Which is sturdier, a MacBook Air or an HP business laptop?

I finally got my hands on a MacBook Air. Though I'm sure I'm repeating what some others have said already, I needed to state one thing before I do a more extensive evaluation: this unbelievably thin notebook is rock solid.

NOTE: This is not an official CNET review. And is not by any means a full review. Just a quick first-look. Official CNET product review is here.

One of the concerns I had--and I'm sure I'm not alone--is whether a notebook this thin will be flimsy and overly delicate. The answer is a resounding no. It feels more solid in my hands than the rugged, well-built, 1.6-inch-thick HP Compaq nc8000 I have used for many years (since 2003).

2003 HP business notebook and MacBook Air

(Credit: Brooke Crothers)

The reason for this is the Air's aluminum construction and light weight. In other words, when you pick up the Air, you sense an almost perfect balance of sturdiness and weight--despite the fact that the Air exceeds the dimensions of a typical, more-compact subnotebook.

Update: One other quick impression. No excessive heat to speak of. Another challenge for designers of ultra-thin notebooks is how to effectively dissipate the heat that is generated by the core electronics, including the main processor, the graphics silicon, and hard drive. Apple has succeeded admirably. Admittedly, I am using the solid state drive (flash memory) version of the Air so there's no hard drive heat to worry about and I don't play games (some gamers have cited heat issues). Impressive nonetheless. More later.

[menotbug]

Pah. It *feels* secure? Scientific. Come back later with hard data.

[John-D]

?More later", I hope so!

I hope someone performs a standard set of laptop tests on the MacBook Air including a "burn-in" to stress all components over a few days; a standard laptop "drop test"; repeated battery charge/discharge cycling; and open and close the case a couple of hundred times.

Someone make believe it's a MS product and hit it with a sledge hammer so you can find fault with the thing.

[jmarinis]

If it was a Microsoft product, you could just let it sit on your desk and it would spontaneously burst into flames.

[georgiarat]

Real world test. Put both on a bench in a park, walk away and see which one is stolen first.

[fb6691]

this has to be the laziest article ever. when your headline is a question, you imply that you are at least going to attempt to answer it.

you should rename the article "My Field Trip to Best Buy"

[transparentman]

try doing the drop test :P

[Melekai]

I agree a test would be nice, but the photo shows how far we've come in 4 or 5 years.

[Cro-Mag]

You twisted fiend I wouldn't even think of dropping a mac. You make me sick

[KRB007]

Try writing to the HQDA DCSAUT (that's the Headquarters US Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Automation) or the DCSC4 (Deputychief of Staff for Command Control Commuications and Coordination). They have standard ruggedized test criteria for notebook computers that will add legitimacy to your initial observations.

[chadwsmith]

This is an article?..... The MacBook Air "feels" secure? wow... Thanks for the insight CNet. I, as a mere humble v-list blogger, could never hope to attain the investagory skills and insight needed to come up with such a helpful informative article.

The next time I need to find out about something, I'll know all I have to do is pick it up.... Which piza taste better - Papa Johns or Dominos. Well, I'll pick one of each up. Yes, the Dominos feels good. The Papa Johns feels good. They both have the feel of good pizza when I pick up the box. Yes - Both Papa Johns and Dominos taste good. Pick up the boxes for yourself and you'll know its true.

Not sure which candidate will make the best President? Well that's because you haven't PICKED THEM UP.

[zato_3]

Wow-9 comments so far, and all from MacSux T-Shirt wearing, porn downloading, Lan party Microsoft geek LUSERS. Get a life geeks. Get that MSCE and get out of your mothers basement. Get jobs, and I assure you that some day a real girl will let you touch her. (Well, some of you, maybe)
(By the way-how many of you are being paid to leave your turds here?)

[Riquez-001]

Despite being an Apple fan myself, I've got to admit this is a pretty ridiculous comparison.
You didn't actually do any tests & the core point of the article is just 2 sentences, the rest is introduction & waffling on about heat.
Even if there was something to read here, why in gods name would you choose to compare a new compact laptop against a 5 year old giant. Who is ever going to be in the position of making a choice between the two?

[superberg]

It's a very nice introduction. When do we get to read that whole article?