Getting my hands on a MacBook Air

I spent yesterday morning hanging out with some of the Apple Canada folks at their Richmond, B.C. offices. It was my first opportunity to get my sweaty paws on one of the new MacBook Air portables.

On paper, the MacBook Air's 3 pounds doesn't seem like a big difference from the 5.8 pound PowerBook I currently lug around, but the difference - in the real world - is significant. The Air is light without feeling cheap or flimsy. It still has substance, y'know?

It's a slick, slim machine, with a bright display and a slightly recessed keyboard that doesn't touch the screen, so no more greasy outlines of keys on the monitor.

I'm still holding out, though, for a second generation model that recognizes that portable computers can do without lots of USB ports, but can't do without replaceable batteries.

Apple's Brian Hutchison also showed off the new Time Capsule device, which combines a hard drive with a 802.11n Airport router. I happen to have one of these on my desk, but haven't had time to unpack it yet.

I love the price points on these, though: $329 for a 500GB drive and $529 for a 1B drive. Priced for purchase!

The other thing that Hutchison walked us through was the major upgrade to Aperture 2. I'll confess that before today I had written this software off as strictly for professional photographers, but after seeing what Aperture can do, I'll be dumping iPhoto, thank you very much.

Stay tuned to my Straight "Techno Logic" column for a feature on this impressive software and its 100+ new features. I'll link to it from here when it publishes.

Always fun spending time with the Apple folks. They give us media types really nice t-shirts, too.

Getting some Leopard in here

I haven't had a chance to install the new version of Mac OS X, yet, as I've been on the road for a bit, but I am looking forward to getting home and giving it a go.

As I wrote earlier, the Time Machine backup feature alone is worth the fairly minor price tag.

And for those of you who are like me, and always seem to have one hitch or another when installing software, here are a few threads that will help you along:

• Future Shop forum
• Macworld: Installing Leopard
  
• MacLife: Living with Leopard
  
• MacFixIt Forums: Leopard

Good luck. I think we're all gonna like this plenty good.


LUNCH: Philly cheesesteak sandwich, dripping in cheese and onions

Loping like a Leopard

So the new update to Apple's Mac OS X releases tomorrow. Code-named Leopard, it will be installed on all new Mac computers, portable and desktop, and can be purchased as an upgrade for $129 plus tax.

I've watched the video which walks you through the changes, and let me tell you, there are five reasons I can see that make me want the upgrade right now. Ranked in order of their usefulness to me:

1. Time machine
2. Data detectors in Mail
3. Stacks in the dock
4. Spaces on the desktop
5. Quick look previewing

I'm too smart to install this on the first day. I'll wait until bigger brains than I give it a try and work out the kinks. But I'm not waiting too long.

Time machine alone is worth the upgrade.

iPod Touch discussion

Over at the Futureshop Community Forums, there's an interesting back-and-forth about the pros and cons of the new iPod Touch.

The usual Apple-haters are there, as are the Apple advocates, but generally people seem excited about the touch screen functionality.

My issue is that I have a Mac computer, but can't find a PDA that properly syncs with my calendar and address book. All the Palms and HPs work fine with Windows machines, but they don't sync with Macs very well.

The iPhone looks to change that. But until they become available in Canada, maybe the iPod Touch will at least let me get rid of one device.

But the price is a bit high for me to just get one on a whim. More research required.


BREAKFAST: boiled egg, toast, and cantaloupe

Apple reveals new iPods

Okay, I've had a couple of iPods in my time, and it looks like I'll have to get another one.

Apple today announced new iPods, including a new iPod Nano that has a colour screen and video capability.

But the iPod that'll have me running after it is the iPod Touch.

It's like having an iPhone without messing around with any of that phone stuff.

But seriously, the iPod Touch has the same touch screen interface as the phone, and the same video ability, and the same screen, and the same slickness.

And it's got Wi-Fi, too.

The two models come in 8GB and 16GB capacities. I'm not sure why they don't have the 80GB or 160GB capacity of the iPod Classic models. Anyone out there know why?

These babies are supposedly going to be available at the end of September. Sweet.


LUNCH: smoked turkey sandwich and a crisp, new crop Gala apple