Apple's most portable model, the MacBook Air, just received a major update. The processor is 100-250% faster than the 2010 model, while prices remain the same.
There are four MacBook Air models, in two groups. The first group has an 11.6 inch, 1366x768 display and a 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5 processor. $1000 buys a model with 2 GB of memory, and a 64 GB solid state disk. Add $200 to upgrade to 4GB RAM and 128 GB disk. The onboard battery lasts about 5 hours. Weight is 2.4 lbs.
The second group upgrades to a 13.3 inch, 1440 x 900 screen, a 1.7 GHz i5 processor, and 4 GB RAM, price $1300. For $300 more, you can choose a 256 GB SSD. Models in this group get a larger battery, good for 7 hours of computing, and an SD card slot. Weight is 3 lbs.
The new MacBook Air comes with Apple's new MacOS X, called Lion. The new OS is supposed to add features found in Apple's iPhone and iPad, but I don't know details yet. All MacBook Air models feature an aluminum case, 2 USB ports, a FaceTime camera, and a new high speed port developed by Intel called Thunderbolt. We'll see monitors and external hard drives compatible with Thunderbolt soon.
The $1000 MacBook Air is now Apple's least expensive portable computer. The white plastic MacBook model has been discontinued.
Here is Apple's page describing the new models
http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html
There are four MacBook Air models, in two groups. The first group has an 11.6 inch, 1366x768 display and a 1.6 GHz Intel Core i5 processor. $1000 buys a model with 2 GB of memory, and a 64 GB solid state disk. Add $200 to upgrade to 4GB RAM and 128 GB disk. The onboard battery lasts about 5 hours. Weight is 2.4 lbs.
The second group upgrades to a 13.3 inch, 1440 x 900 screen, a 1.7 GHz i5 processor, and 4 GB RAM, price $1300. For $300 more, you can choose a 256 GB SSD. Models in this group get a larger battery, good for 7 hours of computing, and an SD card slot. Weight is 3 lbs.
The new MacBook Air comes with Apple's new MacOS X, called Lion. The new OS is supposed to add features found in Apple's iPhone and iPad, but I don't know details yet. All MacBook Air models feature an aluminum case, 2 USB ports, a FaceTime camera, and a new high speed port developed by Intel called Thunderbolt. We'll see monitors and external hard drives compatible with Thunderbolt soon.
The $1000 MacBook Air is now Apple's least expensive portable computer. The white plastic MacBook model has been discontinued.
Here is Apple's page describing the new models
http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html
