MacBook Air
| Developer | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|
| Type | Laptop or Notebook |
| Release date | January 29, 2008 |
| Introductory price | USD$1,799 |
| CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo 1.6 or 1.8GHz |
| Website | Apple — MacBook Air |
The MacBook Air is a lightweight Macintosh notebook computer by Apple Inc. It was unveiled at the Macworld Conference & Expo on January 15 2008, and is claimed by Apple to be the "world's thinnest notebook"[1], at 0.76 inches (1.93 cm) thick at its largest point and 0.16 inches (0.41 cm) at its thinnest.
Overview
The Macbook Air is a portable computer aimed at the travel-driven consumer market. The device uses the magnetic latch system of the MacBook and an aluminum casing like the MacBook Pro. It is Apple's first notebook since the PowerBook 2400 without a built-in removable media drive and the first since the original iBook to lack a FireWire port. While the product's forward-looking concept is almost entirely web-based and wireless, backward-compatibility is available at a premium: users may purchase an external USB SuperDrive, or use bundled Remote Disc software to access the optical drive of another computer. For non-wireless networking, Apple also offers a USB-to-Gigabit Ethernet adapter as an optional accessory. The trackpad offers iPhone-like Multi-Touch gestures, an improvement over the MacBook and MacBook Pro trackpads. Internal storage options are a standard 80 GB 1.8-inch hard drive similar to those in the iPod classic or an upgraded 64 GB SSD drive for $999.
Thinnest Notebook
Apple claims the MacBook Air is the thinnest notebook on the market. CNET noted that the thinnest notebook ever was the 1998 Mitsubishi Pedion, which was 0.7087 inches (1.80 cm) thick.[2][3][4]
Remote Disc
The MacBook Air can wirelessly access the optical drive of another Mac or Windows PC that has the Remote Disc program installed. This makes it possible to install applications from a disc onto the MacBook Air despite it's lack of an optical drive.[5] It can even reinstall the system software from the included installation DVD.[6] Remote Disc supports netbooting, so the MacBook Air can boot from it's installation DVD in another computer's drive.[7]
User-serviceability
Unlike Apple's other notebooks, the MacBook Air has no user-replaceable parts. Its hard drive, memory and battery are sealed within the casing.[8] Apple will replace the battery for $129.[9]
Green credentials
According to Apple, MacBook Air is the company's most environmentally-friendly laptop, having an entirely aluminum case and a mercury- and arsenic-free glass display. The circuit boards designed by Apple are free of BFR and PVC. The packaging has 56% less volume than the regular MacBook.
Specifications
| Component | Early 2008 [10] |
|---|---|
| Display | 13.3" glossy LED backlit widescreen 6-bit display, 1280x800 pixel resolution |
| Graphics | Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144 MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory |
| Storage | 80 GB PATA hard drive 64 GB SSD optional |
| Processor | 1.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 800 MHz FSB 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo optional |
| Memory | 2GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM Soldered to the logicboard |
| Wireless Networking | Integrated AirPort Extreme supports 802.11a/b/g/draft n |
| Wired Ethernet | None An external USB-to-Ethernet adapter may be used for wired LAN connections. |
| Optical Media | None An external USB SuperDrive is an optional accessory. |
| Camera | Built in iSight |
| Battery | 37 W-Hr Lithium-polymer battery 5 hours estimated run-time Not user accessible. |
| Physical Dimensions | 22.7 cm D x 32.4 cm W x 0.4~1.94 cm H 8.9 in. D x 12.74 in. W x 0.16~0.76 in. H 1.36 kg (3.0 lbs.) |
| Bluetooth | 2.1+EDR built-in |
| Port connections | 1x USB 2.0 1x Micro-DVI video port (adapters are included for VGA or DVI monitors up to 1920x1200 pixels) 1x Audio Out (3.5 mm stereo jack) |
| Firewire | None |
| Audio | 1x microphone 1x mono loudspeaker External speakers must be plugged in for stereo. |
| Keyboard | Backlit full size keyboard with ambient light sensor |
| Trackpad | Supports multi-touch gestures |
| Timeline of portable Macintoshes |
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See also
External links
- MacBook Air Official site
References
- ^ http://www.apple.com/macbookair/
- ^ http://global.mitsubishielectric.com/news/news_releases/1997/mel0451_b.html
- ^ http://www.news.com/Mitsubishi-unveils-notebook/2100-1001_3-205190.html
- ^ http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9850943-7.html
- ^ http://www.apple.com/macbookair/wireless.html
- ^ http://www.apple.com/macbookair/guidedtour/index.html?size=small
- ^ http://daringfireball.net/2008/01/macbook_air
- ^ http://gizmodo.com/345177/macbook-airs-fatal-flaw-battery-ram-hd-sealed-like-an-ipod
- ^ http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/15/macbook-air-battery-replacements-129-free-install/
- ^ Apple's MacBook Air technical specifications page
