Color me not surprised: The MacBook Air seems to be selling really well for Apple. So says a report from Ars Technica that quotes retail anecdotes from Apple stores, Best Buy, quoting Amazon lead times, and noting:
The MacBook Air has been the top selling Mac since before the middle of February, outselling the MacBook, the iMac, and the MacBook Pro—this, despite week-long shipping delays.
Geeks have a tendency to drastically overestimate the value of extendability, number of ports, and benchmarks while drastically underestimate the value of design, feel, and convenience as perceived by regular people. This would seem a case in point.
I’ve now used the Air for over a month and so has my girlfriend. Neither of us have ever been annoyed by any of the perceived shortcomings, but we’ve both been thrilled and continue to be so by the advantages.
If you’re on the fence, I’d heartily encourage you to jump on board. I highly doubt you’ll be disappointed. You can see availability for your state on the Apple site.
(Now Apple, where’s my kickback :)?)
Steve Jobs
on 04 Mar 08David,
I’ve sent you the kickback to your PayPal account.
Best,
Steve
Typical Geek
on 04 Mar 08Wow David! You really showed me!
Lance
on 04 Mar 08yawn
Ricky Irvine
on 04 Mar 08This is interesting. The Air is yet another glimpse into the future of computing. Less hardware, better software. I’m eager to see what the PC makers respond with.
Nathan Youngman
on 04 Mar 08Glad to hear it’s working out for you David, esp. since we probably have similar uses. I was pleasantly surprised by the Anandtech review of how the Air compares to my “aging” MacBook Pro Core (not-2) Duo. Since my 15” MacBook Pro was actually an AppleCare replacement for a 12” Powerbook (<3 Apple), I find the Air quite compelling… and I haven’t even seen one in real-life yet! (go gah gah). Enjoy your tech.
< that’ll teach me to use preview… >
GeeIWonder
on 04 Mar 08Can I color you confirmation biased?
--Josh
on 04 Mar 08I really like mine too. However, I do have one minor annoyance in that the keyboard backlight won’t turn on automatically or stay on once turned on as it is intended to. I’m sure that they’ll get it sorted out eventually. It would also be nice if someone made a normal to angled magsafe adapter, which I’d expect to see eventually.
Mathew Patterson
on 04 Mar 08@GeelWonder – do you have any indications that the Air is not selling well?
Joshua Peek
on 04 Mar 08DHH, I really envy your “EnvyAir” ;)
Matt Lee
on 04 Mar 08Looking forward to see what the new Thinkpad is like… OS X is not for me, and I’ve not seen any details about GNU/Linux on the Air.
GeeIWonder
on 04 Mar 08No majors indication just, y’know, Fortune Magazine et al.
But when an argument starts off with a self-confirmation of prophecy I take exception not with the point itself so much as with the error of inductive inference. That might be my training as a scientist, though.
Mathew Patterson
on 04 Mar 08@geelwonder -
“No majors indication just, y’know, Fortune Magazine et al.” – have you got a link please?
--Josh
on 04 Mar 08After posting I did another search and this time found the cure for the backlight issue: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1420864&tstart=0 Apparently it’s related to migrated accounts. Figured I’d post it here in case anyone was looking for it.
Andrew Vit
on 04 Mar 08Via anecdotal evidence from a friend who works at a Canadian reseller, I heard they get a “lot of returns” on the Air. Apparently people bring it back saying that they “can’t put their damn CD in there!” I wonder two things about this: One, would returns inflate the sales figures by any significant amount? And two, are people really that stupid?
Andreas
on 04 Mar 08I’m not really surprised, the Air is a really great notebook. I don’t event think the thinness is the major advantage but the weight is really incredible – even when compared to a “regular” Macbook.
I’m happy i got mine already :)
Robert
on 04 Mar 08Tell me you (well, ArsTechica, too) didn’t seriously just use “limited availability” as a metric to sales figures, did you?
Did the concept of engineered scarcity occur?
Neil Wilson
on 04 Mar 08Got to agree with David here. The Air is a superb piece of kit. I particularly like the idea of the one with the flash drive in it – a completely solid state PC.
Fabulous – definitely on my want list.
Donegarden
on 04 Mar 08I have a question for Air owners. Is the heat in the Air well managed ? Does it ventilate a lot ?
