macnn

02/12/2008, 9:10am, EST

Tuesday, February 12th

Piper: MacBook Air popular, but below original

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.


Filed under: Investor, Apple
Other story tags: MacBook, MacBook Air

, , 17comments, del.icio.us, slashdot, digg, buzz


17 comments
Reader Reactions (Please use <i></i> for italic text)

subscribe to comments
for this article




Expand All   Global Settings
hmmm
0
02/12, 9:31am, EST
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).
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Sep 2001
User is offline
=)
0
02/12, 9:41am, EST
No problem as long as more people become technically more informed and turn to buy macs, no matter which model.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Jan 2006
User is offline
been saying it since the
0
02/12, 10:00am, EST
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_
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Oct 2002
User is offline
re:tending towards th...
0
02/12, 10:04am, EST
"tending towards the basic MacBook"

Which, as we all know, is more Mac for the money.

Funny quote...
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Sep 2000
User is offline
starbucks changes my mind
0
02/12, 10:21am, EST
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.
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined Sep 2000
User is offline
just got the macbook air
0
02/12, 10:28am, EST
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.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Apr 2004
User is offline
told you so
0
02/12, 10:35am, EST
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.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Aug 2006
User is offline
Re: just got the...
0
02/12, 11:10am, EST
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.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Aug 2001
User is offline
Amazing
0
02/12, 11:57am, EST
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.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Jan 2006
User is offline
testudo
0
02/12, 2:06pm, EST
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?
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Apr 2004
User is offline
additional comments:..1..2..Next
Your Comments

In order to post comments: If you are a registered member, please login with your MacNN Forums username and password otherwise please uncheck the checkbox below.


Registered Member?
macnn forums login:

macnn forums password:

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

RSS Feeds

Have the latest content delivered to your desktop via RSS. Use the links below to get access to a specific blog, news, or reviews feed.



  MacNN -all

  MacNN Reviews

  MacNN Podcasts

  iPodNN

  Electronista

  Left Lane News

Convert PDF to Word: Easily Convert PDF to Word Doc, Excel, and More. Fast and Accurate. No Registration Trial

Check Out the VIERA from Panasonic!: Enter a New Visual Era with Panasonic VIERA HDTVs. An Enhanced Experience.

NewsGator Enterprise RSS: Improve Corporate Communication via Web 2.0, RSS, and Social Computing.

Get an IT Degree Online: Get solid credentials. Take your hobby to the next level. Adult Programs. Affordable.

Buy from The Apple Store, iTunes.com, Amazon.com, TechDepot, OfficeDepot, Computers4Sure, or donate.