For a long time, Apple fans have been hoping for a slim and lightweight version of the MacBook to come along. Even the lightest MacBook was over 4.5 pounds (2kg).
And so, after a long wait, it’s finally here. The MacBook Air.
Debut at the MacWorld 2008 yesterday, the MacBook Air is currently the world’s thinnest (and may I add, the coolest) notebook in the market, measuring a mere 0.76-inch (1.94cm) in height and 3lbs (1.36kg) in weight.
The Goodies
It packs a punch as well, sporting a 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of memory, 80GB PATA hard disk drive, 13.3-inch glossy widescreen display, MacBook-style keyboard with backlighting, super-cool iPhone-like multi-touch trackpad, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1+, and an awesome 5-hours battery life on Wi-Fi.
The Baddies
Sounds amazing! But surely it has its cons right?
Sure enough, upon closer inspection you might ask, “Where did the optical drive go?” Apparently, Apple ditched the optical drive to make the thinness possible. Quite a pain if you are a frequent user of optical drives.
But as always, Apple offers alternatives. First is the new Remote Disc feature, which is a software that you install on another Mac or PC on your home network, and it automatically shares that computer’s optical drive with your MacBook Air. The second alternative is to purchase the optional external SuperDrive at US$99.
The Price
Good things come in slim packages. And slim packages come with heavy price tags. A MacBook Air with the above mentioned specifications is currently priced at US$1,799.
And there is a higher-end model which has a better 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and a 64GB solid-state drive instead of the regular disk drive. We’ll probably see less of this model on the streets, as it has a heavy price tag of US$3,098.
Pre-order
The MacBook Air is perhaps the best Apple notebook by far for the road warriors. Lightweight and long battery life, with decent specifications to boot, what more could you ask for? It is available for pre-order now from the Apple Store.
January 20th, 2008 at 5:18 am
I think it looks amazing and definitely another apple product that people are going to talk about. Great work
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 am
I think its a great looking piece of hardware. But i don’t know if I could sacrifice looks for not having a DVD-RW/CD-R drive
January 24th, 2008 at 1:14 am
I was floored when I first caught a glimpse of this new laptop the other day. However, I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz that this launch has been really ill received - mainly because the product is very expensive, and lacks power that most new laptops come standard with these days.
January 25th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Nice design, but horrible hardware. Standard spec: 1.6ghz Intel C2D, PATA HDD, and 144mb gfx card?
Is it even worth the cost to have a thin laptop?
January 29th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Thin is great but some companies are definitely sacrificing quality to make the newest and smallest. I would prefer a thicker laptop if it will not break easily and if it will come with the hardware that I love. This laptop looks great but buying gadgets just because they look good, is a great way to be severely disappointed when you turn them on.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Nice design. It isn’t that horrible! I believe that the hard disk isn’t a PATA. Whoever posted this article isn’t a good journalist. The macbook air comes with a “SOLID STATE DISK HARD DRIVE” It’s a new technology in storage devices and the price per byte is too high.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Hi Spark, perhaps you should read under “The Price”. The SSD version comes at a different price.
February 12th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Actually got to touch and play with the AIR at MacWorld… pretty amazing to say the least. I personally can live without the optical drive. Rock on Apple!
Russ
http://www.GadgetKing.com
February 14th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
i feel mac book lacks power that most new laptops come standard with these days.
March 9th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I just dunty understand all the fannnnfare.its great apple built a thin laptop but its without the power one usually requires plus its too expensive and one hs to buy additional add ons with it as is the case of every apple product.i rather have 700 dollar laptop running vista rather than buy a so cqalled amazing product from for which i have to pay a lot more than normal
March 13th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
I feel the MacBook Air is very expensive and overpriced for the hardware specifications. I mean sure it looks good, but looks aren’t everything. Sure it can go everywhere with you, but can it do everything you need it to do performance wise?
April 29th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
cool but why the price has to come up but anyways i have one and i love it…
April 29th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
i hate the new the computer
May 29th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Waste of time buying crap like this.