Super Slim Design
MacBook Air
After examining the new MacBook Air, you can really wonder how Apple got room for everything. With the super-slim design Apple managed to get the new Mac Air incredibly powerful.
The secret behind Apple’s design of the MacBook Air is that they are using flash drives instead of traditional hard drives. The new Mac Air computers use SSD (Solid State Drive) that takes up much less space in comparison. These flash drives are positioned directly on the motherboard, which means that they an incredibly small amount of space, as much as 90% less space than a standard laptop hard drive according to Apple.
The design also offers an upgraded version of the multi-touch feature. The new operating system that MacBook Air comes with (OS X Lion) has a new layout for the multi-touch features that make it even more useful than previous versions.
As a spice, the keyboard is lit. The keyboard is also original size, unlike most laptops. This means that you have exactly the same feeling when typing on a MacBook Air and typing on your desktop computer. When it comes to the backlight Mac Air contains a built in sensor which detects the lighting of the surrounding and adjusts the backlight accordingly. In other terms, you get a full-size keyboard that adjusts its brightness according to conditions in the room you are sitting in.
The design also offers an incredibly small FaceTime camera that is said to be smaller than the one in iPhone 4. Also, a battery which lasts longer than expected is included.
Mac Air with Thunderbolt
One of the big news with the MacBook Air is the new Thunderbolt socket that Apple has developed in collaboration with Intel. Thunderbolt technology is based on I / O communication which works in both directions simultaneously. So you can both send and receive traffic through the same cable. This was not possible with earlier counterparts as USB or Firewire.
Thunderbolt is also running at incredible speed. Thunderbolt is about 20 times faster than USB 2.0 and 12 times faster than Firewire which is Apple’s equivalent. The incredible Thunderbolt outlet has a limit of 10 gig / s, which is an almost unbelievable speed for a single cable to manage.
With Thunderbolt in your MacBook Air, you can also daisy-chain units in a manner not previously possible. For example you can buy two Thunderbolt screens and connect both of them with a single Thunderbolt cable directly to your MacBook Air.
MacBook Air with SSD
MacBook Air uses Flash memory as its only mass storage device. iPad and iPhone have been using this technique for a long time and demonstrated all of its benefits. A flash drive takes only 10% of the space as a regular hard drive does, which contributes to the ultra-thin design for Mac Air.
A flash drive is more reliable than a hard drive because it is “solid state”, it does not include any moving parts. This relatively new type of disk, takes no damage if it’s knocked, dropped or exposed to any other environments which in a laptop MacBook Air is exposed.
Since it doesn’t require a motor that rotates the hard drive, MacBook Air is completely silent when up and running. This puts an end to the buzzing of a working HDD. It also draws much less power so that battery life is much improved.
When the flash unit is in standby mode almost no power is used. This means that you virtually never have to shut down your MacBook Air to save battery. With the new SSD, you can fold down the top and open it up again after a month. Apple promises a standby time on a full 30 days.
Speed with Core i7
Apple and Intel do not only work together in the Thunderbolt technology, but also with the computer’s core processor. MacBook Air uses the later of the Intel architecture; the new generation of Intel Core i5 and i7. It’s not just the 1.8 GHz quad-core processor that makes your computer amazingly fast. It’s also the processor cache memory, which works more effectively than other versions. Apple says that the new MacBook Air is up to 2.5 times faster, in terms of processor speed, than the previous generation of MacBook Air.
Intel has also delivered the new HD 3000 graphics processor that takes care of all the encoding of video and media, which gives the CPU a rest. For users of the new MacBook Air, this means that all the video streaming, video playback and FaceTime will run much smoother with the new graphics processor from Intel.
MacBook Air and Thunderbolt Screen
MacBook Air is the first generation of Mac that has Thunderbolt outlet. This opens up a lot of new features. One particular use of the Thunderbolt socket is the Thunderbolt screen Apple will release at the same time as Mac Air.
Once you have connected a Thunderbolt screen to MacBook Air the screen works as a docking station. On the back of the display you will find three USB ports, a FireWire socket, an Ethernet port and a second Thunderbolt port. This means that when you get home, simply connect a single cable to your MacBook Air to get access to all the peripheral devices you may and may not have at home.
All units connected work without affecting each other thanks to Thunderbolt technology, which is developed for this. You can even daisy chain two Thunderbolt screens with each other to get twice the desktop of your MacBook Air.
Thunderbolt screen also got MagSafe which allows you to charge your MacBook Air through the screen without having to use an AC adapter. In other terms, the new Thunderbolt screen is ideal. Just connect your MacBook Air to turn your super-thin 11 or 13 inch notebook to a stationary home computer that can handle all your tasks.
