MacBook Air
Original Macbook Air |
|
| Manufacturer | Apple[1] |
|---|---|
| Type | Laptop/Notebook/Ultrabook |
| Release date | July 20, 2011 (current model) January 29, 2008 (original release) |
| Retail availability | January 30, 2008 |
| Operating system | Mac OS X Lion |
| Power | 45 W MagSafe Power Adapter, AC wall plug and power lead |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 Core i7 |
| Storage capacity | 64-256 GB SSD |
| Memory | 2 GB – 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 RAM |
| Connectivity | 802.11n (a/b/g/n compatible) Wi-Fi Broadcom BCM4322 300 Mbit/s Gigabit Ethernet Bluetooth 4.0 2 USB 2.0 ports SD card slot (13" base model) 1 Thunderbolt port |
| Online services | iCloud |
| Dimensions | "11 inch" ("27.94 cm"): 11.8 × 7.56 × 0.68 in (30 × 19.2 × 1.7 cm) "13 inch" ("33.02 cm"): 12.8 × 8.94 × 0.68 in (32.5 × 22.7 × 1.7 cm) |
| Weight | "11 inch" ("27.94 cm"): 2.38 pounds (1.08 kg) "13 inch" ("33.02 cm"): 2.96 pounds (1.35 kg) |
| Website | www.apple.com/macbookair |
The MacBook Air family is a line of ultraportable Macintosh notebook computers created by Apple Inc..
The first-generation MacBook Air was a 13.3"-only model, previously promoted as the World's Thinnest Notebook, introduced at the Macworld Conference & Expo on January 15, 2008.[2] It featured a custom[3] Intel Merom CPU and Intel GMA graphics. In late 2008, the CPU was updated to a faster, non-custom Penryn CPU and integrated Nvidia GeForce graphics while the hard drive capacity was increased and the micro-DVI video port was replaced by the Mini DisplayPort.[4] A mid-2009 refresh, introduced alongside the MacBook Pro family, featured a slightly higher-capacity battery, and a faster Penryn CPU.[5]
On October 20, 2010, Apple released a redesigned 13.3" model, with improved enclosure, screen resolution, battery, and flash storage instead of a hard drive. In addition, a new 11.6" model was introduced, offering reduced cost, weight, battery life, and performance relative to the 13.3" model, but better performance than typical netbooks of the time.[6][7][8]
On July 20, 2011, Apple released an updated model in the same form factor as the prior model. The new model was powered by new dual-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, had a backlit keyboard, Thunderbolt instead of Mini DisplayPort and Bluetooth was upgraded to v4.0. Maximum flash storage and memory options were almost identical.[9]
Contents |
[edit] Specifications
| Discontinued | Current |
| Table of models | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Early 2008[10] | Late 2008[4] | Mid 2009[11] | Late 2010[12] | Mid 2011[13] | |
| Model identifier | MacBookAir1,1 | MacBookAir2,1 | MacBookAir3,1 (11"), MacBookAir3,2 (13") | MacBookAir4,1 (11"), MacBookAir4,2 (13") | ||
| Part number (Order number) | MB003LL/A | MB543LL/A, MB940LL/A | MC233LL/A, MC234LL/A | MC504LL/A, MC505LL/A, MC506LL/A, MC503LL/A | MC968LL/A, MC969LL/A, MC965LL/A, MC966LL/A | |
| Display (glossy) |
N/A | 11.6", Supported up to 1366 × 768 (16:9) | ||||
| 13.3", Supported up to 1280 × 800 (16:10) | 13.3", Supported up to 1440 × 900 (16:10) | |||||
| Graphics (Shared with system memory) |
Intel GMA X3100 using 144 MB of DDR2 SDRAM with Micro-DVI output | Nvidia GeForce 9400M using 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with Mini DisplayPort output | Nvidia GeForce 320M using 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with Mini DisplayPort output | Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor using 256 MB (11" base model) or 384 MB (all other models) of DDR3 SDRAM | ||
| Front side bus/DMI | 800 MHz | 1066 MHz | 800 MHz (11"), 1066 MHz (13") | 1333 MHz | ||
