The MacBook Air is a gorgeous computer but, many people are questioning if its worth the $1,800 price tag.

The internal specs of the computer aren’t to amazing:

• only has a 1.6Ghz (or 1.8Ghz) processor
• the same 80 GB hard drive they use in today’s iPods (this is upgradeable to a 64GB Solid State Drive, which is much faster due to the lack of any moving parts). 
• No optical-drive
• Intel GMA X3100 graphics card with 144 MB shared with main memory

The biggest draw back there seems to be the lack of an optical-drive. But Apple’s theory is that its useless to use CD’s nowadays, they think it’ll soon be a thing of the past. They say, why use DVD’s if you can use iTunes to rent and buy movies, why back-up to disks if you can use Time Machine and Time Capsule, why burn discs if most cars have iPod connectors, and they’ve even though of installing applications. They’ve created something called “Remote Disk” which lets you “borrow” another computers optical drive and use it with your MacBook Air. It’ll even work with PC’s. The way it works is very simple:

1. You install Remote Disk on the computer with the optical drive
2. Drop in your Application install disk
3. then you select Remote Disk on your Air
4. select the computer with the optical drive
5. select the disk and it will show up on your desktop just the same as a normal disc inside your computer 

It’s got some great features as well, though. 

Read more for more about the Air, and for the final thoughts on who it’s meant for 

It does have 2GB of RAM built-in which does help speed it up. The wireless options are great too, featuring 802.11n Wifi and Bluetooth 2.1 built-in. One of the coolest things included with he Air is the multi-touch trackpad, which basically lets you use gestures from iPhone on the computer, like pinching to zoom, and swiping to move back and forth and even more cool gestures. Also, it has the great full-size backlit MacBook keyboard. And of course, it includes Apple’s built-in iSight camera. The greatest feature of the MacBook Air, by far, is its thinness. “Thinnovation,” Apple’s tag-line is right. Measuring only .76 inches at its thickest point and .16 inches at its thinnest, it’s definitely “the world’s thinnest notebook.” Also, it weighs in at only 3 pounds, which makes it even more ultra-portable.

With these facts, we can pretty much determine who the Air is meant for.

If you’re a Professional in video, graphics, photo, audio, movie, or anything that requires big time Pro applications, it’s not for you, go out and get a MacBook Pro, that’s the computer you want. If you’re a gamer, you should already know by now that Macs are not meant for you. If you’re a student who just uses it for basics like typing Word documents, chatting with friends, importing photos, listening to music, and other things like that, it’s great. Also, its super thinness means its really portable and makes it much easier for students to carry it around with them to classes, parties, or just taking a walk in the park. It’s also great for kids in school, because not only is it super-gorgeous, but its got everything that a kid needs. Photobooth and iChat to take funny pictures and chat with friends, iPhoto to keep photos, iTunes to house music, and all of the other great Mac features. The thinness and light weight helps there too.  So here’s that in a shorter version:

• Professionals - get a MacBook Pro
• Musicians - get a MacBook Pro
• Students and Kids - get the Air

Filed under: Apple, Technology, blargKABOOM