The 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer from Apple is a portable laptop computer with a thin and lightweight design. Apple's engineers have leveraged the lessons they learned in designing the miniaturized iPad and applied them to the design of this 3-pound computer.
To say that the Air is svelte is all at once stating the obvious and understating the truth. The system is defined by its unibody aluminum enclosure. At its thickest point the computer is only 0.68" -- it tapers down to 0.11" at its thinnest.
The system is loaded with 128GB of flash storage rather than an old-fashioned hard drive. Flash storage doesn't just give you a lighter, thinner computer. It also allows for impressive battery life -- up to 5.5 hours of web browsing and 30 days of standby time.
The MacBook Air is housed in an aluminum unibody enclosure, which is as strong as it is light. Because it is cut from a solid block of aluminum, the housing is stronger than those found on laptops built via traditional means.
At 11.6" in size, the 16:9 display features a native resolution of 1366 x 768. It features a glossy finish and LED backlight technology for enhanced image quality and energy efficiency.
Computers in the MacBook Air's weight class are most often classified in the "netbook" category. Netbooks typically feature less-than-full-size keyboards, cramped trackpads, and low-powered CPUs. Not so with the MacBook Air. This computer features a standard-size backlit chiclet keyboard, the same as on the larger computers in the MacBook line. It also has a large multi-touch glass trackpad, giving you full control over your computer -- without sacrificing ergonomics.
The computer is powered by a dual-core 1.7GHz Intel Core i5 processor and has 4GB of RAM. Graphics are provided by integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000. The computer features all the amenities you expect on a Mac -- a FaceTime webcam, dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and built-in stereo speakers.
iLife '11, a complete suite of digital creativity applications, is installed on the system. Easy enough for anyone to use, iLife will help you edit your home movies, organize digital photos, and compose original music.
The 64-bit OS features Time Machine backup, which automatically backs up system data to an external hard drive. It also features natural scrolling, the Launchpad application launcher and support for full screen applications. Mission Control combines the functionality of Dashboard, Exposé, and Spaces -- giving you a bird's eye view of everything that is happening on your computer.
The Auto Save feature on the MacBook Air ensures that you won't lose data, even when you forget to save a file. The OS tracks different versions of your documents, so you can go back to a previous draft of a document with ease. AirDrop makes it easy to transmit files wirelessly between computers, even if there is no central Wi-Fi network available. The revamped Mail application takes full advantage of modern widescreen displays.
And of course, you can expand the functionality of your computer system by browsing through the multitude of productivity applications, games, and other software that is available for purchase from the Mac App Store. Because the software in the store is curated by Apple, you can be sure that it is free of malware and safe to use. And, like the iOS App Store, you'll automatically be notified when updated versions of your favorite programs are available for download.
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Processor | 1.7GHz Intel Core i5 Dual-Core |
| Cache | L3: 3MB |
| System Bus | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Memory |
Slots: Onboard Type: 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM Installed: 4GB |
| Graphics Card |
Type: Integrated Installed: Intel HD Graphics 4000 |
| Display | |
|---|---|
| Type | Widescreen |
| Size | 11.6" |
| Backlight | LED |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Finish | Glossy |
| Native Resolution | 1366 x 768 |
| Supported Resolutions |
1366 x 768 at 16:9 Aspect Ratio 1344 x 756 at 16:9 Aspect Ratio 1280 x 720 at 16:9 Aspect Ratio 1024 x 576 at 16:9 Aspect Ratio 1152 x 720 at 16:10 Aspect Ratio 1024 x 640 at 16:10 Aspect Ratio 800 x 500 at 16:10 Aspect Ratio 1024 x 768 at 4:3 Aspect Ratio 800 x 600 at 4:3 Aspect Ratio 640 x 480 at 4:3 Aspect Ratio 720 x 480 at 3:2 Aspect Ratio |
| External Resolution | Up to 2560 x 1600 |
| Dual Display | Yes |
| Video Mirroring | Yes |
| Storage | |
|---|---|
| Hard Drive | Installed: 128GB |
| Optical Drive | None |
| Input/Output Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Ports |
1x Thunderbolt 2x USB 3.0 (A) |
| Display | 1x Mini DisplayPort |
| Audio |
Integrated Stereo Speakers Integrated Omnidirectional Microphone 1x 1/8" (3.5mm) Headphone Output |
| Flash Media Slot | None |
| Communications | |
|---|---|
| Network | None |
| Modem | None |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Mobile Broadband | None |
| GPS | None |
| Webcam | Yes |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion |
| Security | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Keyboard |
Keys: 78 Type: Full-Size Features: Backlight, Chiclet Style |
