Apple's MacBook Air is officially shipping

Straight out of Cupertino's mouth, the MacBook Air is officially shipping. 'Course, we'd already heard a few reports from early adopters that they had received shipment notifications, but now we can all rest assured they weren't just dreaming. Brace yourselves, MBA pre-orderers, your wee machine should be on its way soon, but it seems as though folks placing their orders as late as today will still face a "2 to 3 week" lead time.

[Khris @ Jan 30th 2008 12:32PM]

And the Apple fanboys rejoiced (the rest of us yawned).

[Senor_Tom @ Jan 30th 2008 12:38PM]

no, im pretty sure i didnt yawn. I wanna know about real world tests with this thing after a few months to see any issues etc. Seems like a good machine for the small proportion who would find use for its lacking facilities. I did admit thought the last time i used a cd was a very very long time ago. I only use em for games and i download them anyway. But yeah, wont be to long for some user reviews:)

[Mr.Sparkle @ Jan 30th 2008 12:43PM]

Maybe you wouldn't be so tired if sitting in your bedroom all day complaining about other people's computers wasn't your fucking hobby! You are the fanboy!

[Mr.Sparkle @ Jan 30th 2008 12:44PM]

Maybe you wouldn't be so tired if sitting in your bedroom all day complaining about other people's computers wasn't your fucking hobby! You are the fanboy!

[fanman @ Jan 30th 2008 2:18PM]

No one cares about buying or using it. The question is, "WILL IT BLEND?!"

(Macbook smoke; Don't breath this...)

[Neebs @ Jan 30th 2008 3:15PM]

@ fanman:
Thin air...don't breathe this...

[MARSHAK @ Jan 30th 2008 3:37PM]

i dunno about blend, but it'll probably bend just fine.

[ark_v2 @ Jan 30th 2008 4:15PM]

I want to see real (unbiased, so no engadget, gizmodo, blogs......) reviews, but this post is indeed retarted and unnecesary. Come on"...MacBook Air is officially shiping."... give me a break!

[bc @ Jan 30th 2008 12:37PM]

you can yawn all you want... i still want one.

[billy bob thorton @ Jan 30th 2008 9:51PM]

Since Apple seems to think the truth doesn't matter, here is a laptop that is thinner and with 14 hours of battery life.

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/05/0524_metrolaptop/index_01.htm

.7" (without cheating), 2.5lb Although the purse idea is really stupid. Look at the pictures and you'll see what I mean.

[aardvark sandwich @ Jan 30th 2008 12:37PM]

Looking forward to the price drop. As Confucius would say, "Study the past if you would define the future.".

[Ty @ Jan 30th 2008 1:13PM]

Aye aye. In the words of Jesus Quintana, character in the film The Big Lebowsky...

"[Early adopters,] are you ready to be fucked, Man?"

[Reid @ Jan 30th 2008 5:45PM]

Actually, what will happen is the specs will go up but the price won't drop. At least not below $1599 or something. It will likely always be positioned in the same place it is between the Macbook and the Macbook Pro. I bought an iBook 6 years ago that based out at $1000 or $1100. Now that is the base price for a way,way,way faster Macbook. Computer makers tend to up specs rather than lower prices. You don't see people buying $50 Pentium-III machines brand new, do you?

[Cheapo @ Jan 31st 2008 10:15AM]

Reid I am sure that was a Iphone 200$ price drop comment.

[Georgy McFly @ Jan 30th 2008 12:38PM]

This is bad news... for the consumer and Apple.

[suckittrebek @ Jan 30th 2008 12:44PM]

great, more fodder for the (anti-mac) whiners

[fred @ Jan 30th 2008 12:54PM]

You say that as if people that use Macs don't "whine" on any story that has to do with Microsoft products.

[boe @ Jan 30th 2008 12:45PM]

While the Air isn't exactly the answer to my prayers - it is a good catalyst for other companies to make better/lighter laptops. The air is missing too much to make it viable for a lot of people's needs but that doesn't mean it won't help improve things for everyone. The iPhone is a slick piece of hardware but again it doesn't meet my needs - it did however force companies like HTC to step up their release cycle on things like the Touch. The touch is lacking the better graphics and battery life of the iPhone among other things that might be MS's fault, some might say HTC - like the BT is still not as good on this phone as a free phone from any carrier. The touch does however fully sync with exchange which is critical for a lot of people. Either way you win - if the iPhone does everything you need you have a good option if not the Touch might be pretty good for you. There is still a ton of room for improvement for both but the iphone through down the gauntlet.

I would hope Asus and other laptop companies are trying to figure out how to make a lighter laptop but with all the items the air is missing. They may not get it down to 2lbs. But there are some VERY full featured laptops that are only 4lbs. The question is can they split the difference?

[Josef @ Jan 30th 2008 1:32PM]

"it is a good catalyst for other companies to make better/lighter laptops."

By dropping key components? I don't think so.

