Laptops are getting supermodel-thin. They’re also getting supermodel-light. And Apple is not bucking the trend just to be different. To compete in that measurement category, Apple’s MacBook Air is here, touted as its thinnest and lightest model to date. But is it worth buying?
The New MacBook Air
MacBook Air is only the third model from the series and already, it is boasting some nice stuff. It weighs only 3 lbs., just as much as your starter dumbbell (that’s one dumbbell, not a pair). And if it doesn’t give you much of a workout, it will offer you a few reasons to like it. It’s thin, just ¾ of an inch thick and has a 13.3″ screen. It also sports more curved edges than angles and has a tapered shape that your aesthetic sensibilities will like.
The MacBook Air is so skinny that Intel had to custom-design its Core 2 Duo (1.6 and 1.8GHz) CPU just to fit the body. There’s also a 2GB DDR II SDRAM, Bluetooth and an iSight camera. It also features a roomy touchpad, which responds to multi-touch gestures. If you’re the type who likes to work with external monitors, the MacBook Air also connects through its video-out capability for secondary display.
There are some things you’ll miss, though. The MacBook Air doesn’t have an optical drive. That’s the price it has to pay for being zero body fat. It also lacks the usual slots for an SD card and an Express card, FireWire and doesn’t have an Ethernet jack on board.
Top Features:
- Sleek, thin design. MacBook Air is the thinnest notebook in the world.
- 13.3-inch widescreen LED backlit display. The LED screen provides a crisp picture while consuming minimal power.
- Multi-touch trackpad. Zoom, rotate, swipe, and scroll with just a flick or a pinch – like the iPhone or iPod touch.
- Full-size backlit keyboard. The keys automatically illuminate from behind in low-light conditions.
- Built-in iSight camera. Video chatting is incredibly easy wherever there’s a wireless network.
- Up to 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. Get dual-core performance and the latest in Intel integrated graphics.
- 2GB of RAM. Work seamlessly with large files and multiple open applications.
- Internal storage options include a 80GB 4200-rpm Parallel ATA hard disk drive or optional 64GB solid-state drive.
- External storage options incluse USB MacBook Air SuperDrive.
- Next-generation 802.11n Wi-Fi. Access the Internet, share files, connect to peripherals—all wirelessly.
- Remote Disc. Wirelessly use the optical drive of any Mac or PC in the vicinity.
- Ships with Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard and iLife ’08.
The final word: MacBook Air isn’t as ultra-portable as it’s marketed to be but it is quite small and thin. If you don’t mind carrying extras like external connectivity accessories, this is a fine laptop to have. Like all supermodels, you’ll have to pay a steep price for this one just to get a hold of one. The MacBook Air can set you back by about $1,800. For faster CPUs, expect to pay about $3,000.
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1:11 am on January 25th, 2008
[...] Read the rest of this great post here [...]
1:52 am on January 25th, 2008
[...] Manila Freelancer wrote an interesting post today on The MacBook Air: Is It Worth Buying?Here’s a quick excerpt Laptops are getting supermodel-thin. They’re also getting supermodel-light. And Apple is not bucking the trend just to be different. To compete in that measurement category, Apple’s MacBook Air is here, touted as its thinnest and lightest model to date. But is it worth buying? The New MacBook Air MacBook Air is only the third model from the series and already, it is boasting some nice stuff. It weighs only 3 lbs., just as much as your starter dumbbell (that’s one dumbbell, not a pair). And if [...]
6:04 am on January 25th, 2008
Definately, not worth buying, for me at least. I’m perfectly ok with having an uglier and heavier laptop if it saves me money. Aesthetics aren’t worth much to me in a laptop.
6:22 am on January 25th, 2008
When I first saw the Macbook air on the newspaper I was amazed. I mean its even thinner than my keyboard! I have to save money and get one (the $1,800 one)
9:16 am on January 25th, 2008
@ Niel – good luck hope you get your macbook air soon
@ Mario – yup if you have one working.. buying another one is not really nescessary
1:50 pm on January 25th, 2008
macbook air certainly looks promising, but as u mentioned dat it has some shortcomings, so that might be a deterrent. morever, as it is thin it might be fragile as well. although it is one of its kind innovation i think its future is quite bright.
5:42 pm on January 25th, 2008
Not worth buying for me.What can I do?
5:44 pm on January 25th, 2008
This is amazing.I am dreaming to have one.
5:46 pm on January 25th, 2008
I dont know anyone who bought it.I just wanna touch this thing.
6:38 pm on January 25th, 2008
No, I won’t buy it. It’s too thin that I afraid it might easily lost :mrgreen:
6:30 am on January 26th, 2008
I have to say, I’m a huge fan of Apple but the price tag on these just turns me off. I can get a similar but not as nice compact laptop for much cheaper if I go the Windows route…
10:06 am on January 26th, 2008
If you’re rich and you want to be popular among your peers then it’s worth buying. Hehe kidding aside, if you’re after practicality and functionality, then the MacBook Air is definitely not worth buying. :)
6:42 pm on January 26th, 2008
blog investor has a point; don’t buy if you only want to make your friend impress. If we keep that reason aside, than what reason are left? :roll:
10:38 am on January 27th, 2008
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3:38 pm on January 27th, 2008
i think to purchase or not to purchase depends entirely on the user’s taste
i love this thin laptop and i would love to get one! :D
11:47 am on January 29th, 2008
[...] why not give the new MacBook Air from Apple? It’s also small and thin (at just 3lbs., 076″ thick), has a built-in camera, 2GB of [...]
4:26 pm on January 29th, 2008
Thanks for this wealth of information re the new Apple laptop. I am a dentist (orthodontics) in Dublin CA and have been thinking about expanding the computer system in my office – this information is quite useful.
8:25 am on February 17th, 2008
I’m nearly there to have saved enough money to buy myself one :)
6:19 pm on May 30th, 2008
i’m pretty sure it couldn’t be any thinner :O
4:53 pm on June 3rd, 2008
For my own use at home, I’d take Macbook Pro or iMac, but to show off in the campus, Macbook Air is the best pick for me!
12:17 pm on February 21st, 2009
Took a 15 min break from work and came across your blog, I like your pespective on things! I can’t say agree with everything, but it is fun to read :)
11:59 am on April 13th, 2010
it is worth if you re familiar with macbook before. first time I touch it is pretty hard for me to learn, take a while. then, you will know how fantastic it is
4:16 am on June 18th, 2010
Macbook Air is great, I love it. However, with the new iPad coming, I wonder if it wouldn’t be better to just get a Macbook Pro for working at home and an iPad for showing off and for staying in touch with online friends while traveling.