The MacBook Air is an alternative to the MacBook Pro not another device being wedged between the iPad and MackBook Pro. I carry both an iPad and MBA sometimes.

The MacBook Air is an alternative to the MacBook Pro not another device being wedged between the iPad and MackBook Pro. I carry both an iPad and MBA sometimes. Together they have a pretty nice mix of functionality and weigh less than the MacBook Pro. I actually use the iPad as kind of a secondary display sometimes while using the MBA. I suppose my point is there's no reason light/ultra-portable has to be the exclusive domain of the iPad. Lots of people who have zero interest in the iPad want a light/ultra-portable laptop instead.