The 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer from Apple is an extremely portable, stunningly designed laptop computer. Apple's engineers have leveraged the lessons they learned in designing the miniaturized iPad and applied them to the design of this 2.4-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 sleek lines and stunning 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 256GB of SSD 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 hours of web browsing and an amazing 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.
The computer's high-resolution display makes working on the go a breeze. At 11.6" in size, the 16:9 display feature a native resolution of 1366 x 768 -- delivering more pixels than the 13.3" MacBook Pro! 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 boasts a large multi-touch glass trackpad, giving you full control over your computer -- without sacrificing ergonomics.
The computer is powered by a dual-core 1.8GHz Intel Core i7 processor and boasts 4GB of RAM. Graphics are provided by an integrated Intel GMA HD 3000 GPU. The computer features all the amenities you expect on a Mac -- a FaceTime webcam, dual-band 802.11n 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 computer is loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.7 Lion operating system. The 64-bit OS features Time Machine backup, which automatically backs up system data to an external hard drive. It also features intuitive natural scrolling, the innovative 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.
Lion also adds Auto Save to your Mac, ensuring that you won't lose data if 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 | 1.8GHz Intel Core i7 |
| Cache | L3: 4MB |
| System Bus | Not Specified By Manufacturer |
| Memory |
Slots: Onboard Type: PC3-10600 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM Installed: 4GB Capacity: 4GB |
| Graphics Card |
Type: Integrated Installed: Intel GMA HD Graphics 3000 with 384MB DDR3 SDRAM Shared |
| 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 1152 x 720 at 16:10 Aspect Ratio 1024 x 640 at 16:10 Aspect Ratio 1024 x 768 at 4:3 Aspect Ratio 800 x 600 at 4:3 Aspect Ratio |
| External Resolution | Up to 2560 x 1600 |
| Dual Display | Yes |
| Video Mirroring | Yes |
| Storage | |
|---|---|
| Hard Drive | Installed: 256GB SSD |
| Optical Drive | None |
| Input/Output Connectors | |
|---|---|
| Ports |
2x USB 2.0 (A) 1x Thunderbolt |
| Audio |
Integrated Stereo Speakers Integrated Omnidirectional Microphone 1x 1/8" (3.5mm) Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack |
| Expansion Slots | None |
| Flash Media Slot | None |
| Communications | |
|---|---|
| Network | None |
| Modem | None |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Webcam | Yes |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Mac OS X 10.7 Lion (64-bit) |
| Security | None |
| Keyboard |
Type: Standard Notebook Keyboard Features: Backlight, Chiclet Style |
| Pointing Device | TouchPad with Double-Tap, Drag, Four-Finger Swipe, Inertial Scrolling, Multi-Touch Control, Pinch, Rotate, Tap, Three-Finger Swipe |
| Battery | Built-In Lithium-Polymer Providing up to 5 Hours per Charge (35Wh) |
| Power Requirements |
AC: 100-240 V AC, 50-60Hz Consumption: 45W |
| 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
Most Liked Positive Review
massive power without the bulk
This notebook is the best for those who travel. With a small profile and big on power, it can handle your apps without problems. I love that it fits easily in my small backpack...Read complete review
This notebook is the best for those who travel. With a small profile and big on power, it can handle your apps without problems. I love that it fits easily in my small backpack and the screen is beautiful. The lighted keyboard works really well without flex and the SSD drive makes it boot up extremely fast. Hooking this little machine to an HDMI Source is extremely simple with a mini-display port-to-hdmi cable. It can process video and sound through one cable! The only gripes I can say about it is that it gets pretty warm when sitting on my lap while playing movies and the battery life is not the greatest. The "5 hours" claimed is there if you greatly dim the screen and turn off Bluetooth while performing non-flash browsing. On the plus side, you do not need a mouse because the trackpad is very efficient with it's Multi-touch features.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Not too bad but not that great
I travel a lot so I bought the 11 inch MBA replacing my old 13 inch Black Macbook.
