<p>kkei: I know I just recommended the Eee PC earlier in this thread, but I think a major problem is that the Eee PC runs linux, can’t run many people’s favorite software, etc. Most college students aren’t going to buy a secondary laptop to supplement a heavier computer.</p>
<p>But I think we’ve all pretty much agreed: this isn’t a bad product per se, just not the most suitable for the college market at this price point. I could definitely see myself getting one if I were a relatively well-to-do person who liked Macs and only did basic computing while lying around on my couch.</p>
<p>Hopefully this design will inspire other manufacturers to release more computers in this design that might be more practical.</p>
<p>the only thing that really isn’t practical is the fixed battery. if i were a road warrior i think i would do fine with one USB port…there really wouldn’t be anything to plug in other than an external optical drive, hd, or memory stick. a built-in optical drive really isn’t necessary now that flash memory is so widely used, and the intended users aren’t sitting around at a desk watching DVDs.</p>
<p>the intended market is not people who think it’s cool to have an ultrathin laptop, it’s for the road warriors who need it. whether they choose an Apple or another manufacturer is their own decision.</p>
<p>In the last quarter Apple shipped over two million Macs, representing 44 percent unit growth and 47 percent revenue growth over the year-ago quarter. Apple’s “trash” is fooling an increasing number of people; we just don’t know how wrong we are!</p>
<p>Maybe I’m the sucker here but I loved it. I mean, I hate how heavy and just..big laptops are. The whole thinness and portability thing might be worth me. I’m someone who uses external hard drives so I really wouldn’t care THAT much about the memory (or lack there fore).</p>
<p>I have yet to decide Mac or Windows…though I’m heavily leaning towards Mac right now.</p>
<p>If you’re on the fence and don’t otherwise care, go with the college’s infrastructure. If the college says it supports both Mac and Win equally, go with what you’ve been using. If you still can’t decide, go with a Mac; you’ll love it, and it can also run Windows.</p>
<p>Most aren’t, especially comparing to the past. I mean my laptop weighs like 6 pounds and is maybe .75 inches thick. This isn’t an ultra portable by any means. If you have a problem with laptops in general, why not get a desktop and something really small and cheap like the Eee? Or even a hand-held PC? Those will do everything you want when you’re away from your desk, and you’re going to save money and get a more powerful machine when you aren’t on the move.</p>
<p>Actually, I have an Ipod Touch and I love the portable internet on it. It’s just not possible (yet) to have a device that small that does everything. Hopefully in the future. I mean, they’re not as bulky as they were, but I still dislike carrying large electronics, or even several small electronics around in my bag. I like things that multi-task well, namely the I-phone, Blackberries and whatever they come up with in the future.</p>
<p>For college, I’ll be getting a laptop…because I need one and there’s no way in hell, I’m dragging a PC to college. It’s not practical despite its cheap cost.</p>
<p>no one said macs were holy. this has nothing to do with Mac vs PC vs Linux vs Solaris or any other OS. this is about the merits and demerits of a single piece of hardware that Apple just released. just because the word “Mac” is mentioned doesn’t mean anyone’s bashing PCs.</p>
<p>and for the record, the dominance of Windows has nothing to do with its capabilities as a computer OS. everyone would be using Unix/Linux if that were the case.</p>
<p>If macs are so holy, please explain why PCs STILL continue to dominate the market…</p>
<p>Let’s do the math. Mac has 8% market share now, so if shipments grow by 44% per year, in seven years Mac will have 103% of today’s market share. But I don’t think Apple can maintain that growth, and each Mac sold doesn’t mean one less PC sold.</p>
<p>Back to the OP, here’s what the gushing pundits say about the Air:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Pogue: “This laptop’s cool aluminum skin and smooth edges make it ridiculously satisfying to hold, carry, open and close. You can’t take your eyes or your hands off it.”</p></li>
<li><p>Mossberg: “It’s impossible to convey in words just how pleasing and surprising this computer feels in the hand. It’s so svelte when closed that it’s a real shock to discover the big screen and keyboard inside.”</p></li>
<li><p>Levy: “The Air is a lithe sheath of aluminum so slim that it can slide under my office door. … The gentle curves and the absence of protrusions make this an instant object of techno-lust, another notch in Apple’s belt of design triumphs.”</p></li>
<li><p>Baig: “There are other small and slender computers on the market. Only none as sexy.”</p></li>
</ul>
<p>It’s funny how a lot of the previously anti-Apple columnists have become Mactards. It goes to show you how easily a company’s fortunes can change with proper management.</p>