The annual Macworld event is under way and even though just one day has passed, it has been an eventful such. There will certainly be more news from Apple and Macworld, but the most interesting so far is without a doubt the launch of MacBook Air. Apple calls its the world’s thinnest notebook. The thickness of MacBook Air varies from 0.4cm up to 1.94cm, which is certainly impressive for a full-scale computer. Due to the 13.3″ display the full measurements are 1.94cm x 32.5cm x 22.7cm, which is far from the smallest laptop we’ve seen though, and it weighs a bit more than these too, but 1.36kg is still more than acceptable. In the process of making MacBook Air, Apple has been forced to make some interesting choices.
It has had to skip the optical drive, but you can always use an external drive or the Remote Drive software. On the other hand, you get a state-of-the-art TFT LED display, which is thinner than other displays thanks to the LED backlighting. Apple used the same 80GB 4200 RPM harddrive found in iPod Classic, which is certainly not fast, but you can always upgrade to a 64GB SSD.
MacBook Air uses a new multifunctional touch pad, which makes it possible to navigate more freely, quite similar to iPhone and iPod Touch.
The heart of MacBook Air is an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, but not just any Core 2 Duo. Apple is the first to use Intel’s Low-voltage model of Merom and even if the core is the same as the one found in other laptops, there are other physical differences. Intel has designed a Merom processor which takes up considerably less space. It’s unclear when other computer builders will get their hands on these puppies.
Apple MacBook Air is an interesting computer in many ways and those of you who wants to know more about the ultraportable computer can head over to Apple’s website. Prices start at $1 799 and shipping takes 2-3 weeks.
