Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

olePigeon · Apr 10, 2009, 04:13 PM

Well, I mean, other than $$.

http://gizmodo.com/5205524/dell-adam...e-sissy-inside

It's bigger, heavier, slower, and louder than the MacBook Air. On top of that, it's actually more expensive than the MacBook Air. That's pretty hard to do.

cwkmacuser · Apr 10, 2009, 04:26 PM

They were thinking in their own crappy way.

olePigeon · Apr 10, 2009, 04:44 PM

It has more ports, though. I guess if that's important to you it's a good buy.

I'd rather get a Voodoo Envy. That's a slick looking laptop.

scaught · Apr 10, 2009, 05:48 PM

fashion laptop

chabig · Apr 10, 2009, 06:26 PM

PC power users are turned on by vent holes.

olePigeon · Apr 10, 2009, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by chabig

PC power users are turned on by vent holes.

Isn't the entire front side of the G5 PowerMac nothing but vent holes?

CharlesS · Apr 10, 2009, 11:00 PM

It may be slightly bigger than the MacBook Air, but it has two USB ports, plus a third one that doubles as an eSATA port. When you add in the fact that the MBA needs a USB adapter just to get Ethernet, you're looking at a good chance that the MBA is going to need you to carry around a bulky USB hub with you, thus reducing the small and sleek-ness of it.

Incidentally, that combo USB/eSATA port is something I'd really like to see Apple start using on their laptops. High-speed eSATA ports for those who care about them, extra USB ports for those who don't. Win-win all around.

chabig · Apr 11, 2009, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

When you add in the fact that the MBA needs a USB adapter just to get Ethernet...

Wifi...

Tiresias · Apr 11, 2009, 06:01 AM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

I'd rather get a Voodoo Envy. That's a slick looking laptop.

Sarcasm, surely?

Edit: Oh, you're right. It's kind of cool looking.

Carry on.

CharlesS · Apr 11, 2009, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by chabig

Wifi...

... doesn't always exist everywhere. Just the other month I stayed at a hotel that made me plug into their network via Ethernet because they didn't have WiFi.

I mean, I guess you could carry a wireless router with you everywhere you go, but then that adds bulk, just like the USB hub.

Salty · Apr 11, 2009, 02:08 PM

An AirPort Express really doesn't add bulk I used to take mine to work with me every day last year (bad employee with nothing to do... my sales were still great all things considered) It's about the size of carrying another power adapter.

That said I'm amazed at how slow the processors in that thing are, they're significantly slower than the Air and they're running a much more bloated OS than OS X. Silly people...

ctt1wbw · Apr 11, 2009, 05:03 PM

I don't think one extra usb port is worth the premium of the Adama, I mean Adamo, over the Macbook Air. That's one ****ing expensive usb port, then.

Kerrigan · Apr 11, 2009, 09:30 PM

The resulting cacophony of darkness tugs at my heart strings, activating long dormant man-DNA.

I stopped reading after that. What kind of guy says that?

glideslope · Apr 17, 2009, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

I stopped reading after that. What kind of guy says that?

Most likely a Poetic Male. I'd draw the line at re-activating DNA. Far too many unknowns.

Eriamjh · Apr 17, 2009, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

Isn't the entire front side of the G5 PowerMac nothing but vent holes?

Those are speed holes.

driven · Apr 18, 2009, 07:45 AM

Just went and re-looked at the Adamo. Beautiful looking machine. Specs are sub-par even by Macbook Air standards. Price is extremely high even by Macbook Air standards. $2700 for 1.4 Ghz?????? Wow.

Paco500 · Apr 18, 2009, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

It may be slightly bigger than the MacBook Air, but it has two USB ports, plus a third one that doubles as an eSATA port. When you add in the fact that the MBA needs a USB adapter just to get Ethernet, you're looking at a good chance that the MBA is going to need you to carry around a bulky USB hub with you, thus reducing the small and sleek-ness of it.

Eh- I've had the MBA as my only computer since Christmas, and the only time I miss a second USB port is when I am at the office AND I need to charge my iPod AND I don't feel like using WiFi. What would people need to plug in on the go on such a regular basis that it would require carrying a USB hub?

cwkmacuser · Apr 18, 2009, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by Salty

An AirPort Express really doesn't add bulk I used to take mine to work with me every day last year (bad employee with nothing to do... my sales were still great all things considered) It's about the size of carrying another power adapter.

That said I'm amazed at how slow the processors in that thing are, they're significantly slower than the Air and they're running a much more bloated OS than OS X. Silly people...

Can you set up Wifi with an AirPort Express without purchasing internet service like AT&T or Comcast? I wanted to find that out, because we are considering making the switch from Dialup to Wifi.

turtle777 · Apr 18, 2009, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by cwkmacuser

Can you set up Wifi with an AirPort Express without purchasing internet service like AT&T or Comcast? I wanted to find that out, because we are considering making the switch from Dialup to Wifi.

Uhm, Wifi ≠ Internet.

