[ibook_steve]

Going back to the discussion about no security slot on the MBA, I just saw this:

Macopinion

A security cable in the USB port? How does that work? I haven't been to a store yet to see in person. How does this stay in the USB port without coming out and setting off the alarm?

Steve

[Big Mac]

I can't imagine a USB port would be strong enough for such use.

[Simon]

Saw that too. I guess if you disconnect it, it will sound the alarm. Not really anything like a Kensington lock, but for a store I guess it's good enough.

[indigoimac]

Anyone ever set off one of those alarms? They're so damn loud, I picked up a MacBook and flipped it over last time I was in and it set it off, an employee had to dive under the table and it took literally 5min for him to get some box open w. an allen key or w/e and shut it off.

[slugslugslug]

Certainly makes more sense for a store than for personal/mobile use too. In the store, it can be hooked up to a huge honkin' alarm system. I don't know how you could adapt something like this to watch your MacBook at a coffee shop while you go to the can, whereas with a Kensington slot you might be able to actually lock it to a table.

On the other hand, at its size/weight, you may as well just take the MBA to the can with you.

[Big Mac]

I'm amazed that Apple provided no hardware security measure for the thinnest laptop in the world. I wonder if they simply could not find a good way to engineer it.

[ibook_steve]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

I'm amazed that Apple provided no hardware security measure for the thinnest laptop in the world. I wonder if they simply could not find a good way to engineer it.

This is most likely the case. There should be more ports as well (from early discussions back when I was at Apple), but there is just no way to fit them on that case.

But I'm still not sure how they can be using the USB port for security. That must come out really easily, causing lots of false alarms.

Steve

[mduell]

You could make a very tight fit by building the USB connector slightly oversized.
And of course, a very loud alarm (and locking the Mac) when it's removed.

[amazing]

This sounds just like the kind of security I'd like have in the library--very effective security!

Gotta wonder who thought omitting the security slot was a good thing.

[seanc]

Originally Posted by ibook_steve 

This is most likely the case. There should be more ports as well (from early discussions back when I was at Apple), but there is just no way to fit them on that case.
Steve

How long was the MacBook Air in the works?!

[ibook_steve]

Extremely preliminary discussions about the ports and optical drive (or lack thereof) happened in mid to late 2004. I left Apple in February 2005, so we were just starting to investigate it when I left.

Steve

[Nodnarb]

Originally Posted by ibook_steve 

Extremely preliminary discussions about the ports and optical drive (or lack thereof) happened in mid to late 2004. I left Apple in February 2005, so we were just starting to investigate it when I left.

Steve

Kind of off topic, but this really interested me: what did you do at Apple? You worked at Cupertino with the big dogs? ...Maybe I'm a little behind the times and you've already shared your experiences here, but... any details you care to mention (not just about the MBA, the job in general) I would love to hear about it.

[ibook_steve]

I'm an EE and worked on board design. I worked on the first white G3 iBooks (12 and 14" circa 2001) and the 12" G4 Powerbooks. I focused mostly on the memory and graphics subsystems. This includes video connectors and dongles (I did the circuits for the mini-VGA to video and mini-DVI to video dongles and helped design the "D" design of the mini-DVI connector.

Steve

[Big Mac]

That totally rocks, Steve! How often would you chat with SJ?

[ibook_steve]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

That totally rocks, Steve! How often would you chat with SJ?

I wish (or maybe not if Pirates of Silicon Valley is to be believed!). If I was lucky, I saw him at lunch. I'm sure the industrial designers talk to him all the time (Jonny Ive and company). SJ is usually much more interested in how the machine looks and feels. Having it work spectacularly is important, but secondary. The ID came first; we then had to figure out how to fit all the electronics in the case!

Steve

[krillbee]

Originally Posted by ibook_steve 

Extremely preliminary discussions about the ports and optical drive (or lack thereof) happened in mid to late 2004. I left Apple in February 2005, so we were just starting to investigate it when I left.

Steve

so you started designing the macbook air in 2004? Dang!

[Nodnarb]

That's really awesome steve! That must have been a great experience.