Sizing it up: MacBook Air vs. the rest
| Model | Weight (based on standard configuration) |
| ASUS Eee PC (7-inch) |
2.0 pounds |
| Toshiba Portege R500 (12-inch) |
2.16 |
| Sony VAIO TZ (11.1-inch) |
2.75 |
| Apple MacBook Air (13.3-inch) | 3.0 |
| Dell XPS M1330 (13.3-inch) |
3.97 |
| Sony VAIO SZ (13.3-inch) |
4.0 |
| Apple PowerBook G4 (12-inch) |
4.6 |
| Apple MacBook (13.3-inch) |
5.0 |
| Apple MacBook Pro (17-inch) | 6.8 |
Filed under: Laptops
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brad @ Jan 15th 2008 1:42PM
The dimensions you give for the M1330 seem like they're for the CCFL-version. The LED version is about .1" thinner, if I recall.
MearWolf @ Jan 15th 2008 2:23PM
Yup, i think its a bit more, I've got one, just got the bigger screen thought because i wanted the higher res camera, but i'm sure if dell had really tried they could have sized it down, it feels like a lot of thin air inside that sexy case
Gremlin @ Jan 15th 2008 2:34PM
XPS m1330 ftw! I got mine when they first came out and was worried this new ultraportable would make me regret it - guess not. Tray keyboard? No thanks! No optical? Come on. The m1330s keyboard, optical, and port make it much more attractive for the extra pound.
ark_v2 @ Jan 15th 2008 3:19PM
I was thinking exactly the same about my m1330. It owns. One of the best things I've ever bought.
quomen @ Jan 15th 2008 1:45PM
Regardless, (IMO) all ultraportable laptops are overpriced.
umm....hello??? @ Jan 15th 2008 2:14PM
why? thin/small is difficult to make/squeeze in components without making it so it overheats a great deal--so there is a premium to pay for smaller items....it's easy to make laptops large.
Wii60 @ Jan 15th 2008 2:27PM
@Umm...hello?
So just because they had to R&D more we should pay more for less? I'm thoroughly impressed with what apple's engineers have done to build this machine. However, at the end of the day, its still a laptop with a 13 inch display and 2 usb ports. It's impressive, but I don't think the device is worth over 900.
My self-worth won't let me waste 1800+ for a laptop that's easier to get out on an airplane. I'll think of this as a concept device. At the end of the day its just a thinner, less functional macbook.
Skemo @ Jan 15th 2008 2:41PM
Actually its 1 USB port...
pquistgard @ Jan 15th 2008 1:45PM
That Keynote was one of the few moments where pure wonder and excitement is instilled into us all. Apple lovers and apple haters alike.
Jonathan Bergeron @ Jan 15th 2008 1:52PM
How very nice of you to stereotype people. What if I said, "I don't care about what the douchebags who run companies say; and all I'm concerned about is the end product."? Would you call me a liar because you like living in a fairy tale world, where everyone falls under your stereotype?
Chebwa @ Jan 15th 2008 2:00PM
"...pure wonder..."?
I don't know about that, dude. They're a bunch of computers and accessories.
pquistgard @ Jan 15th 2008 2:08PM
Ooh, cool it a bit, I don't even own a Mac computer and probably never will, but I was quite excited about the announcements today, and thought that other people would as well. For a second, I did feel wonder and that's why I posted about it.
Bobby Chapman @ Jan 15th 2008 1:45PM
That's not as impressive as my 700 gram Samsung Q1 at 228mm x124mm x24mm. I was hoping to have something more jaw droppping. Multi-touch on a track pad seems like conservative thinking. There's no WOW factor in this Macbook Air.
rip @ Jan 15th 2008 2:27PM
Your joking right? The Q1? A "computer" that no one wants because it can't do anything? 1100 for a high powered archos?
huh @ Jan 15th 2008 4:43PM
Umm, the Q1 is a piece of crap (I know, I had one and got rid of it), unless your needs fit the very narrow spectrum of what it is actually useful for (which, aside from storage capacity, would probably be better served by an iphone like device, since you'd then be using an OS designed to be used with a touchscreen, unlikely XP/Vista). I'm no fan of this Macbook Air, but at least it has a usable keyboard and decent built in cam, unlike the Q1.
