Apple MacBook Air (11.6-inch) First Look Review Discussion

This week Apple finally updated the seemingly forgotten MacBook Air line with new graphics, new looks and an entirely new model. The smallest Apple laptop ever, the new Air promises to pack notebook performance into a netbook form factor. Read on for our first thoughts.

Read the full content of this Article: Apple MacBook Air (11.6-inch) First Look Review

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Why do you say the 11.6" MBA has significantly higher resolution than previous Apple notebook? I thought it only has 1366x768 while the 13" has 1440x900?

 

Pixel density would probably have been a better choice of words. The 13-inch MBP, for example, only offers 1280x800, and the base 15-inch MBP is only 1440x900. The resolution - for the screen size - is much higher than on previous Apple laptops.

 

Wow when you opened it, it woke from sleep super fast lol! I need to see this thing in person.

 

the lenovo X201 beats it in every way if you want a laptop that's the size of a netbook.
Only the true fanboys won't mind paying for it.

 

Except it doesn't beat it on graphics, screen resolution, size, weight or speed of storage. Or touchpad. It even only beats it on price - by twenty bucks - if you select the absolute base model.

I have no doubt the X201 fills an important niche, especially if you're looking for a faster processor or super bright screen or what have you. But please, let's compare products based on actual specifications, not blind fanaticism - funny, since you brought up fanboys in the first place.

The X100e is a much better competitor since it has closer specs and costs basically half as much as a MacBook Air.

 

Well X200 beats it mainly as far as you choose it to.... like on CPU speed (C2D 2.4 GHz), storage speed if you install SSD , general build robustness, ability to do upgrades (with AFFS screen upgrade it even gets a great screen), keyboard quality, in general the fact that you won't loose your warranty by upgrading it, existence of dock station, mic port and all other ports.... battery life if upgraded 9 cell... oh and the base price by about 50%.

But I agree X100 is more in MBA11 range. And it's intended as a laptop with very high emphasis on portability. Speaking of specs, this little thing (MBA 11) has dedicated graphics card. I think lots of people would drool over some benchmarks if you would be nice to post them. Does it heat a lot? What's the heat dissipation? (it looks really thin)

I'm not an extreme res fan, and the res on X200/X201 is just perfect for 12.1" screen if you maintain a normal distance from the laptop. I used 1366x768 on 11.6" m11x and it was often too small to read properly unless you pulled the laptop very close to you.

 

Eh, it's based on the GT216 core, which is the same core as the GT330m, but it's still chipset graphics. It's memory is shared with the main pool. But I can tell you the 320m was a specially made part just for Apple.

 

Is anyone going to buy a MBA for gaming?

What sort of temps does the thing reach when under load for any real period of time?

I know the wish to provide a nice nvidia gpu is the reason for sticking with a C2D. For me, though, this thing would be more compelling with a more modern processor and Intel HD. It would be fine for basic video playing and would be more compelling as an on-the-go business machine that's actually capable of real business.

 

I was exaggerating a bit. Take my X200s for example, it is a way better machine out in the field. The intel HD graphics doesn't beat it but 90% of those who buy the Air would be happy with integrated graphics. For the 10% that play games the temps would be interesting with the metal outer body.
For resolution my X200s has 1440x900 with a bigger screen. For speed of storage it's easy to upgrade with an SSD at any time. With 6cell battery it's well under 3 pounds and perfect size for airplanes etc.
Price-wise you have to wait for a lenovo sale where you can get 30% off.
Everything considered X20xx is a way better buy. It is perfect in size and weight and yet still practical

BTW: drop the air once and it'll dent (it happens); drop it again in its weakened structural state and who knows what might happen.
Lenovo kills it in durability.

 

Very nice first overview of the machine. I went and checked one out the other day and it is truly a beautiful piece of work.

When comparing it to other systems, you said that the Alienware M11x "has slightly beefier specifications" than the MBA 11". I'd have to argue that this is a bit of a misrepresentation and the M11x's specifications are more than just "slightly beefier" than the MBA 11". A similarly priced ($999) M11x configuration comes with a 1.06GHZ i5 520UM, 4GB of memory and an NVIDIA GT335M with 1GB of dedicated memory. While the machines are targeted at different audiences, I think the M11x has much more than a "slight" advantage in specs when compared to the new MBA.

I'm looking forward to the full review!

 

The comparisons you guys are making are true, spec wise...but that's not why you get a Macbook Air.

1. You get it for its amazing looks and thinness
2. You get it to run OS X and other Apple programs

My x200s is in every way more practical for me, but it can never touch those two points. Its vertical height (battery to screen hinge) is actually as tall as most 15" notebooks =\

 

I checked them out Sunday night at Best Buy for about 30 minutes before they closed & will return. They're definitely sexy but I come back to ponder their value proposition..

I speculate Apple loves putting out fashion devices because their subjective value can command higher margins & increase product cycles. It will be interesting to see Lion's innovations on them next summer as currently I'm still not a big fan of Snow Leopard.

Admittedly I'm much more a Google fanboy but I try to keep an open mind if someone cares to offer a compelling Apple argument..

