Apple Mac HQ

No doubt that you’ve seen the first Macbook Air ad. The manilla folder shows you just how thin the Macbook Air truly is. As with many Apple ads, music takes the center stage along with the product.

The Macbook Air ad features a catchy tune by Yael Naim called New Soul. The song, and her new CD (iTunes link), is currently available in iTunes. In addition to the Macbook Air ad, Yael has recently received some more press. USA Today recently did a short article on Yael that dives into her background in music, her new CD, and other tidbits.

Being a singer-songwrite fan, I’ve listened to a few of the other tracks from her CD and have enjoyed them. If you’re a fan of singer-songwriters you should definitely check her out. If you’ve discovered any good singer-songwriters lately, drop his/her name in the comments. I’m always on the lookout for some good music.

Popularity: 67% [?]

Are you dying to have a Macbook Air and just happen to have $40,000 to burn? If I’m speaking your language, then I’ve got the perfect Macbook Air for you. For just south of $40,000, Bling My Thing will sell you a new Macbook Air with 12,000 Swarovski crystals. The crystals are treated with a 24K gold coating and are shinier than normal Swarovski crystals. The “Golden Age”, as they are calling this special Macbook Air, takes a week to construct since each crystal is applied by hand. Only 20 are being made, and they go on sale March 18th.

Bling My Thing also offers pimped out crystal iPhones and iPods. No word on the Macbook Air specs. For $40,000 I sure hope you get the 1.8GHz, 64GB SSD Macbook Air.

[Via Huffington Post]

Popularity: 29% [?]

With the Macbook Air firmily in the clasp of all those who value weight and style, the reviews are starting to come in. While I’m not someone who would 1) Buy the Macbook Air, or 2) be able to get a review unit from Apple, I realize that some of you might want to know more about this sexy notebook. Are you looking to buy a Macbook Air but want to know what others think? If so, here is a roundup of some early adopters or journalist who have gotten their mits on the Air.

Walt Mossberg (WSJ Journalist): “Apple refused to make the most common compromise computer makers employ to create their littlest laptops”.

Edward Baig (USA Today Journalist): “Little things make a big impression.”

Steven Levy (Newsweek Journalist): “The Air shines most, of course, when it’s out in the open–on an airplane seatback tray, on a conference table, beside your latte in a Starbucks and on your lap when you’re sprawled on the sofa.”

David Heinemeier Hansson (from 37signals): “Dismissing it as merely a 3rd computer vanity accessory, as I’ve seen many do, is misguided and not based on actually using one for a longer period of time.”

Wil Shipley (from Delicious Monster): “Just as there should be three types of spaghetti sauce, you and I should not HAVE to agree on what we want in a machine.”

Jacqui Cheng (from Ars Technica): “One way to look at the MacBook Air is as the largest and most capable iPod in Apple’s line—think of it as an iPod touch Extreme with a built-in keyboard.”

Chris Ullrich (from TUAW): “To have this much screen and still have such a small footprint is a truly amazing feat of engineering.”

Popularity: 29% [?]

Choosing the right Apple notebook is an important decision for first time and seasoned Mac users. While there are only three notebooks to choose from, each product has its own strengths and drawbacks. I thought I would make it easier for you to choose the proper Apple notebook.

I’m compiled a detailed chart listing every possible option I could find or think of based on the current notebook offerings. If you see that I missed something, please lease a comment and I’ll update the chart. I present to you, the Apple Notebook Comparison Chart (pdf).

Update: I’ve updated the chart to reflect the recent Macbook and Macbook Pro updates.

Popularity: 100% [?]

The Macworld Keynote is in the books. Steve Jobs announced some pretty good stuff, some of which will cause my credit card to get some action in the coming weeks. Want to know what went down at the Keynote but don’t care to read a liveblog post or 10 different posts? I’ve created a cheat sheet of sorts for the 2008 Macworld Keynote. Here’s the lowdown:

OS X
-5 million copies of Leopard have been delivered. This is likely a combination of new Mac sales and Leopard boxed copies (no definitive word given).

Time Capsule
-Time Capsule is a companion product for Leopard’s Time Machine. Time Capsule is a combination Airport Extreme Base Station with a server grade hard drive. It’s a “backup appliance”.
-500GB and 1TB storage for $299 and $499 respectively.
-Backup multiple Macs to the same Time Capsule.
-No word on if this feature will be available for USB drives connected to the current Airport Extreme Base Stations.

iPhone
-4 million iPhone sold to date.
-It’s first quarter shipping it garnered 19% of the smart phone market share.
-1.1.3 iPhone software upgrade released: SMS to multiple people, current position locator in maps, customizable home screen, and more.

iPod Touch
-Mail, maps, stocks, notes, and weather coming to the Touch.
-The cost of those applications is $20 for current Touch owners and will be built in to new ones.

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 34% [?]