January 15, 2008 2:11 PM PST

Hands-on with the MacBook Air

Posted by Michelle Thatcher
MacBook Air

MacBook Air: I've eaten thicker slices of pizza.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Say what you will about Steve Jobs, but when he pulled Apple's latest laptop out of a standard inter-office envelope I stood in awe--of both his showmanship and of the laptop's remarkably slim design. Though the MacBook Air is not quite the thinnest laptop ever, it is among the thinnest we've seen (the Fujistu LifeBook Q2010 and Toshiba Portege R500 both measure 0.8 inch thick, but neither tapers to 0.16 inch like the Air).

These data can't really convey the MacBook Air's wow factor--thus the envelope trick. Yet even with that visual I wasn't quite prepared for how very slender this laptop would be. When I picked it up, my mind took a few seconds to get past the incongruity of such a broad, bright 13.3-inch display in a package the weight and thickness of a Dr. Seuss hardcover.

MacBook Air touch pad

The multitouch trackpad uses gestures similar to the iPhone.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Once I put it down and started working, I was extremely pleased with the new multitouch trackpad, which incorporates a range of gesture controls that will be familiar to iPhone users. It's a smart move on Apple's part; not only are the gestures easy to learn, but they're difficult to forget, making it far more likely that users will stick with Apple products once they've become used to the interface. Writers and students will be pleased as well with the MacBook Air's keyboard, which is full size and similar to that of the standard MacBook. (It actually feels the same as the keyboard found on regular MacBooks, but I couldn't quite be sure without a direct side-by-side comparison.) In terms of interaction, the MacBook Air is probably the first 3-pound notebook that hasn't asked users to make some kind of compromise.

That's not to say users won't have to compromise at all. Everyone around me seems to have a different take on the MacBook Air's missing features. For example, I don't care about the optical drive but bemoan the lack of Ethernet and cellular connections, while my video team is shocked that the laptop lacks FireWire and my business-minded friends can't believe there's no expansion slot. But in my mind the MacBook Air is hard to beat if you're primarily looking for an eye-catching, extremely portable laptop that's (relatively) competitively priced.

