For what it's worth, My MacBook is about 14 months old, I got it shortly after they released the second Gen C2D macbooks. It's the faster of the CPU Speeds as well. With that, I've got 353 cycles on the current battery and I can't tell any difference in run-time. With the screen moderately dimmed like I have it when I'm indoors and surfing the web it still runs for more than 4 hours. Play some tunes or kick the brightness up to 3/4 or so and that gets cut down to a notch under three hours. Running full tilt with full brightness and heavy CPU Usage (like iTunes visualizations at 60fps or Windows 2000 running in Parallels so I can VPN into work) it still runs for close to an hour and a half. I'm betting the MBA battery will last you quite a while before you need to go to the Apple Store with your tail (and pocketbook) between your legs.

As far as riding with it on your bike, a good padded cell does wonders. On my road bike, I just throw it in my panniers. When I switch to my Mountain bike, there are a few considerations for my situation:

1) I switch because it's snowy/icy season and my road bike doesn't handle slippery surfaces well. Still on a MTB I'm prone to fall over, so I choose a backpack with my MTB. I don't want to break my bike's fall with a MacBook.

2) Since my MTB isn't up to the 30 mile round trip (or rather, I don't want to ride a slow, heavy bike that far every day), I use the bus to shorten my ride to a more manageable 5-10 mile RT. Wearing a backpack for less than 10 miles a day isn't too bad.

Now, I've had two really good tumbles with my MacBook in the backpack. One of them broke my face and a bunch of teeth, but not the MacBook. This is a padded laptop-specific backpack, though. I've also had one really good tumble on my road bike with the laptop in a pannier, protected by a padded cell.

I also had the same padded cell fall off the back of my hybrid's rack at about 18 MPH. I had it bungeed to a rack back when I first started commuting, bad idea. This wasn't my MB; it was carrying the G3 PowerBook I had before I got this MacBook. The G3 Wallstreet, as well, survived just fine. A quality padded cell in a pannier will ease your mind and get the weight down low and off of your back.

Mac kicks ass. I just discovered the macbook air yesterday.. {droooool...}

They're expensive for what you get. But, well, since I made the switch I've never gone back.

Be thankful you're in the US. 1100 QUID here, that's like 2600 bucks now. Jesus tap-dancing christ what a bunch of ****ers.

Mac kicks ass.

I cannot find words to express my love of their new wireless keyboard. WOW.

I have a new sony vaio for the work dog. I would love a macbook but there's no justification for me to have one. The Vaio is nice, sure. But Mac is in a league of its own, what with the software difference as well and all. The magnetic power plug is fonkin awesome.

I was thinking about getting one of the wireless badboys as an external KB for the my MB Pro... good are they ...I love the sliver of Alum

Yeah, it's beautiful. I was waiting for them to upgrade it. About time - the last one was godawful.

The white crumb catcher or clear with black keys? Right up there with the round puck mouse.
Johhny LaRoue as I live and breathe.

white crumb catcher. and god forbid should you ever spill any liquid on it.

I've got a MacBook Pro, a 2007 Dell XPS, a 2004 Dell XPS and a 2000 IBM Think Pad [dated, but still works]. If I had to get rid of all, but one I'd keep the MacBook Pro. I run OS X and have XP loaded in a virtual computer if I need/want to run it as well. I keep windows around because it is ubiquitous, but I "have to" run it only once or twice a month.

The Air is a good idea that needs some more time and development. I don't need a cable ethernet [never use it now and it is available], an optical drive [there is always another computer around I can read a DVD from using wireless]. I like the metal case and that it is heading in the direction lighter and more mobile while still very functional. I'm not rushing out to buy one, but I'll be looking for a new laptop in 2009 and an Air will be on my list of models to check out for sure.

When I first saw the Air I thought..."..perfect for my bike commute to work...."

Let's see -- underpowered, limited upgradeability, takes 5 days to change the battery (what's the deal with that -- we can get just about any internal component in our servers or desktop fixed in one?), and all yours for $1800?

What a ripoff. If you want to lighten your load, tell your boss to buy two normal priced laptops. If they'll spring for that overpriced POS that has nothing to recommend it other than size and looks, it shouldn't be too hard to convince them to buy two machines since that would ultimately be a more flexible arrangement. Keep one at home and one at work. You can use the network or a flash drive to move your work around. No need to lug the computer on a bike at all....

I don't think I'd want a laptop that thin. The thinner something is, the less torsional rigidity it will have, and twisting circuit boards is not good for them. For that kind of money, I'd rather have a panasonic toughbook for my commute. Those things handle rain, snow, 3' drops, you name it. No need for panniers, just bungie the thing to the rear rack and go. If you have someone you can share a tandem with, you can let the other guy be the captain, strap the thing to the back handlebars, and telecommute while being the stoker. Try doing that with some pansy-ass mac!