Macbook Air

So Apple. to name a thin computer air. So Apple to make something so cool, that it almost justifies the large price. So Apple, to think ahead and change the way we think and use a computer.

First, let me just say that I love Apple's products. But I don't drink the cool aid blind anymore. In fact, in my kitchen, I have a dell tower running vista, streaming HD content to 3 xbox 360's in the house. And let me go out on a limb here to make you believe me: Vista's media center is better than Apple's solution at this time. So while I am a fan, I am not blindly in love. People can and do better than Apple- even Microsoft.

Lot of people ask me my advice on technology. I enjoy watching and understanding trends. I am a teacher, so it is not important for my job- just something that I enjoy. I find the media trends these days fascinating. The control of a few media houses is all crashing and crashing very hard. They know it, many of us know it, it is already happening. Record stores will go away in a few more years. Digital distribution will be the main form of sharing music, movies and information. The real cool thing: a point I try very hard to make my video students see, is that anyone with an idea now has a voice. You tube, web 2.0 apps, social networking is about to give all sorts of people power to express themselves. This could save humanity and be the true nature of free expression. Digital disruption is going to change the power structure in the world.

So, rant off, back to computers.... The Macbook Air is a very sexy product, and I think Apple gets it. The idea of a wireless world, small computers that we can bring with us, and scaled down specs is the trend of the future. Taking the optical drive out is a few years ahead of the curve. It is not for everyone. I would not even bother installing Final cut, or imovie on this thing. Laptops do not have the hard drive space for serious film making anyway. And with HD entering the home user market, this will continue to become very obvious. Desktops are the best way to use serious apps and this will continue in the future. Macbook pro's will serve a purpose for those users. But this middle child will fill a need.

The Latest from Apple is going to be great for writers, web users, light photo work in the field and home pictures, and organizing your digital life. People who use a computer in their daily lives will learn to love the small size, and adjust to the new specs. I take the small digital camera that fits in my shirt pocket with me all the time. My large SLR, takes way better shots, but I tend to leave it due to size.

So who can buy this sexy thing, that has no real pro power. People who have a desktop machine, who want to be able to do simple computer tasks. Unfortunately, the $1,799 price will limit it as a niche product at first. But prices will come down. Look at the reduction in the iphone. They will gain more power over time as chips get even smaller. You must pay to be cutting edge, and need to be brave to think different. Once again, Apple is leading the way here. You just have to pay a luxury tax to enjoy the ride. So stop the fanboy debate and see this for what it is- a very pricey computer that in true Apple fashion, will drive the rest of the computer market for years to come.