The absence of a battery indicator is baffling. If my laptop is off, I prefer to check the battery indicator to see if I have enough juice to do anything worth turning it on for when I'm out and about. Granted, with this new battery, if you left the house on a full charge and didn't do much with it throughout the day, chances are pretty good that you'll still have well over 50%, provided you didn't do anything proc intensive.
The absence of the IR port is just wrong. Why do something like that? It's weird....and stupid.
Overall, I'd say that this thing would easily cater to a huge group of people. I doubt many people even use the IR port on their MBA's, but still.....it's nice to HAVE the ability to use it.
As for the user replaceable battery being switched for the big integrated, I pretty much saw that coming. Considering how well my MBP's battery holds up, I don't mind. As for user replaceable RAM and HDD's, anyone who's actually taken apart an MB to swap the drives would know that there is a negligible difference in ease between this and and the older one. If you can unscrew the L frame from the battery bay, you can unscrew a plate from the bottom to do the same operation. #macbookreview
I can't wrap my mind around not being able to swap out the battery in a computer. If it was a relatively inconsequential motherboard battery that'd be one thing. But, as it is, not being able to swap out a part that has such an obvious lifespan is a HUGE turn off. #macbookreview
@ian.nai: The only real difference is a number of screws. For anyone who is at all familiar with swapping an HDD, taking the battery out will not be hard. The issue is that you have to bring it to Apple to get it swapped. If I was able to actually buy a replacement cell for my MBP in the future, I'd be pleased enough since it's easy to remove. #macbookreview
@Kaiser-Machead: I am familiar. That's why I want a nice, easy-swap out battery. Because I DON'T want swapping out a battery to be like swapping out a hard drive. I've done both (in laptops even), and I know which I prefer. #macbookreview
Don't forget, they also removed the firewire port. HUGE turnoff.
Edit: I missed it. Even still, I would have upgraded from my old macbook to this one if it had a firewire. I don't understand why apple insists on removing it. I wouldn't be able to use my Apogee Duet.
As the author empathized in his review, the best time to buy an Apple product is right after launch. They offer good value at launch, but Apple insists on their release cycles while PC makers trickle down new hardware to their lineups when it becomes available, so within months of launch they are overtaken. #macbookreview
@Dr. H. F. Danger: Yeah I was wondering the same thing as well. Although increased desktop stability and thermal protection are two things that I'd consider trading a clean white laptop for. #macbookreview
That is a gorgeous frickin' laptop. Saarinen-esque. If I didn't feel the need to have at least one PC around, I'd trade out my old laptop for it in a New York minute. #macbookreview
@Bioengineered Smoothie: thanks, reading - coffee = poor information absorbing. A 15" MBP is looking nicer and nicer as a replacement for my 2GHz macbook. #macbookreview
10/21/09
The absence of the IR port is just wrong. Why do something like that? It's weird....and stupid.
Overall, I'd say that this thing would easily cater to a huge group of people. I doubt many people even use the IR port on their MBA's, but still.....it's nice to HAVE the ability to use it.
As for the user replaceable battery being switched for the big integrated, I pretty much saw that coming. Considering how well my MBP's battery holds up, I don't mind. As for user replaceable RAM and HDD's, anyone who's actually taken apart an MB to swap the drives would know that there is a negligible difference in ease between this and and the older one. If you can unscrew the L frame from the battery bay, you can unscrew a plate from the bottom to do the same operation. #macbookreview
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/22/09
10/22/09
10/21/09
Edit: I missed it. Even still, I would have upgraded from my old macbook to this one if it had a firewire. I don't understand why apple insists on removing it. I wouldn't be able to use my Apogee Duet.
10/21/09
10/21/09
Seriously, magic erasers cant clean these super dirtmagnets. #macbookreview
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
10/21/09
Wow, now it looks like the MSI Wind. #macbookreview
10/21/09
Yeah I remember when they copied the MSI wind in 2006 with this one too. #macbookreview
09/11/09
09/11/09
09/11/09
09/11/09
@fastm3driver: Nice try. Show me this built in cord winder.
09/11/09