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January 13, 2008

speculation

MacBook Air? Yeah, sure!

Posted Jan. 13, ’08, 12:00 PM PT by Aayush Arya
Category | Apple » Speculation

MacBook AirIn case you were in any doubt, let me spell it out for you. Yes, that’s sarcasm. 9 to 5 Mac has posted a speculative article about the possibility of Apple releasing an ultra-portable notebook at the forthcoming Expo and christening it, of all the cool and self-explanatory names in the world, MacBook Air. Their most convincing argument is the presence of an Adium chat log from 9 January 2008 which reveals the presence of a client computer that identified itself as “MacBookAir”.

When I’d first seen it appear in the upcoming section of Digg, I’d thought that it must be a link to a Fake Steve or Crazy Apple Rumors post, making fun of the wild speculation going around all over the Internet. Imagine my surprise when I realised that it was serious speculation. People were actually considering the idea of Apple having a product with that name in their line-up. I’m not blaming the rumor sites. I suppose it is their duty to bring you coverage of all possible rumors before the Expo. It fuels more discussion and maintains the hype and excitement.

There is also the possibility, of course, that I’m proven grossly wrong in a couple of days from now when Steve Jobs holds up a paper-thin notebook in his hands onstage and announces that it employs the WiMax technology and charges via induction. Cable free. And then he announces that “we’re calling it the MacBook Air”. Yes, that could happen. He could then proceed to introduce the brand new car from Apple, the Apple Wheel or Apple Road!

But at least in the opinion of this humble blogger, the odds of that happening (the notebook, not the car) are very low. Almost non-existent. When before has Apple used the actual name of an upcoming product in the teaser banners? Does it make any sense at all as the name of a notebook?

The iPhone is a phone that connects to the Internet. The iPod is a very cool name with the nano, shuffle, classic and touch appendages each being very self-explanatory. MacBook tells you that it is a Mac notebook, the Mac Pro is the Mac for the professional and the iMac is the iconic Mac where the “i” stands for its capability to connect to the Internet very easily (or at least it did in the days of yore). The Apple TV (which is not too good a name either) tells you about its connection to the TV.

What does “Air” tell you? It does not need cables to connect? Charges over the air? Employes a very fast wireless, air borne network? Is light as air? I know you could come up with several associations and they would all make some sense in one manner or the other. But at the end of the day, I think that “Air” is a very vague term and does not convey much about a notebook. The phrase “Apple MacBook Air” sounds odd to me.

If they do release a notebook (or sub-notebook, tablet, whatever) with that name, I assure you that my opinion of it is not going to change. It will be one of the worst product names Apple ever came up with (does it even need any thinking to end up with this result!) and I would be a tad embarrassed to tell people that I am the owner of a MacBook Air.

Am I very wrong? Or maybe over-reacting? Do you like the suggested name and think that there is a possibility of it being the actual name? Let us know.


30 Comments

Ryu said:

what's wrong with the name? I sure will like it better than MacBook Thin or MacBook Lite.

January 13, 2008 12:31 PM
Goobimama said:

Remember how difficult it was getting used to the name Macbook Pro? It was a lot effort even saying it. Now Powerbook feels weird.

I do kinda like the sound of Macbook Air... but I don't think they will be releasing it Macworld. High probability of that sub notebook though...

January 13, 2008 12:33 PM
Anonymous said:

When you tell people you have a MacBookAir there is no reason to be embarassed. Just tell em you have an MBA and let them be impressed :)

January 13, 2008 12:49 PM
mechatak said:

Macbook Air is an excellent name. Now it sounds a bit odd but once people start using it, all will be forgotten. But the question is that if there indeed such a product or is it a mere rumor!
Anyways I personally think a think lighter more portable macbook is in the 'Air' - maybe Steve Jobs will show once again that Apple is the innovative giant of the world.
AirBook anybody!?

January 13, 2008 12:51 PM
Aayush Arya Author Profile Page said:
When you tell people you have a MacBookAir there is no reason to be embarassed. Just tell em you have an MBA and let them be impressed :)

Hey, that sounds like a reasonably good idea. :p

January 13, 2008 1:58 PM
David Garon said:

My guess is that the entire phrase "There's something in the air" refers to video rentals via iTunes. Think about it!

I do LOVE the rumor about an ultra thin notebook that slides into the side of, what effectively would resemble, a hollowed out iMac as it's docking station. Perhaps the dock would have an optical drive, as well as perhaps additional storage for Time Machine archiving.

The possibilities are endless!

January 13, 2008 2:21 PM
Stivo said:

My guess:

"There's something in the air" is a reference to CO2 (carbon dioxide) and global warming. Apple board-member Al Gore's Nobel Peace Prize win will be highlighted in the keynote and hence the theme of the show will be Apple's green technology plans and goal to make LOW POWER DEVICES - hint hint. Steve Jobs could also talk about the new Apple Campus in Cupertino and how like Google's campus it will be solar powered.