+ Compact (3 lbs. w/ cord), Magic Track Pad, OSX
- It over...Read complete review
I travel a lot so I bought the 11 inch MBA replacing my old 13 inch Black Macbook.
+ Compact (3 lbs. w/ cord), Magic Track Pad, OSX
- It overheated not sure why. I remember it's not supposed to overheat since it has no moving parts. Not sure if this has anything to do w/ the backlit covered w/ a keyboard cover(for now I'm turning off the backlit, I never had this problem w/ my old Macbook).
- Cord felt cheap and stiff
Reviewed by 11 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-11
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
After working on a Asus Slate with separate keyboard, this sweet Apple product came through life a dream. Easy to use, smooth typing and response mouse pad. No waiting for programs to load, it opens and you are ready to work, or seach the web; whatever you prefer. Signs on easliy to wifi networks in every hotel, airline club or convention center. Love it....
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I use this computer for writing (libretto, screenplay, novel) because I find it oddly better than my iPad plus bluetooth keyboard. But the great thing is that with 256GB internal drive and faster processor I can finally use it for photos and video when I travel. The thunderbolt port makes it possible to use it as a serious desktop computer should I need it for a backup to my main machine. I do miss a built-in internet connection, but when I travel I carry an outboard AT&T 4G portable hotspot and I can always use the portable hotspot on my Verizon iPhone for something quick.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
Before I bought this MacBook Air with Intel i7 processor, I had a 13" MacBook Pro (2009). I wasn't focused on the performance, rather on the weight and portability. I am amazed that I barely notice any difference in performance between the two. It is unbelievable how you can get such power from a such small laptop. And the flash disk drive makes it turn off or on in seconds. I love it.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
Small, fast powerful. I Just Love it!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
Apple doesn't mess around. I got this in August to replace it's previous generation counterpart. I wasn't disappointed.
There were noticeable improvements in speed and performance in general.
OS Lion has a very small learning curve and now I love it.
This computer does anything I throw at it and then some. As a general user, it's more computer than I need but I love being able to tool around with matlab and photoshop when I want.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
great computer
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
no problems and arrived right on time.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I mainly use it on the go for entertainment and work during my 2 hour train commute.
What I love about the computer is it's beautiful screen, good battery life, fast processor, powerful video card for 1080p movies and most of all it light weight. This is replacing my three previous MacBook Pro 17in, 15in and 13in MacBooks.
I DO NOT miss the noisy optical drive or the the noisy SATA drive. Flash drive is SUPER fast and quiet.
I do wish the MacBook Air had the motion sensor and the glass screen protector but it's not a biggie.
Overall, I'd give it a 9.5 out of 10. And maybe I'll change it to a 10 out of 10 once I can utilize the Thunderbolt port with all the new upcoming accessories.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
I travel a lot so I bought the 11 inch MBA replacing my old 13 inch Black Macbook.
+ Compact (3 lbs. w/ cord), Magic Track Pad, OSX
- It overheated not sure why. I remember it's not supposed to overheat since it has no moving parts. Not sure if this has anything to do w/ the backlit covered w/ a keyboard cover(for now I'm turning off the backlit, I never had this problem w/ my old Macbook).
- Cord felt cheap and stiff
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
This notebook is the best for those who travel. With a small profile and big on power, it can handle your apps without problems. I love that it fits easily in my small backpack and the screen is beautiful. The lighted keyboard works really well without flex and the SSD drive makes it boot up extremely fast. Hooking this little machine to an HDMI Source is extremely simple with a mini-display port-to-hdmi cable. It can process video and sound through one cable! The only gripes I can say about it is that it gets pretty warm when sitting on my lap while playing movies and the battery life is not the greatest. The "5 hours" claimed is there if you greatly dim the screen and turn off Bluetooth while performing non-flash browsing. On the plus side, you do not need a mouse because the trackpad is very efficient with it's Multi-touch features.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple 11.6" MacBook Air Notebook Computer:
High speed of cooler
Small design for portability
Best view for my eyes
Displaying reviews 1-11