| Processor | 1.6 GHz (P7500) or 1.8 GHz (P7700) Intel Core 2 Duo with 4 MB on-chip L2 cache | 1.6 GHz (SL9300) or 1.86 GHz (SL9400) Intel Core 2 Duo with 6 MB on-chip L2 cache | 1.86 GHz (SL9400) or 2.13 GHz (SL9600) Intel Core 2 Duo with 6 MB on-chip L2 cache | (11") 1.4 GHz (SU9400) Intel Core 2 Duo with 3 MB on-chip L2 cache Optional 1.6 GHz (SU9600) Intel Core 2 Duo with 3 MB on-chip L2 cache (13")1.86 GHz (SL9400) Intel Core 2 Duo with 6 MB on-chip L2 cache Optional 2.13 GHz (SL9600) Intel Core 2 Duo with 6 MB on-chip L2 cache |
(11") 1.6 GHz (i5-2467M) dual-core Intel Core i5 with 3 MB shared L3 cache (13") 1.7 GHz (i5-2557M) dual-core Intel Core i5 with 3 MB shared L3 cache (Higher-End 11" & 13") Optional 1.8 GHz (i7-2677M) dual-core Intel Core i7 with 4 MB shared L3 cache |
|
| Memory |
2 GB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM | 2 GB[note 1] of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM | 2 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM Optional 4 GB |
2 GB (11" base model; Optional 4 GB) or 4 GB of 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (all other models) | ||
| Secondary storage | 80 GB 4200-rpm 1.8-inch PATA HDD or 64 GB SSD | 120 GB 4200-rpm 1.8-inch SATA HDD or 128 GB SSD | 64 (MC505LL/A) or 128 GB (MC506LL/A) (11"), 128 or 256 GB (13") of SSD | 64 GB (11") SSD 128 GB (11") SSD Optional 256 GB upgrade 128 or 256 GB (13") SSD |
||
| Optical storage | None -optional External USB SuperDrive (4× DVD+/-R DL writes, 8× DVD+/-R read/write, 8× DVD+RW writes, 6× DVD-RW writes, 24× CD-R writes, and 16× CD-RW recording, 8× DVD read, 24× CD read) | |||||
| Keyboard | Gray characters, backlit | Silver characters, non-backlit | Gray characters, backlit | |||
| Connectivity |
Integrated 802.11 a/b/g and draft-n Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Built-in infrared (IR) receiver for Apple Remote Optional Apple USB Ethernet Adapter (Year 2008) |
Integrated 802.11 a/b/g/n (AirPort) Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Optional Apple USB Ethernet Adapter |
Integrated 802.11 a/b/g/n (AirPort) (Broadcom BCM4322 300 Mbit/s) Bluetooth 4.0 Optional Apple USB Ethernet Adapter |
|||
| Battery (non-removable lithium-ion polymer) |
N/A | 35-watt-hour(11") | ||||
| 37-watt-hour(13") | 40-watt-hour(13") | 50-watt-hour(13") | ||||
| Unit weight | N/A | 2.3 lb (1.04 kg) (11") 2.9 lb (1.32 kg) (13") |
2.38 lb (1.08 kg) (11") 2.96 lb (1.34 kg) (13") |
|||
| 3.0 lb (1.36 kg) | ||||||
| Dimensions | N/A | 11.8 in (300 mm) wide × 7.56 in (192 mm) deep × 0.11 in (3 mm) to 0.68 in (17 mm) high (11") | ||||
| 12.8 in (325 mm) wide × 8.94 in (227 mm) deep × 0.16 in (4 mm) to 0.76 in (19 mm) high (13") | 12.8 in (325 mm) wide × 8.94 in (227 mm) deep × 0.11 in (3 mm) to 0.68 in (17 mm) high (13") | |||||
| Peripheral connections | 1× USB 2.0 1× 3.5 mm headphone jack Micro-DVI video port |
1x USB 2.0 1× 3.5 mm headphone jack Mini DisplayPort video port |
2× USB 2.0 1× 3.5 mm headphone jack Mini DisplayPort for digital display interface 1× SD card slot (13" only) |
2× USB 2.0 1× 3.5 mm headphone jack 1x Thunderbolt port 1× SD card slot (13" only) |
||
Timeline of the MacBook family

[edit] Design
The MacBook Air is designed for thinness; it is also lighter than most competing models.[14] The computer features a glossy LED backlit display and a full-size keyboard, as well as a large trackpad that responds to iPad-related Multi-Touch gestures such as pinching, swiping, and rotating.[15] With the release of Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the Air's multi-touch trackpad also supports handwriting recognition of Chinese characters.[16]
On the 11-inch MacBook Air, the left side of the computer has a MagSafe power connector, a USB port, a headphone jack, and a microphone.[15] The right side of the computer has a USB port and a Mini DisplayPort, now replaced by a Thunderbolt port in the 2011 version. On top of the screen bezel there is an iSight, which is now dubbed the FaceTime camera.
