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Apple’s new ruby is called MacBook Air. The new outstanding computer made by Apple is thin and lightweight. In his blog John Grubber made a good comparison with the other two laptops produced by Apple, the MacBook and the MacBook Pro. All three computers target a different kind of people. Reading many posts and comparisons about the MacBook Air around the web, I’m getting the feeling that most people don’t realize why Apple created such a product.

When a company, Apple or any other for that matter, creates a series of products, it’s because each and every products targets a specific group. This group can be large, like university students, home internet users, doctors, business mans, programmers, etc. Then there are the niche markets, when a product is made for specific uses. That’s the case of Apple’s new laptop. Considering the fact that is not multimedia oriented, nor gaming will be amusing on it, what’s it’s purpose? Most Macintosh users just don’t understand that this is not a product for us, fascinated Apple consumers. It’s a product, strictly, for business mens.

Now, what are the needs of a business man? First of all, weight and size. The “Air” delivers both with an uncomparable style and beauty. Then most business mans need a computer that is able to do things like spreadsheet and document creating, editing and viewing. Microsoft Office 2008 for MacOSX is shipping already and there are other valid alternatives like iWork and Open Office. Not to mention freeware editors like Bean. Browsing is done in a good fashion with Apple’s default browser while email is handled by Apple’s Mail application which is also good enough and it’s integrated with spotlight. Works like a charm! The Intel Core Duo processor delivers much more power than you will ever need in order to view a presentation in Quicktime, Keynote, Power Point or any other presentation software. There are many instant messaging choices, the best is Adium in my humble opinion. So what else do a business man need in order to keep his stuff? Nothing!

Many users complained about the price, the lack of storage space or even the lack of a powerful graphics card. The answer is simple, this laptop is not for the average mac geek who spends time on line and users his laptop for everything. Apple has already made two laptops for this kind of usage, the MacBook for students and average users that don’t need extravagant features on their laptop and the Macbook Pro for advanced users who need a kick ass laptop.

There’s nothing more to say to people winning around about the price of this jewel. It may be good for programmers who travel often, it is definitely the best business men and office oriented laptop, that you can take with you with the less harassment possible.

I don’t know when was the last time that I saw a computer with comparable beauty. Oh yes! When I first saw the iBook G4! I consider the iBook, the most beautiful laptop ever made, until now. It’s a matter of looks!!!

For it’s target group, I consider the MacBook Air a very innovative computer. Apple once again posed new boundaries to the market. That’s what this company does best, surprise us! Remember, no one forced the average Apple geek to buy one!