By Apple.

Just have a look.

http://www.apple.com/macbookair/

 Yann.

Another beautiful product from Apple, but it doesn't have an optical drive built in, so it's off my map. I like being able to pop in my CDs and DVDs - to either get them into iTunes or to watch them.

The big news for me from Macworld was that all the movie studios have now joined in supplying movies for download in high resolution. I was wondering how long that would take, given the ease of download of the movie trailers.

It's not clear to me whether the HD-downloads are Apple TV only, though.
 

soundproof:

Another beautiful product from Apple, but it doesn't have an optical drive built in, so it's off my map. I like being able to pop in my CDs and DVDs - to either get them into iTunes or to watch them.

The big news for me from Macworld was that all the movie studios have now joined in supplying movies for download in high resolution. I was wondering how long that would take, given the ease of download of the movie trailers.

It's not clear to me whether the HD-downloads are Apple TV only, though.
 

 

you can see them in iTunes to 

That's why there is a special piece of software which enables you to use any CD/DVD drive through the network, whatever OS is installed on the host.

The only problem for me is the small hard-drive capacity.

Yann.

I agree - Wow!!

Quite impressive, it's sooo thin! But, 1 USB, non user replaceable battery, and £2000 for the 1.8Ghz and 64Gb SSd....

 I think I'll pass for the first generation and stick with my trusty MacBook for another while.

On a side note, HD rentals from itunes store is pretty good! and Time Capsule seems ok. 

On reflection, you are right! But it is this effect that B&O need for their products - Wow!

I agree about the Time Capsule - effectively £80 for 500Gb is not bad. If I had not just bought a 1TB drive, I would consider it! I may still! 

....mr anders(son):

soundproof:

Another beautiful product from Apple, but it doesn't have an optical drive built in, so it's off my map. I like being able to pop in my CDs and DVDs - to either get them into iTunes or to watch them.

The big news for me from Macworld was that all the movie studios have now joined in supplying movies for download in high resolution. I was wondering how long that would take, given the ease of download of the movie trailers.

It's not clear to me whether the HD-downloads are Apple TV only, though.
 

 

you can see them in iTunes to 

 

No, you see that's not clear. HD-5.1 Dolby will be available through Apple TV, but it looks as if the iTunes downloads are not HD.

See this thread: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=414560

(message 15 goes into details.) 

....mr anders(son):

 

you can see them in iTunes too 

I don't think so. Probably their way of pushing Apple TV. It's confirmed that Apple TV will be able to download HD+5.1 Dolby, but for iTunes (also on the Apple site) there is no mention of HD.

And this thread goes into the same: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=414560
 

The wow effect is that I have been trying to buy the MacBookair for over an hour and can't get through to the Apple Store.  I think their network has been overwhelmed.

soundproof:

....mr anders(son):

 

you can see them in iTunes too 

I don't think so. Probably their way of pushing Apple TV. It's confirmed that Apple TV will be able to download HD+5.1 Dolby, but for iTunes (also on the Apple site) there is no mention of HD.

And this thread goes into the same: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=414560
 

 

you can

it calls iTunes movie rentals and you can watch them in computer (HD), ipod or iPhone .....or direct in Apple-Tv, but only streaming

Very impressive piece of kit. I am not usually that interested in Apple products; iPod, iTouch, iPhone etc., but a Macbook might interest me for my computing needs. I'll keep my options open and if its functionality matches its looks then I might get one. Like the thin factor though, that's an excellent effort indeed from Apple.

Simon.

Yes, You are right: That's what I call a Wow effect also :)

What a magic... it's a kind of magic... :)

....mr anders(son):

soundproof:

....mr anders(son):

 

you can see them in iTunes too 

I don't think so. Probably their way of pushing Apple TV. It's confirmed that Apple TV will be able to download HD+5.1 Dolby, but for iTunes (also on the Apple site) there is no mention of HD.

And this thread goes into the same: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=414560
 

 

you can

it calls iTunes movie rentals and you can watch them in computer (HD), ipod or iPhone .....or direct in Apple-Tv, but only streaming

Anderson, love your enthusiasm, but it's nice to avoid confusing people. HD is exclusive to Apple TV, it appears -- until you have definite information, with a link, that this is not the case ...

Here's the description from the iTunes store:

Standard-definition movie rentals on the iTunes Store are $3.99 for new releases and $2.99 for library titles. Rent a movie and you have 30 days to start watching. Hit Play, and you have 24 hours to finish it — or play it as many times as you want. Rentals disappear when they expire, so they won’t take up storage space on your hard drive.

And here's a screen grab from the AppleTV page:

 

....mr anders(son):

soundproof:

....mr anders(son):

 

you can see them in iTunes too 

I don't think so. Probably their way of pushing Apple TV. It's confirmed that Apple TV will be able to download HD+5.1 Dolby, but for iTunes (also on the Apple site) there is no mention of HD.

