MacBook Air: Difference between revisions
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The '''MacBook Air''' is a [[Macintosh]] [[notebook computer]] by [[Apple Inc.]] It is part of the [[MacBook family]] and the company's first to feature a [[multi-touch]] [[trackpad]] and an optional [[Solid-state drive|solid-state hard drive]]. Apple [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] [[Steve Jobs]] revealed the MacBook Air at the [[Macworld Conference & Expo]] on [[January 15]], [[2008]]. Apple describes it as the "world's thinnest notebook"<ref name="MacBook Air">{{cite web | title = MacBook Air | publisher = [[Apple Inc.]] | url = http://www.apple.com/macbookair/ | accessdate = 2008-01-15 }}</ref> at {{convert|0.76|in|cm|2|lk=on}} thick at its thickest point and {{convert|0.16|in|cm|1}} at its thinnest. Weighing {{convert|3.0|lb|kg|2}}, it is also Apple's lightest laptop. |
The '''MacBook Air''' is a [[Macintosh]] [[notebook computer]] by [[Apple Inc.]] It is part of the [[MacBook family]] and the company's first to feature a [[multi-touch]] [[trackpad]] and an optional [[Solid-state drive|solid-state hard drive]]. Apple [[Chief executive officer|CEO]] [[Steve Jobs]] revealed the MacBook Air at the [[Macworld Conference & Expo]] on [[January 15]], [[2008]]. Apple describes it as the "world's thinnest notebook"<ref name="MacBook Air">{{cite web | title = MacBook Air | publisher = [[Apple Inc.]] | url = http://www.apple.com/macbookair/ | accessdate = 2008-01-15 }}</ref> at {{convert|0.76|in|cm|2|lk=on}} thick at its thickest point and {{convert|0.16|in|cm|1}} at its thinnest. Weighing {{convert|3.0|lb|kg|2}}, it is also Apple's lightest laptop. |
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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[[Image:SteveJobsMacbookAir.JPG|thumb|upright|left|Steve Jobs with a MacBook Air at the Keynote Address during Macworld 2008.]]To reduce the computer's size and weight, Apple engineers omitted certain features long standard on their laptops. It is Apple's first notebook since the [[PowerBook 2400c]] without a built-in [[removable media]] drive.<ref>http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook/stats/mac_powerbook2400c_180.html</ref> Users may purchase an external [[USB]] [[SuperDrive]], or use bundled [[Remote Disc]] software to access the optical drive of another computer.<ref>http://www.apple.com/macbookair/wireless.html</ref> It lacks a [[Kensington Security Slot|security slot]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref> and an [[Ethernet]] port,<ref>http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html</ref> although a USB-to-Ethernet adapter may be purchased separately.<ref>http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=MB442Z/A</ref> Some have complained about the omission of these features.<ref name="mossberg"/> |
[[Image:SteveJobsMacbookAir.JPG|thumb|upright|left|Steve Jobs with a MacBook Air at the Keynote Address during Macworld 2008.]]To reduce the computer's size and weight, Apple engineers omitted certain features long standard on their laptops. It is Apple's first notebook since the [[PowerBook 2400c]] without a built-in [[removable media]] drive.<ref>http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook/stats/mac_powerbook2400c_180.html</ref> Users may purchase an external [[USB]] [[SuperDrive]], or use bundled [[Remote Disc]] software to access the optical drive of another computer.<ref>http://www.apple.com/macbookair/wireless.html</ref> It lacks a [[Kensington Security Slot|security slot]]<ref>{{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 }}</ref> and an [[Ethernet]] port,<ref>http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html</ref> although a USB-to-Ethernet adapter may be purchased separately.<ref>http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=MB442Z/A</ref> Some have complained about the omission of these features.<ref name="mossberg"/> |
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===Dimensions=== |
===Dimensions=== |
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An Apple press release calls the MacBook Air "the world’s thinnest notebook" and says it "measures an unprecedented 0.16 inches at its thinnest point, while its maximum height of 0.76 inches is less than the thinnest point on competing notebooks"<ref name="appleintro"/> — such as [[Sony]]'s [[TZ]] series, Jobs said in his presentation.<ref name="ars">http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080115-apple-macworld-keynote-announcements.html</ref> |
An Apple press release calls the MacBook Air "the world’s thinnest notebook" and says it "measures an unprecedented 0.16 inches at its thinnest point, while its maximum height of 0.76 inches is less than the thinnest point on competing notebooks"<ref name="appleintro"/> — such as [[Sony]]'s [[TZ]] series, Jobs said in his presentation.<ref name="ars">http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080115-apple-macworld-keynote-announcements.html</ref> |
