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Apple MacBook Air (2008)
$1,799.00
Released January, 2008
The Pros:Extremely thin. LED backlit display. Large touchpad with advanced gesture support.
The Cons:Fairly expensive premium for being thin. Only 1 USB port. No ethernet port.
Apple announced the new MacBook Air as the world's thinnest laptop at MacWorld in San Francisco on January 15th, 2008. Its thickness varies from 0.16" to 0.76" as measured from different points along its edge and weighs about 3 lbs.
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It features a 13.3" LED backlit display, a full-size backlit keyboard, and an oversized multi-touch trackpad. Apple has made use of several new technologies and design features to create an ultra-thin form factor laptop. It does not include an optical media drive.
Specifications
- 13.3" widescreen LED backlit display
- 1.6 GHz Standard, 1.8 GHz Option -- Intel Core 2 Duo
- 2 GB Memory standard
- 128 GB 1.8" hard disk standard, 64 GB SSD as an option.
- 5 hours of Battery Life
- Multi-touch Trackpad
- No optical drive
- 802.11n + Bluetooth 2.1/EDR
- 45 Watt MagSafe, 1 USB 2.0 port, Micro-DVI, Audio Out
- Magnetic latch
- 3 lbs
- Thickness: 0.16" to 0.76"
- it fits inside a envelope
Versions
There are two main options for the MacBook Air (now available for pre-order: 1) a 1.6 GHz CPU with 80 GB standard 1.8" hard drive starting at $1799, and 2) a 1.8 GHz CPU with a 64 GB solid state drive (SSD) starting at $3098.
User Reviews (59)
Pros & Cons
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20
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15
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14
Large touchpad with advanced gesture support
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13
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8
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3
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3
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2
Intel Core 2 Duo is a great option
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1
Battery lasts even longer with SSD.
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0
Has a built-in microphone
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0
Easy to replace hard disk with SSD.
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-1
Can get about 5 hours of battery life with the screen dim and backlit keyboard down
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-3
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-4
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-6
Easy to replace battery (you have to be able to remove and replace 8 screws).
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35
Fairly expensive premium for being thin
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32
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29
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23
Poor battery life (Ars Technica got around 2.5 hours)
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21
Expensive to replace battery. (It is replaceable though)
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19
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17
Non upgradeable RAM limited to 2G
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13
Recessed USB port makes it hard to connect a 3G USB modem
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10
Can't stay connected to WiFi
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8
Proprietary video out, should have common VGA or HDMi for this price factor
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7
Battery is not replaceable
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6
Relatively heavy considering how thin it is
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6
Screen is flimsy, it bends and creeks.
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Comments (6)
gbchaosmaster:
#apple_macbook_air_2008 If it weren't for the price, I'd take this laptop over many others, but, alas, I already have it. I must say, I love the keyboard. It's large and easy to type on, and I love the fact that it's lit up. I also like the built-in mic and cam, as well as light sensors that adjust the backlight and keyboard light automatically. If only the battery lasted longer...
Apr 15, 09
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Erik:
#apple_macbook_air_2008 I agree with Discordanian. While you can't deny how cool this laptop is because of its thinness, I think this is more of a response to the consumer's irrational obsession with "thin" products. I would preferred a sub-compact laptop that was also smaller in the LxW dimensions as well that would weigh less than that 3lbs. On the upside, this would be a great laptop for Flatlanders.
Jan 17, 08
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GT-D:
#apple_macbook_air_2008 I'd totally go for this for school. I have a large and, for the time, fairly powerful laptop. I've found that now I want a laptop that will do word processing, surf the net and a bit of other productivity stuff and be as light as possible.
Though I'd have to fool around with the laptop a bit before deciding, it is VERY thing... I might be scared of breaking it.
Jan 17, 08
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