Within minutes of the Macbook Air being launched, I thought Apple had another Cube on their hands. Here's a good article discussing that very thing in a good amount of detail. It's an interestingly article that has the same title as my post:
Is The Macbook Air Another Cube.

It's a good read for those who care.

Me, I'm so over the Air. ;)

So I was all pumped to get a new Laptop. I've been using a 12 inch G4 for over 3 years now and want to upgrade to the new Intel chip MacBooks.

About my needs:
I'm an executive so form is really important to me. I like stuff with a small footprint and that looks cool.
Rich media authoring apps are not important.
I like a snappy machine. I have a lot of apps open at the same time. I try out a lot of new apps. (I am not going to change).
I travel a lot.
I do a lot of media presentations and video conferencing.

So, MacBook Air seemed right. I was about to place my order for the new MacBook Air and everyone in my office was - "I wouldn't buy that. It looks nice, but it isn't worth it at that price."

Immediate flash back 7 years to the Apple Cube. I was in the market for a new desktop and was about to buy The Cube and everyone in my office was - "I wouldn't buy that. It looks nice, but it isn't worth it at that price."

Now people in my office are smarter than me in most things, but especially when it comes to computer hardware. I thought the Cube made sense for an executive desktop, but in the end I still appreciate value. The price of the innovative design versus functionality was a bit unrealistic - I bought a tower. I am now leaning toward a MacBook.

It makes me wonder if Apple has another "Cube" on their hands.

Who's buying the Air?

Update (Jan 15, 19:10):
I just made a similar comment on Ethan Kaplan's post.
The more i think about it the more I am pretty certain that Apple will not have a hit with Air. I truly think Apple may have another Cube on their hand.

This is form at the expense of function at a higher price point. Just like the Cube.

Unlike the original iMac, which dropped the floppy drive, also provided smaller foot print with the all-in-one design, had colours instead of beige, had a firewire port for video cameras, and USB ports. It wasn't functionally neutered for the design. Had Apple just dropped the optical drive in the AIR fine, but not being able to upgrade the ram or change a battery and no ethernet which is still needed in many hotels is severly limiting and I have to pay more.

As the target demographic for that laptop - I’m giving it a pass. I fear others will, too.

Update (Jan 16)
Although the comments so far do not share my opinion, I hold to it. I think the Air is not going to be a winner in its present configuration and/or price point. Darek K Miller has balanced and informative review.