[xChroniCxLinKx]

The final announcement at Apple CEO Steve Jobs' opening keynote this morning was the unveiling of the MacBook Air, the newest addition to Apple's line of notebook computers. The Air retains a number of features from previous entries in the MacBook line, such as built-in iSight, but the stunner is the size of the machine. Or, the lack thereof.

The MacBook Air is light. It weighs in at a mere three pounds and, at its thickest point, is approximately .76" thick. We were able to hold the Air at the show floor today to test the weight, and it is indeed the lightest notebook we've yet seen. Yet this doesn't seem to come at the expense of durability. It's difficult to imagine how a three-pound computer can feel sturdy, but it does, like a sheet of metal. The Apple rep on hand confirmed that everybody does the exact same thing when they first check it out -- it's hoisted into the air and somewhat shaken, as if this is a magical test to for the machine's durability. Everybody seems pleased with that tactile test, though.

Opening the MacBook Air reveals an ultra-bright 13.3" LED screen. The screen reaches peak brightness as the notebook is opened, so it's ready to go the second you want to use it. (The magnet that keeps the notebook closed when shut has a nice bit of resistance, too.) The thinness of the Air comes at the expense of a few things, such as ports along the side of the machine. However, toward the back of the right side of the Air, a small flip-down hatch reveals a headphone jack, a USB 2.0 port, and Micro-DVI input. The hatch does not interfere with the Air's small, flat footprint when open.

Also noticeably missing: Optical drive. The Air does not come with an onboard optical drive, but Apple has a pair of working solutions. The first is a standalone SuperDrive that retails for $99 and connects to the Air via its USB port. More elegant, though, is the Remote Disc feature that seeks out nearby Apple computers (with Remote Disc installed on them) that do have disc drives and requests permission to use them. Once granted, the Air reads the optical drive just like it was actually onboard the computer.



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[Halo]

I'm gonna get that when I come back from this summer. It looks pretty decent yet, light. i saw in commercials and went on apple.com

[thefalling]

Id buy one if they werent so damn expensive, ive got my sights on the new asus eee, although itll be a while before the wimax version comes out. Prolly next year :(

[Pfa]

no cd/dvd drive i think. Other than that its pretty neat.

[frozenrat]

Not a big fan of it since it comes with ONE usb port, and if you buy the optical drive that takes it up already, and you may be thinking "Oh well that's nothing a hub can't fix", Well it won't even read most standard USB ports, And that's the way Apple meant for it to be.

[GiantRobert]

Can you install windows on it?

[Slaterking]

I dont like it.
No disk drive so obversely there's a limit to how thin a laptop can be.

[Mazo]

Moved to tech news

[Halo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Robert

Can you install windows on it?

on all macs, you can install windows.

[Avenged]

No Opitical Drive = No Win.

Even though they have a external one. thats just silly imo.

[Royden]

Quote: Originally Posted by Avenged

No Opitical Drive = No Win.

Even though they have a external one. thats just silly imo.

You can use another PC's disk drive as long as your on the same network, weatheer it be wireless or connected with a cable :D

[thefalling]

Quote: Originally Posted by Avenged

No Opitical Drive = No Win.

Even though they have a external one. thats just silly imo.

Its ultra portable d00d

[Avenged]

Quote: Originally Posted by Royden

You can use another PC's disk drive as long as your on the same network, weatheer it be wireless or connected with a cable :D

i know about that, but its too much hassle, i'd rather have my OD in the same notebook.

[frozenrat]

I agree with Avenged, and with the Remote Disc feature, It kind of takes out portability because you have to be at the other computer in order to put a disc in, Or just call up a family member and ask them to put one in, But what happens if everyone is out of the house? Or You live by yourself? And don't bring up the external OD, They just completely takes Portability out of the name.

[kenoja]

Where the heck does the inter cooler go? i dont see no holes or nothing

[deadly2003]

i dont get the real point of this mac... yes its small and VERY thin... but what if i were to drop it from waist high on a windy day? will it fly away or smash on the ground?

waste of money if u ask me... the mac book pro way more better little more chunky but who really cares unless u cant lift 3kg in one hand...

btw anyone know if the "Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor" thos macs use any good? as i am getting a laptop with the same GPU.

[Mazo]

No Intel graphics card is good. You will lag on almost everything.

[girlycar]

guess what i got one off of apple.com and it arived todya i'm playing on it right now AMZING

[DaRkCasTeR]

Lol im with deadly wut if you drop it

[Avenged]

Its Made of strong material so it wouldnt break. i dont know if it will dent or anything.

Its a really big acheviment to get all the programs and technology there, but it had to sacrifice other main components for it.

i like the idea but its not there for me.

[SiK]

I like the the concept, but hate the execution. Thing is ridiculously expensive to boot. Honestly it's only pro is drop dead sexiness.

[Pavy]

Yeah, I'm guessing that's what they wanted to achieve anyway.

[minb2]

PRO: Smexy as hell.
CON: No CD/DVD reader at all.

[whitemist]

yah i actually got to hold it the other day I swear i felt like i was going to break it, i guess im just use to thicker notebooks

[Hammad]

No CD Drive + only one USB port = no use to me, since I use about 3 USB ports at a time.

Apart from that, and the big fat apple on it, it's quite OK.