And this thread goes into the same: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=414560
 

 

you can

it calls iTunes movie rentals and you can watch them in computer (HD), ipod or iPhone .....or direct in Apple-Tv, but only streaming

 

Although you can stream, the rentals are going to be actual downloads with an expiration feature.  You will have 30 days to view the movie but once you start viewing the movie, you have 24 hours to complete watching the movie.  For example, you could rent 2 movies and copy to iPod touch and watch the movies on a flight. The Apple TV update will happen in about 2 weeks.

Yes, though not much use for HD on your iPod - and at any rate they're converted to the 640x480 pixel resolution image standard for those.

Though this will finally provide a good reason for getting AppleTV -- won't take them long before they begin extending the limited play period.

 

I was finally able to purchase a MacBook Air which means no Beosound 5 for me at least for the coming year.  Apple was first to wow me.

Congrats on your new purchase linder, I am sure you will love it. Do keep us up to date with how it is. I have always liked Apple for their designs but often found them to be unreliable so I would be interested to hear how well it functions.

Simon.

The Beonic Man:

Congrats on your new purchase linder, I am sure you will love it. Do keep us up to date with how it is. I have always liked Apple for their designs but often found them to be unreliable so I would be interested to hear how well it functions.

Simon.

I wouldn't base your opinions off iPods or one computer. iPods are unreliable yes, but no more so than other MP3 players. It's the nature of the technology that goes into portable players. The hard drives/batteries just cannot be engineered to last that long...

Personally, we've had 4 Macs in the household, and only one of them has been 'unreliable', my first generation MacBook Pro (which were later notorious for being unreliable, and Apple replaced for a completely new machine outside of warranty). My 10 year old G3 iMac is unbelievably reliable, and works an absolute treat. My sister's/dad's MacBook (it's now my sister's) is absolutely impeccable, and my new 'replacement' MacBook Pro is even better, in fact by far the best computer I've owned...

I for one am not so impressed with this MacBook Air, no Ethernet, non-user replaceable battery, no FireWire and very pricey.

Looks nice though...

No ethernet is a big nuisance for me, we connect to the network at halls over ethernet. Yes i could use the USB->ethernet cable, but then i would have a USB for anything else without a USB splitter. Suddenly you build up a raft of extra things to carry, which my MacBook has most of! Extra USB, Firewire, ethernet, optical drive etc.

That is simply stunning!

Thanks for your message Alex, I take your points on board. Just to let you know that my comments weren't based solely on my recent experience with the iMac I bought. Perhaps I have been unlucky but I have bought into Apple several times since the aged of 16/17 and virtually every product I ever bought has proved unreliable; from early on Macs to iPods. My frustration is that every time I try again, usually with a few years since the last time, I always meet the same fate! It's perhaps one of those things you can't explain, rather like the guys in Australia who are having nothing but problems with the B&O products they are buying that are not functioning. Anyway, you should understand it more as a pattern over a 20 year period rather than think I make one off judgements which would be totally incorrect. My biggest frustration of recent times has been the attitude I noted when I was in the Apple shop and that is what put me off the brand once again, but you know that already as we have discussed it in the past.

Simon.

Since a couple of years ago, I only buy from the refurbished store, for two reasons: 1) you often receive a better spec'ed computer than you ordered and 2) they receive far more testing than the new machines. Therefore, I have not a single problem with any of my (many!) Mac's. Before this, I did have problems. Most products from the refurbished store are either new or ex-demo, used for one Apple show or for their professional demos. Believe me, they are pretty much perfect.

I'm not a massive fan of the new MacBook Air, partly due to the UK price (£1199!) and partly as it's a little too wide. If I want a sub-notebook, I only want this to do the occasional web browsing, email and blog work, on the move. So, 12" is fine. A thinner version of the old MacBook Pro 12" would be perfect. Not sure why they went for the 13.3" option. It's only a little smaller than my 15" MBP.

The Beonic Man:

Very impressive piece of kit. I am not usually that interested in Apple products; iPod, iTouch, iPhone etc., but a Macbook might interest me for my computing needs. I'll keep my options open and if its functionality matches its looks then I might get one. Like the thin factor though, that's an excellent effort indeed from Apple.

Simon.

Thanks for the encouragement.  I do have another Mac which is my main computer at home.  The MacBook Air will be for traveling and for managing iTunes music and photos which are stored on a remote hard drive.  I don't need an ethernet connection, an extra battery, or a DVD drive.  What I really like is the portability and of course style.  It will be easy to carry.  I should receive delivery in about 2 weeks.

I already have Apple TV which I really liked but it has not been very useful.  With the new iTunes features, that will change.

I really like the idea of digital media.  I have in mind a year long project to rip all my CDs and even LPs to iTunes.  After that is done, they will all go into storage.  iTunes rentals is ideal for me, I don't have a lot of extra storage and therefore have never purchased many DVDs.  In addition one could argue this is good for the environment.........no packaging for online rentals!

Since this purchase was somewhat expensive, B&O will not see much of me in 2008 but there is always 2009.  Maybe in that time the B&O revolution will have ended. 

A seemingly common issue on this forum - very pretty but expensive for what is is!

As always you pays your money and you makes your choice - is this the one - or not! - always a personal opinion.