Good questions Eric5273, and I'm getting one also. I like the size of this thing and its perfect for needs.

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I ordered one. Kind of expensive, but considering the tens of thousands I spend every year buying apple products, I don't see this thing replacing my macbookpro anytime soon. Too bad it didn't come out earlier so I could write it off lol

That no built in optical drive is odd, however since you can buy the USB optical for $100. I guess it isn't so bad.

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"promote the general welfare, not provide the general welfare"

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Most of the ultra portable laptops don't have an optical drive built in. The only one that I can think of that does is the Panisonic.

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my experience on X5world when I spend too much
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Battery is not user replaceable. Send it in for $129 replacement. This also means you can't carry a spare with you. Very poor design decision, IMO

more reason not to have one

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An unwavering defender of those I see worth protecting.

"promote the general welfare, not provide the general welfare"

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I have my current Dell laptop for 3 years now and I've used my optical drive 4 times. Twice to install software (2 games that I purchased), and twice to make a copy of a music CD. The last time was over a year ago. As I have a PC in my office with a DVD/CD burner, I can simply use their drive sharing for the couple of times I need to install software on the Macbook Air.

As for the battery, I've owned 4 laptops in my life, and never have I had to replace a battery and never have I purchased a 2nd battery. Same goes for my cell phones. So I actually prefer the non-user-replacable setup as it is simply one less piece to fall off the laptop (or my iPhone) while carrying it around. It also makes for a smoother look.

As I said before, it all depends on your needs. Apple did not discontinue the Macbook and Macbook Pro. They simply added a 3rd model that is different and serves different needs. If you need an optical drive and a large screen and a removable battery, then I'm sure the Macbook Pro will serve your purposes very well.

For me, I really like the design of the Macbook Air and I intend to get one.

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my experience on X5world when I spend too much
time posting in political threads in the lounge...

wow...what else do you have? How can you possibly spend that much?
And um....care to share?

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T

8xG4 Dual/Single , 6 G5 imac's 20" (PPC) , 1 24" imac, 4 G5 powermac , 2x 30" cinema displays, 3x23" cinema displays, 6x20" cinema displays, 1x titainum powerbook, 2x macbook, 2x macbookpro , 2x iphone, 1 old Xserve , 2 new xserve, 1 3.5tb xserve raid. Final Cut studio, misc Apple software+licenses. Numerous ipods, and newest purchase macbook air. Also applecare for all products purchased.

Those are all that I can think of for now that I've purchased from apple since 2000 most which are for business use. Majority of the ipods I've bought were mainly given to clients for Xmas and to a few employees as their bonus. I mainly use a macbook pro and have a G5 with one 30" display in my office.

I also have a bunch of old G3 powermacs that are pretty much worthless paperweights that are not in use anymore.

The last 2-3 years I think I spent the most ever especially with our Adobe software licenses, Xserve+Xserve RAID purchase which was close to 60k usd with all the service and support although next time I buy another Xserve product I will not purchase the OSX Server software support (almost 20k) which is a total ripoff.

These are just the Apple purchases we made, I think I've spent almost the same amount at dell for a few servers that came with or were needed with some other equipment that we got recently such as High Speed color copiers/Imaging, etc..

It's ridiculous how much one must spend in Software and Hardware in my line of business (Commercial Printing) although I must admit many of the apple purchases were voluntary, but those of you who love to have the latest and greatest knows how it is. I'm not really complaining since it is better to need more equipment than it is to go out of business like many print shops.