[Luy]

Do you believe that the MacBook Air could be improved seriously in the future?

Apple has filed for several patents related to the MacBook Air that cover currently implement technology and hint at future expansion potential for the sub-notebook. Included is a patent for the collapsible port, which apparently was originally earmarked for the rear of the notebook and was to present additional options. The patent reveals that the collapsible port may show up on other Apple devices, with patent writers stating "the present invention may apply to other types of devices, and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention."

>> patents and full article <<

It's often said that it's actually sold very bad, and the emerging criticisms of its drawbacks (short-battery life, the inability to swap out the battery, lack of ports, the internal SuperDrive, the cost) are dampening demand.

What do you think, was the MacBook Air a bad or good idea, and will it ever be improved?

[MacosNerd]

Originally Posted by Luy 

Do you believe that the MacBook Air could be improved seriously in the future?

Yes just like all of their other models

It's often said that it's actually sold very bad

I heard just the opposite, that is they're selling very well.

, and the emerging criticisms of its drawbacks (short-battery life, the inability to swap out the battery, lack of ports, the internal SuperDrive, the cost) are dampening demand.

Is this from an article, if so site your source. I think that MBA has its share of criticism, but I also think the design has not caused any dampening in demand. Unless mis-read something, the battery is quite long lasting. The lack of ports is an issue, but for the market segment its being targeted at, it shouldn't really be an issue. So far I've not heard too many complaints on the lack of an internal SuperDrive.

What do you think, was the MacBook Air a bad or good idea, and will it ever be improved?

Do a search on this forum, there's been a lot of conversations on this, several threads and people basically hate it or love it. Very little middle ground. I'm in the latter camp. I think its a very good idea for the travel warrior who wants a very light and compact machine. Is is for everyone, no, but then the MacPro isn't for everyone either.

[Andhee]

I'm taking a wild guess, but I think this post is spam, advertising that website which is all about the macbook air, apologies if it isn't though.

[ibook_steve]

Can't tell you if it's spam or not, but I can tell you that that patent just covers the collapsible ports on the MBA. We were originally designing it coming out the back of the machine as in the pictures shown there. It changed after I left Apple to become the MBA you see today. I guess they couldn't fit all the ports and cables required to have that many coming out the back, so they pared it down to the absolute essentials (though even those don't seem to be enough). As I've said before in other threads when the MBA came out, having a collapsible door that contains high-speed I/O ports is not a trivial design challenge. Signal integrity, port design, internal cable "collapsibility", and magnetic interference issues all come into play. It's impressive that Apple accomplished what they did with the MBA ports.

Steve

[Cold Warrior]

I think it's ok for now. The OP made an effort to summarize a bit and post a few more sentences. I see the link as a reference for us to continue our own discussion. The article itself is lifted from MacNN (but at least it's attributed on the page).