Darren
on 04 Mar 08I actually went and played with one yesterday in my local appleshop. my thoughts, its a wimpy piece of crap. I don’t know why I normally love apple products but I just hated it. Feels like its going to break. Maybe as a replacement for a macbook I can see a use but it will never replace my mbp.
stefan seiz
on 04 Mar 08I would still prefer an updated 12 Inch PowerBook with FireWire. I want small, not thin as i already have the worlds thinnest unextenable computer available: iPhone ;-)
Ahmad Alhashemi
on 04 Mar 08The Air is my first experience with a mac, and I’m amazed with both the software and hardware. The performance is much better than the impression I got from the reviews.
My current XP desktop was the ultimate in performance two years back, and I didn’t feel any slow down between the two yet. The difference in size and fan noise, though, was significant.
I have a strong feeling the Air will become my main machine and my desktop will become a glorified NAS.
Pioneer
on 04 Mar 08Unbelievable! There was so much dirt about the MacBook Air, it was criticised by almost everyone.. and now.. sold out? even after the new MacBook Pro release?
Macbook Air Bad Sales article
I’d like to believe, that everything’s allright with it… but I just can not.
May be it’s a marketing trick?
Jim
on 04 Mar 08Are the other kids at school making fun of you for your Air David? Why the steady stream of articles trying to justify your purchase of it? I think it’s cool but we keep seeing these “I told you its cool even when you made fun of it!” posts…
Terry Sutton
on 04 Mar 08This is another example of where I’ve thought something to be true when it isn’t. I thought that consumers were beyond the need for ultra portable (I think my Macbook Pro is portable enough), and were more interested in things like firewire and cd drives.
I, for one, use both firewire ports daily, would love to see at least 4 usb ports, and use the cd drive about 3-4 times a week.
Having said that, 99% of the computer users I know (about 20 of them) never use cds, wouldn’t know what firewire is, and NEVER have more than a single usb mouse plugged into their computers. Leave it to apple. Good show.
Joakim Andersson
on 04 Mar 08I have a hard time choosing between a MacBook Air, a regular MacBook and an Asus Eee PC as the replacement of my aging G4 PowerBook. I don’t like the concept of using multiple computers so that basically rules out the Eee PC even though it would be perfect to carry with me and use on the commuter train.
That leaves the Air and the regular MacBook, with the Air costing quite a lot more for something less powerful. But maybe that is the wrong thing to focus on, and I should instead think that it’s plenty faster than my current G4 and that should be enough.
I’m still not convinced though…
Ben Franklin
on 04 Mar 08It’s called artificial scarcity, blockhead.
Evan
on 04 Mar 08@ Joakim:
Eee PC probably won’t replace a G4 Powerbook well. It’s a cool machine, but I only recommend it as a primary laptop for people who don’t already have a laptop, because they hate the size and weight of regular laptops (me.)
Matt Radel
on 04 Mar 08Eh, I’m a shade skeptical. Not that the Air isn’t a fabulous machine – I’m sure it is. But I don’t think I’d necessarily say that they’re selling incredibly well based upon the fact that they’re sold out in many places – that could mean that Apple is simply limiting the supply to keep demand high and generate a buzz.
I’ll be curious to see if Stevie shows off some numbers at the WDC.
DHH
on 04 Mar 08Re: scarcity, part of the evidence (among which admittedly a lot was anecdotal) was that the Air had been the best selling Mac since it came out. So Apple may also be doing the artificial scarcity trick, but it’s still their best selling computer right now.
Jim, what I find funny is using this as an example of how off Geeks are at predicting sales success. The same thing with the original iPod. “No wifi. Less space than a Nomad. Lame” and the countless predictions of how poorly it would fair in the market place.
And that’s a shame because lots of geeks are involved in decisions about how to increase the market share for their product or company and they would do well to learn from prediction mistakes like this on the Air or on the grander scale, the iPod, when deciding the course for their own endeavors.
Terry
on 04 Mar 08Some of you are apparently not smart enough to read the article before commenting negatively. Hardware envy?
E
on 04 Mar 08I really don’t understand the appeal of the Air to most of the population. As ideal as having all aspects of your work being digital would be, I feel like most of us still have papers, folders, etc. In the end, when you stuff everything into your bag, it’s gonna be a tad heavy. What’s the difference between an 8 pound bag and a 12 pound bag?
