Macbook Air too thin?

I’ve been using a 12" PB for years as my travel laptop and I’ve loved it. It’s been in my camera bag and taken many hits without breaking. It’s about time to upgrade and I’m thinking about the Air. But is this thing not too thin? I’m thinking if it got a camera body slammed against it in an overhead compartment it would break in half. Or? Is anyone using this thing as their travel gear? What about the glossy screen? And is one USB port enough?

by Chris Maluszynski at Sat Mar 29 21:03:46 UTC 2008 (ed. Apr 9 2008) New York, United States | Bookmark |

http://www.lightstalkers.org/apple-macbook-air

by Stupid Photographer | 29 Mar 2008 21:03 | Holy Smokes, Holy See |

hey Chris, did you decide? It's an awesome little computer and although you probably saw this by Pogue at the NYTimes, this makes an interesting column: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/03/technology/personaltech/03pogue-email.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=mac+air&st=nyt&oref=slogin regards John

by John De Mings | 09 Apr 2008 00:04 | Digby, Canada |

Can be a perfect machine for a busy businessman , but I think it's not a proper machine for photographer.

by Sang Kyu Han | 09 Apr 2008 03:04 | Stillwater OK, United States |

I looked at it the other day, and, while it might be OK for someone in the fashion industry, I'm not even sure it would work for the average businessman, much less a shooter. Biggest problem? There is apparently only a single USB port. With every peripheral now using a USB plug, and one finding oneself often in need of plugging two or more such plugs into the computer at the same time, it just won't work without getting a USB junction block. And some peripherals won't operate through such a block. Maybe I'm wrong, but that seems to me to be a biggie. Apple appears to have compromised operability for appearance (it does indeed look slick!).

by Neal Jackson | 09 Apr 2008 13:04 | Washington, DC, United States |

It'll also make you look fat. And mmm'like... only everybody would be talking about it and not you... y'know dahling... there's enough skinny bitches out there without you having to drag one along with you everywhere you go. So like whatevah y'know...

by Con O'Donoghue | 09 Apr 2008 14:04 | Barcelona, Spain |

For my stupid photo needs, 80GB hard drive is not enough, only one port, no optical drive and the built in battery are unacceptable.

by Stupid Photographer | 09 Apr 2008 16:04 | Holy Smokes, Holy See |

Hi Chris, you're right - too thin and fragile. Macbook is a better choice. Glossy screen is a mess when you have to file from a day-lit place.

by Mikhail Galustov | 30 Dec 2008 22:12 | Moscow, Russia |

Just got a macbook. Very portable. Nice solid feel. Blindingly fast :) Glossy screen is no issue if you use the Power Support Anti-Glare Film which I just got.

by Raoul Wegat | 30 Dec 2008 23:12 | Melbourne, Australia |

So let me get this straight: they give you a super-slick glossy screen, and then you have to buy a piece of plastic to make it dull again? :) Tobie

by BignoseTW | 31 Dec 2008 01:12 | Taipei, Taiwan |

I just got a new macbook too, and I love it. It's fast, and the glossy screen doesn't bother me too much.

by Noah Addis | 31 Dec 2008 01:12 | Philadelphia, United States |

i'm cheap, so i just got a refurbished MacBook Pro from Apple. it's like new (a late issue of the previous generation which was just supplanted) and has the matte screen. i'm not a fan of the glossy screens, but i expect many people do like them. it's not hard to recommend the MBP...

by John De Mings | 31 Dec 2008 02:12 (ed. Dec 31 2008) | Digby, Canada |

Bignose, had no choice in screen finish, as they now only come in glossy. It's the ideal portable computer except for the hideous gloss (try editing anywhere except for a darkened editing suite/darkroom), so yeah, I spend $2.5k and then stick some hyped up celephane to hide the gloss. Hope the dweebs at Apple marketing READ THIS. And the antiglare film is an absolute, total prick of a job to install. Took three goes with two washes of the film - just one speck of dust will result in a bubble the size of a 5 cent piece.

by Raoul Wegat | 31 Dec 2008 04:12 | Melbourne, Australia |

there's no question that the Air is overpriced and under-connectable. other companies make smaller and lighter machines for less money. the problem is...they're not MACs. and if you are absolutely used to the MAC OS, not a computer nerd, just want to get your stuff done on a platform that you're used to and comfortable with, then the Air is pretty much your ONLY option if low-weight and portability are absolute issues. My advice, don't use it as your main computer, pick up one of the older ones refurbished or used (i think they're under $1000 now?) and just have it be the travel machine. I'm thinking of doing just that for bicycle trips and assignments where you want to bring just one bag...

by Alan Chin | 31 Dec 2008 20:12 | Brooklyn, United States |

I'm using an older MacBook refurbished from Apple and it's brilliant. I'm using Photoshop CS which isn't designed to run on intel but still it rockets along goodo. I've been getting Terminator: The Sarah Conor Chronicles from iTunes and it looks amazing on the glossy screen. Love it. And it processes video very efficiently too.

by Paul Treacy | 02 Jan 2009 17:01 | London, United Kingdom |