| Pointing Device | TouchPad with Double-Tap, Drag, Four-Finger Swipe, Inertial Scrolling, Pinch, Rotate, Tap, Two-Finger Scrolling |
| Battery | Built-In Lithium-Polymer Providing up to 5.5 Hours per Charge (35Wh) |
| Power Requirements | AC: 100-240 V AC, 50/60Hz |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 11.8 x 0.68 x 7.56" / 29.97 x 1.73 x 19.20 cm |
| Weight | 2.38 lb / 1.08 kg |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 13 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-13
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
MacAir is not as fast as I thought it would be.....well in comparison to my MBP. Also, VLC app doesn't work well in here. I found the Launchpad is redundant to the Dock. Then when I look for the dashboard I have to click the Launchpad before I could click on the dashboard. This is ridiculous! The App folder in MBP has things you don't find on the dock. But in Launchpad is the dock + the App. What a clutter!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
Bought this for my wife for her birthday to replace an old notebook PC. Now that I did that, I want one! Very speedy and I think that is the case because of the solid state storage Display is very crisp. Did I say it was fast? It is. Very sturdy build. Love the LED backlit keys. Slight learning curve transitioning from Windows, but my wife made the switch just fine. If it had built in GPS and LTE I think I would trade in my iPad. Only downside, and it is minor, is battery life seems to be a little short. Suits my wife fine, however.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I use this computer in board meetings and size is excellent in that it allows me to have eye contact with the other board members well the same time having access to documents when necessary.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I love this little computer. My 3rd machine in a last 6 years. enjoy it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
The SSD is so fast. Very light and smooth! Highly recommended!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
It is light and easy to use. The keyboard is very comfortable and precise in its execution. In normal use the printing is a little small for aging eyes.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I bought this as a replacement for my aging 15" MacBook Pro. This machine is sooooo light I'm finding that it everywhere! As well as the usual web surfing, music, email, YouTube stuff I do web development and lightweight Photoshop work (one or two images, not too many layers). The combination of flash storage and better processor blows my old machine away. Plus since its so much smaller and lighter I'm actually more likely to carry it.
The single annoying thing is the difficulty of choosing which model. The Air is basically impossible to upgrade unless you configure it when you buy it. I decided that instead of trading in every 6 years (that's how long I keep my Macs) - I'll spend less now, and trade in every 3-4 years.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
Take anywhere laptop.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I use it for general personal stuff. It's super fast, great image and sound. A little complicated to get the hang of all the shortcuts and details when you're used to a regular pc, but worth the trouble.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I really enjoy using this machine. For the most part, learning about different features and capabilities is intuitive (like everything Mac). This is ok, but I'm sure there are many features I don't know about because learning about this machine comes from experience, not research. I still have not figured out how to use i Cloud. I've tried to create reminders in iCal, but nothing pops up to remind me. Also, I'm avoiding the switch to Mountain Lion, even though it is included free with my purchase, as I've been reading feedback by user groups which talk about issues, like slow performance and response time.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I already have a considerable stable of Macs, but this one was purchased specifically as a portable recording studio. My band uses an Alesis Multimix 16 USB 2.0 audio mixer that transmits 18 audio channels (all of its input channels and the stereo master mix) via USB to a computer. For several years I have used a pre-unibody Macbook Pro as the host computer recording into GarageBand with variable results. Often it would work perfectly, but other times -- especially if I enabled more than 8 tracks -- I would get "Disk Too Slow" errors partway through a recording. Using an external firewire drive helped performance somewhat, but errors still showed up with higher track counts.
The new MacBook Air is a whole different story. Because of the amazing speed of the internal Solid State Drive (SSD) I no longer get those errors. I even loaded in Logic Pro (a much larger program with more processor overhead than GarageBand), and it will happily record 12 or more channels without a hiccup. The recording (data writing) speed of the SSD is so fast that it should easily record all 18, but I haven't tested that yet. Judging by the Mac's Activity Monitor, there is plenty of available processor power and disc-writing speed for more channels than I could throw at it with the Alesis mixer.