[boe @ Jan 30th 2008 1:48PM]

No but if this notebook sells even with the lack of components - it might help light a fire for R&D for Asus and other manufacturers to work on even lighter laptops. As I said - my 4lb laptop has all the features most people could want including a better processor than the AIR and a lot of interfaces - however that doesn't mean I wouldn't like it to be about 1lb lighter. While the AIR is only 2lbs it lacks too many features for it to be useful to most of my clients but my clients are going to clamor for this unit even though I warn them about the lack of features. A reasonable inbetween would be good - I'm not sure what that is but technology keeps improving so I'm hoping to see a powerful 2+ GHz Core 2 system with 100 GIG momentous hard drive, 256MB video and an internal nic and wifi by next year with a 13" screen that is only 3lbs. I think that is quite possible. PS most of my clients who get the 2+ lb PCs don't like the small screens, small keyboards and slow processors so they get the 4lb units like I have but are not happy about the weight - I don't think it is so bad but they sure do.

[Diku @ Jan 30th 2008 3:36PM]

you know what inspires companies to create new technologies? Innovation. There is very very little innovation found in the macbook air. Besides the thinness, there have been machines that are lighter, smaller, faster, cheaper, more expandable, and thus better. Apple has not broken any new ground aside from developing a laptop that was .76" thick. Period. So tell me, where is the innovation?

[boe @ Jan 30th 2008 3:47PM]

Diku - I'm not sure there is much innovation but public interest in just having news or mac fanboys or whatever. The Touch by HTC didn't take any real innovation but the iPhone was a huge impetus in getting a market niche what they wanted. Winodws wasn't innovation but it took a good idea and made it commonplace. I neither think the macbook is good or horrible - it may fit a niche I do not fit in but I do know a lot of clients of mine want really light laptops - unfortunately as you know full featured laptops that have any power aren't available in a 2lb or even a 3lb package at the moment - but I feel it quite possible we may see some by next year.

[James @ Jan 30th 2008 4:10PM]

If anything is the catalyst for encouraging manufacturers to make lighter laptops, it would be Asus' Eee PC. I'm sure it was the catalyst for people's interest in an Apple sub-notebook. Who wouldn't want something as portable as the Eee but as functional as a Mac with OS X?

Too bad the Air failed miserably at capturing that.

[j @ Jan 30th 2008 12:47PM]

Im a apple fan in general or rather have an affinity for a certain amount of their products... and even I don't care about the "Air". So with that said, why besides those who actually bought the product, would anyone care about these things shipping. Ive never commented negatively on your articles, but dang, who cares. When did Engadget become TMZ... i get the aol connect, but we've heard nuff bout Tom Cruise, er... Mac Book Air.

[amidamaruflame @ Jan 30th 2008 1:01PM]

it's a gadget site.... announcing the shipping of a gadget. Shocker :O

[Derbeste @ Jan 30th 2008 1:11PM]

Except that Engadget and ANOTHER post just a few days ago that said MBAs "may" be shipping now...or as early as...or whatever...

How many posts do we need to tell us that MBA are in boxes?

How does that give us any more info about the gadget?

What does this add?

[Ty @ Jan 30th 2008 1:19PM]

"First MacBook Air Shipped"
"First FedEx man sighted with MacBook Air"
"First Consumer Un-Boxing of MacBook Air"
"Second Consumer Un-Boxing of MacBook Air"
"MacBook Air Officially Sold in Apple Store"
"MacBook Air: Popular Among Female College Students, people suffering from muscle atrophy, Ryan Block."

Oh, I went there.

[Derbeste @ Jan 30th 2008 1:06PM]

I just want to preface this next comment by saying I've never made one of these types of whines before....but it's time.

Engadget:

Are you going to put out a post everytime a MBA arrives at a home too?

Is there no other gadget out there worthy of this webspace?

No, I'm going to be one of those daft idiots that calls you Mac fanboys or iEngadget. I am also aware there is a no apple feed and site. I don't want that site because I DO like apple news....IN MODERATION.

But even I think this is a bit much.

[Charles R Hamilton @ Jan 30th 2008 1:09PM]

Then don't waste your time and mine by reading it, AND commenting on it. Scroll right past it, like I do on the endless digital camera posts.

[Derbeste @ Jan 30th 2008 1:13PM]

Funny how you said I can save my time by scrolling by a post rather than reading it AND commenting on.....but then you read and commented on MINE.

I had a concern and it was not phrased to be disrespectful.

You just need to take your own advice.

You wasted your own time.

[insertAlias @ Jan 30th 2008 3:23PM]

Well, I guess I'll waste my time too.

"Is there no other gadget out there worthy of this webspace?"

If they were running this story by excluding another, I'd be right with you. But they aren't. This isn't a newspaper with limited space. This story didn't bump another one, and didn't replace anything.

I skip posts I don't care about. Its not that hard to do. I just don't understand why it's such a big deal to some of you. Nobody forced you to click or read it. Just move on.

I prefer to get all the news, and then choose what I want to read.

[Matthew @ Jan 30th 2008 1:07PM]

I almost got one but decided on the pro instead as I only want one laptop and this wouldn't do as my only laptop, i need a built in optical drive right now. In 3 or 4 years, maybe not.

