The Macbook Air is arguably the sleekest and sexiest laptop the world has ever seen, but already it has drawn a largely mixed - if not negative - reaction from Apple critics and loyalists alike. Many are stunned with Apple’s decision to nix various laptop essentials, like multiple USB ports and a removable battery. For comparison’s sake, few people complained (at least in such a damning tone) of the Asus Eee’s long list of shortcomings when it debuted last fall.

The Eee and Air are niche products, bound to filter out most prospective buyers with their unique mix of features and trade-offs; however, public reaction, even when just observing pre-launch hype, has been markedly different, as the Eee’s aggressive pricing brought it overwhelming approval, right from the start.

Priced more like a gadget than the surprisingly functional computer that it is, users have largely forgiven the Eee’s tiny screen and puny number crunching abilities. The Air, targeted towards a higher-end clientele, offers the pinnacle of notebook fashion and slimness, but at a cost that forbids all such forgiveness. Make no mistake - inadvertently or not - Apple has positioned the Air as a luxury item. Had it came with enough features to be considered a primary computer, this would not be the case.

Misguided market research and flawed product positioning has resulted in a notebook that will be hard for Apple to sell. Despite the company’s grand vision, I feel the Air will largely be shunned by students, road warriors and casual users. As such, the ultra-thin notebook, at least in its current form, will probably fail as a mainstream device. Also, I see it struggling to find a large enough niche market to justify its existence among Apple’s otherwise superb lineup of Macbook products.

I predict that the Macbook Air will attract few pre-orders, before receiving a small sales spike coinciding with its debut. I have no doubt that its striking visual presence will entice a few wealthy or adventurous shoppers. But to bring lasting success to the Air, Apple will need to hastily push out a refresh, or re-adjust its current pricing.

In the past, Apple has shown that they can release cutting-edge products and cool new gadgets while maintaining high profit margins. Assuming that this still is the case, the company likely has room to cut the Air’s price - perhaps down to $1399 - before its first scheduled refresh. Such a move would stimulate sales, and also curb the backlash currently building towards its latest notebook platform. Blogs, discussion forums and mainstream publications have all voiced concern over the Air’s lack of value and limited practicality.

At its best, the Macbook Air represents the future of Apple notebooks, and I expect the company to be characteristically proud and arrogant of their latest design marvel. Apple has put a lot of work into the Air and they are unlikely to show any weakness early on, even in the face of poor sales. However, if consumer enthusiasm does turns out to be as cold as what’s been (unofficially) surveyed online thus far, then I expect a response from Apple, sooner than later.

I believe that poor sales and hefty criticism will spur Apple to reposition the Air to a lower price point sometime in the next few months. This will allow Apple to market the Air as a viable alternative to the highly competent, but noticeably bulkier, 13.3-inch Macbook. Of course, Apple will still charge a premium for the Air, despite its simplistic nature and sheer lack of components, as R&D costs must be factored in. But by year’s end, the Macbook Air should fall in line, value wise, with the rest of Apple’s notebooks - pricey, but justifiable.