The MacBook Air was the first subcompact laptop offered by Apple since the full-featured 12" PowerBook G4 was discontinued in 2006. It was also Apple's first computer with an optional solid-state storage drive.[17] ArsTechnica found "moderate" performance improvements of the 64 GB[note 2] solid-state drive of the first generation Air over the standard 80 GB hard drive in tests. On October 14, 2008, new models were announced with improved capacities of 128 GB (solid-state) and 120 GB (hard drive). For the late 2010 MacBook Air, only flash storage is available, in 64 or 128 GB capacities on the 11" model, and 128 or 256 GB on the 13".
The CPU in the first-generation MacBook Air was a custom engineered Intel Core 2 Duo Merom that was 40 percent of the size of the standard chip package.[18] For models of late-2008,The CPU was replaced with a low-voltage Core 2 Duo Penryn chip with 6 MB of cache, running on a 1066 MHz bus.[19]
The MacBook Air has no user-replaceable parts. The flash memory and battery are enclosed within the casing, with RAM soldered onto the logic board. The flash memory, engineered to be difficult to access, has a 128MB cache[20] and a mSATA connection to the logic board.[21] The battery can be replaced using normal screwdrivers, though it is unclear whether this process would void the computer's warranty.[22][23] As part of the out-of-warranty service, Apple offers to replace the battery for a fee.[24]
Apple incorporated several features in the design of the MacBook Air, such as the reduction of toxic chemicals like lead, to make it more environmentally friendly. The MacBook Air contains no BFRs and PVC wiring, meets Energy Star Version 5.0 requirements, has a recyclable enclosure, and is rated EPEAT Gold; its display is made from arsenic-free glass and does not contain mercury.[25][26] To reduce the computer's size and weight, several features were sacrificed. It was Apple's first notebook since the PowerBook 2400c without a built-in removable media drive.[27] It also omits a FireWire port, Ethernet port, line-in, media card slots (except the 13" 2010 and 2011 model, which has an SD card slot), and a Kensington Security Slot.[28]
To regain the features of an optical drive, users can either purchase a external USB SuperDrive or the bundled Remote Disc software, only for disk browsing or software installation, to wirelessly access the optical drive of another computer<[29] that has the Remote Disc program installed.[30][31] It can also be used to reinstall the system software from the included installation DVD. Remote Disc supports NetBooting, so the MacBook Air can boot from its installation DVD in another computer's drive, which requires Remote Install Mac OS X to be running on the remote computer. The software does not allow playback or information of DVDs or CDs, nor installing Microsoft Windows.[29] For these features, an external USB drive is required.[29]
The 2010 revision includes two speakers for stereo sound while earlier versions have one speaker located under the keyboard.
[edit] Launch and reception
CEO of Apple Steve Jobs introduced the first MacBook Air during a speech at the 2008 Keynote.[32] The MacBook Air was greeted with mixed reception when it was introduced. The portability of the MacBook Air was praised in reviews, however, the compromise in features was criticized.[33][34][35] The full-sized keyboard, weight, thinness, and Multi-Touch trackpad were appreciated in reviews, while the limited configuration options and ports, slow speed (in non-SSD models), non-user replaceable battery, small hard drive, and price were criticized.[33][34]
Many commentators consider the 11-inch MacBook Air to have the essential attributes of a netbook, despite not being marketed as such, and its comparatively high price.[36][37][38][39][40]
Forrester Research analyst Frank Gillett attributes Apple's increased success in the enterprise market to the 2010 MacBook Air and the iPad.[41]
[edit] "Thinnest" disputes
At the launch of the first MacBook Air in January 2008, Apple claimed it to be the thinnest laptop in the world. However, the by-then discontinued Mitsubishi Pedion, released in 1998, was thinner than the Macbook Air at its widest point, being a rectangular 0.72 inches (18 mm).[42][43] The first MacBook Air was thicker at its thickest point (0.64 inches (16 mm)),[citation needed] but it tapered down to 0.11 inches (3 mm),[citation needed] leading to some controversy over the thinnest laptop claim.
