed is simple, you might say: Buy the 64GB SSD version. The solid-state drive would certainly be faster and consume less power, except for the fact that it is constrained by its pATA interface too (as opposed to the faster, more modern SATA). However, if I would have a problem with a 80GB HD, 64GB would certainly be too small. That's not withstanding the SSD model's approximately $1300 price premium - certainly not worth it considering the MBA's other specs.
  • I will admit, however, solid-state drives certainly are the future for the MacBook Air. They are thin, and fast. Especially considering that the MBA's 80GB 4200 RPM HD is currently the largest (and unfortunately, fastest) single platter 1.8" drive available. The problem - solid-state drives are very expensive and currently don't come larger than 64GB.
  • Solution: So, what is the answer when building the next MBA revision? I don't know. The MBA's thickness limits it from accepting slightly physically larger drives that are faster with more capacity, and SSD are too expensive. Thus, there's no good answer at the moment. Unless a faster single platter 1.8" drive appears, or SSD drastically comes down in price, my hope would be that Apple would make the MBA ever so slightly thicker to accommodate a 2 platter 1.8" drive or standard notebook drive.
  • Note: There seems to be a load clicking sound being constantly produced by the Air's 1.8" HD.
  • One of the features I'm looking forward to as part of the MacTel upgrade is the ability to one Windows, both natively via Boot Camp and possibly through virtualization. Here, the Air's limited storage space is a real killer! A 10GB NTFS partition is pretty small (considering Win can't read HFS+) for Windows, and it would take up a good portion 1/7 of the total HD capacity - Too small in my opinion!
• Integrated Memory:
  • The Air's two gigabytes of integrated memory may be fine now, but what about in the future? How will the next Mac OS X version run? Equally important, how will Windows run under Boot Camp or virtualization? Is this too little RAM for virtualization to be adequate? Additionally, with Vista a RAM hog, at least 3 GB would be preferred!
  • Solution: Upgradable memory (at least build-to-order configurations) or at least ship with 3GB + integrated.
• Processer speed:
  • Too slow! 1.8 GHz (the upgraded model) is too slow to reliability run Photoshop, Virtualization, Vista, and media applications. Additionally, I've read reports about the Air's dual core processor shutting down a core when the temperature gets too high, further reducing performance - and this is usually during processor intensive actions where the performance is needed!
  • For the price, and to remain competitive with PC notebooks currently on the market, the MacBook Air really should have a 2 GHz processer. My guess is that Apple clocked the processors lower for both energy savings and heat dissipation, issues which I hope can be overcome through the use of Intel's new processors and chipsets in the Air next revision.
  • Solution: 2.0+ GHz Processor
• Only 1 USB Port:
  • Solution: Two USB Ports
  • There are a lot of times I need to have to USB devices connect at the same time. My music library is one such example, and becomes even more indicative of MacBook Air usage when considering it's small HD capacity. I keep all of my iTunes Music Library on an external USB drive. When I connect my iPhone, I have to also have the USB drive connected in order to sync existing or new songs. I couldn't do this with the Air without the use of a USB hub.
  • A USB hub is not the answer! True, it can temporarily circumvent the 1-port issue, but its inconvenient (when traveling), unnecessary, and reduces bandwidth-intensive uses like external HDs.
  • What about Firewire? I'm actually OK with withholding the FireWire port since the only thing it is good for anymore is working with older digital video cameras (newer ones use USB). However, how about a Firewire to USB dongle so I can still use my old camera? Additionally, how about a USB target disk mode?
• No Built-In Gigabyte Ethernet:
  • Since the Air has such a small capacity HD, it's necessitating the need to easily and quickly move the files to an external storage device, like my file server. What better and quicker way to do this than by Gigabit Ethernet.
• Battery:
  • Not user replaceable/swappable - this isn't such a big deal, since it seems easy to do anyway and I've never swapped batteries.
  • In fact, this may even be a plus - by not having the battery as part of the case, it makes it easier for 3rd-party suppliers to create cheaper, higher capacity batteries for the Air.
  • Battery Life: I've read some negative reports on battery life and charging times.