[Cagey]

....that turns on the moment it is opened.

That, I like very much.

The machine doesn't come with a built-in optical drive for reading CDs and DVDs, ...

That, I don't like.

[Spktyr]

You can get an external *wireless* drive for $100.

I haven’t use the optical drive in my current laptop in over a year.

[Swordmaker]

Light and thin are always expensive. The only missing feature seems to be an optical drive... a sub thousand dollar laptop will have a LOT more feature missing.

This is not a stripped notebook computer:

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Size and weight

Height: 0.16-0.76 inch (0.4-1.94 cm)
Width: 12.8 inches (32.5 cm)
Depth: 8.94 inches (22.7 cm)
Weight: 3.0 pounds (1.36 kg)1

Processor and memory

Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB on-chip shared L2 cache running at full processor speed

800MHz frontside bus
2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM onboard

Storage

80GB 4200-rpm Parallel ATA hard disk drive2
Optional 64GB solid-state drive2
Optional external USB MacBook Air SuperDrive

Environmental status report

MacBook Air embodies Apple’s continuing environmental progress. It consumes the least amount of power of any Mac and is also designed with the following features to reduce environmental impact:

Highly recyclable aluminum enclosure
Mercury-free LCD display with arsenic-free glass
PVC-free internal cables
Largely recyclable, low-volume packaging
Meets ENERGY STAR requirements
MacBook Air received a Silver rating from EPEAT

Display

13.3-inch (diagonal) glossy widescreen TFT LED backlit display with support for millions of colors

Supported resolutions: 1280 by 800 (native), 1152 by 720, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, 800 by 500, 720 by 480, and 640 by 480 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio

Graphics and video support
Pure digital video output

• DVI output using micro-DVI to DVI adapter (included)
• VGA output using micro-DVI to VGA adapter (included)
• Composite output using micro-DVI to video adapter (optional)
• S-video output using micro-DVI to video adapter (optional)

Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory

Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors

Built-in iSight camera

Input

Built-in full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement), and embedded numeric keypad

Backlit keyboard with ambient light sensor for automatic adjustment of keyboard illumination and screen brightness

Solid-state trackpad with multi-touch gesture support for precise cursor control; supports two-finger scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities

Wireless

Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on IEEE 802.11n draft specification); IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible

Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)

Peripheral connections

Audio
Analog audio output/headphone out (minijack)
Built-in mono speaker
Built-in omnidirectional microphone

Battery and power

Integrated 37-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery

45W MagSafe power adapter with cable management system

MagSafe power adapter port

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All for $1799... not bad.