New OS X Lion
New OS X Lion is tailored by the hardware since Apple develops both hardware and software for the MacBook Air. This provides an incredible fit that uses all power from the hardware while the software increases the ease of use.
Apple opens up new features in their trackpad with multi-touch function. By using one, two or even three fingers the MacBook Air will react in different ways. With this you can scroll a document, zap through images and explore websites in a smoother manner than was previously possible.
The center for a good Mac experience is the apps. Without apps Mac is nothing. Therefore, this is the focus on the new Lion and MacBook Air. On the Mac Air you can sort all apps on the desktop, like a big iPad. In the taskbar you will find your favorite programs like earlier versions. However,now you can sort the applications and documents into folders so you can easily access them directly from your desktop.
The new OS Lion also offers the user an incredible improvement of the Finder. You can locate documents and files on your MacBook Air without even having to know the file name. You only need to write some words that you know is included in the document and your MacBook Air will find the right file for you.
If you are unsure if it’s really the correct file a Spotlight feature is added that displays a preview of the document before opening it. By looking at the thumbnail you will see if it’s the right or not.
“Sharing is caring” as the expression well suited for Mac Air. You can now share files via AirDrop to other family members or Mac computers at work. All that’s required to do so is to lift and drop the right file on the right face.
A feature that automatically saves your work while you type is also included. As you work, MacBook Air will save a version of the document. If anything happens, you can go back and save a previous version. Anyway, you never have to worry about forgetting to save something with the new MacBook Air.
Surprisingly, Apple has begun to accept PC’s by integrating a highly enhanced compatibility with Microsoft and its products. On your MacBook Air, you can synchronize your calendar with a Windows PC. You can also overlay images and files, and open known file formats from for example the Office suite and MP3 files.
Features
Invisible speakers
Despite the small size, the MacBook Air has a great sound system. Almost invisible speakers deliver full stereo sound with good quality. Apple’s idea behind this was to give you a better experience using FaceTime, chat, or even watching TV through your PC.
FaceTime
Of course, Apple’s included FaceTime in the Mac Air. The incredibly small FaceTime camera and built-in microphone allows you to make FaceTime calls to anyone with iPad 2, iPhone 4, or the latest iPod Touch which has compatibility for this.
Battery life
Battery life is adapted to handle a full day’s work without being charged. This removes the need to take your charger to work with you, though it never hurt to be on the safe side. Apple promises 5-7 hours of battery life depending on use. As for standby mode or power saving mode the MacBook Air may be on hold for up to one full month before the battery runs out. Once you turn on your MacBook from standby mode, it works like nothing had happened, although a month has passed. But who can resist using his MacBook Air in a month?
Included Software
iPhoto
Apple has taken the photo software to a new level. You can use iPhoto on your MacBook Air to sort photos by places, faces and much. You can very easily share your photos with your friends and even directly onto the internet.
iMovie
With iMovie, you can do more than just boring home videos; you can make professional movies using a very simple interface. You can divide the different tracks and edit the film and soundtrack with easy to use interface that gives a professional feeling to your film when finished.
GarageBand
GarageBand is like a center for those who are interested in music. You can connect a USB keyboard or guitar and record and edit audio tracks. You can also choose from over 100 pre-loaded instruments, and mix up your own songs. If you are not musically gifted, there are simple lessons for you to take, right from your MacBook Air.
Mac App Store
Mac App Store is similar to the appstore for handheld devices. You can download apps to your Mac Air and use them in the same way as with iPhone and iPod. Thanks to the keyboard and the large screen on a MacBook Air, this gives new possibilities to the apps. Of course, doing your apps will manage their self and let you know when there’s a new update so you don’t need to think about anything more than having fun.
Safari
Safari is tailored for Mac, making it much more than well suited for your trackpad. You can go into full screen mode and use your fingertips to navigate your way around the Internet. A new feature is the Safari Reader, which in you can buy articles that you can read and save pages for reading later in a very simple menu.
iCal
With the help of iCal, you can keep track of all your meetings with ease. iCal is compatible with both Yahoo and Google calendar, which means that if you’re already using any of these it will automatically be synchronized with iCal. You can also add meetings and invite people from your contact list.
MacBook Air – all in one place
With MacBook Air the laptop changes from an additional neat computer to be the core of home computing. With a Thunderbolt screen, you can easily keep all your equipment together and connected with one contact.
When you are on the go, you know you have your digital world within your reach on a 2 cm thick computer. MacBook Air and Lion OS X is an unbeatable combination that makes the use of computers much easier.
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