Re:The Air’s Spot in the Lineup
by netcan on Tuesday October 26, 2010 @12:31AM
(#1832980)
I agree on the whole, but I think it's some things wrong.
1 - Apple's ideal lineup doesn't include the 'just cheap' option. Everything must be ideal for something. The nano isn't just cheaper, its' small enough to clip to your collar and simpler to use. The mac mini is not just cheaper than the iMac. It's tiny, efficient and quite and doesn't come with a screen.
The problem in the lineup isn't the air, it's the macbook. The macbook is just cheaper than the pro. No advantages.
2 - I partially disagree with the secondary computer point. One things netbooks have taught us is that people are willing to use smaller more basic computer as their main laptop. Sure some techies and executives bought netbooks as secondaries, but the bigger market is students, cheapskates, developing countries, and people who don't use computers much. It's a cheap but not clunky option.
I think Apple is taking this as a (another) signal that power doesn't add much value to many users. If browsers and word processors work fine, they're happy. Apple are replacing cheap & light with light and sexy.
1 - Apple's ideal lineup doesn't include the 'just cheap' option. Everything must be ideal for something. The nano isn't just cheaper, its' small enough to clip to your collar and simpler to use. The mac mini is not just cheaper than the iMac. It's tiny, efficient and quite and doesn't come with a screen.
The problem in the lineup isn't the air, it's the macbook. The macbook is just cheaper than the pro. No advantages.
2 - I partially disagree with the secondary computer point. One things netbooks have taught us is that people are willing to use smaller more basic computer as their main laptop. Sure some techies and executives bought netbooks as secondaries, but the bigger market is students, cheapskates, developing countries, and people who don't use computers much. It's a cheap but not clunky option.
I think Apple is taking this as a (another) signal that power doesn't add much value to many users. If browsers and word processors work fine, they're happy. Apple are replacing cheap & light with light and sexy.