MacBook Air

MacBook Air

infobox computer
Name = MacBook Air
Photo =
Caption = A MacBook Air on display after the 2008 Macworld Keynote
Developer = Apple Inc.
Type = Laptop or Notebook
Released = January 29, 2008
Processor = Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6 / 1.8 GHz
Baseprice = USD1,799, CAD1,899, EUR1,699, GBP1,199, JPY229,800, AUD2,499, NZD2,988, HKD14,900, INR 87,900, MXN 22,999, SGD 4,500, NOK 14,290
Website = [http://www.apple.com/macbookair Apple MacBook Air]
The MacBook Air is a thin, lightweight, Macintosh notebook computer designed by Apple. It features an optional solid-state hard drive. The Air has a 13.3-inch, widescreen LED backlight display, with 1280 x 800 screen resolution. The Air weighs convert|3.0|lb|kg|2|lk=on, and is convert|0.76|in|cm|2|lk=on at its thickest point and convert|0.16|in|cm|1 at its thinnest.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the MacBook Air at the Macworld Conference & Expo on January 15, 2008. Apple describes it as the "world's thinnest notebook".

Overview

.

Similarly to the PowerBook Duo series which preceded it, it lacks many features of the larger MacBooks, including a security slot [cite web|last = Frakes|first=Dan| title=MacBook Air's Tradeoffs|publisher=Macworld|date=2008-01-16|url= http://www.macworld.com/article/131624/2008/01/macbook_air_tradeoffs.html?t=204|accessdate = 2008-01-18] and an Ethernet port, [ [http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html MacBook Air specifications] , Apple Inc., retrieved Jan2008] (although a USB-to-Ethernet adapter may be purchased separately). [ [http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=MB442Z/A Apple USB Ethernet Adapter] , Apple Inc., retrieved Feb2008] The MacBook Air offers one USB port. Like the entry-level MacBook, the MacBook Air lacks Cardbus and ExpressCard slots, both standard features in older and newer laptops. [cite web|last= Mossberg|first=Walt|authorlink=Walt Mossberg|title=Apple's MacBook Air Is Beautiful and Thin, But Omits Features|publisher=Wall Street Journal|date=2008-01-24|url= http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120113632301711881.html?mod=rss_Gadgets|accessdate=2008-01-25] The device lacks a FireWire port, and as such OS X 10.5 Leopard does not require a FireWire port.

The Air is Apple's first laptop computer to be offered with an optional solid-state hard drive.cite web|last=Choney|first=Suzanne|title= Lighter laptops move to flash-based drives|publisher=Newsweek|date=2008-01-24|url= http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22805558|accessdate=2008-01-24] ArsTechnica found "moderate" performance improvements of the 64 GBIn this article, the conventional prefixes for computer storage denote base-10 values whereby “kilobyte” (KB) = 103 bytes , “megabyte” (MB) = 106 bytes and “gigabyte” (GB) = 109 bytes.] solid-state drive over the standard 80 GB hard drive in tests. The Air comes with 2 GBIn this article, the conventional prefixes for computer RAM denote base-2 values whereby “kilobyte” (KB) = 210 bytes , “megabyte” (MB) = 220 bytes and “gigabyte” (GB) = 230 bytes.] RAM memory as standard. [ [http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/macbook-air-ssd-review.ars What does $1,300 extra really get you?] , Jacqui Cheng ArsTechnica, 5 Feb 2008]

The CPU is an Intel Core 2 Duo chip, which was specially redesigned for the MacBook Air, reducing the physical chip packaging's size by 60 percent. [cite web| last=Cohen|first=Peter|title=Apple introduces MacBook Air|publisher=Macworld|date=2008-01-15|url=http://www.macworld.com/article/131583/2008/01/macbookair.html|accessdate=2008-01-21] While the processor is unique, it has been criticized for being under-powered and older-generation technology.cite web|last=Ackeman|first=Dan|title=Apple MacBook Air (1.6GHz)|publisher=ZDNet Australia|date=2008-01-29|accessdate = 2008-03-29|url = http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/hardware/laptops/soa/Apple-MacBook-Air-1-6GHz-/0,2000065761,339285172,00.htm ] [http://apcmag.com/7839/macbook_air_top_10_things_wrong_with_it MacBook Air: top 10 things wrong with it] ]

The laptop has the magnetic latch system of the MacBook and an aluminum casing like the MacBook Pro. The oversized trackpad offers iPhone-like Multi-Touch gestures, an improvement over previous MacBook trackpads. Among the gestures are pinching, swiping, and rotating. [ [http://www.apple.com/macbookair/features.html MacBook Air features] , Apple Inc., retrieved January 2008.]