Charlton
on 04 Mar 08I expected the MacBook Air to sell well; I love gadgets, and while I appreciate having Ethernet, modem, 2 USB, FW400, audio in, audio out, and mini-video-dongle on the side of my Powerbook, the only one I use with any frequency is the USB port, and that only about once a month. I wanted the Air when it was announced, and it was a thing of beauty when I looked at it in the Apple store.
But I’ve decided that the 15” MacBook Pro is going to be my next Mac, because given my usage patterns the extra portability is not worth the sacrifice of screen real estate I would get with the MacBook Pro.
And yeah, I’m amused at the defensiveness of the people who said it would be a flop. Maybe it’s artifically encouraged scarcity, but given one theory that says that Apple is creating scarcity because they released a product they knew would be a flop without a giant conspiracy to create perception of scarcity and another theory that says Apple created something that enough people want that Apple is having a hard time keeping up with demand—well, I know which one I believe.
Andy
on 04 Mar 08The great thing about the Air is that is gives non-apple converts another reason to step into the Apple store and consider the switch. It may not be right for them, but it’s another product in the family and I think it’s appropriately differentiated. The Air’s short comings are obvious but not fatal for 80% of most users—in the same way that a 17” fully spec’d MBP isn’t appropriate for 80% of the people. The Air is a niche product that I suspect many skeptical users would find more than adequate.
The ipod / nomad analogy is perfect here IMO. Very good analogy. I’ll also add that I believe strongly / predict that the price of the Air will decrease over the next 12 months and will become the best selling laptop ever.
GeeIWonder
on 04 Mar 08It’ll be interesting to see how many people are waiting for the Air to drop vs. just waiting for the new MacBooks.
@ Joakim have you looked at the new Thinkpad? Not my thing but it’s another alternative.
Jose
on 04 Mar 08hahahah David, I thought your other post about MacBook AIR was going to be the last one for a long time :P
Jeff
on 04 Mar 08DHH: You didn’t just say that the AIR has been the best selling Mac did you? That may be false. Its #21 on Amazon’s list behind the following Macs: #2 White Apple MacBook #3 Apple MacBook Pro 15.4” #5 White Apple MacBook (ComboDrive) #6 Apple MacBook Black #9 Another Apple MacBook Pro 15.4” #15 Another Apple MacBook White #19 Another Apple MacBook Pro 15”
I admit Apple lists it at the top of their sales on their store, but I tend to believe Amazon’s rankings a little more. Glad you like yours.
Mike Swimm
on 04 Mar 08One month is an awfully small sample size. Especially with the huge amount of pent-up demand for a smaller portable.
I am not pro or con Airbook. I’m just thinking its way too early to decide one way or the other.
DHH
on 04 Mar 08Jeff, Amazon doesn’t get much Air stock it seems. Ars Technica is saying if you buy from Amazon now, you won’t get it until March 16th. So that would easily explain why it’s not high on the Amazon rankings. Apple is obviously making sure that their own outlets have stock before sending out to 3rd party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
Mike, nothing conclusive, no doubt. But an awfully good start for something that was billed as terminally flawed by many. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how it fairs in another 3 months.
FredS
on 04 Mar 08If you love the Air so much why don’t you marry it?
enginpost
on 04 Mar 08If I said I wanted to sell you an icecream cone for $30 but in a few months I would sell you a doublescoop for $30.50, and 2 out of 100 people buy the $30 cone and everyone else waits, wouldn’t the $30 cone seem like the “top seller?”
And what of all of my competition. What if hundreds of people aren’t waiting and buying competatively priced icecream cones from my competition, but my stats don’t reflect that?
How likely am I to take seriously the previously mentioned “top seller” stats?
GeeIWonder
on 04 Mar 08@FredS—it’s not that type of relationship:
Kinky.
As far as sales, I tend to believe the Piper Jaffray numbers since they are from a survey of retailers (vs. anectodal stories), and this is kind of what they do, after all. But we’ll probably all have a better sense by end-of-quarter anyhow.
Benjy
on 04 Mar 08From the link Pioneer posted: “About 60% of Apple resellers said the Air is attracting noticeably less buyers than the original MacBook.”
Wait, a higher-end specialty product is attracting fewer buyers than a more mainstream, more affordable version? Does that mean a BMW M3 is a failure because it’s outsold by the 325?
Anonymous Coward
on 04 Mar 0833%.
After carrying it all day, you’d notice.
Kevin Milden
on 04 Mar 08That’s cool. I just need more battery than 3-4 hours when traveling. Day to day it would work for me but as soon as I have to fly to NYC I am basically screwed. I know they have external APS for laptops and sometime flights install the charger in the seat but that just isn’t good enough to sell my macbook for.