Bobby Chapman @ Jan 15th 2008 6:28PM
The assumptions about my needs are actually very inaccurate. I need a small computer that I can keep in stand by, take out and draw or write a few notes on, and do occasional web browsing on the go. After having used the touch screen exclusively for nearly 2 years, I find it hard to use regular computers. It feels primitive. Adjusting shapes in flash, drawing in photoshop, jotting notes in windows journal, and browsing the internet anywhere. It fits the screen size I need, the functions I want, and the form factor I like.
Nelson @ Jan 15th 2008 1:46PM
Holy CRAP!!!! $3000!!!!! for the SSD version. WHAT?!?!?!?!
nikster @ Jan 15th 2008 6:08PM
They didn't say that at the keynote so I will spell it out for you: This is for rich people. Ok? It's for people that will drop $3K without thinking twice, if the product is sexy enough.
Not a bad strategy, and I don't see much competition here, design-wise.
Bucky @ Jan 15th 2008 1:47PM
MacBook Air 1.8Ghz w/64 GB SSD for $3098.00? Wow, Alienware, here I come.
Brian @ Jan 15th 2008 2:01PM
And you show that you completely don't get it. The alienware is in a completely different category. It weighs a ton, battery life is probably no where near 5 hours, and it's freaking huge. You can get a regular macbook air for $1799. Who cares about SSD? You'll get a benefit in the battery life department, but you've obviously shown you don't care about that if you are considering an alienware machine.
chris fredette @ Jan 15th 2008 2:00PM
Do you know anything about apple pricing?
No mention of included graphics anywhere.
1 USB = lame. how hot will it get? 45nm chip I assume?
Doesn't Toshiba have a 2.7lb one with a DVD drive?
Ian @ Jan 15th 2008 4:32PM
I had an Alienware before I bought the MacBook Pro I'm using now and trust me it is a BIG MISTAKE. Alienware laptops do not last more than two years, period. Mine had so many problems that servicing it for about 20 months cost more than the laptop itself! I agree that the Air is a major disappointment, however the MacBook Pro is the best laptop out there, costing only a couple hundred more than Air with a lot more power packed in it. Trust me, buy a MacBook Pro and you will thank me! DO NOT BUY AN ALIENWARE LAPTOP! If you need more convincing, check out all these pissed off former Alienware laptop customer message boards when you google up Alienware.
SteveMB @ Jan 15th 2008 5:35PM
Ian, are you really saying that Alienware computers don't last longer than 2 years just because YOU had one that didn't last that long?
Goldaar @ Jan 15th 2008 1:49PM
Actually not the worlds thinnest. the title for that still lies with the Sony x505 which is .75 inches at the thickest, .01 inches thinner than the MacBook Air. And unless that keyboard has some really cushy stuff underneath it, it will type just like the x505, which felt like you were typing directly on the table (cool feeling, just not the most comfortable).
System48 @ Jan 15th 2008 1:54PM
Wrong!!! If Jobs said it was the thinnest laptop then it's the thinnest laptop.
Paulo @ Jan 15th 2008 2:22PM
Thats what i said it wouldnt be a few hours ago on macrumors.com. I couldnt see them coming up with anything smaller. Also the macbook has a battery you cant remove... Does apple want everything to have a battery that they have to charge to install...
rip @ Jan 15th 2008 2:19PM
but the macbook air is only .16" at the thinnest vs. .3" for the Sony. So technically, the macbook is the thinnest.
And the Sony only has a 10" screen vs 13" for the macbook. And all the small sony's are incredibly expensive.
John @ Jan 15th 2008 2:31PM
I can tape a damn sheet of paper on the edge of an Alienware laptop to make it less than 1mm at the thinnest point. "World's thinnest" my ass.
holycow @ Jan 15th 2008 1:50PM
Lol i just loved how he compared the Macbook Air to the VAIO BEFORE he announced the specs for it. 1 USB slot, No optical drive and still the same weight...
