One of the major points against the MacBook Air is the dearth of …nearly everything. Which should be its strength in the minimalist context, but after the RDF fades, just emerges as a way to squeeze more out of the fanboys. They yank everything out, tell us it’s the better for all that, then sells us back the parts they took out. At a premium. Sheesh.

Don’t get me wrong. The MacBook Air is beautiful. But hey, too much form over function this time, man.

So here is a partial list of the things that should have been in the box, if not in the laptop itself, that Apple is selling back to us, in Apple’s own words:

Apple USB Ethernet Adapter
Easily connect your MacBook Air computer to an Ethernet network with the Apple USB Ethernet Adapter. Small and light, it connects to the USB 2.0 port of your MacBook Air and provides an RJ-45 connector that supports 10/100BASE-T performance. $29.00

* Apple Micro-DVI to DVI Adapter
Newly designed to fit the slim profile of MacBook Air, the Apple Micro-DVI to DVI adapter allows you to connect to an external DVI monitor or projector. It can also be used in combination with the Apple DVI to ADC adapter to support older Apple flat panel Studio or Cinema Displays. $19.00

* Apple Micro-DVI to VGA Adapter
Newly designed to fit the slim profile of MacBook Air, the Apple Micro-DVI to VGA adapter allows you to connect to an external VGA monitor or projector. $19.00 (Doodler Note: I think this’ll be the more popular of the video adapters - I can imagine all the folk wanting to show off their new MBA at the office by using it for a presentation on a projector; they’ll need one of these.)

This next one is not on the Apple Store yet as far as I can see. Not the most egregious omission (because of the Remote Disk feature Apple made that makes this a bit moot), the USB Superdrive accessory seems a good one to get at $99, until you find that it only works for the MacBook Air. Huh?

All these things will be out in 2-3 weeks.

*Update: Oops. Apparently the video adapters ARE already in the box, as a couple of my outraged (and attentive) readers have pointed out. (Thanks to RBB and designissues.) I thought I looked. Must’ve missed it. Silly me. I should have known; for the price of the MBA, it should be in the box. Mac-A-Mea Culpa. Heh.

Check your iTunes - as expected, it’s upgrade time, to accommodate the new Movie Rental facility unveiled at the Keynote.

I was going to download something from iTunes when I was informed that the Terms of Service had changed, and I had to agree before I was allowed to proceed. Long document. Scary.

I actually tried to read it to find out if there was something there that would bork our long-standing and illicit relationship. Finding none, I went ahead and clicked, and then the downloads started.

Then it informed me some of my downloads required the newer version of iTunes to work, so I went and started the process. So far so good.

Minutes later, a window from Software Update popped up and told me that there were iTunes and Quicktime updates available. Yeah, yeah, I know already! In my language, ang kulit ng Apple. Sheesh.

Here’s the fine print.

What’s new in iTunes 7.6
Rent and download your favorite movies with iTunes on your computer or directly to your living room on Apple TV. Enjoy rented movies in sizes up to 720p HD with surround sound on your Apple TV and sizes up to DVD-quality on your computer. Transfer your rented movies from iTunes to your iPod or iPhone and enjoy them on the go.

Also, purchase and download your favorite TV shows, music, and more directly on your Apple TV. Effortlessly transfer purchases made on Apple TV back to your computer with iTunes.

And as usual, the vague description of Quicktime 7.4:

QuickTime 7.4 addresses security issues and delivers:
- Numerous bug fixes
- Support for iTunes

(Despite my sniping, I luuurve the idea I can rent movies now. Cool.)

Macbook Air.

The Apple Store website capped just now, three hours before the keynote.

And just in time. Literally, hours before the keynote.

Our blog network got borked server-side and we’ve been down for a week. Everyone. I’ve been in a Mac-A-Doodle posting withdrawal nightware and been in a fetal position for most of the week dealing with my Macworld anxiety all by myself.

But better late than never.

See you on the other side of the keynote.

Heeeeeeeere we go!