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Gadgets Apple's MacBook Air Could Have Issues
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - February 6, 2008 1:22 PM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 79 comment(s) - last by HrilL.. on Mar 3 at 9:38 PM
Apple address potential issues before most consumers get their hands on the MacBook Air

When Apple announced the MacBook Air, Apple fans were ready to whip out their wallets right then to get their hands on the thin notebook. Apple’s latest darling is just now arriving into the hands of eager customers and the company has several notices on its website to address some issues users may see when their Air goes into service.

Apple says that users should never migrate if source or target machines are on battery power. Apple suggests that you use a wired connection for migration for better performance which would mean Air users will need a USB to LAN adapter. Other tips include not letting your source computer go to sleep and if you have to use wireless connections to migrate use the signal strength meter to find the best location for the transfer.

Apple has also acknowledged an issue with some third-party headphones not fitting into the MacBook Air headphone jack because part of the headphone connector won’t fit into the port hatch. Apple says use a third-party headphone adapter to extend the audio connection outside of the port hatch.

MacBook Air owners looking to dual boot Windows with Boot Camp need to be aware that you can’t install Windows with Remote Disc; it must be done with an external USB drive. Apple also says you may need to update your router firmware to get Remote Disc, Migration or Remote Install to work.

The MacBook Air may also see a reduced transfer rate when paired to multiple Bluetooth devices when using AirPort. Apple says to solve this problem you should connect to a 5GHz 802.11 network rather than a 2.4GHz one. AirPort base station users should select a different channel and try optimizing the reception. Turing Bluetooth off or turning off unused Bluetooth devices may speed wireless performance as well.

These same tricks can help wireless performance if you are using an external display that puts out radio-frequency interference.

Apple says that the installation media shipped with the MacBook Air is only designed for the Air and won’t work on any other computers. The installer prevents the software from being installed on another Mac system. When restoring your Air you can’t use other system software either.

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Geez
By CRimer76 on 2/6/2008 1:26:00 PM , Rating: 5
Anything else?




RE: Geez
By Combatcolin on 2/6/2008 1:34:23 PM , Rating: 4
Nice comment, made me laugh!!

Apple should really put a disclaimer on this Mac.

"product Not for geeks - You will be disapointed"


RE: Geez
By CRimer76 on 2/6/2008 1:44:53 PM , Rating: 4
Or how about this disclaimer with every one sold:

"For display purposes only"


RE: Geez
By FITCamaro on 2/6/2008 2:08:04 PM , Rating: 5
For years people have been saying that Apple could shit in a box and sell it to Apple fans. Well now they pulled one better. They farted in a box and sold it to you. So this time, you don't even have shit. You just wish you did.


RE: Geez
By UNCjigga on 2/6/2008 2:16:24 PM , Rating: 5
LOL! Well, they did name it "Air" for a reason...


RE: Geez
By InsaneGain on 2/6/08, Rating: -1
RE: Geez
By andylawcc on 2/6/2008 7:25:09 PM , Rating: 2
well deserve a 6


RE: Geez
By munim on 2/6/2008 2:07:39 PM , Rating: 5
Or they could say

"It doesn't just work"


RE: Geez
By daftrok on 2/6/2008 4:21:13 PM , Rating: 4
Indeed. Now if it was a 12" touch screen laptop with those specs and a $1499 price point...I still wouldn't get it.


RE: Geez
By daftrok on 2/17/2008 2:01:36 AM , Rating: 2
If it was $999 I'd sooo get it.


RE: Geez
By greasypole on 2/6/2008 5:28:26 PM , Rating: 2
With Apples last bout of adverts didn't they claim PC's were for geeks ? Shame the air book isn't like the rest of their line up and works 'straight out the box'.


RE: Geez
By Xerio on 2/6/2008 1:35:38 PM , Rating: 5
No kidding. I wasn't thinking about buying a MacBook Air, and now I know that I should avoid them at all costs. Design before function in not a good thing when it comes to notebooks. I don't think Apple will learn that lesson though...


RE: Geez
By phaxmohdem on 2/6/2008 1:35:52 PM , Rating: 2
Oh yeah... and one more thing. In 5 minutes this laptop will self-destruct. Have a nice day :)


RE: Geez
By Oregonian2 on 2/6/2008 1:42:31 PM , Rating: 2
Good opportunity here for comments about how "PC Like" this Apple product sounds. Maybe some clever reference to the TV Ad personalities (which to me actually favors the PC -- he seems a nice guy who'd be good to be friends with, the Apple guy to me is, uh, something else).


RE: Geez
By PB PM on 2/6/2008 1:47:09 PM , Rating: 5
Yeah, the Macbook Air is for people with air for brains. The lack of features alone is an issue.


RE: Geez
By tjr508 on 2/6/2008 3:18:52 PM , Rating: 4
Is that why you can't wait to get your hand son one?

BTW the bold headline reads "hand son"

I do agree that there is a point where laptops do get too thin and this is at just under an inch.


RE: Geez
By 67STANG on 2/6/2008 1:48:54 PM , Rating: 4
To help me fall asleep at night, I count Mac users.


RE: Geez
By Polynikes on 2/6/2008 1:49:49 PM , Rating: 2
That's quite the list, indeed.


RE: Geez
By 325hhee on 2/6/2008 1:56:25 PM , Rating: 2
Is this thing even heavy enough to be a paper weight? Looks like a good frisbee to me :)


RE: Geez
By PB PM on 2/6/2008 2:02:14 PM , Rating: 2
Well, 3 pounds is 3 pounds... so I guess it could be.


RE: Geez
By ionoxx on 2/6/2008 2:23:00 PM , Rating: 5
What were they smoking anyways when they though "Oh 1 USB port will be enough."


RE: Geez
By chrisld on 2/6/08, Rating: -1