So I just finished reading up on this notebook and the comments from the Apple fanboys. It amazes me how the sheep keep being led without a clue.
First, get mesmerized by the pictures:
Now get underwhelmed by the specs and pricing:
Size and weight
Height:
0.4-1.94 cm (0.16-0.76 inch)
Width:
32.4 cm (12.74 inches)
Depth:
22.7 cm (8.9 inches)
Weight:
1.36 kg (3 pounds)
Processor and memory
Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 4MB on-chip shared L2 cache running at full processor speed.
800MHz frontside bus
2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM on board
Storage
80GB 4200-rpm Parallel ATA hard disk drive
Optional 64GB solid-state drive
Optional external USB MacBook Air SuperDrive
13.3-inch (diagonal) glossy widescreen TFT LED backlit display with support for millions of colours
Supported resolutions: 1280 by 800 (native), 1152 by 720, 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, 800 by 500, 720 by 480, and 640 by 480 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio
Graphics and video support
Pure digital video output
DVI output using micro-DVI to DVI adapter (included)
VGA output using micro-DVI to VGA adapter (included)
Composite output using micro-DVI to video (optional)
S-video output using micro-DVI to video (optional)
Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colours
Built-in iSight camera
Input
Built-in full-size keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted “T” arrangement), and embedded numeric keypad
Backlit keyboard with ambient light sensors for automatic adjustment of keyboard illumination and screen brightness
Solid-state trackpad with multi-touch gesture support for precise cursor control; supports two-finger scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities
PRICE: 1799 USD. If you want a Solid State Drive (SSD), add 1300 bucks.
Some Notes:
The micro-DVI out is single-link only, meaning it can drive a 24-inch monitor, not a 30-inch. There's no DisplayLink converter / adapter yet.
Remote Disk comes on the install DVD -- ironically, Apple expects you to carry around a DVD to install so you can access someone else's DVD drive. Righty-o.
It uses MagSafe, but the new connector is angled 90-degrees to stay out of the way. You can use a regular MacBook / Pro adapter, assuming you don't mind the side being propped up a little (or hanging off the edge of a table). You can also use the MBA's 45w adapter on other machines -- the plug should still fit, but the adapter may not have enough juice to charge AND power a running machine.
The MacBook Air superdrive needs special hardware in the MBA to work -- Apple wouldn't tell us if any other devices will be able to use the thing, but we imagine the ~500mA USB outputs won't be enough.
The 64GB SSD option is +$1000 -- but you probably already knew that if you hit Apple's site.
The speaker is mono only (not stereo), so your audio output will suffer a bit. The audio comes out of the keyboard holes in the right side, and it sounds a little funny.
The port array folds down, it's not a door over ports that don't move. It feels extremely sturdy.
Duh, the only audio input will have to be via USB or the built-in mic.
The machine comes packaged with micro-DVI to DVI and micro-DVI to VGA adapters, but you have to snag the S-Video and composite adapters separately.
Thoughts about this?
Apple's MacBook Air
Apple's MacBook Air -
01-16-2008, 01:55 AM
Linear Mode
