Steve Jobs killed the floppy drive and now he's working on all removable media.

[onehandle]

The MacBook Air is a major signal that we are headed sooner, rather than later to a 100% wireless world.

Time Capsule and iTunes store movie rentals support this theory.

Going on a trip? Upload a film or ten from your home wireless server or rent a few off of iTunes.

Genius.

Microsoft will introduce this "innovation" in five years.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. This innovation only works if you live in a place with full wireless

access

I know of folks who live on the other side of the pond where this innovation is all but... not to mention south of the border.

Now if you live in a fully wireless setting... it is a good idea... to a point. Security issues go up by orders of magnitude for your average household and I don't care if this is a mac OS... those issues are still serious. So until security is made user proof, or rather idiot proof, I would not sing my praises that loudly.

Of course I could go into a rant on the issues of social convergence... (been reading papers on that for a sci fi setting), but that is another matter altogether.

[moggie]

2. Not sure what your point is with that geographical comment

You make Europe sound like a third-world wasteland of bulky 300-baud modems. We do have wireless networks, you know!

At the office, the lack of an optical drive on the Air isn't a hindrance. You'd either use the drive on a desktop machine (via the wired network if the office doesn't have wireless: there's a USB-to-Ethernet dongle for the Air), or have an external USB drive on your desk. Ditto at home: the likely market for the Air is affluent professionals who have more than one machine. On the road, it's only an issue if you want to watch movies. But how many laptop users carry around a stack of DVDs to watch on the road?

I'm not convinced that Apple wants to eliminate optical drives from all machines.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Been talkling to folks in England and the access to wireless is

NOT, I repeat, IT IS NOT as widespread as the US... which is not as extensive as it could be either.,

That is the point

[moggie]

5. Are you talking about hotels?

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. And cities

on another board, for writers, by writers, some of the folks are in the UK, and that is the point they made

They would not get this computer, for that precise reason.

Now to Mexico... my parents live down there... and trust me wireless is not as widespread either.

Of course there is also the pesky security issues...

[moggie]

7. I'm still not understanding this

I don't particularly want to defend the MBA, because I'm not especially impressed by it, but I don't really get where you're coming from.

Let's say I take my trusty MacBook to a coffee shop, and, oh dear, they have no wireless network. It means I'm offline: can't get to the web, can't check my mail etc (unless I fire up Bluetooth and dialup via my phone: it works, but it's not fast). How is the MBA any worse in that situation? If I need to access a CD or DVD while I'm out and about, great, my MacBook has a drive, whereas my fictional MBA-owning colleague would have to carry an external drive, rather spoiling the advantage of the MBA's smaller size: but, to be honest, this scenario has never arisen for me (I have all the software and documents I need already installed). If I go somewhere there's a wired network, great, I can plug right in, whereas the MBA owner is at a small disadvantage because he will need to carry a small USB-ethernet dongle he can slip in his pocket or laptop bag (from the picture, this appears to be about the same size as the Apple USB modem, which I have: they're small and light).

Sellitman identified one scenario where the MBA is definitely a loser: if you're on the road for extended periods and want to take some DVDs along for entertainment, the MBA is probably not for you. That's ok: it's not for everyone, just like the humble MacBook isn't for everyone (the MBP's graphics hardware and display are superior, and some people need that).

As for security, yes, you need to use WPA if you take security at all seriously. I think Apple have made it about as simple to set up as possible, though it'd be good if the GUI warned you about security if you chose WEP or no encryption: just about wherever I fire up in London I can see several wireless networks, and there's usually at least one which hasn't been secured. At home, if I were dishonest, there are two neighbours whose networks I could leach off with no effort at all...

Summary: MBA = meh, not what I want, certainly not suitable for everyone, but some will love it (Apple UK's online store currently lists it as their top seller), and I'm probably missing the point you're trying to make about it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. You are

I had a windows machine that was very close to this... and needed external drive to install software

My point is... in an environment that is fully wired it is a beautiful machine... and one I might consider. But in a a setting where wireless is not that pervasive (even if we will get there sooner or later), it is not a machine that appeals to me.

Granted, from a how it looks I happen to love it.

But after having used my tablet for seven years (until it failed). having a need for an external drive (wireless or physical) would be something to think about it

And yes, we agree, security is a problem.

[moggie]

10. Could you give me a scenario?

To help me understand, can you give me an example of a situation where the lack of a public wifi network would make a MacBook superior to the MBA?

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Simple, I need to install a software package

I have a CD installer... I don't have access to a wi fi network.