[John @ Jan 30th 2008 1:10PM]

I've been trying for a week or so to figure out how to integrate this into my life... no dice so far.

[Jeff Lewis @ Jan 30th 2008 1:44PM]

May I suggest that you're going about this the wrong way?

You've accidentally highlighted the biggest problem I have with brandism. Apple makes a product, and then people try to see how they can rearrange their lives to make it fit.

That's BAD consumerism. A consumer, to do their part in a healthy economy, should approach this the other way around: ask 'does Apple make a product that actually meets my needs?'

If they do - and if you like the product - then you *should* buy it. But if they don't, then you should look at other products until you either find the one that meets your needs the best, or choose the one that is the optimal compromise *for you*.

That's how you drive innovation and encourage manufacturers to build products that reflect an actual demand. Not doing this means that the corporations are essentially steering the market - and that's no better in the long run than other centralised economies.

[John @ Jan 30th 2008 1:47PM]

I figured it out, I can give an MBA to my sister, all she does is search the web and answer email.

[tony @ Jan 30th 2008 8:37PM]

Why would your sister need a $1799 dollar laptop for checking email and using the web? Why would anybody, actually?

[Superprime @ Jan 30th 2008 1:11PM]

And more expensive

[Urnamma @ Jan 30th 2008 1:11PM]

Is there some rule that there must be a MacBook Air post eternally on the front page or something?

To be honest, as one of those dreaded consultant/road warrior folks, every time I see this compy I roll my eyes. I've even got an MBP (running Ubuntu though), and the MBA abbreviation always makes me think of my master's degree, not a computer :)

Seriously though, 0.00003% of customers might actually find a use for this thing, the rest of us will stick with a product that has actual applicability to productive work. I've always had a mantra of never buying Apple products (like m$ software) until the 3rd or 4th generation, as the first version is usually a featureless buggy prototype. This is really no exception. Can we talk about Apple products that people will actually use... or things that the other 96% of us who use other OS's might actually use. Too much MacBook Air!

[petelobl @ Jan 30th 2008 1:22PM]

"Seriously though, 0.00003% of customers might actually find a use for this thing"

i hope i dont throw off yer math when i order mine friday

[craig @ Jan 30th 2008 1:40PM]

Yes, it's the same rule that causes every new Apple product to receive the same treatment.

There is a large, profitable market for useless luxury goods. There is absolutely no justification for purchasing overpriced, low quality, remarkably ugly Louis Vuitton luggage yet they make a good living doing it. If that's not convincing enough for you, then look at Hermes.

The MBA is a computer that is not especially good at anything other than being thin to a point of absurdity. That will not stop it from being successful. The MBA is a fashion computer; it's price and lack of function are not a detriment but, to some, an advantage. It lacks the portability of a true ultra-portable, the speed, connectability and capacity of machines close to its size, but is has sex appeal that other machines don't. Once you see someone pay $400 for a Louis Vuitton case to put their $200 iPod in, you will understand who the MBA is made for. Those people don't give a shit why the MBA is inferior to most every other computer, they only care that you don't have one and they do.

[Ty @ Jan 30th 2008 1:48PM]

It's also for the ladies!

[Steven @ Jan 30th 2008 1:12PM]

So close to what I want, yet so lacking for what I want. I'm bringing my 12" Powerbook out of mothballs.

[Zak @ Jan 30th 2008 1:15PM]

I agree with this, the 12" Powerbook is just about perfect except for that it's pretty slow by today's standards. But for light work, even some mild photoshop stuff or Garageband or something, it still works great. It's still my ideal form factor.

[Charles R Hamilton @ Jan 30th 2008 4:35PM]

Hey Steven,
I know what you mean, I have yet to mothball my 12" G4. I was hoping Apple would make something like it, but it looks like they went thin instead of small. If that makes any sense. I ordered one though, and I am willing to give it a shot. I just don't think It will compare with the 12" for me. (or you sounds like) But, to each his (or her) own I guess.

[Khris @ Jan 30th 2008 1:12PM]

Myles, don't start your fucking UMPC shit again!

The MBA is *NOT* a UMPC, it's a Notebook/Laptop. Get it through your thick skull and go eat some more paint chips!

[Elliott @ Jan 30th 2008 1:14PM]

Hahah, I guess they deleted his post due to obvious reasons.

[Elliott @ Jan 30th 2008 1:13PM]

IT IS NOT A UMPC. If the MBA is a UMPC, then it's a huge step back in UMPC tech as a poor contender in the UMPC market as well. I can't possibly imagine walking around taking inventory with this hanging off the side of my arm...not to mention trying to deal with the keyboard when I have it hooked up to my OBDII port while I'm logging and controlling boost in my car while driving. The MBA is an under-performing LAPTOP...don't try to make up for it's shortcomings by calling it something else.

[Andrew Hansen @ Jan 30th 2008 1:24PM]

impressive in size and looks, not much else,
i would like to see how the lenovo x300 would stack up to it though

[George McFly @ Jan 30th 2008 1:25PM]

But we'd have no one to flame then.

[mike @ Jan 30th 2008 1:27PM]

Ah very true very true!