Sure you can set up Wifi w/o an ISP (AT&T, Comcast...), but there won't be any content.
The content ("internet") is provided by them, the WiFi is just the means of getting the stuff from the cable / DSL modem to your computer.

-t

gradient · Apr 18, 2009, 02:41 PM

I love the integrated 3G. This has been a while coming and I'm hoping we see that in an Apple notebook soon - it would make me a buyer.

cwkmacuser · Apr 18, 2009, 03:11 PM

So what's the point of AirPort Express if you could get a router from a ISP anyway?

Jawbone54 · Apr 18, 2009, 03:17 PM

I see no practical value in these super-thin laptops that lack a DVD drive and an adequate number of ports.

Everyone I know that bought a MacBook Air bought them because of their aesthetic appeal, but almost immediately regretted it. No disc drive, not enough USB ports, underpowered, prone to overheating...it just goes on and on.

These computers are a fashion statement. The MacBook is a perfectly stylish, extremely portable computer. MacBook Airs are for people that have tons of money but little common sense.

PB2K · Apr 19, 2009, 02:57 AM

hm well I know 1 mba-owner and he only runs XP on it. The company paid for it.

ctt1wbw · Apr 19, 2009, 04:21 AM

Originally Posted by gradient

I love the integrated 3G. This has been a while coming and I'm hoping we see that in an Apple notebook soon - it would make me a buyer.

Yeah, what a great feature that you have to pay EXTRA for. I don't know why people think that this is a bonus feature. You know Wimax isn't free, right?

ctt1wbw · Apr 19, 2009, 04:23 AM

Originally Posted by Jawbone54

I see no practical value in these super-thin laptops that lack a DVD drive and an adequate number of ports.

Everyone I know that bought a MacBook Air bought them because of their aesthetic appeal, but almost immediately regretted it. No disc drive, not enough USB ports, underpowered, prone to overheating...it just goes on and on.

These computers are a fashion statement. The MacBook is a perfectly stylish, extremely portable computer. MacBook Airs are for people that have tons of money but little common sense.

I have one. I love it. It has a dvd drive. Two, as a matter of fact. I have the external one, plus you can use another computer's cd drive for it. It's a great laptop. The screen is simply awesome, puts my Dell to shame. And they both have the same specs, for the most part.

ctt1wbw · Apr 19, 2009, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by Paco500

Eh- I've had the MBA as my only computer since Christmas, and the only time I miss a second USB port is when I am at the office AND I need to charge my iPod AND I don't feel like using WiFi. What would people need to plug in on the go on such a regular basis that it would require carrying a USB hub?

I still haven't figured this out, either. I have a bluetooth mouse, so that negates having more than one usb port. I keep my iPhone cable plugged in all day. One usb port is enough for most people. Just because it doesn't have 500 ports doesn't mean that you can't use the computer to do what a computer was built for.

CharlesS · Apr 19, 2009, 11:23 AM

There are hardly any Bluetooth mice out there, and the ones that are out there are either hard-to-find or feature-limited. Most people either have a wired mouse or an RF mouse that needs a dongle to be plugged into the USB port. Voilà, your one USB port is gone.

Also, if you need to use Ethernet for some reason, your one USB port is gone.

If you need to charge an iPod/iPhone, your one USB port is gone.

If you need to print something to a USB printer, your USB port is gone.

If you need to back up to a Time Machine drive, your USB port is gone.

If you need to put something on a USB flash drive, I hope something else isn't already blocking up the USB port.

etc.

chabig · Apr 19, 2009, 11:29 AM

All of those are bad arguments. Supposed you had two USB ports, do you make the same arguments about why three ports are required? And so what if your USB port is gone. If it's "gone" because you're using it...well, then you're using it as intended.

If you need to use Ethernet for some reason, plug it in.

If you need to charge an iPod/iPhone, plug it in (or use Apple's conveniently small USB charger).

If you need to print something to a USB printer, plug it in.

If you need to back up to a Time Machine drive, plug it in.

If you need to put something on a USB flash drive, plug it in.

Chuckit · Apr 19, 2009, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

There are hardly any Bluetooth mice out there, and the ones that are out there are either hard-to-find or feature-limited. Most people either have a wired mouse or an RF mouse that needs a dongle to be plugged into the USB port. Voilà, your one USB port is gone.

Also, if you need to use Ethernet for some reason, your one USB port is gone.

If you need to charge an iPod/iPhone, your one USB port is gone.

If you need to print something to a USB printer, your USB port is gone.

If you need to back up to a Time Machine drive, your USB port is gone.

If you need to put something on a USB flash drive, I hope something else isn't already blocking up the USB port.

etc.

Also, if you're attacked by bears, the MBA won't do anything to protect you. WTF, Apple?

It's pretty obvious that the MBA is meant to be used wirelessly for the most part. If this doesn't fit with your lifestyle, the MacBook Air is not such a great fit. For my laptop, I just about never have more than one thing plugged in. Right now, it's just the power cord. I print wirelessly. I have a trackpad and thus don't need a mouse for most purposes. Apple optimized for this situation.

