It seems like Apple answered the call for an ultra-portable Mac but this one is way beyond ultra-portable.

Touted as the "world’s thinnest laptop" at a maximum thickness of 0.76", this 3-lb wonder seems to be another feather in Jobs’ cap (VAIO X505, released by Sony in 2004 is thinner and lighter at 0.75" at its widest point and 0.3 inch at its thinnest and weighs 2.4 lbs. --editor). The engineering behind this is awesome - imagine being able to squeeze it in a thin portable whilst keeping the 13.3" wide-screen LED-backlit display and a full Macbook-like keyboard. Today’s ultra-portables are thicker with smaller screens but that changes with the Macbook Air.

Probably nicknamed the MBA (MacBook Air), it comes in 1.6GHz and 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB of cache. Two GB of RAM comes as standard with a 1.8" 80GB HDD, similar to the ones inside the iPod Classic. However, there is an option for a 64GB SSD but at a premium (USD999 additional). Ports have been downsized as well - having only 1 USB2.0 port, a mono audio out and a new micro-DVI port that can power up to a 24" Apple Cinema display. Just like its siblings, it comes with a MagSafe power brick but with a different design.

The monicker of Air comes in its power -- wireless connectivity! It comes with IEEE 802.11n (a, b and g also) and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR. Apart from that, no other connectivity is included! It seems like Apple is urging others to go fully wireless. Anyway, a wired Ethernet port is available via an optional USD30 USB-Ethernet dongle similar to the USB modem that is available for the Macbooks and Macbook Pros.

Now here comes the issues. Issue number 1 is the lack of the optical drive. Whilst Apple provides an optional USD99 Dual-Layer 8x Superdrive, it means having to bring it with you in long trips. However, for your day-to-day traveling, having no optical drive lessens the weight, of course. Just don’t go watching those DVDs whilst waiting for your colleagues to show up. Personally, I do not mind having a separate optical drive. :)

Issue number 2 is the battery. Whilst Apple claims a 5-hour battery life, you can’t just go buying a spare battery and changing it when you are at the departure lounge waiting for your flight. The battery is not replaceable, just like your iPhone and iPods. It will cost you 0 and 5-days wait to get a brand new battery. This is going to be a bit difficult considering that this is a computer and not an iPhone nor iPod. However, only time can tell if this will be a major issue. To me, it is not a deal-breaker but I am waiting a couple of weeks after it is released to find out if the batteries are ok. Remember, if they recall the battery, you have to bring it in and have an Apple certified technician replace it!

Issue number 3 is the hard drive. With only an 80GB as the largest available HDD, this will be too limiting. I think this is a marketing move so they will be able to sell their new Time Capsule product, i.e., an Airport Extreme base station with built-in 500GB or 1TB storage, and iTunes Store rentals (you don’t get to store the movie forever!).

Issue number 4 is the limited ports. Wired Ethernet is necessary for the uber-geeks but I guess it is not for the plain road warrior. An additional USB could have been better considering that the MBA does not come with EV-DO or HSxPA. The absence of Firewire means that this is not for those who take video on the road. What is a bit lacking is support for wireless USB! Apple is known for innovation but without this, their innovation only comes in the MBA form-factor!

Issue number 5 is the cost. At 00 + for the superdrive, it sets you back a little less than 00 with tax, slightly less than the entry-level Macbook Pro with all its ports and add-ons. Whilst there is no doubt that there is a market for this, I am afraid that the cost is a bit on the expensive side. I am afraid that Apple may do another iPhone hat trick here by slashing the cost by 0 a few weeks after. Should that happen, a 00 MBA is just about right.

So here’s hoping that Apple will send me a review unit soon so I can check if the issues I have mentioned above are real deal-breakers. I would not mind getting one as a gift, too. You listening, Apple? Hahaha... (mac.n.tux@gmail)