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MacBook Air can fit in a manilla envelope. |
MacBook Air can fit in a manilla envelope. |
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Laptops thinner than the MacBook Air's maximum height have been manufactured in the past, including the [[Mitsubishi]]/[[Hewlett-Packard]] [[Pedion]] (a maximum of 0.72 inches thick)<ref>[http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9850943-7.html CNet: MacBook Air: Not the thinnest notebook ever]</ref> in 1997 and the [[Toshiba]] Portégé 2000 (a maximum of 0.75 inches thick)<ref>[http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/portege_2000.pdf Official Portege 2000 Data Sheet]</ref> in 2002. |
Laptops thinner than the MacBook Air's maximum height have been manufactured in the past, including the [[Mitsubishi]]/[[Hewlett-Packard]] [[Pedion]] (a maximum of 0.72 inches thick)<ref>[http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9850943-7.html CNet: MacBook Air: Not the thinnest notebook ever]</ref> in 1997 and the [[Toshiba]] Portégé 2000 (a maximum of 0.75 inches thick)<ref>[http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/detailed_specs/portege_2000.pdf Official Portege 2000 Data Sheet]</ref> in 2002. |
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[[Image:Applesuperdrive.png|thumb|right|The optional MacBook Air SuperDrive]] |
[[Image:Applesuperdrive.png|thumb|right|The optional MacBook Air SuperDrive]] |
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===User-serviceability=== |
===User-serviceability=== |
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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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> |
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.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> |
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The hard drive is not soldered and can be replaced through a non-trivial disassembly procedure.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Relatively expensive [[solid-state drive]]s (SSDs) are commercially available, although [[Hard drive platter|single-platter laptop hard drives]] are not generally available to consumers.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} |
The hard drive is not soldered and can be replaced through a non-trivial disassembly procedure.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Relatively expensive [[solid-state drive]]s (SSDs) are commercially available, although [[Hard drive platter|single-platter laptop hard drives]] are not generally available to consumers.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} |
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As part of out-of-warranty service, Apple offers to replace the battery for a fee.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> It may be possible for the end user to replace the battery, though it's unclear whether this process would void the notebook's warranty.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Users looking to replace batteries through third-party vendors will need to wait until replacement batteries are made available for this model.<ref>{{cite web | title = MacBook Air Battery Easy to Replace | publisher = [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | date = [[2008-01-22]] | url = http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/01/macbook-air-bat.html | accessdate = 2008-01-23 }}</ref> |
As part of out-of-warranty service, Apple offers to replace the battery for a fee.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> It may be possible for the end user to replace the battery, though it's unclear whether this process would void the notebook's warranty.<ref>{{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 }}</ref> Users looking to replace batteries through third-party vendors will need to wait until replacement batteries are made available for this model.<ref>{{cite web | title = MacBook Air Battery Easy to Replace | publisher = [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] | date = [[2008-01-22]] | url = http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/01/macbook-air-bat.html | accessdate = 2008-01-23 }}</ref> |
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==Specifications== |
==Specifications== |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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! Component |
! Component |