Start-up and shut-down are startlingly quick. Launching Logic is almost immediate. It all feels faster than my brand-new 27" iMac with a 3.4 GHz Core i7 because of the internal SSD.
I bought the 11-inch model for it's compact size, and for this dedicated use I am glad I did. The screen would be a bit too small for regular computer use, but that's not an issue in my case.
Battery life for casual use is good, but while recording 10 channels of audio into Logic Pro I will only get just over two hours before needing to plug in to AC power. Because I need power for the nearby mixer, I have no problem also running the Mac off the AC adapter.
Playing back our recordings in the Macbook Air is also impressive. I can throw all sorts of plug-ins and effects into the mix without any trouble. The combination of the super-fast SSD and the i5 processor allows this thing to process an incredible amount of audio.
The back-lit keyboard is great in low-light situations (like on a dimly lit stage).
If you were hesitant to get a Macbook Air for music applications, don't worry about it's capabilities unless you are trying to run huge software instrument libraries. The 128GB SSD (that I purchased) could fill up pretty quickly with tons of samples, and streaming multiple instruments while trying to record could be pushing the SSD to its limits. It's not a Mac Pro with several HDs working in concert. It is, however, a remarkably capable ultra-portable host for your live recordings. I am thoroughly pleased with mine.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I bought this computer for my wife. She is at home with the kids and does basic computing tasks (word processing, web browsing) as well as minor photo editing using iPhoto. I didn't know if she would like the smaller screen, but she loved it. It's incredibly light and has a small footprint, so she regularly takes it around the house and sets it up to watch Netflix on it. Because of the flash storage, it's quick to "go to sleep" when she closes the lid, and quick to "wake up" when she opens it. With Mountain Lion installed, it also will automatically backup all her documents and photos to our Time Capsule while it's "napping"–a new feature called "power nap". It's nice to know that I don't have to worry about whether or not she's taking the time to back it up herself.Other things that we both like:- The screen has very little glare.- Battery life is excellent. She carries it all over the house and basically plugs it in at night. (Not that it lasts all day, since she's only using it periodically...)- Sturdy build, due to the aluminum construction. Doesn't feel like it's going to crack in half, despite small size!In short, this is the computer my wife has wanted me to buy her for years. Finally, it was available–and in my price range! I highly recommend it!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
Great product. First Mac. New Intel 4000 is a major upgrade over the 3000
Displaying reviews 1-13
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
Cons
Best Uses
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 13 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-13
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
MacAir is not as fast as I thought it would be.....well in comparison to my MBP. Also, VLC app doesn't work well in here. I found the Launchpad is redundant to the Dock. Then when I look for the dashboard I have to click the Launchpad before I could click on the dashboard. This is ridiculous! The App folder in MBP has things you don't find on the dock. But in Launchpad is the dock + the App. What a clutter!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
Bought this for my wife for her birthday to replace an old notebook PC. Now that I did that, I want one! Very speedy and I think that is the case because of the solid state storage Display is very crisp. Did I say it was fast? It is. Very sturdy build. Love the LED backlit keys. Slight learning curve transitioning from Windows, but my wife made the switch just fine. If it had built in GPS and LTE I think I would trade in my iPad. Only downside, and it is minor, is battery life seems to be a little short. Suits my wife fine, however.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I use this computer in board meetings and size is excellent in that it allows me to have eye contact with the other board members well the same time having access to documents when necessary.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I love this little computer. My 3rd machine in a last 6 years. enjoy it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
The SSD is so fast. Very light and smooth! Highly recommended!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
It is light and easy to use. The keyboard is very comfortable and precise in its execution. In normal use the printing is a little small for aging eyes.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I bought this as a replacement for my aging 15" MacBook Pro. This machine is sooooo light I'm finding that it everywhere! As well as the usual web surfing, music, email, YouTube stuff I do web development and lightweight Photoshop work (one or two images, not too many layers). The combination of flash storage and better processor blows my old machine away. Plus since its so much smaller and lighter I'm actually more likely to carry it.