The MacBook Air is pre-loaded with Mac OS X v10.5 and iLife '08.

Remote Disc

The MacBook Air can wirelessly access the optical drive of another Mac or Windows PC that has the Remote Disc program installed, allowing the installation of applications from a CD or DVD. [cite web|last= Yager|first=Tom|title=MacBook Air, a detailed preview|publisher=Infoworld|url = http://weblog.infoworld.com/enterprisemac/archives/2008/01/macbook_air_a_d.html|accessdate = 2008-01-18] [cite web|title = MacBook Air|publisher=Apple Inc.|url= http://www.apple.com/macbookair/wireless.html|accessdate = 2008-01-15] It can also reinstall the system software from the included installation DVD. [cite web|title = MacBook Air - Guided Tour|publisher=Apple Inc.|url= http://www.apple.com/macbookair/guidedtour/index.html?size=small|accessdate=2008-01-15] Remote Disc supports netbooting, so the MacBook Air can boot from its installation DVD in another computer's drive. [cite web|last=Gruber|first=John|authorlink=John Gruber |title=The MacBook Air|publisher=Daring Fireball|date=2008-01-15|url= http://daringfireball.net/2008/01/macbook_airaccessdate = 2008-01-15 ]

User-serviceability

Unlike the rest of the MacBook family, the MacBook Air has no directly user-replaceable parts. Its hard drive, memory, and battery are enclosed within the casing, with memory soldered directly to the motherboard. The MacBook Air's battery is not easily replaceable, enclosed in a manner similar to the iPod and related Apple product lines. [cite web|title = MacBook Air's Fatal Flaw: Battery, RAM, HD Sealed Like an iPod|publisher=Gizmodo|date=2008-01-15|url=http://gizmodo.com/345177/macbook-airs-fatal-flaw-battery-ram-hd-sealed-like-an-ipod| accessdate=2008-01-15] The hard drive is not soldered and can be replaced through a non-trivial disassembly procedure. [cite web|title=First Look at the MacBook Air|publisher=iFixIt|date=2008-02-01|url= http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/First-Look/Mac/MacBook-Air|accessdate=2008-02-01] Solid-state drives (SSDs) are commercially available. As part of the out-of-warranty service, Apple offers to replace the battery for a fee. [cite web|title= MacBook Air Out-of-Warranty Battery Replacement Program|publisher=Apple Inc.|url= http://www.apple.com/support/macbookair/service/battery/|accessdate=2008-01-15] It may be possible for the end user to replace the battery, though it is unclear whether this process would void the notebook's warranty. [cite web|title=Sources: MacBook Air battery replacements take only minutes|publisher= AppleInsider|date=2008-01-18|url= http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/01/18/sources_macbook_air_battery_replacements_take_only_minutes.html|accessdate=2008-01-19] Users looking to replace batteries through third-party vendors will need to wait until replacement batteries are made available for this model. [cite web|title=MacBook Air Battery Easy to Replace|publisher = Wired|date=2008-01-22|url=http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/01/macbook-air-bat.html | accessdate = 2008-01-23]

Environmental considerations

Apple incorporated several features in the design of the MacBook Air intended to make it more friendly to the environment.cite web| url=http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/01/15mbair.html?sr=hotnews|title=Apple Introduces MacBook Air—The World’s Thinnest Notebook|accessdate=2008-01-16] [ [http://www.apple.com/hotnews/agreenerapple/ A Greener Apple] , Steve Jobs, Apple.] In response, Greenpeace stated, "We can say that Apple is getting greener, but it's still not green enough." [cite web|title=Apple Unveils Green Ultrathin Laptop|date=2008-01-15| url=http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=apple-unveils-green-ultra|accessdate=2008-02-01]

For more information about Apple's environmental record, see Apple Inc.#Environmental Record.