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! Early 2008<ref name="specs">{{cite web | title = MacBook Air - Technical Specifications | publisher = [[Apple Inc.]] | url = http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html | accessdate = 2008-01-15 }}</ref> |
! Early 2008<ref name="specs">{{cite web | title = MacBook Air - Technical Specifications | publisher = [[Apple Inc.]] | url = http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html | accessdate = 2008-01-15 }}</ref> |
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|1.6 [[GHz]] [[Intel Core 2 Duo]] Merom,<ref>{{cite web | last = Lal Shimpi | first = Anand |authorlink=Anand Lal Shimpi| title = Apple's MacBook Air: Uncovering Intel's Custom CPU for Apple | publisher = [[AnandTech]] | date = [[2008-01-15]] | url = http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3201 | accessdate = 2008-01-15 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Anand Lal Shimpi |title=The MacBook Air CPU Mystery: More Details Revealed |date=[[2008-01-17]] |work=Anandtech.com |url=http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3203 |accessdate=2008-01-19}}</ref> with 800 [[MHz]] [[Front side bus|FSB]]<br />''1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo optional'' |
|1.6 [[GHz]] [[Intel Core 2 Duo]] Merom,<ref>{{cite web | last = Lal Shimpi | first = Anand |authorlink=Anand Lal Shimpi| title = Apple's MacBook Air: Uncovering Intel's Custom CPU for Apple | publisher = [[AnandTech]] | date = [[2008-01-15]] | url = http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3201 | accessdate = 2008-01-15 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Anand Lal Shimpi |title=The MacBook Air CPU Mystery: More Details Revealed |date=[[2008-01-17]] |work=Anandtech.com |url=http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3203 |accessdate=2008-01-19}}</ref> with 800 [[MHz]] [[Front side bus|FSB]]<br />''1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo optional'' |
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|[[RAM|Memory]] |
|[[RAM|Memory]] |
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|2 GB PC2-5300 [[DDR2]] [[SDRAM]] [[solder]]ed to the [[logicboard]] |
|2 GB PC2-5300 [[DDR2]] [[SDRAM]] [[solder]]ed to the [[logicboard]] |
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Revision as of 22:32, 3 February 2008
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Developer | Apple Inc. |
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Type | Laptop or Notebook |
Release date | January 31, 2008 |
Introductory price | US$1,799, CA$1,899, EU€1,699, GB£1,199, JP¥229,800, AU$2,499, NZ$2,988 |
CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6 or 1.8 GHz |
Website | apple.com/macbookair |
The MacBook Air is a Macintosh notebook computer by Apple Inc. It is part of the MacBook family and the company's first to feature a multi-touch trackpad and an optional solid-state hard drive. Apple CEO Steve Jobs revealed the MacBook Air at the Macworld Conference & Expo on January 15, 2008. Apple describes it as the "world's thinnest notebook"[1] at 0.76 inches (1.93 cm) thick at its thickest point and 0.16 inches (0.4 cm) at its thinnest. Weighing 3.0 pounds (1.36 kg), it is also Apple's lightest laptop.
Overview
To reduce the computer's size and weight, Apple engineers omitted certain features long standard on their laptops. It is Apple's first notebook since the PowerBook 2400c without a built-in removable media drive.[2] Users may purchase an external USB SuperDrive, or use bundled Remote Disc software to access the optical drive of another computer.[3] It lacks a security slot[4] and an Ethernet port,[5] although a USB-to-Ethernet adapter may be purchased separately.[6] Some have complained about the omission of these features.[7]
The MacBook Air is Apple's first laptop computer to be offered with an optional solid-state hard drive.[8]
The CPU is an Intel Core 2 Duo chip first appearing in the MacBook Air that was redesigned to reduce its physical size by 60 percent.[9]
The laptop has the magnetic latch system of the MacBook and an aluminum casing like the MacBook Pro. The trackpad offers iPhone-like Multi-Touch gestures, an improvement over previous MacBook trackpads. Among the gestures are pinching, swiping, and rotating.[10]
Dimensions
An Apple press release calls the MacBook Air "the world’s thinnest notebook" and says it "measures an unprecedented 0.16 inches at its thinnest point, while its maximum height of 0.76 inches is less than the thinnest point on competing notebooks"[11] — such as Sony's TZ series, Jobs said in his presentation.[12] MacBook Air can fit in a manilla envelope. Laptops thinner than the MacBook Air's maximum height have been manufactured in the past, including the Mitsubishi/Hewlett-Packard Pedion (a maximum of 0.72 inches thick)[13] in 1997 and the Toshiba Portégé 2000 (a maximum of 0.75 inches thick)[14] in 2002.