I don't have a MacBook Air because I think taking the money I would have spent and rolling joints with it is less wasteful, but I don't think this particular issue is that big.

chabig · Apr 19, 2009, 11:35 AM

^^^

gradient · Apr 19, 2009, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw

Yeah, what a great feature that you have to pay EXTRA for. I don't know why people think that this is a bonus feature. You know Wimax isn't free, right?

Was that actually directed at me? Nowhere did I say anything about price expectations.

CharlesS · Apr 19, 2009, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Chuckit

Also, if you're attacked by bears, the MBA won't do anything to protect you. WTF, Apple?

It's pretty obvious that the MBA is meant to be used wirelessly for the most part. If this doesn't fit with your lifestyle, the MacBook Air is not such a great fit. For my laptop, I just about never have more than one thing plugged in. Right now, it's just the power cord. I print wirelessly. I have a trackpad and thus don't need a mouse for most purposes. Apple optimized for this situation.

I don't have a MacBook Air because I think taking the money I would have spent and rolling joints with it is less wasteful, but I don't think this particular issue is that big.

On the road, a trackpad is fine, but many people prefer to use a real mouse when they're at their desk. Also, most people have cheap printers that don't have wireless or networking capabilities (not saying that's a good thing, but it is what it is). The fact that the only way to use Time Machine wirelessly is to buy the $300 Time Capsule while a USB hard drive of the same size can be had for under $100 tells you which way most people will go there (and some USB hard drives even require you to plug it into two USB ports in order to power the drive, making such drives simply incompatible with the MBA). Plus, almost everyone has an iPod or an MP3 player of some sort, and it's difficult to avoid having a USB thumb drive in this day and age.

I know it's not typical usage to have two USB hubs like I do, but I think it's not too far-fetched to say that a heck of a lot of people are going to use more than just one. Dell seems to have managed to fit three USB ports, one of which can even double as an eSATA port, without it being that much bigger than the MBA. Apple could have too, if they weren't so obsessed with form over function.

Chuckit · Apr 19, 2009, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

On the road, a trackpad is fine, but many people prefer to use a real mouse when they're at their desk.

And you think ultraportables should be optimized for at-home desk use?

CharlesS · Apr 19, 2009, 01:19 PM

In this economy I think it's a bit unreasonable to expect people to afford a second computer for use at their desk when the MBA is already quite expensive.

ctt1wbw · Apr 19, 2009, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by gradient

Was that actually directed at me? Nowhere did I say anything about price expectations.

Well, if people are happy about having that wimax built in and then pay for it as an added feature, but then don't use it, it's really a waste of a feature.

CharlesS · Apr 19, 2009, 02:11 PM

WiMax isn't the same thing as 3G...

Chuckit · Apr 19, 2009, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

In this economy I think it's a bit unreasonable to expect people to afford a second computer for use at their desk when the MBA is already quite expensive.

If money is a major object, the MBA is a stupid choice anyway IMO.

CharlesS · Apr 19, 2009, 02:20 PM

That's true, but if you do spend money on a MBA, then your chances of affording another computer are diminished, no?

olePigeon · Apr 19, 2009, 02:24 PM

Apparently it's not enough that PC companies plaster the laptop with Windows, Intel, AOL, and whatever else stickers, but the Dell Adamo is so cool, they laser etch the Windows and Intel Inside sticker logos onto the laptop.

Yup, those two badges are there to stay.

Chuckit · Apr 19, 2009, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

That's true, but if you do spend money on a MBA, then your chances of affording another computer are diminished, no?

I would really hope not. If you can only afford one computer, you should buy a MacBook and use the extra money to buy food or stick it in a savings account or something. If you're buying a MacBook Air, it should be because you either can afford the luxury or it really fits your needs perfectly (in which case you wouldn't need a second computer).

ShortcutToMoncton · Apr 19, 2009, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by CharlesS

In this economy I think it's a bit unreasonable to expect people to afford a second computer for use at their desk when the MBA is already quite expensive.

Then get a Macbook.

The MBA is an ultraportable computer, straight up. Your complaints are basically "but it doesn't have the features a MB/MBP has!" Well, yeah. Cake, eating it too, etc. etc.

greg

gradient · Apr 19, 2009, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw

Well, if people are happy about having that wimax built in and then pay for it as an added feature, but then don't use it, it's really a waste of a feature.

What the heck are you talking about?? All I said was that I think having built in 3G is a great idea. Where you're getting these WiMax / not-wanting-to-pay-for-it comments, I've got no clue. Maybe you have me confused with someone else.

CharlesS · Apr 19, 2009, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton

The MBA is an ultraportable computer, straight up. Your complaints are basically "but it doesn't have the features a MB/MBP has!"

... or that the Adamo being discussed in this thread has, or that pretty much every other ultraportable on the market has for that matter.

I mean, it's true that I don't really understand why someone would want to buy a laptop with the power of a netbook for the price of a MBP, but even granting that, come on. I dare you to find another laptop other than the MBA with only one USB port and no Ethernet.

cwkmacuser · Apr 19, 2009, 04:41 PM

Can't help you there. Can't think of any!