Since I first got my hands on the MacBook back in October, I never thought about going back to PC (Windows) again, but still somehow I wasn’t 100% satisfied. The cause of the dissatisfaction was that I needed to keep my 2nd-ary laptop, a Panasonic Let’s Note CF-2, which is my commuting machine. The MacBook is not too big, but hell it is heavy. I would never take this every day with me to work, on a 20 minutes tram ride which is followed by a 10 minutes Metro ride, all while being pushed about by people during morning rush, and then at the end of the day the same goes towards home. I need a light and small machine with me which I don’t feel I am carrying. Anyhow, in my current situation, I am left with minimal Mac OS X usage, and still more Microsoft hassle, as my commuting laptop is Windows based. Plus the fact that I have 2 laptops for no good reason. This brings us to my intention, which you already know from the title, I am considering the new MacBook Air. Now, before you turn away, and call me a fool, please read on for my reasoning, and then comment your thoughts at the end…..
The MacBook is a superb machine, but still it isn’t made for me. I thought it was, and I was very satisfied getting it, and I had so much help from friends in Hong Kong in the process of the purchase, that I would never say I regret it, but somehow the MacBook is not me. Its too heavy, and the built quality is not equal of other Apple gear I (we) have at home. Granted its a nice Laptop, but it should never be compared to the quality of the iPhone I have, or Yuka’s iMac. Those things are made of sturdy aluminum and are very solid when handled. The MacBook isn’t built that way, but again, for the price it costs, its an amazing thing.
Long story short, I am 99% sure of getting myself a MacBook Air. My parents in law are visiting from Japan this March/April, so I think I will ask them to bring one for me. Its much cheaper there, and I kind of like the Japanese keyboard anyways. Its really unique here, and I also like the placement of the keys, like the @ sign at a much better location, no shift needed for a column, etc.
Lots of people put the MacBook Air down for its lack of power, ports and for the simple fact of it being extremely expensive. These are all true, and I 100% agree. The MacBook Air is not an everyday machine, definitely not a desktop replacement, and is not meant to be used for people who rely on a single machine solely or do extensive multi media stuff.
However, it fits the bill for me as I:
1. Have a server at home for all my files, iTunes library and iPhoto library, so don't need for extra HDD space
2. Have an iMac (Wife's) in the extreme cases when I need some power for photo/video editing
3. Have no desire to play games
4. Have not placed a single CD/DVD in the slot of the Macbook for months. I guess its clogged up now anyway from the lack of use 
5. Only do Emailing, blogging, web editing, browsing in my private time
6. Only do Remote Desktop server management, emails, browsing, scripting (text editor) when working
All of these tasks can be accomplished with a machine much less powerful than the MacBook Air, in fact my current every day laptop, the Panasonic Let’s Note is a Low Voltage 600MHz Mobile Intel CPU powered thing which serves me perfectly fine.
On a usual day, when away from office, I use VPN to connect to work, then have a Remote Desktop connection to my station, and from there do the usual work I would when sitting at my desk. In these respect, all I need is a Terminal, and something to write emails on and browse.
This clears out all the Tech-related issues of the MacBook Air. Ports I don’t need except for the iPhone charging, but there is a single USB port available, so that is fine. CD/DVD drive I never use, keep everything on my server, and I have the 802.11n WiFi network, at over 100MBit/sec speeds. The non-replaceable battery worries me not, as from the ~20 laptops I so far had, I never replaced a singe battery once. When I am on flights, I never manage to work over 3 hours, so I don’t need a 2ndary battery. I usually watch films, eat myself full, and drink myself to sleep. (Before you judge me on drinking, I am 190cm tall, and cannot fit in my seat. Without drinking, there is no sleeping for me. Note to self, I need to get rich and fly first class)
Now the only remaining issue is the Price. Well, you got me there, this is one hell of an expensive thing to get. But when I think about having two laptops which overall actually cost more than the single MacBook Air, and I have to keep my emails, config files in both places and always updated, I guess having a single machine makes more sense.
All that said, I am getting the MacBook Air. I am interested in your thoughts, if you happen to pass by my blog, please have your say on this.
As for now, my MacBook is advertised in the local paper, and as soon as it goes, I wire the money to Japan for the MacBook Air.
Cheers