Piper: MacBook Air popular, but below original
updated 09:10 am EST, Tue February 12, 2008
Piper on MacBook Air
The arrival of the MacBook Air has produced mixed, if generally positive reseller results, say analysts at Piper Jaffray. A group of 20 third-party Apple vendors report that Air interest is "high," with 30 percent of them saying demand is similar to that when the original MacBook was released in 2006. Another 60 percent though say that demand is smaller, with people often expressing curiosity about the notebook, but tending towards the basic MacBook if choosing to buy.
Fortunate for Apple may be the news that the Air appears not to be cannibalizing sales of other Macs. Resellers explain that the computer has a smaller, separate market, composed of people who value portability even over cost; one vendor has described the Air as the first "executive Mac." Piper argues that 16 percent of Macs will be Airs by the end of 2008, although resellers are predicting a sequentially flat quarter for Macs in March, versus Piper's own estimates of 18 percent quarter-over-quarter.
hmmm
02/12, 09:31am reply
it would be interesting if this 'executive' Mac - gotten into the hands of key senior business executives - were to help influence companies to start buying more Macs for their companies' everyday use (e.g., replacing aging PCs rather than buying new ones with Visturd).
climacs
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Joined: Sep 2001
=)
02/12, 09:41am reply
No problem as long as more people become technically more informed and turn to buy macs, no matter which model.
dliup
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Joined: Jan 2006
been saying it since the
02/12, 10:00am reply
beginning - the Macbook Air is a niche product_
Power users won't jump at it as the specs are below that of even the Macbook_
Budget conscious folks won't jump at it as it's out of budget_
But business class folks and others looking for short term portability will find it perfect for them_ Whether constantly traveling form one city to another for meeting or taking notes in some remote location in South America studying pigmy crocodiles_
UberFu
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Joined: Oct 2002
re:tending towards th...
02/12, 10:04am reply
"tending towards the basic MacBook"
Which, as we all know, is more Mac for the money.
Funny quote...
mgpalma
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Joined: Sep 2000
starbucks changes my mind
02/12, 10:21am reply
not completely related, but with the new starbucks and at&t deal, and being in nyc where there's sometimes 3 starbucks on a single block, having a mac to drag around everywhere could be nice!
though that large foot print is still probably a deal killer for me since it simply won't fit in some smaller bags.
cmoney
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Sep 2000
just got the macbook air
02/12, 10:28am reply
we have macbooks, macbook pros, and we just got a macbook air. it is jaw dropping and after using it, i can't honestly think of a reason not to go with it over the other models. it's plenty fast and the design is unreal.
jumanji
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Joined: Apr 2004
told you so
02/12, 10:35am reply
So maybe it's not "Apple's biggest mistake since the Cube" as 90% of the hysterical blog posters have predicted. I love mine. I have brought it to work every day this week since it's easy to toss in my bag. A couple pounds does make a difference when you're taking public transit and walking to work.
malax
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Joined: Aug 2006
Re: just got the...
02/12, 11:10am reply
i can't honestly think of a reason not to go with it over the other models.
Maybe the extra cost, the lack of expandaility, etc.
testudo
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Joined: Aug 2001
Amazing
02/12, 11:57am reply
Apple's entry into the the niche ultra-portable market isn't as popular as their cheapest, most consumer friendly laptop!?
Who could ever imagined this? It must be a HUGE failure for Apple. I bet Jobs is working on his resignation letter now.
scottmorgan42
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Joined: Jan 2006
testudo
02/12, 02:06pm reply
the usb port will give me all the tools i need. i don't plan on keeping this thing past 4 years. it's not like i will get to a point where i need a bigger hard drive or faster processor. if i do need more space, i'll use an external hard drive. again, it's plenty fast enough and it's the most portable laptop.
as for cost, please...where have you been? when has an apple owner ever complained about paying more?
jumanji
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Joined: Apr 2004