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.[15][16] It can also reinstall the system software from the included installation DVD.[17] Remote Disc supports netbooting, so the MacBook Air can boot from its installation DVD in another computer's drive.[18] But Walt Mossberg notes that users cannot use the Remote Disc feature, invented as a replacement for an optical drive, to install Windows, watch DVDs, or play or import music.[7]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Applesuperdrive.png/220px-Applesuperdrive.png)
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.[19] The hard drive is not soldered and can be replaced through a non-trivial disassembly procedure.[20] Relatively expensive solid-state drives (SSDs) are commercially available, although single-platter laptop hard drives are not generally available to consumers.[citation needed] As part of out-of-warranty service, Apple offers to replace the battery for a fee.[21] It may be possible for the end user to replace the battery, though it's unclear whether this process would void the notebook's warranty.[22] Users looking to replace batteries through third-party vendors will need to wait until replacement batteries are made available for this model.[23]
Environmental impact
The MacBook Air has an all-aluminum case, a mercury- and arsenic-free LCD glass substrate, PVC-free internal cables, and circuit boards free of brominated flame retardants.[11][24] Greenpeace, which had previously criticized Apple for its ecological practices, stated that the "greener" MacBook Air is a step towards what it considers necessary improvements.[25]
Specifications
Component | Early 2008[26] |
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Display | 13.3-inch glossy LED-backlit TFT LCD widescreen display, 1280×800 pixel resolution |
Graphics | Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory |
Storage | 80 GB ATA hard disk drive 64 GB SSD optional |
Processor | 1.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Merom,[27][28] with 800 MHz FSB 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo optional |
Memory | 2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM soldered to the logicboard |
Wireless networking | Integrated AirPort Extreme supports 802.11a/b/g/draft n |
Wired Ethernet | none, Optional USB Ethernet Adapter |
Optical storage | none, Optional External USB SuperDrive |
Camera | Built-in iSight, 640×480 pixel resolution |
Battery | 37 W-Hr Lithium-ion polymer battery 5 hours |
Physical dimensions | 22.7 cm D × 32.4 cm W × 0.4~1.94 cm H 8.9 in. D × 12.74 in. W × 0.16~0.76 in. H 1.36 kg (3.0 lbs.) |
Bluetooth | Built-in (2.1+Enhanced Data Rate) |
Port connections | 1× USB 2.0 1× Micro-DVI video port (adapters are included for VGA or DVI monitors up to 1920×1200 pixels) 1× Audio out (3.5 mm stereo jack) |
Audio | 1× microphone 1× mono loudspeaker External speakers must be plugged in for stereo. |
Keyboard | Backlit full-size keyboard with ambient light sensor |
Trackpad | Supports multi-touch gestures |
Other information
In the 'Manilla' advertisement for this product the backing audio track is the song "New Soul" by Yael Naim.
Timeline of portable Macintoshes |
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See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
References
- ^ "MacBook Air". Apple Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- ^ http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/powerbook/stats/mac_powerbook2400c_180.html
- ^ http://www.apple.com/macbookair/wireless.html
- ^ Frakes, Dan (2008-01-16). "MacBook Air's Tradeoffs". Macworld. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ http://www.apple.com/macbookair/specs.html
- ^ http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nplm=MB442Z/A
- ^ a b Mossberg, Walt (2008-01-24). "Apple's MacBook Air Is Beautiful and Thin, But Omits Features". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
- ^ Choney, Suzanne (2008-01-24). "Lighter laptops move to flash-based drives". Newsweek. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ Cohen, Peter (2008-01-15). "Apple introduces MacBook Air". Macworld. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ http://www.apple.com/macbookair/features.html
- ^ a b "Apple Introduces MacBook Air—The World's Thinnest Notebook". Retrieved 2008-01-16.
- ^ http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080115-apple-macworld-keynote-announcements.html
- ^ CNet: MacBook Air: Not the thinnest notebook ever
- ^ Official Portege 2000 Data Sheet
- ^ Yager, Tom. "MacBook Air, a detailed preview". Infoworld. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
- ^ "MacBook Air". Apple Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- ^ "MacBook Air - Guided Tour". Apple Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- ^ Gruber, John (2008-01-15). "The MacBook Air". Daring Fireball. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "MacBook Air's Fatal Flaw: Battery, RAM, HD Sealed Like an iPod". Gizmodo. 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "First Look at the MacBook Air". iFixIt. 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "MacBook Air Out-of-Warranty Battery Replacement Program". Apple Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- ^ "Sources: MacBook Air battery replacements take only minutes". AppleInsider. 2008-01-18. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ "MacBook Air Battery Easy to Replace". Wired. 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ A Greener Apple, Steve Jobs, Apple.
- ^ "Apple Unveils Green Ultrathin Laptop". 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-02-01.
- ^ "MacBook Air - Technical Specifications". Apple Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
- ^ Lal Shimpi, Anand (2008-01-15). "Apple's MacBook Air: Uncovering Intel's Custom CPU for Apple". AnandTech. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ Anand Lal Shimpi (2008-01-17). "The MacBook Air CPU Mystery: More Details Revealed". Anandtech.com. Retrieved 2008-01-19.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help)