The single annoying thing is the difficulty of choosing which model. The Air is basically impossible to upgrade unless you configure it when you buy it. I decided that instead of trading in every 6 years (that's how long I keep my Macs) - I'll spend less now, and trade in every 3-4 years.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
Take anywhere laptop.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I use it for general personal stuff. It's super fast, great image and sound. A little complicated to get the hang of all the shortcuts and details when you're used to a regular pc, but worth the trouble.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I really enjoy using this machine. For the most part, learning about different features and capabilities is intuitive (like everything Mac). This is ok, but I'm sure there are many features I don't know about because learning about this machine comes from experience, not research. I still have not figured out how to use i Cloud. I've tried to create reminders in iCal, but nothing pops up to remind me. Also, I'm avoiding the switch to Mountain Lion, even though it is included free with my purchase, as I've been reading feedback by user groups which talk about issues, like slow performance and response time.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I already have a considerable stable of Macs, but this one was purchased specifically as a portable recording studio. My band uses an Alesis Multimix 16 USB 2.0 audio mixer that transmits 18 audio channels (all of its input channels and the stereo master mix) via USB to a computer. For several years I have used a pre-unibody Macbook Pro as the host computer recording into GarageBand with variable results. Often it would work perfectly, but other times -- especially if I enabled more than 8 tracks -- I would get "Disk Too Slow" errors partway through a recording. Using an external firewire drive helped performance somewhat, but errors still showed up with higher track counts.
The new MacBook Air is a whole different story. Because of the amazing speed of the internal Solid State Drive (SSD) I no longer get those errors. I even loaded in Logic Pro (a much larger program with more processor overhead than GarageBand), and it will happily record 12 or more channels without a hiccup. The recording (data writing) speed of the SSD is so fast that it should easily record all 18, but I haven't tested that yet. Judging by the Mac's Activity Monitor, there is plenty of available processor power and disc-writing speed for more channels than I could throw at it with the Alesis mixer.
Start-up and shut-down are startlingly quick. Launching Logic is almost immediate. It all feels faster than my brand-new 27" iMac with a 3.4 GHz Core i7 because of the internal SSD.
I bought the 11-inch model for it's compact size, and for this dedicated use I am glad I did. The screen would be a bit too small for regular computer use, but that's not an issue in my case.
Battery life for casual use is good, but while recording 10 channels of audio into Logic Pro I will only get just over two hours before needing to plug in to AC power. Because I need power for the nearby mixer, I have no problem also running the Mac off the AC adapter.
Playing back our recordings in the Macbook Air is also impressive. I can throw all sorts of plug-ins and effects into the mix without any trouble. The combination of the super-fast SSD and the i5 processor allows this thing to process an incredible amount of audio.
The back-lit keyboard is great in low-light situations (like on a dimly lit stage).
If you were hesitant to get a Macbook Air for music applications, don't worry about it's capabilities unless you are trying to run huge software instrument libraries. The 128GB SSD (that I purchased) could fill up pretty quickly with tons of samples, and streaming multiple instruments while trying to record could be pushing the SSD to its limits. It's not a Mac Pro with several HDs working in concert. It is, however, a remarkably capable ultra-portable host for your live recordings. I am thoroughly pleased with mine.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I bought this computer for my wife. She is at home with the kids and does basic computing tasks (word processing, web browsing) as well as minor photo editing using iPhoto. I didn't know if she would like the smaller screen, but she loved it. It's incredibly light and has a small footprint, so she regularly takes it around the house and sets it up to watch Netflix on it. Because of the flash storage, it's quick to "go to sleep" when she closes the lid, and quick to "wake up" when she opens it. With Mountain Lion installed, it also will automatically backup all her documents and photos to our Time Capsule while it's "napping"–a new feature called "power nap". It's nice to know that I don't have to worry about whether or not she's taking the time to back it up herself.Other things that we both like:- The screen has very little glare.- Battery life is excellent. She carries it all over the house and basically plugs it in at night. (Not that it lasts all day, since she's only using it periodically...)- Sturdy build, due to the aluminum construction. Doesn't feel like it's going to crack in half, despite small size!In short, this is the computer my wife has wanted me to buy her for years. Finally, it was available–and in my price range! I highly recommend it!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
Great product. First Mac. New Intel 4000 is a major upgrade over the 3000
Displaying reviews 1-13