Macbook Air: a delightfully fresh approach to small
MacBook Air was introduced by Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, himself at the MacWorld Conference and Expo in January of 2008. Touted as “the world’s thinnest notebook” it weighs only three pounds (less than one-and-a-half kilograms) and is less than an inch (25mm) thick at the thickest part tapering to less than a quarter of an inch at its thinnest. While it could be described as a thinner version in ways other than physical dimensions, it’s still innovative and Buy the Right Mac feels the Macbook Air packs a decent punch for its diminished size.
The first thing most people notice about the Macbook Air is its design. A popular commercial for the MacBook Air shows the laptop being taken out of a manila envelope to a trendy song and opened up. The dimensions at the hinge are 0.76 inches (19mm) and a mere 0.16 inches (4mm) at the leading edge. The case is the Mac silver color with black keyboard keys borrowed right out of a Macbook black case. The screensize is also identical to the MacBook allowing for the keyboard to be fullsize and the screen to have plenty of room to view applications. The screen is LED backlit to allow immediate full brightness, as well as automatic dimming based on ambient light via a sensor next to the built in iSight camera. The keyboards are also LED backlit to allow for better usage in dim conditions.
One of the most noticeable differences between Macbook Air and its bigger siblings is its lack of an optical drive. While it has replaced this with the ability to use the optical drive of any nearby PC or Mac. Remote Disc works by installing software on both computers and sharing any data file or software files. Mac has even updated the boot software to allow for a boot via Remote Disc should you ever need to reinstall the OS. Remote Disc however cannot be used as a remote DVD player or CD ripping interface. They do offer the option of buying a SuperDrive to regain this functionality.
The Intel processor was custom created to be 60% smaller physically to fit into the smaller space. However the lack of space does not effect the speed overly for the average user. The battery is not user replaceable, similar to the ipod which allows for better use of limited space inside. The one hatch door holds a headphone jack, a USB 2.0 port and a micro-DVI port. There is also a choice between a normal hard drive or, for added durability, a solid state drive. There is no Firewire port for the first time, instead the Remote Disc will help you migrate your files from your old Mac to your new Macbook Air.
The Macbook Air has a mercury and arsenic free LCD substrate, the case is all aluminum, and PVC free internal cables which have allowed it to move toward becoming “greener” a marketing pitch which will not be lost on the many Mac fans. It is definitely a step in the right direction for the new generation of Mac fans who know only of iPod and iPhones and don’t recall such things as the Apple II E computer. A Macbook Pro may still be the choice of the hardworking graphic designer but legions of college students and frequent commuters will be toting the Macbook Air about to save themselves from bigger, heavier models.
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