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The iPhone 4 reminds me of the Macbook Air. It has been squashed to an amazing size and filled with a huge battery, but it just kind of isn't their best produc

The iPhone 4 reminds me of the Macbook Air. It has been squashed to an amazing size and filled with a huge battery, but it just kind of isn't their best product engineering-wise. (Air was riddled with requirements like only having 2GB of memory, 1 USB, 0 NICs, and 80GB HDD due to its "ground breaking" thin size.) Maybe I'm being naive - but I think this will be bad in the long-term for Apple as new Android based phones flood the market with quality products.

jsz0 16y ago
A lot of the popular Android handsets out there have their share of problems too. When the N1 came out people were demanding recalls over the 3G switching problem and multi-touch problems. The EVO has that weird 30FPS cap and battery issues, the Droid still has a battery cover problem 8 months later, The Eris/Incredible have the "silent call bug" Seems like the pressures to produce new models every 6-12 months with major software updates over the same time period is starting to catch up with everyone these days. I think if we're going to keep demanding lower prices, more frequent releases and keep up the OMG I need it on launch day or I'll just die! attitudes we're going to keep getting shoddy products.
- philwelch 16y ago
  "the Droid still has a battery cover problem 8 months later" Given the entire controversy over Apple's tendency to have non-removable batteries, this problem in particular amuses me.
bensummers 16y ago
The MacBook Air is a brilliant bit of engineering. As you point out, it is a constrained device. It's not for everyone, it's for those who value weight and size over everything else. But remarkably, for actual use in front of the screen and keyboard, it doesn't feel like a laptop which has been squished to fit certain dimensions. I tried using a netbook, but was such a horrendous experience that I found myself finding excuses not to use it. The MBA has no such problem.
davidw 16y ago
I would really love for Apple to have a healthy, but small share of the market. Get too much, and you really run the risk of having to deal with their iron fisted handling of things. I wouldn't want to see them go away, though, they're great innovators and build beautiful things, even if I wouldn't buy them myself.
- sudont 16y ago
  I agree… Apple’s definitely structured to produce long-incubation, high-end products. While iPod and iPhone were smash hits, large scale production probably isn’t the best mesh with better build quality.
po 16y ago
The flaws you site in the Macbook Air are not flaws. They are design compromises intentionally made by Apple. I have a Macbook Pro and a Macbook Air sitting right in front of me and I would say that even though I use the pro more often, the Air is the better laptop. The Air is obviously not for you. Don't mistake it for an engineering flaw.
- invisible 16y ago
  Flaws are not always unintentional, but they can still be flaws. I think there is too much credit given to Apple when they choose poorly.

jsz0 16y ago

A lot of the popular Android handsets out there have their share of problems too. When the N1 came out people were demanding recalls over the 3G switching problem and multi-touch problems. The EVO has that weird 30FPS cap and battery issues, the Droid still has a battery cover problem 8 months later, The Eris/Incredible have the "silent call bug" Seems like the pressures to produce new models every 6-12 months with major software updates over the same time period is starting to catch up with everyone these days. I think if we're going to keep demanding lower prices, more frequent releases and keep up the OMG I need it on launch day or I'll just die! attitudes we're going to keep getting shoddy products.

philwelch 16y ago
"the Droid still has a battery cover problem 8 months later" Given the entire controversy over Apple's tendency to have non-removable batteries, this problem in particular amuses me.

bensummers 16y ago

The MacBook Air is a brilliant bit of engineering. As you point out, it is a constrained device. It's not for everyone, it's for those who value weight and size over everything else. But remarkably, for actual use in front of the screen and keyboard, it doesn't feel like a laptop which has been squished to fit certain dimensions. I tried using a netbook, but was such a horrendous experience that I found myself finding excuses not to use it. The MBA has no such problem.

davidw 16y ago

I would really love for Apple to have a healthy, but small share of the market. Get too much, and you really run the risk of having to deal with their iron fisted handling of things. I wouldn't want to see them go away, though, they're great innovators and build beautiful things, even if I wouldn't buy them myself.

sudont 16y ago
I agree… Apple’s definitely structured to produce long-incubation, high-end products. While iPod and iPhone were smash hits, large scale production probably isn’t the best mesh with better build quality.

po 16y ago

The flaws you site in the Macbook Air are not flaws. They are design compromises intentionally made by Apple. I have a Macbook Pro and a Macbook Air sitting right in front of me and I would say that even though I use the pro more often, the Air is the better laptop. The Air is obviously not for you. Don't mistake it for an engineering flaw.

invisible 16y ago
Flaws are not always unintentional, but they can still be flaws. I think there is too much credit given to Apple when they choose poorly.