momusradar

Having been able to sleep on it—the idea, not the actual device—I realized that the MacBook Air is the antithesis of Apple Inc’s three big products: iMac, iPhone & iPod touch. And that’s what makes it a fine product.

Where the aim of the “i” products is to have all the desired features wrapped tightly into a small convenient package, the MacBook Air does the exact opposite by shedding nearly everything and persuading you to access whatever features you need wirelessly. It seems users have been keen on sharing just about everything else, now it’s time for them to share hardware.

There are two things that I don’t care about with the MacBook Air. The first is its price; compared to the base-model MacBook, you’ll pay more to get less on many levels. Second, and perhaps most important, there is the problem with it not having a user replaceable battery. Like it did with its original iPod, it appears Apple would prefer that you trash the Air when the battery dies and simply buy another. While it makes financial sense for them, it makes very little sense for the consumer. Especially at that price point.

addendum May 1, 2009

I no longer have an issue with the batteries in any of Apple’s products, let alone the MB Air. They can be replaced by the user if they are so inclined to do so & they have the option to pay Apple to change it for them as well. There are really no reasons for the devices to be discarded at all.