I immediately installed Chrome on them, autohid the dock etc, was surprised I didn't have an instant preference for the 13" but the audio on it was significantly better than the 11". The screen was not as glossy as I feared though wasn't outdoors with it & still prefer anti-glare matte so I'll have to check out the suggested Lenovo's.

Apple made a great move by opening retail stores & BestBuy display partnerships otherwise I frankly would never have considered them. If BestBuy Business would actually carry business notebooks I likely would buy more of them rather than just looking at their crappy consumer lineup & holding on to older business machines..

I do have to acknowledge that Apple can push that envelope. While I don't quite see the appeal of Mac OS X over Windows or even Linux-Ubuntu & prefer Android over iOS because I prefer personalization-customizability & more open hardware-software, I have to give them props for their superior multi-touch that I do love & their stylish hardware simplicity. I'm glad to see Apple expand their product portfolio & hope Lion brings more customizability & innovations. Hardware-wise it does feel more like the future of notebooks-netbooks. Lion looks significantly more modern than SL & Apple should consider upgrading some OS features asap.

We're all looking forward to the full notebookreview especially if you run those windows&benchmarks on it..

Is that enough I'm asking myself (although I'm not really sold on Apple's software innovations besides great multi-touch implementation & find their dictatorial-closed nature a turn-off)?

 

One thing is for certain, if that laptop gets hot the fan is going to get real frisky. Looking at the iFixit teardown for the 11.6" machine that has got to be a ~30-40mm fan and you can barely call the cooling solution a heatsink.

Once the active cooling solution kicks into high gear that fan is going to have to really go into high gear. It's gonna sound like a jet engine.

 

There have been ultraportables with semi decent graphics in the past that were relatively thin. The LG a1, c1 and P100 were 10.6 laptops with a geforce 7300/8400 card and external drive. Asus also used to sell pretty high end 11.1 ultraportables. Sony has also dominated in this field. That was back in the days before budget ultraportables arrived on the scene. SSD is no big thing either.

Consumers have quite a lot of choice these days which is of course a very good thing. Apple have done well and the 11.6 MBA looks like a very sophiscated design. I'm sure it will do very well and it fills a gap. I hope other manfacturers can now build on some of the weaknesses like lack of connectivity and increase the autonomy.

Btw, i'm not big on multitouch and apart from tap/vertical and horizontal scroll pretty much leave my trackpad as is. I've owned Macs in the past iBook/MBP's and a MB and although i liked the laptops a lot i was never fond of the trackpad and even less of the more recent incarnation. Each to their own but I know overwhelmingly the majority of people do prefer Apple trackpads. I used to own a Toshiba years ago and that came with a trackpoint. I miss having one of those.

 

Thanks for the first look J.R., some great pictures and enjoyed the commentary.

The X200s (the X201 being over half pound more than the MBA) is really the only competitor in terms of weight and thinness with the MBA, when you're down below 3lbs every extra decimal point is a big percentage in difference and you compare in millimeters not inches. But, the X200s is no longer for sale Lenovo - Laptop computers - ThinkPad X200s for new so Lenovo really doesn't offer a direct competitor to the MBA. Disclosure, I am a ThinkPad fan and own a T410s.

 

Yeah I was pretty much exaggerating a bit.

Thanks, Andrew. I was surprised to see the x201s gone, actually - I specifically went to the Lenovo site to do a more direct comparison and was like, ?

 

Yeah, you can only get X200 now and then from various retailers.

On topic. I thought there was something actually more technologically advanced (then I remember.... it's Apple we're talking about here ) about their instant start up feature. Which actually turns out to be "Instant wake from standby". It's still pretty good for practical use, unless anyone can think of a reason why would it be bad to keep your computer in standby (as opposed to shutting down) when you're not using it?

 

Wow, if something as thick as X200s/X201s are thrown into the discussion, surely we should mention the 1" thick (which actually has no taper like the X or MBA) VAIO G... And last time I checked, it's offered through SonyStyle Japan... Not to mention all the crazily thick (and priced) but incredibly touch and light Panasonic Let'sNote/Toughbook...

It's funny but 11.6" MBA when comparing MSRP to MSRP is probably the best value proposition for US buyers right now. However, there are definitely some competitors out there, and depending on what features, or lack thereof, in MBA you don't care about, you can certainly find some alternative.

 

Well, there's also the Sony Vaio P, which I actually really loved - it's just let down by the Atom.

 

Just wanted to comment on the "gamer" type comments. You see them in m11x topics too.

Not everyone that wants dedicated graphics plays games all the time and not just games will tax a system these days. Some functions in apps are now offloaded to GPU as there are certain advantages in doing so. This means heat dissipation questions are relevant

 

This was my thought, too, and something that I mentioned in the first look. GPU-accelerated computing is worth a look, these days.

 

This is definitely a fashion device - offering the same levels of/slightly better functionality than a netbook & the iPad, with a hefty Apple tax added on - it would've gained a bit more credibility IMO if the price had dropped to say, $799 or $899 (which wouldn't tarnish Apple's "premium" image a bit....given the specs)

 

Yeesh ... the thing looks so fragile! That alone would make me hesitate to get one....

