MacBook Air Makes A Believer Out of Me

So, there's this post out there where I'm quoted as saying that "the MacBook Air is Apple's next Cube. Yes, it's sexy & all that, but how can you justify spending $700 more just to fit your laptop in an envelope?" My initial skepticism was based on reservations about the slower processor, the non-removable battery & the lack of Firewire ports- of course, more limitations in an Apple product directly translates into more opportunities for FastMac, but that's another story. To me, it seemed like Apple was trying too hard to make the thinnest computer in the world instead of the best sub-notebook in the world. Would a few more millimeters really prevent it from being the sexiest laptop ever?

Well, that was before I got my hands on one... For the last 2 weeks, I've been playing around, er, I mean, testing the MacBook Air and comparing it to other portables like the plain ol' MacBook & MacBook Pro and the one thing that is standing out for me is solid build quality and the keyboard, which is the most important element (to me) when deciding on a computer model. Looking back at all the laptops I've used since being "Welcomed to the Mac," I can honestly say that the MacBook Air keyboard comes closest to approximating the feel of the PowerBook 160 keyboard (yeah, I know, I just dated myself, but hey- let's not get distracted!). The other thing I like about it is the trackpad, not the iPhone-esque multi-touch gestures but the non-slip nature of the pad itself. In my experience, the trackpad in the MacBook causes the cursor to jump all over the place whereas the MacBook Pro has the perfect trackpad and cursor behavior. In some ways, the MacBook Air borrows a few Pro features & feels like a MacBook Plus, making it the perfect laptop for busy (and harried) executives like me.

"Disappointment haunted all my dreams...
Then I saw her face
Now I'm a believer!
Not a trace of doubt in my mind
I'm in love (ooh yeah)
I'm a believer!
I couldn't leave her if I tried..."
-- The Monkees