I recently watched the introduction video on the MacBook Air, and since the site has become a purely MacBook Air discussion board I thought I would chime in on some of the problems I see that will affect all users (regardless of aptitude) who use the laptop.
1. The backlit keyboard
Jesus Christ! What the hell has happened to Apple quality and control?! I appreciate a backlit keyboard, in fact, I love them, but the one installed in the Air looks more like a shitty Saitek gamers keyboard. Lets compare the proper way (MacBook Pro) and the improper way (MacBook Air).
MacBook Pro:
Notice the fine detail on the keys and lack of splash-through. After having seen this keyboard in action I was envious that the standard MacBook didn’t have the feature because it is truly slick. The transition between not using it (well lit environment) and using it (dark environment) is seamless. Smooth transition and just enough light to be useful. Now let’s compare the MacBook Air illumination…
MacBook Air:
Notice the bleed-through on the sides of the keys that not only lights up the key but the surrounding border. Some of the keys in the middle seem well isolated but the rest are sloppy, which will no doubt cause of fatigue and annoyance on the part of the user with extended usage. This seems like a feature that they tacked on at the last minute because they can’t really sell to business users without this. IBM has been including comparable illuminated keyboards on thinkpads for a while now.
2. The expansion ports
They have received so much attention for their “lack of expansion”. Whether you think that a single usb port, headphone jack, and mini-DVI output are enough (I don’t) you would at least like to use them together if at all.
With the spacing that they allow between these pint-sized ports how the fuck are you going to connect the majority of USB components at the same time you’re using the mini-DVI? There just isn’t enough of a gap to connect, let’s say a Cellular USB dongle (without a USB extender), next to a display cable. Stupid decisions like this, similar to placing USB ports side by side, right on top of each other, or in recessed areas make connecting peripherals a pain in the ass. And you certainly don’t want to make connecting shit a pain in the ass when you have a barebones selection of ports like on the MacBook Air
Also, look at the fold-out port, 50 bucks says that that’s the first thing to get snapped out of the thing. It’s probably seated in there on a plastic rail with only lose wires to keep it from falling out should the rails fail. Anything with this sort of “feature” should be passed over, unless (since I haven’t physically seen the laptop) it’s built in some amazingly stable manner (which I doubt).
Just another set of reasons to hold of swiping your card on this thing, if lack of expansion, price, and general Apple hatred weren’t enough.