Apple Mac MacBook Air Life Span and Battery Expectancy
By Mark Knowles
 | Amazon Price: $1,248.99 List Price: $1,299.00 |
Steve Jobs once again managed to wow the world with the latest laptop release from Apple. The MacBook Air. Thinner, lighter and following Sony’s lead, one of the first mainstream computers to offer a solid state hard drive.
Billed as the world’s thinnest notebook, you cannot deny that this is an attractive piece of equipment. It is certainly thin, no question, but I wonder at the use of this as the major selling point. My personal experience of buying the thinnest whatever, generally involved replacing it with something a little more substantial after a short period of time. Technical specs are impressive, but nothing to write home about.
Apple are also billing this as a “green laptop "and this is a quote from their website:
MacBook Air embodies Apple’s continuing environmental progress. It consumes the least amount of power of any Mac and is also designed with the following features to reduce environmental impact:
- Highly recyclable aluminum enclosure
- Mercury-free LCD display with arsenic-free glass
- PVC-free internal cables
- Largely recyclable, low-volume packaging
Don’t get me wrong, I love Apple products, I have used them for years, but Green? Please ! Largely recyclable - what is that supposed to mean?
Green it’s not. Maybe a gentle shade of Cyan, thanks to a few token gestures with the intention of using that as a selling point, but there is no way this is a green laptop. Pull the other one Mr. Jobs. Why on earth these manufacturers insist on feeding their consumers this crap is upsetting. Here is why this ain’t a green laptop.
- Apple manufacture in China. Now, I know every one gives China bad press for creating a lot of pollution. But who is doing the manufacturing and more importantly, the consuming ? That’s right – US !
- It is non-upgradeable – There is no way in hell you will be able to upgrade this when the software overtakes the specs. NO WAY.
- It has a non-replaceable battery. When the battery fails, as it is sure to do - You will have to buy a new machine.
This thing has a maximum lifespan of two years. Maximum. Three thousand dollars for a computer you will be throwing in the garbage in two years time. How dumb do they think we are?
Just think about how many of these Apple will sell, and then think about the huge pile of garbage that will need to be buried in a landfill in the Amazon basin in two or three years time.
No, no, no – It is pretty, it is thin, it is innovatively designed, but one thing it most definitely is not is green. For me green means built to last, using sustainable resources and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. . If you want a green laptop, buy the MacBook Pro and keep it for ten years. That’s green.
And if you have just purchased a Sony Handycam with the intention of shooting video on your Macbook air, only to discover it won't work. You need to learn how to connect your Sony Handycam to a Macintosh.
|
Apple MacBook Pro 17" Laptop - MD311LL/A (October, 2011) (Latest Model)
Current Bid: $2069.00
|
|
Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" Laptop (Great External Condition!!!)
Current Bid: $327.00
|
|
Apple MacBook Pro 15.4" Laptop - MC371LL/A With Apple WIRELESS MOUSE!
Current Bid: $810.00
|
|
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch,Mid 2010 Core2duo @ 2.4GHz 8GB 250GB Perfect Condition
Current Bid: $749.99
|
 | Amazon Price: $2,243.37 List Price: $2,499.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $1,099.99 List Price: $1,199.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $1,671.00 List Price: $1,799.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $1,099.00 |
Comments
I shouldn't worry about that _ I doubt it will last long enough for that to be an issue.
Good info on its lack of green. It ain't easy being green. My husband showed me the commercial for this laptop online before I saw it on tv...I thought: bet Mark is going to write an article!
You thought right, LOL
It looks great, I have to admit, but a two year life span and they are selling it as a green computer?
I like your review of the product. The critique is spot on. Who do these guys think their kidding?
Dumb Alley lies right smack between Madison Avenue and Wall Street. Every morning the execs., on their way to their ivory tower offices cut across this Alley with their Starbucks in one hand. I think they are inhaling too much secondary crack vapors seeping up from the ground around them. Where is Batman when America needs him? Or is this a job for "Super Clean up Gal" Hilary?
Thanks. I am getting fed up with being treated like this. It means they think you are stupid. Check out the video I added and take a look at the story of stuff. It's scary.