This jibes with rumors about Apple leveraging Intel's low power chip roadmap down the road.

January 13, 2008 2:22 PM
FLOWED said:

It sounds like a very probable name in my opinion. It's probable for the very reasons you list in this post.

There is arguably no one constant in how Apple chooses names for its products. Your post points this out as well. We'll all just have to wait and see!

January 13, 2008 4:02 PM
daveyboy said:

I like the name "air" how about we call it "air MacBook" could be a heck of alot worse!

January 13, 2008 4:15 PM
Bob said:

(After watching the new Apple ad) Maybe that is what 'Something in the air' means. Being able to Time Machine to a disk on a new Airport.

January 13, 2008 4:20 PM
aj said:

Maybe the whole thing with Nike is bringing the name "Air." And maybe Michael Jordan will be in the new commercials slam dunking a zune and breaking the glass.

January 13, 2008 6:45 PM
krye said:

I hope everyone is wrong. I hope this is a crock. I'm so looking forward to a new Apple laptop, but I'm not going to spend $1500+ on a laptop that I can't even plug a $20 thumb drive into.

January 13, 2008 8:13 PM
Terrell said:

"MacBook Air" sounds like something to take while traveling - "airplane" anyone? It's "air light", easy to pack and carry. I think the name is great.

January 13, 2008 8:57 PM
Aayush Arya Author Profile Page said:

@Stivo,
Yeah, I think you're right on the money with that one. :p

@FLOWED,
That is what I intended to do. I wanted to show all the reasons why it could turn out to be the real name. But IMHO, it is quite improbable because the name sounds just plain weird to me and, though it is not reflected in these comments, I've seen quite a few people out there who tend to agree with me. Of course, Apple will do what that want they do and nothing can stop them. So I guess we'll just have to play the waiting game for a few more hours now. :)

@Bob,
I sure hope that's not true. It will be the worst letdown ever.

January 13, 2008 9:22 PM
Anonymous said:

MacBookTouch

January 13, 2008 10:49 PM
Nick Woods said:

If this turns out to be yet another music playing gadget, I'll... I'll... do something unspeakable. I haven't figured out what yet. The world needs another music player like it needs a hole above the Arctic.

January 14, 2008 12:41 AM
Seyfeddin said:

I think besides the new macbook, Apple will introduce a new mac mini. It's been a long time since the last upgrade.

January 14, 2008 2:43 AM
Pooh said:

Apple iTunes Rental

January 14, 2008 4:24 AM
Anonymous said:

I don't like the name with "Air" in it. It smacks off arrogance. The more PC fanboys will hate Mac users even if we're sure we do have fantastic products they should drool on.

January 14, 2008 5:14 AM
TheSchmett said:

Air MacBook.

Doubtful. I want my cables.

January 14, 2008 8:14 AM
tim i said:

I think its funny that everyone is so crazy about the name. Who cares, so your telling me if this "macbook air" is better than any apple laptop you wont by it because of its name. That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard. If it is named the air and is the best computer on the market, I will by it. Its like someone with the name "Guy" horrible name, horrible, but if hes nice, then I'll like him.

January 14, 2008 11:07 AM
mike said:

For those who think Apple would never call something "Air" I have two words…

Mighty Mouse


January 14, 2008 11:54 AM
Seth said:

Nice. The large ad on Apple's homepage now says, "There's something in the air."

How ironic

January 14, 2008 12:04 PM
woode Author Profile Page said:

I disagree that "Air" is the worst name they could come up with. The 1990s "Mac Centris" moniker sucked worse. Sheesh, what does "Centris" mean in relation to the Mac, anyway. I do agree with "Air" not being a great name, though. When I first saw it rumored on another site, I thought, "That's a stupid name -- Am I buying a Mac or a pair of overpriced shoes?"

January 14, 2008 12:11 PM
Douglas said:

Apple's marketing is so good they could sell me air and I would buy it!

The share price is going to rocket when it becomes known that people are buying air from Apple.

Anyway, whatever this product is, I will want one and having to say 'MacBook Air' would not get in the way of me getting my hands on one.

January 14, 2008 2:59 PM
Aayush Arya Author Profile Page said:
so your telling me if this "macbook air" is better than any apple laptop you wont by it because of its name.

I, for one, never said that. I just said that "I would be a tad embarrassed to tell people that I am the owner of a MacBook Air", which clearly indicates that I would buy one regardless of the name. That won't change the fact, however, that it would be a pretty stupid name. :)

January 14, 2008 6:13 PM
FLOWED said:

I guess I was right! LOL

January 15, 2008 10:35 AM
dolphinbuddy said:

guess that one DID happen, aye?

January 15, 2008 11:26 AM
Ashley Frost said:

Doh!

January 15, 2008 1:28 PM
steve said:

what? apple imac macbook ipod already sounded weird themselves, why not air? you will get positive after negative+negative

January 16, 2008 12:01 PM

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