Apple launches ultra thin lap top

[Nottingham Nick]

BBC News story

Apple boss Steve Jobs has unveiled the world's thinnest laptop, called the MacBook Air.

The computer, which is 0.76 inches (1.93cm) at its thickest point, was unveiled at an event in San Francisco........

Keynote also included online film rentals from iTunes and new software for the iPhone

Nick

[RichardMannion]

But at $1800 for the cheap version, and $3098 for the SSD version?

Surely it's just bragging rights? I'd save my money and buy an Asus instead and the rest to buy a proper Mac Book Pro.

[Darren Wheeler]

The price is a very high for what it is, especially seeing as there is no CD/DVD, a measely 80GB traditional drive, and I'm still not convinced about the long-term volatility of Flash Memory.

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Surely it's just bragging rights?

The possession of a very small laptop does seem to have taken over from the ownership of a very large car for those wishing to divert attention from the self-challenging nature of their under-carrages. While I am sure the size and weight would be a minor benefit, I do think the price and lack of DVD etc do somewhat detract from the attraction.

[Pete]

It kind of looks pretty, and I'm sure in comparison to other ultra-thin notebooks it's very well spec'd; the problem is you have a choice between a fast, well equipped 15' MacBook Pro at only £100 more than the 13' MacBook Air. The MacBook Pro isn't exactly heavy, but the compromises you have to make to go so slim wouldn't seem to be worth it.

I thought they were going to announce a super-slim notebook which slid into a dock that looked like an iMac. That may have been more attractive for the desktop/road warrior combo, but as it is, I think I'll hang on until the MBPs get another speed bump.

[preiffer]

To buy one, to not buy one, to buy one, to not buy one, to buy one, to not buy one.... [:?][:I]

It would make a nice 'brother' to my MBP [:]

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by preiffer
To buy one, to not buy one, to buy one, to not buy one, to buy one, to not buy one.... [:?][:I]

It would make a nice 'brother' to my MBP [:]

Gawd bless the 'early adopters' May they continue to debug products for the rest of us. [:D]

[preiffer]

If you're looking for the REAL early adopters, you should have seen the hordes of uber-geeks in SF yesterday....

Can't argue with the looks, but the price tag for the basic model is horrendous considering the spec. I know the Asus EEE isn't that well specced either but the price tag reflects that and as Pete has said you can have a decent spec MacBook Pro for an extra £100.

If I was to go out and buy an ultra-thin laptop I would probably go for the Asus.

Originally posted by preiffer
To buy one, to not buy one, to buy one, to not buy one, to buy one, to not buy one.... [:?][:I]

It would make a nice 'brother' to my MBP [:]

To true ... I am tempted ... oh and for the DVD comments I am writing this on a Dell with no drive, next to a colleague on an IBM with no drive also ... this is now the norm for small laptops no?

[HighFlyer]

Hmm ... the Asus Eee and Macbook Air are quite different in my opinion. The Eee is a total sub notebook. Its really only for surfing, office applications and email. The Macbook Air gives a lot more functionality. I'd certainly like one, but I'd have preferred it to have a 12' screen and be half the price [:D]

The lack of optical drive doesnt both me. I never use it when travelling and the point of the Macbook Air is that it is for mobile users who'll have a full desktop or laptop elsewhere. That said, I'm not totally sure where the Macbook Air fits. For many light computer users and those new to Mac it will likely be a case of buying the full Macbook/Macbook Pro.

Thanks,
Sarah