I agree with your review, I think they're trying to make a fool out of us. The thing is, Apple seems to be trying to make gadgets with short life span, so that they reap the profit profit when we buy another of their product to replace the old one. what a cheap trick.
I agree 100% - It's insulting. But the depressing thing is, this will probably be their biggest seller.
Great article and Interesting comments debate..I have only ever had good reviews for macs so i shall watch this space;)
A disagree a bit - the battery is non-replaceable by the user but can be in a service centre (for extra cost too!) I don't know if Apple still does the incompatible MacOS upgrade thing - you have to upgrade the OS and then the software needs upgrading and then you need faster hardware! In PC world so long as you don't upgrade the OS I find the software has kept on the same spec for about 4 years especially if you don't go with Microsoft software
Well, I guess I was a little over zealous, but the fact is, my wife has an iPod and it needs a new battery, but the price is such that it's just about worth buying a new one instead. And the Air battery will require returning ity to a service center which measn you will have to buy an Apple battery. And yes, the software does overtake the hardware - nowhere near as bad as with a PC though.
I saw this on tv the other day! It looks awesome, but I would worry about breaking it. I have big dogs that like to jump in your lap when you're on the computer. Many times I get toes on my keyboard. One good jump and it would be gone. I'll stick with Dell.
where does the battery go in a mac air??????
I agree for battery life long time for macbook air
I have a Generation 1 MacBook Air.
Heavily used, and I am on the first battery. The charge now only last a couple hours.
This thing is 4 years old, and runs as fast as the day I bought it -unlike Windows which bogs down with every day.
I use both Mac and Windows, and the service life of Mac products are much longer than Windows.
Greener product = Apple.
I have to disagree with some points made by the author. I know people who are still using old powerbooks as their main machines. So, I would not be worried about software overtaking specs. Besides, apple can replace you the battery.
- Amtrak Enlists iPhone as a Service Tool
New York Times writer Brian X. Chen reports that Amtrak is replacing its old manual ticketing system with iPhone, noting that the company is among the “growing number of businesses” to use iOS devices to improve operations. Chen reports that the system will allow conductors to keep track of passengers in real time and also provide updates to railway staff, such as if a disabled person is getting on at a particular stop or if equipment fails. Amtrak’s Matt Hardison says, “We’ve made a number of important improvements for both our customers and Amtrak, all in one fell swoop.” - 2 weeks ago
- Apple Reports Record March Quarter Sales of iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2012 second quarter ended March 31, 2012. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $39.2 billion and quarterly net profit of $11.6 billion, or $12.30 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $24.7 billion and net profit of $6.0 billion, or $6.40 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. “We’re thrilled with sales of over 35 million iPhones and almost 12 million iPads in the March quarter,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The new iPad is off to a great start, and across the year you’re going to see a lot more of the kind of innovation that only Apple can deliver.” - 4 weeks ago
- Final Cut Pro X In Action
Professional video editors around the world have moved to Final Cut Pro X to create faster and more flexible workflows. New York-based production house @radical.media is flipping its entire facility to Final Cut Pro X to tackle high-profile client projects. Hollywood’s Electric Entertainment is using Final Cut Pro X to cut episodes for the new season of its hit TV show “Leverage.” And accomplished editor Knut Hake used the software to edit new episodes of “Danni Lowinski,” one of Germany’s most popular and critically acclaimed TV shows. - 6 weeks ago
Saw Pe 4 years ago
I saw the TV commerical advertisement recently about Apple MacBook Air. Indeed, it does attract me. Despite 3 years life span as I read what you said, Apple is banking on its strong household brand name. Look at what they do with iPod. iPod is well known to have a short lifespan, too. Yet, consumers kept buying them. You can see large number of dazed shoppers and lookers at Apple's crowded flagship store in midtown Manhattan on East 59 Street something very close to southeast corner of the Central Park.
Anyway, my immediate concern and question is: Is it, that is, Apple MacBook Air, prone to heat breakdown very common to most PC laptops?
I appreciate your time.
Saw Pe