Stan's List

Pro Applications Update 2008-01 improves reliability for Apple’s professional applications and is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Server, Logic Studio, and Shake.

Pro Applications Update 2008-01 is a revision to Final Cut Studio 2.0. This update includes Final Cut Pro 6.0.3, Compressor 3.0.3, which addresses specific customer issues, installation issues, compatibility updates, general performance issues and improves overall stability.

The MacBook Air Bluetooth Firmware Update 1.0 should be installed on all MacBook Air Systems. Please refer to the MBA Firmware Update page for instructions.

Firmware Restoration CD 1.6
The Firmware Restoration CD can restore the firmware of an Intel-based Macintosh computer.

MacBook Air EFI Firmware Update 1.0
This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of MacBook Air computers.

MacBook EFI Firmware Update 1.2
This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of MacBook computers.

MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.5
This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of MacBook Pro computers.

iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.3
This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of iMac computers.

Aluminum Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0
This firmware update addresses an issue with the aluminum Apple Keyboard and the aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard where a key may repeat unexpectedly while typing. The update also addresses other issues. Mac OS X 10.5.2 is required before installing this update.

In the early part of March a frequent air traveler was taken aside to have his luggage checked, especially his laptop. Apparently never having seen or heard about the MacBook Air, tuaw.com reports about their dubious reaction. That is until a employee arrived who was familiar with the MBA. By that time the passenger missed their flight.

In a followup, tuaw reports that TBA is trying to avoid any delay in the future.

Apple has released DVD or CD sharing Setup.

This update installs software that enables remote disc sharing, system software restoration, and wireless migration with MacBook Air.

There is an updated user guide that includes instructions on how to use the sharing utility.

The Mac whose optical drive is being share must have Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher

The MacBook Air can be hard to find. There is no sales data as yes, but Apple is finding difficult to keep it in stock.
To assist you in finding a MBA, Apple has MacBook Air product finder.

ars technica has a review of both models of the MacBook Air. Is the extra cost of the SSD option worth it?

The $1,300 question is whether the SSD is worth the extra cash. The answer seems to be no. I experienced only moderate gains in battery life and not very noticeable speed differences. The one major benefit of the SSD model is that it doesn’t cause the same types of slowdowns as the HDD model during times of high disk activity … Speedy read times are great, too, but they are balanced out by pokey write times.

The review includes benchmarks

Reviews from reputable sources, interestingly they have a common comment, even though some are more enthused than others.

Apple’s MacBook Air Is Beautiful and Thin, But Omits Features - Mossberg

MacBook Air: The sexy kind of skinny but with some flaws - Edward C. Baig

The Skinny on the MacBook Air - Steven Levy

Definitely, a mixed bag, though both Baig and Levy are definitely more smitten than Mossberg.

AppleInsider:

Due to its ultra-thin profile, Apple’s new MacBook Air was designed with an integrated 37-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery that is not user-replaceable. Though this has caused some initial concern amongst potential adopters, AppleInsider has learned that the replacement process is quite trivial.

McAfee

They insisted today that I could access Virex from their main page. Thinking they have a Mac link, I wait till I get home. Nothing has changed, just finding any reference to Mac is frustrating. They also mentioned that the minimum purchase is for 3 users. If you search for Macintosh, you will find this purchase page confirming a minimum of 3 licenses are required.

Intego

I am now the owner of a single license of just released VirusBarrier X5. There is a show special of $49.95. Actually, all their products on on the disc.

Flockstar

Flock, based on Firefox open source code, is an example of what directions browsers can take. The browser optimizes sharing video and photos, chat, access to your favorite websites. Where the browser seems to be for the web socialite, the browser is intended to emphasis the individual preferences and maximize access. See a demo of the browser at booth 4301 in the West Wing or visit their web page.

More Air:

Two cables available you should iconsider when purchasing are the MagSafe Airline Adapter and the Ethernet Adapter. As the MBA is well designed for traveling by air (was that intentional by Apple?) The first cable is self explanatory, whereas the second is a USB 2.0 to ethernet connector providing 10/100 BASE-T.

Conversations with Apple personnel confirmed Tuesday comments, with this slight amendment. The MBA using Airport can see into other Macs so enabled (sharing) and transfer files and even install Office from the install disc on the other Mac. DiskWarrior would still require an external DVD drive, not because DiskWarrior requires a DVD drive, only that you will need a DVD drive at some point. MBA will boot from external DVD drive.

I have taken some time with this one. The style is Apple, yet it is for a special segment. As Mossberg has stated, the Air is likely for someone who spends a lot of time in the air. Strange isn’t?

The only way to install the OS is by an attached DVD drive. No networking, no Target Mode, no FireWire, no Ethernet, no PC card slot, as there is only USB. Single applications may be installed via Wi-Fi., but without an external DVD drive the MacBook Air is an island with maybe web access.

I also think the price is too high, reminiscent of the iPhone. At $1,800 for the Air, the MacBook Pro starts at $1,999 and you get a fully equipped laptop:

15 inch 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1440 x 900 resolution
2GB memory
120GB hard drive1
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics with 128MB SDRAM

and don’t forget, ethernet and FireWire and PC card slot

Do we even want to mention the MacBook? No PC card slot, but pretty much everything else and at a darn better price.