[lordlarm]

I see a lot of comments here recommending a Macbook Air and I wanted to inform you, just so you are perfectly aware, that this computer does not even have an ethernet input. Perhaps not a game changer, but it gives a picture of what kind of features Apple has scraped away in order to reduce it's size.

Personally I would choose a Thinkpad, were I you.

[pudquick]

In addition, most non-OS X operating systems boot on Intel Macs using their EFI BIOS emulation layer, which doesn't quite give you the native hardware control that booting straight EFI does.

I work with enterprise deployed Macs and I'll tell you that most Linux distributions, when booting Macs via EFI BIOS emulation, do not properly control CPU and GPU power and tend to run them at full tilt. Apple's Bootcamp drivers for Windows address this issue but Apple hasn't released equivalent drivers for Linux.

The end result is that, if you intend to use Linux multiple hours a day, nonstop, on a device as space-constricted as an Air, with CPU and GPU running full tilt - yes I know when running in BIOS mode a Mac's fans stay permanently at max speed - you are going to COOK that little unit.

I've seen it more times than I care for.

I'd -really- suggest looking at a different machine if this is your use model.

[count]

There are still linux distributions that don't do EFI? Arch and Ubuntu, at least, run fine on intel macs, without the whole crazy power problem issues you're talking about.

[jjcm]

Ethernet is an interesting feature when it comes to ultra-portables. It's curious that we've come to a point where the rj45 port is actually thicker than the body of some computers (the air included). If you absolutely need it, there are some USB->rj45 adapters out there.

I have both a thinkpad netbook and a macbook air. I've found that 98% of the time, I'll grab the macbook air. Runs windows and linux just fine, and the hardware feels a lot more solid.

[excuse-me]

So no chance of a Token Ring making a comeback on Thinkpads then?

[count]

When was the last time you connected a laptop to something with a wired ethernet port? I honestly can't remember...

[duck]

You would think that, but more than half the hotels I stay at still don't offer wireless.

[CyberFonic]

And they charge and arm and leg for that. I go to StarBucks or Maccas and use the free wireless there when I travel.

[gcb]

Ethernet? I can live without. But page down key? Backspace and delete? F keys? Mouse buttons? Price?

And that's the superficial stuff.

[masklinn]

> And that's the superficial stuff.

That's also weird/misinformed stuff to say the least:

> Backspace and delete?

The Air has a backspace key, and a forward delete can be achieved via Fn-backspace (on OSX at least)

> F keys?

Of course, 12 of them

> Mouse buttons?

Yes, two.

> Price?

Same price category as most other ultrabooks.

[SamReidHughes]

Fn-backspace is no good. You just don't "get" the almighty Thinkpad.

[masklinn]

I'm not sure what you're trying to say, and what the reference is about.

Is Fn-Backspace sub-optimal for forward deletion compared to a dedicated key? Sure. But it's there.