Concerns about overheating and CPU-lockup

Several MacBook Air users [ [http://bleedingedge.com.au/blog/archives/2008/03/the_macbook_air_when_cool_beco.html The MacBook Air: when cool becomes [ouch!] Hot!] Bleeding Edge blog, 13 March 2008.] since the release of the first-generation product have complained of problems with severe overheating, causing CPU lockup. This effect appears to be exacerbated in warmer climates, such as northern Australia. A software update released by Apple in early March attempted to fix the problem but had mixed results. [ [http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/03/13/apples-macbook-hot-air-problem/ Apple’s MacBook (hot) Air problem] , Philip Elmer-DeWitt, CNN Fortune Apple 2.0 blog, 13 March 2008.] The problem seems to appear during system-intensive tasks such as video playback, video chatting, or playing games. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/apple-fans-burned-by-hot-airs/2008/03/13/1205126082565.html Apple fans burned by hot Airs] , Asher Moses, The Age, 13 March 2008.]

Turning the integrated fans to full speed by using third-party software or using USB-powered cool-pads does not cool down the notebook sufficiently to prevent core shutdowns; undervolting [http://paulstamatiou.com/2008/05/11/putting-an-end-to-macbook-air-core-shutdown Putting an End to MacBook Air Core Shutdown] , Paul Stamatiou, 11 May 2008.] the CPU, however, solves the MacBook Air's problems with overheating and CPU lockups in most cases.

In September 2008 Apple published a firmware update fixing the CPU-lockup issues.

Criticism

The MacBook Air has been criticized for its high price compared to other notebooks of similar or better specification, with Engadget suggesting that a premium is being paid for its form factor. [http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/25/macbook-air-review/ MacBook Air review] ] The MacBook Air has also been criticized for the difficulty in accessing the headphone and USB port. Because of tight clearance, some devices, including some headphone jacks and 3G USB cellular modems will not fit, requiring users to purchase either a powered USB hub or an extension cable in order to use their devices. [ [http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/24/adding-insult-to-injury-usb-3g-modems-wont-fit-in-the-macbo/ Adding insult to injury: USB 3G modems and even some thumb drive and mp3 players will not fit in the MacBook Air flip down USB port] ] [ [http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/macbook-air-review.ars/2 Thin is in: Ars Technica reviews the MacBook Air: Page 2] ]

A parody image on the Internet compares the lack of features of the Air to the Commodore SX-64, with the only advantage of the Air being a backlit keyboard. [http://regmedia.co.uk/2008/01/19/macbookcommodorecompare.jpg]

The MacBook Air lacks a FireWire port. It does not support Target Disk Mode of any kind, which would have enabled it to be used as an external hard drive for quick data transfers. [ [http://www.macworld.com/article/131604/2008/01/macbookair_reax.html Macworld | Editors' Notes | MacBook Air: Holding my breath ] ] Those who have used video mode in iChat will notice a lower screen resolution and lower-quality display of the other party's video image.

pecifications

Advertising

The MacBook Air launch was accompanied by a television commercial emphasizing its thin form factor. In the commercial a hand unthreads a manila envelope and slides out a MacBook Air, then opens it to wake it from sleep. The music playing is "New Soul" by Yael Naïm. [http://idolator.com/354270/hey-lets-write-a-song-called-steve-jobs-is-dreamy "Hey, Let's Write A Song Called "Steve Jobs Is Dreamy"] 100 And Single, Idolator. Accessed 12 February 2008] This advertisement has often been parodied and comically reproduced, often depicting much thicker models being pulled out of manila envelopes in the same fashion, sometimes with difficulty. One such parody, purportedly from market rival Lenovo, depicts a failed attempt to return a MacBook Air to its envelope with a variety of accessories, before removing that manufacturer's ThinkPad X300 notebook from a similar envelope. [ [http://fakesteve.blogspot.com/2008/04/not-funny-lenovo_29.html Not funny, Lenovo] , The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs, Daniel Lyons, 29 April 2008.] A few of these video parodies are featured on YouTube.

ee also

*Comparison of Macintosh models
*MacBook
*MacBook Pro
*MacBook family

References

External links

* [http://www.apple.com/macbookair/ Apple - MacBook Air]
* [http://developer.apple.com/documentation/HardwareDrivers/Conceptual/MacBookAir_0801/Articles/ProductDeveloperNote.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP90004866 MacBook Air Developer Note] Navbox with columns
name = Navbox with columns/doc
state = uncollapsed
title = Apple Model Navigation

colstyle = text-align:center;background:silver;
colwidth = 25%

col1header = Replaced
col2header = Current Model

col1 = PowerBook Duo
PowerBook 2400c
col2 = MacBook Air

col1footer = Preceding Family Model
col2footer = January 29, 2008


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