The likewise discontinued Sharp Actius MM10 Muramasas was also described in some sources as thinner than the Macbook Air, being 0.54 inches (14 mm) thick at its minimum.[44] It, like the MacBook Air, was a tapered design, with a maximum height of 0.78 inches (20 mm), in fact slightly thicker than the MacBook Air.[45]
Since the release of the first MacBook Air, a number of ultrathin laptops have been released, including the Dell Adamo,[46] launched in March 2009, and a constant 0.65 inches (17 mm) thick, and the even thinner Adamo XPS, launched September 2009, only 0.39 inches (10 mm) thick. Also, the Sony VAIO X-series, launched in October 2009, is 0.55 inches (14 mm) thick throughout the entire body. As well, HP's VoodooPC ENVY 133 series which was released in June 2008 is 0.70 throughout. Apple has subsequently dropped the 'world's thinnest laptop' claim from their marketing.
[edit] Early issues
The flip-down hatch on the side of the original MacBook Air is a tight fit for some headphone plugs and USB devices, requiring users to purchase an extension cable. Apple removed the flip-down hatch on the late 2010 model in favor of open connection ports as on most other laptops.[47][48] Since the release of the first-generation product, some MacBook Air users have complained of overheating that caused CPU lockup. Apple released a software update in early March 2008 to fix the problem with mixed results: the deactivation of 1 CPU core appears to have been corrected; however, the runaway kernel problem remains for at least some users.[49] The problem is aggravated by system-intensive tasks such as video playback or video chatting.[50] Due to a more mature manufacturing process, the CPUs in the second-generation MacBook Air perform better under load as the first-generation chips ran hotter, requiring throttling the processor to avoid overheating, further degrading performance.[51]
[edit] Notes
- ^ In 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.
- ^ In 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.
[edit] References
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- ^ "Apple Introduces MacBook Air—The World's Thinnest Notebook". Apple. 15 January 2008. http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/01/15mbair.html. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
- ^ The MacBook Air CPU Mystery: More Details Revealed
- ^ a b Technical specifications of MB543LL/A from Apple's knowledge base and from EveryMac.com. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
- ^ Evans, Bill. "Apple Updates MacBook Pro Family with New Models & Innovative Built-in Battery for Up to 40% Longer Battery Life". Apple Inc.. http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/06/08mbp.html. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
- ^ Apple's new 11.6-in. MacBook Air: Don't call it a netbook
- ^ "Apple Special Event". Apple Inc.. http://www.apple.com/apple-events/october-2010/.
- ^ "Apple Reinvents Notebooks With New MacBook Air" (Press release). Apple Inc.. http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/10/20mba.html.
- ^ Apple Unveils New MacBook Air, Lion Operating System
- ^ Technical specifications of MB003LL/A from Apple's knowledge base and from EveryMac.com. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
- ^ Technical specifications of MC233LL/A from Apple's knowledge base and from EveryMac.com. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
- ^ Technical specifications of MC503LL/A from Apple's knowledge base and from EveryMac.com. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
- ^ Technical specifications of MC965LL/A from Apple's knowledge base and from EveryMac.com. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
- ^ "Apple - MacBook Air - Remarkably thin, yet full size". Apple Inc.. http://www.apple.com/macbookair/design.html#unibody. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
- ^ a b "MacBook Air features". Apple Inc.. http://www.apple.com/macbookair/features.html. Retrieved 2010-11-26.
- ^ Ogg, Erica (June 16, 2009). "Snow Leopard features hint at Apple tablet". CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10265214-37.html. Retrieved July 28, 2011.
- ^ Choney, Suzanne (2008-01-24). "Lighter laptops move to flash-based drives". Newsweek. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22805558. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ^ Cohen, Peter (2008-01-15). "Apple introduces MacBook Air". Macworld. http://www.macworld.com/article/131583/2008/01/macbookair.html. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
- ^ "Intel comments on chips in new MacBook". CNET. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10065878-64.html. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- ^ http://www.techspot.com/review/347-kingston-ssdnow-vplus-180/page2.html
- ^ Morgenstern, David (2010-10-22). "MacBook Air storage: Not a DIMM". ZDNet. http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/macbook-air-storage-not-a-dimm/8504.