LegendZ28 @ Jan 15th 2008 3:33PM
I also love how he could announce Sony as being one of their partners on the movie front before going on to destroy a specific product they produce. What a partnership.
K @ Jan 15th 2008 1:52PM
Since we are comparing how does $1,799.00 translate into £1,199.00 in the UK???
And blimey $3,098.00 (for the other model) into £2,028.00!
I used a currency calculator on x-rates.com
It gave me £914.545 and £1574.90 as an equivalent...
This is a LOT of taxes or someone is making serious money!!!
Ted @ Jan 15th 2008 1:55PM
Booooo! As usual we got robbed! Oh well, I tend to buy all my electronics from the U.S. anyway when I'm there on holidays visiting relatives, this one won't be any different.
Lou Covey @ Jan 15th 2008 1:59PM
You got it dude. Taxes. We scream about our tax rates here, but in the UK and Europe it's even worse. Apple has a lot of different tariffs and taxes to sell in the UK, all of which affects the price of everything.
One nice thing about the European/UK system: when they tell you the price, it's generally tax included.... by law.
amalott @ Jan 15th 2008 2:11PM
You have to consider VAT for the UK site
John @ Jan 15th 2008 2:29PM
apart from taxes, tariffs and all the accoutrements of global trade, keep in mind that exchange rates really don't mean much for pricing. If Apple feels they can raise the price in one country and manage to make more money by doing so, they of course will, and it's the same with any company.
K @ Jan 15th 2008 3:29PM
I get taxes
I get tariffs and all the accoutrements of global trade
I get that Apple feels they can raise the price
I still don't get the price :)
bunni @ Jan 15th 2008 1:54PM
Oh man, I'm jonesing here - Apple Store is still down for me - I just put up MacbookAirForum.com for some more discussion :D
Semi @ Jan 15th 2008 1:54PM
match it again Sony Vaio X505
is the air still the thinnest ?
or is there some kinda of laptop, notebook, pedantic altercation?
required @ Jan 15th 2008 2:11PM
I think the VAIO X505 is both thinner and lighter. Maybe Apple Air'd?
Semi @ Jan 15th 2008 2:16PM
apple says world's smallest notebook, is this allowed?
or is x505 the world's smallest laptop?
John @ Jan 15th 2008 2:32PM
"notebook" is the term used for laptop computers since people started whining about them being too hot to keep on their lap.
dmitrek @ Jan 15th 2008 7:15PM
Sony X505: Height - 0.83 inch (http://www.shentech.com/sovax5no1pe4.html)
Macbook Air: Height - 0.76 inch (http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html)
jake @ Jan 16th 2008 2:56AM
@dmitrek
Cnet quotes it as .75"
http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/sony-vaio-x505-series/4505-3121_7-30886049.html
Perhaps the .83" figure is from the two little nubs in the back that props it up.
Supposing the Air wins out, using a vaio x505 or a protege r200 (.8")
The Air doesn't look quite as impressive.
System48 @ Jan 15th 2008 1:56PM
Yeah, that's how it with Europe, for some reason, they're always getting screwed on pricing.
Sy @ Jan 15th 2008 2:07PM
You can thank your socialize European government for that. Its called VAT.
Atanas Boev @ Jan 15th 2008 1:57PM
I'm getting an eee :)
Lee @ Jan 15th 2008 1:59PM
Am I alone in thinking 'what's the point' here?
Apart from being thinner (for which you sacrifice a load of ports), and a little lighter - it's still 13.3 inches. I can't understand why anyone would really want one of these over a macbook or macbook pro.
Benjamin @ Jan 15th 2008 1:59PM
Q2 Asus EEE PC FTW
Mark @ Jan 15th 2008 1:59PM
Lets see some price vs performance comparisons now
helloUser @ Jan 15th 2008 2:00PM
Those specs are measly for what you pay. Might as well get a normal macbook that offers more and costs less at a bigger physical size. Also, the price premium for SSD is a joke.