 

Well for what it's worth, someone just bumped into me and the Air fell down a flight of steps onto a concrete floor. Just has a couple of scrapes.

 

Heheheheh ... and you can still type legibly? I would have freaked out if I had dropped ANY laptop down a flight of steps, let alone something that looks so fragile.

Hmm ... that's pretty impressive come to think of it....

 

Yeah I'm less than pleased.

 

Good point, and I agree. There are lots of ways powerful GPUs can help in modern computing beyond games. I just think it's important to point out that there are other small machines out there that, while not as thin and sexy as the MBA, have more powerful CPU/GPU combinations.

I originally thought the same thing, but when I used one in the store I realized that this isn't the case. It's a very solid, well built machine, and it doesn't feel fragile at all.

 

so much has been said about that instant on feature, but isnt that more a function of the ssd rather than something apple actually 'invented'?
i mean wouldnt a windows or linux based laptop wake-up as fast on an ssd?

 

Correct. What they are doing is improving a function that fits how mac folks use their laptops.... that is they dont reboot/shutdown.

I should mention that this is my observation. I have no facts to back it up.

 

Id really be interested to see how fast this instant on is compared to a similar laptop on win7/linux waking up from a fast ssd

 

If they made it dual core Atom with at least the intel 4500HD I would have one right now.

I want to get the Air, but the HDMI, and mini-firewire are keeping me with my Vaio TT. Hell, I can even deal with the lower battery life and external optical drive, but the other stuff I can't. I loved my MBP(15in CD) and OSX, but I started to hate the 15in size.

You know what is interesting my cousin who has a first gen C2D MB was surprised how fast my Vaio TT(with HDD) turned on from sleep.

 

The mini display port now carries audio and you can get a mini display port to HDMI adapter so i don't see that as a reason now not to get a Mac.

Also, the mini display has an advantage of being able to transmit higher resolutions.

Have you seen the 11.6 MBA yet Coldmack if so what do you make of the display?

I would like to see a Crystal disk mark of the MBA SSD lol. I specify that as that is what the majority of people go by.

5 hours over wifi is ok but i never use wifi when out. I use my built in unlocked wwan as i feel it is much neater, easier and battery life is better than tethering your phone etc. Over WWAN the MBA battery life will be about 3hrs which is just much too short. These are the calculations i do immediately when looking at battery life.

 

I dunno I like the convenience of having the port itself, as I prefer not to pay extra to get that functionality that should be standard. BTW what is the max HDMI and display port can support?

No, I haven't seen the new Air yet, but if it is anything like the old Air then gloss screen could be a slight issue, thought it wouldn't be as bad as the glossy screens on the MBP. After moving to my Vaio TT from the first gen MBP, it made me regret why I chose(partially because I was suckered in by the Apple store sales person) the glossy screen over matte on the Pro.

This thread on this site hear maybe some help to you as the user moved from a TT to the 11.6in Air. Big thumbs up for 11.6" MBA! - Mac Forums

 

I too appreciate HDMI for convenience as adapters can be annoying but display port is workable yet would also be cool to see Light Peak soon.

The MBA glossy screen is not as bad as MPB but it also doesn't offer the MBP anti-glare option without expensive after market solutions or dealing with questionable layers. 13" MBA has a reported 2 hr longer battery life (7 vs 5).

Until the full review (please NBR slap Windows on there-Ubuntu?) techcrunch continues their lovefest:

Goodbye, MacBook Pro. The New MacBook Air Is That Good.
With OS X Lion, It’s No Longer Point & Click, It’s Flick & Swipe
The Top 5 PC Alternatives To The MacBook Air

 

I would to see a 3dmark06 run. My guess is 4000-4500 range.

 

One of the reviewers squeezed 5200 out of it, if I remember right.

 

really seems more like a fashionable / botique notebook than a practical one.

i could never get into the apple OS's for some reason. but it's nice that they try to push technological limits combined with aesthetics.

 

I think display port is max 2560 x 1600. Someone please correct me if i'm wrong.
Sony i believe do not believe support HDMI 1.3 yet so the max it supports is 1920x1080 over HDMI. Thanks for the link.

 

I think I got like 4200 on 3dmark06. The review will be up momentarily.

DP does 17Gb/s transfer. At the moment, that's 2560x1600, at 30 bits and 120Hz. You could do reduced color information and increased resolution or whatever, I bet, but it would be (for now) off-spec usage.

DP is also superior to DVI/HDMI for its versatility. In addition to video, it has a data channel. That data channel can be used for audio, like in HDMI, or USB, or sensor readings, or whatever.

 

umm what about the Asus 1215PN?

dual core D525 atom (approx same speed as the SU9400)
2GB ram
320GB HDD
USB3.0
Nvidia Ion (9400 with deticated ram)
HDMI Out
6hours battery life
$499

2.5" HDD makes it upgradable to a 512GB Sandforce controled SSD