- ^ "Sources: MacBook Air battery replacements take only minutes". AppleInsider. 2008-01-18. http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/01/18/sources_macbook_air_battery_replacements_take_only_minutes.html. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
- ^ "First Look at MacBook Air". iFixit. 2008-02-01. http://www.iFixit.com/Guide/First-Look/Mac/MacBook-Air. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
- ^ "MacBook Air Out-of-Warranty Battery Replacement Program". Apple Inc.. http://www.apple.com/support/macbookair/service/battery/. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- ^ "Apple Introduces MacBook Air—The World's Thinnest Notebook". http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/01/15mbair.html?sr=hotnews. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
- ^ Jobs, Steve. "A Greener Apple". Apple Inc.. http://www.apple.com/hotnews/agreenerapple/. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
- ^ "Apple Macintosh 2400c/180 specs". http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook/stats/mac_powerbook2400c_180.html. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
- ^ "MacBook Air's tradeoffs". Macworld. http://www.macworld.com/article/131624/2008/01/macbook_air_tradeoffs.html. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ a b c Mossberg, Walter S. (2008-01-24). "Apple's MacBook Air Is Beautiful and Thin, But Omits Features". The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120113632301711881.html. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ^ Yager, Tom. "MacBook Air, a detailed preview". Infoworld. Archived from the original on 2008-06-17. http://web.archive.org/web/20080617005333/http://weblog.infoworld.com/enterprisemac/archives/2008/01/macbook_air_a_d.html. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- ^ "MacBook Air". Apple Inc.. http://www.apple.com/macbookair/wireless.html. Retrieved 2008-01-15.[dead link]
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmoDqPyofok
- ^ a b Snell, Jason. "Apple MacBook Air/1.6 GHz". http://www.macworld.com/reviews/product/31260/review/macbook_air16 gHz.html. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ a b Block, Ryan. "MacBook Air review". Engadget. http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/25/macbook-air-review/. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ Ackerman, Dan. "MacBook Air review". CNET Reviews. http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/apple-macbook-air-64gb/4505-3121_7-32818791.html. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ MacBook Air - my new favourite netbook - Financial Times
- ^ MacBook Air a great Windows Netbook, for a price - CNET.com
- ^ Apple's new MacBook Air: A netbook by any other name - ComputerWorld
- ^ Apple's Netbook? The 11.6" MacBook Air debuts - Computer Weekly
- ^ Apple unveils a netbook: An 11-inch MacBook Air - Wired
- ^ Keizer, Gregg (January 26, 2012). "Apple breaks Microsoft's 'lock' on enterprise workers, argues analyst". Computerworld. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9223750/Apple_breaks_Microsoft_s_lock_on_enterprise_workers_argues_analyst.
- ^ Kanellos, Michael. "Mitsubishi unveils notebook – CNET News". News.cnet.com. http://news.cnet.com/Mitsubishi-unveils-notebook/2100-1001_3-205190.html. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
- ^ "Mitsubishi Pedion Thinner Than MacBook Air | Gadget Lab". Wired.com. 2008-01-16. http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/01/mitsubishi-pedi/. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
- ^ Kanellos, Michael (2008-01-16). "Update: Thinnest notebook crown belongs to Sharp". CNET News.com. http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9852240-7.html?tag=head. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- ^ "Official Data Sheet". Sharp Corporation. 2008-01-18. http://ec1.images-amazon.com/media/i3d/01/A/man-migrate/MANUAL000043313.pdf. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
- ^ Ackerman, Dan (2009-03-16). "Hands-on with the Dell Adamo | Crave – CNET". Crave (CNET). http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10197495-1.html. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
- ^ "Adding insult to injury: USB 3G modems and even some thumb drive and mp3 players will not fit in MacBook Air flip down USB port". Engadget. http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/24/adding-insult-to-injury-usb-3g-modems-wont-fit-in-the-macbo/. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- ^ Cheng, Jacqui (2008-02-03). "Thin is in: Ars Technica reviews MacBook Air". Ars Technica. http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/macbook-air-review.ars/2. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- ^ Elmer-DeWitt, Philip (13 March 2008). "Apple's MacBook (hot) Air problem". CNN Fortune. http://apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/03/13/apples-macbook-hot-air-problem/. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
- ^ Asher, Moses (2008-03-13). "Apple fans burned by hot Airs". Melbourne: The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/apple-fans-burned-by-hot-airs/2008/03/13/1205126082565.html. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
- ^ Apple's 2010 MacBook Air (11 & 13 inch) Thoroughly Reviewed
[edit] External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: MacBook Air |
| Wikinews has related news: Apple unveils new MacBook Air laptops, iLife '11 software suite |
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