You can get the full hands-on experience by watching my First Look video of the MacBook Air at CNET TV.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 9 comments (Page 1 of 1)
The commercial has me sold
by doseedo January 15, 2008 3:58 PM PST
I'm a long time PC user but it's pathetic how quickly I was converted to a Mac lover once I saw the commercial: http://www.zadzadz.com/Apple-MacBook-Air-Envelope-commercial It's amazing to me how effective those commercials are. I don't even care about the features. I just want it.
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Question of the day: multitouch on other MacBooks?
by gconnery January 15, 2008 5:23 PM PST
So, did you ask if the new multitouch features of the Air will be available as an upgrade to current MacBook/Pro models, or will new hardware be required?
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Say what, come again?
by SixVodkas January 15, 2008 5:26 PM PST
If you're going to open up by dissing Apple's claim of "thinnest laptop ever", it'd show some journalistic integrity by providing specs of competing models that are thinner. Instead, 2 laptops are drug out that are both .80" thick, which means they're both thicker (not "as thin", as you seem to be hinting) than the Air's .76". This isn't rocket science, it's simple mathematics, and 0.76 is a SMALLER number than 0.80. Got it?
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THIS IS THE FUTURE FOR NOTEBOOKS. WAIT AND SEE....
by lbueso January 15, 2008 7:04 PM PST
In my opinion this is the future for notebooks. I don't agree with other posts saying this is simply a toy or a cool gadget lacking true benefits. In the near future most of us will prefer this approach as people begin to understand the concept, more are produced and prices go down. The real innovations follow: 1. There is an option for a solid state hard drive. Simply put, (so the average reader understands) this is a built in, high capacity "USB Flash Memory", placed instead of a traditional hard drive. This means that booting the computer, access to files and loading of programs will be a LOT much faster. People will have to try this to understand it. It also makes the drive more reliable and durable. In a way is like having a huge RAM memory that doesn't loose its data when power is cut. The only downfall for the time being is that the Solid State Hard Drive offered is limited to 64 GB; but to me that is not so important these days when you can share hard drives through a wireless network when there is the need for more space. By the way, the new wireless access points have USB ports that allow you to connect printers or USB hard drives and share them on your network. There is also the option of the ONE THOUSAND DOLLAR cheaper 80 GB hard drive that you find in notebooks today!! ... a good option for cost sensitive consumers. But I honestly think the time we spend waiting on hard drives while using our computers is far more valuable. This will not be a constraint once prices fall. 2. The screen is a LED backlit display, instead of a electroluminescent back panel that notebooks currently carry. LED light is the most efficient, reliable and durable. Compare it to the new LED flash lights that you can buy and power with wrist watch batteries. These flashlights are brighter and last longer than traditional flashlights that use higher capacity alkaline AA or AAA batteries. 3. It gets rid of all the hardware that most users barely use and proposes an alternative for the few times you'll need it. You don't have to live without an optical drive, you'll simply access it differently. Using either an external drive or accessing one in your wireless network (either from another computer or from a Hard Drive/Access Point like the "Time Capsule". You don't have to live with 1 USB port, you'll have as many as you like, but differently (use a USB hub). You don't have to live with a single video out port, again all these ports are there, but differently (through adapters). 4. The above innovations by saving power traduce themselves into a smaller, lighter and therefore cheaper battery that actually will last longer! 5. It comes with a bigger multipoint touchpad, who's technology was introduced to consumers with the iphone. This makes it easier to interact with the computer. Its hard to explain, my suggestion is TRY IT OUT. 6. All these innovations come in a very thin and lightweight notebook. There is never enough in this area and therefore its always better to have a thiner and lighter notebook, specially if you don't sacrifice the 2 things you use the most: the screen and the keyboard. 7. Software improvements and accessories that allow you to take full advantage of todays wireless connectivity. These improvements compensate for the lack of optical drive and some of the ports eliminated. I've been wanting a notebook like this for a while. The only thing not included in this notebook that I wish was available is a battery that you could swap with a power adapter so you have the option to leave the battery and incorporate the power adapter to the notebook. This way you don't have to carry the power adapter separately on those occasions when a battery simply is not necessary. Don't forget you still have a bunch of other features already included in previous Macbooks like the backlit keyboard, magsafe power adapter, built in isight camera, 802.11N wireless card, bluetooth, etc... I'm excluding the comparison between MACs and PCs and limiting this post to the innovations made in this piece of hardware. There is plenty of information regarding Pros and Cons of MACs vrs PCs. I give Apple A+ for being pioneers and standing up above all the other players in this industry. This allowed me to make one of the hardest decisions in my business, to migrate from a PC to a MAC. Regards, Luis Bueso
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*YaWn* Wow, another laptop...
by Kyzler January 15, 2008 11:02 PM PST
Amazing, looks nice and I can already see that breaking in my Laptop bag. Wait, I am not supposed to be moving around with the Air or is that ok? Does anybody know what kind of shock or this MacBook could handle? I like that it will keep my coffee warm with the 1.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, and since the battery is not replaceable, I can use it as a file folder when it dies.
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MBAir = .25 sleekness, .75 PR bull.
by alexedi January 16, 2008 3:38 AM PST
Ok, i got it, Steve's all into this 'wireless is the new white" thing, but isn't it ironic (at best; evil-genius marketing at worst) that MBAir comes with "Install/Restore DVD's"? ONE USB? What's all this ultraportable crap? MacBook 'classic' IS ultraportable already! Are 2 pounds that much of a difference? Let's put things into perspective: 1. $1800 gets me an MB Air with a 1.6 C2D proc, an 80GB slow iPod hard drive, no firewire, one USB. For $1793 bucks I can get a regular MB at 2.2Ghz, with 160 GB HDD at 5400, ethernet, firewire, 2 usb ports, Superdrive + mini DVI-DVI adapter, PLUS 3 year Apple Care. Yeah, it's 0.35'' thicker than MB Air (GASP!) 2. $3098 gets me a 64GB SSD MB Air. $3048 gets me an (admittedly heavier, but only 1'' thick) MBPro with 2.4 proc, 256Mb dual link dedicated video, all manner of ports and wireless, 15.4'' screen, superdrive, A FAST, 200 GB 7200 RPM HDD AND 3-YR APPLE CARE PLAN. So sorry if i think MB Air is a whole bunch of bullcrap. Stick to your MacBooks guys, they're portable enough :)
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Weight is a factor
by dc73p January 16, 2008 9:15 AM PST
In answer to Alexedi's statement, yes, 2 pounds will make a difference to me. I'm a road warrior and this new MBAir is just the thing I've been dreaming of. In purchasing portables in the past I have always looked at and always rejected the Macbook only because of it's weight. So yes, the decrease in weight is a deciding factor for me. As for all the other stuff that the unit does not have I say thank heavens. I don't need any of that stuff in a ultraportable. As a serious road warrior I'll have to get the USB/ethernet adaptor for those times when wireless isn't possible. Other than that this just may be the perfect computer for someone like me who is on the road 4-5 days a week!
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