I like the design. Still want one. Just can’t justify the purchase. $799 would of better a better price. Then I could keep both.
Anonymous Coward
on 04 Mar 08$799 would of better a better price. Then I could keep both.
I love it when people pull these numbers out of their ass as if these prices are just arbitrary.
GeeIWonder
on 04 Mar 08Where are you supposed to pull numbers from? Any idea what the hardware costs Apple?
Matt Radel
on 04 Mar 08But an awfully good start for something that was billed as terminally flawed by many.
It is amusing how loudly people gripe about the Air and predict doom and gloom for it. My guess is, if you’re complaining then you’re obviously not in the target market. But there seem to be plenty of people who will happily trade speed and hardware for less weight.
Anonymous Coward
on 04 Mar 08Where are you supposed to pull numbers from? Any idea what the hardware costs Apple?
Hardware, R&D, marketing, software, brand. All these cost money, all these are factored into the product, all these have impact on margins.
GeeIwonder
on 04 Mar 08Ok then. So all of a sudden an ass doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Also, are we talking about margins or about revenue (brand, marketing, r&d, software (development)). Because the two are not equivalent.
Kevin Milden
on 04 Mar 08Anonymous Coward makes a point. I just meant cheaper than my macbook that has a removable battery. I pulled the number out of the “Air” as an example.
Jason Bedunah
on 05 Mar 08I’ve always had a PC (well, I started with a Commodore64 and then got an Amiga500…) and I have a desktop and laptop.
But, I’ve been looking at Mac’s for awhile. I went into an apple shop for the first time about 5 days ago to see the MacBook Air and I think it’s awesome. The weight is a HUGE selling point for me. I’m a writer and I travel a lot and do a lot of writing on planes, coffee shops, etc.
I have an iPod Touch that can transmit to my FM radio… what do I need an optical drive for?
Zip.
Anonymous Coward
on 05 Mar 08Tory
on 05 Mar 08I’m still in love with my Air. It was worth every penny.
Grant
on 05 Mar 08One thing apple has always understood that MOST of the tech industry can’t figure out is that features are not necessarily king. People ripped the iPod for not having as many features as competing players when it first came out too.
I’m not at all surprised that there seems to be a large (even if technically a niche) market for a super-sexy, super-lightweight notebook. Most people don’t compare computers and say, “well, with that one I get 5 usb ports, but with this one, I only get one.” As the tech market becomes even more diverse and more niched feature comparisons will become less and less important.
Fairy
on 06 Mar 08I like the MacBook Air, and I think many people buy it onl because they like its outfit and they do not need much from a laptop. There’s no surprise it’s selling so well. But.. think about this.. may be it’s not in stock beause Apple are fixing some bugs or improving something? I’ve heared it will be improved soon. the article was somewhere on Mac on Air
Mark
on 06 Mar 08Im on the fence on buying a macbook air. But, Im scared to buy a first gen gadget from apple. As I remember years ago, the same happened when I bought a first gen ipod, and it was not very long that a new and much improved version came out. That being said, the first gen ipod was also far over priced. The Macbook air looks beautiful, but in some way I believe that theres great possibilities for improvement. The price could also take a drop as well, since the air is almost the same price as the pro. I just have a feeling that I might get ripped off by apple. But, I do have to admit I’m having a hard time resisting purchasing one of these notebooks.
Anonymous Coward
on 07 Mar 08Some of you ppl are so sad you cant accept the fact that the macbook air is selling well and you try to make up lame excuses like “its just uh, uh, uh well its uh….. artificial scarcity!” I know what you ppl are thinking. You were satisfied with your own computer until you saw the Macbook Air and you wanted it so badly but you couldnt get it so you try to make yourself believe it sucks. “Well for $200 more you could just buy a macbook pro” Ya you probably could but y would you want to lug a 6/7 pound 17in laptop around all day. Its like saying why would you buy a really expensive car when you could just buy a jet for 1 mil more. It makes no sense cuz they have 2 completely difference purposes.
Juicy
on 07 Mar 08Its fantastic! Firstly I didnt want to buy it, but when I looked through this site (http://www.maconair.com), I had changed my point of view and bought it! Rly enjoyed this model
Henry
on 08 Mar 08David, which version of the macbook air do you have ?
This discussion is closed.