Feb 16, 2008 5 min read

I was reminded this week that it’s been a year since I bought my black MacBook. This was brought to my attention by the arrival of a letter, telling me that my one-year warranty was up and that I could renew my warranty for only $250. I also got a duplicate of this in e-mail form. I remember thinking when the new black models came out that Apple had a bit of cheek, asking almost $300 extra for just a color change — while the specifications stayed exactly the same as they were for the white MacBook.

I’m also beginning to think that the same genius that invented that marketing scheme has also worked on Apple’s new MacBook Air.

The more I read about the specifications of the new super-slim laptop, the more I shake my head and ask, “what were they thinking?”

I’ll give a brief rundown, so you’ll realize I’ve not suddenly gone anti-Apple.

First, there’s no CD/DVD player-that would make the MacBook Air (also called the AirBook) too thick. Apple will be glad to sell you an external one that matches the AirBook for $99. Next, the AirBook is a lot slower than my year-old MacBook, a fact that has even my young guitar students scratching their heads and asking why they should buy one.

Apparently, Apple offers a solid-state hard drive for it that makes it a bit faster, but it’s a $999 upgrade. Yes, that’s $999.

I’ve always upgraded the RAM memory on my Apple products, as they usually come with the minimum to get you started, but the MacBook comes with two gigs of RAM. That’s great — but even this has a downside.

If you do want more, you can’t install it yourself.

You have to send the laptop back to Apple, as you also have to do when it’s time to change the battery.

I’m sure that aftermarket companies will pop up, offering those services soon. just like they did for the iPod and iPhone batteries.

But, wait. There’s more.

Unless you buy an Ethernet-to-USB adaptor, you can’t connect the AirBook to a wired Internet connection. As I previously stated, I’m puzzled as to whom exactly this model is going to appeal, especially at a starting price of about $1,800.

Maybe I’m just getting old, but paying close to two grand to buy a computer whose greatest feature is that it will fit into a manila envelope is a bit daft.

Surely, when you put out a new product, don’t you aim it for the largest appeal?

I asked Doren about this and he is as puzzled as I am. He did add, “Dude, they still have the largest-selling MP3 player in the world and the coolest phone.”

Maybe it’s just a new marketing strategy and I’m the one who’s crazy.

I guess that it appeals to people who want the latest and coolest-looking gadget, but, speaking personally, I’ll stick with my thicker, heavier old-style MacBook.

Mrs. Schulze continues to be disgusted, as she initially fell in love with the looks of the AirBook and was thinking of getting one.

I have two tips this week for better battery life for any of you who own one of the new iPod Touch models:

– Buy an A/C adaptor for charging.

– Turn off your Wi-Fi connection before you turn the iPod off. You’ll see much-improved battery life.

There’s already a new 32-gig iTouch model at the online Apple store at a href=”http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/, http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/, end

and I recommend spending the additional $20 to get the suite of five additional applications, if you buy this model.

They download via iTunes and install very easily. I think the iPod touch may have become one of the new ‘in’ things to have when you’re a school kid.

A lot of people have mistaken mine for the iPhone, at first glance, so maybe that’s another reason they’re currently so popular.

It’s entertaining to see what the latest trends in cool gadgets are and what outlandish new things will be unveiled this year.

Speaking of cool things, Mrs. Schulze has recently been eyeing up a Yaris online at a href=”http://www.toyota.com/Yaris/ http://www.toyota.com/Yaris/ end

. It’s a smart little car, especially now, as gas prices keep going up.

I told her that she’s getting as bad as my friend, Carl Micarelli Jr., at “building her dream model” online.

I’ve often kidded Carl about doing just the same thing.

Isn’t it amazing, though, that you can look at cars from the warmth of your home, instead of standing in the cold, squinting at prices and kicking the tires?

Just think what we have to look forward to in upcoming auto technology:

– Will we all be soon driving something that beeps and warns you of an object ahead?

– Or parallel parks itself?

– Or has the backup camera installed?

– Or has voice activated channel changes on the radio and Bluetooth phone connection?

We’ve seen all of these already from various car companies-now who will be the first to integrate all of these things in a new model?

That’s it for this week.

Happy surfing.