I insert cd in Drive... walla

Otherwise I need a wireless to install same media from another computer

[moggie]

12. But how often do you install software on the road?

You referred to the lack of "pervasive" wireless networking, which I took to refer to public wireless networks. If you can't install a package in the coffee shop, that's due to the lack of an optical drive, not the lack of a wireless network - but it's an activity few users will need to do. Most software installation will be done either at home or in the office. In those locations, your options for software installation are clear:

1. Use a USB optical drive. Since it'll probably stay on your desk rather than be carried around with the MBA, the bulk isn't an issue. There's an MBA-branded drive, but I expect any USB 2.0 drive will do.

2. Use the drive on a PC or Mac via Remote Disc. I know the Apple blurb talks about doing this "wirelessly", but I'd be surprised if it won't also work over a wired network - and the tiny ethernet dongle for $29 is a worthwhile addition.

At work, your employer will hopefully provide what you need to get things done. At home, there's nothing preventing you from setting up a wireless network if that's what you want. Despite what you may have heard, home wifi is very common over here: sitting at home right now, I can "see" eight wireless networks in addition to my own.

Normally, when you're using wireless, there are basically two things you need to worry about, security-wise:

1. If someone manages to snoop on your network traffic, they could learn things you don't want them to know (such as reading your mail as you download it from your ISP).

2. If they can inject packets into your network, they can use it. In a home setting, for example, that means they could leech off your broadband connection. They could also try to mess with your computers.

Considering just Remote Disc via a wireless network, (1) mostly isn't a worry. It means that your neighbour can (if your network isn't properly secured) spot that you're installing Office 2008 on your Mac, which is only an issue if you're embarrassed about using Microsoft software. It could conceivably be a point of concern if you have private data or incriminating photos burned to CD, and you access them via Remote Disc. (2) is interesting: it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that a sufficiently resourceful bad guy could inject data into your network while you're installing software such that you'd actually install their subtly modified version of the software. But I imagine this would be very difficult to successfully pull off, and this possibility already exists if you ever install downloaded software.

I suspect there'll be a lot of geeks taking a very close look at Remote Disc to see whether any interesting tricks can be played.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. I gave you the scenario

if you want to argue for the computer, fine.

But you want more? Sure...

1.- Installing software
2.- Viewing movies
3.- Security issues
4.- Wireless not as widespread as it will be

Now them are the facts. And as I said, I had a tablet that had an external drive, which made the machine fairly heavy when all peripherals had to be taken on the road.

Now I am not going to argue the machine does not have revolutionary aspects to it, but it seems to me that you are tying to convice yourself to get it (and if not forgive me)... but I do see some problems with it.

[moggie]

15. No, I already said it's not for me

Personally, I'm disappointed with it. It's too expensive for a 1.6 GHz / 80 GB machine, it only has one USB port, the footprint is too big for an ultra-portable, and the battery isn't easily replaceable. It feels like a missed opportunity. I suspect it'll mainly appeal to people who want a status symbol: it wouldn't surprise me if my boss gets one, for example. Me, I seem to be one of the few Mac people who still prefers a white plastic MacBook to the supposedly more sexy machines. No, the reason I'm arguing with you is that I don't think you're making sense!

Installing software

Could you point out what's wrong with my analysis in my previous post?

Viewing movies

Sure: I already agreed about that. If you're on the road for extended periods, the ability to watch DVDs is a good thing.

Security issues

No more and no less than with other wireless machines, and if you don't trust WPA encryption the wired ethernet dongle will take up no more space in your bag than a pen.

Wireless not as widespread as it will be

You keep saying that, but I don't think you've made the case for why that's an issue.

I'm trying to understand where you're coming from, but, honestly, you're not explaining!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

13. I agree--there's poor access in most places, and most of them

charge an arm and a leg for it. One hotel in London charged 50p ($1) a minute. You can be sure I got on and off as fast I could.

Supposedly there are pubs with free wireless, but none of them had signs on the outside advertising it.

[Touchdown]

17. Ah' but Europe is far ahead of us in high speed. Diff issue, but still

Very important, especially if Hi-def movies are to be downloaded on a regular basis.:hi:

[sellitman]

3. As a traveling salesman

The MBA is a no go. At least 25 % of the hotels I stay at only have Cable. With no Ethernet port I would have to carry an adapter for connection and a hard drive for movies. Might as well go with a MB or MBP instead.

[alfredo]

8. It's also a good idea to let someone else be on the bleeding edge,

especially if your job depends on it.

[fightthegoodfightnow]

16. You Got to Love Apple

......... but my fear is what happens after Steve Jobs.

He's so linked to the product that I fear, with all the love/hate Mac addicts have for him, the minute he leaves........ we will all be disappointed.