It is a mix of processor and LED backlighting, but with both features you are getting between 30mins to a hour. That is taken directly from Apple though, so a grain of salt is needed. 5 hours, in my book, is still not nearly enough.
For more info, click over to Gizmodo.
It has been rumoured for a while, but only moments ago is it official. There are new Macbooks and Macbook Pro’s on the Apple block, and they got some handy, but not life changing updates. The biggest one is the introduction of the Air’s Multi-Touch pad to the whole Macbook range and the updated processors to Intels flagship Penryn series.
They’re also getting a much more powerful graphics processor, with the introduction of the sweet new Nvidia 8600GT with 512mb of memory onboard, on all the new Pro’s. The new top end processor is the beastly 2.6 GHz processor with 6MB of shared L2 cache.
The rest of the package is pretty standard affair, but is nice to see Apple rolling out the Multi-Touch feature to its minions. Starting from $US1,099, the new Macbooks are available from the Apple website immediately.
For a whole lot more info, click over to Apple Insider.
It has started and isn’t likely to stop for a long while yet. What I’m talking about is Macbook Air reviews. I will only do a round-up, seeing there are way to many to go to deeply in each of them (would end up being a 50 page article). Currently the reviews are from Gizmodo, USA Today, Newsweek and Wall Street Journal.
What do they think? The theme of the review’s are based around limitation, which Apple does so very well. They all like the size, it is life shattering sleek, but they don’t like what you lose. Apple have created a niche product, and unfortunately for Apple, it doesn’t seem to be the next iPod.
That all I have to say about the reviews, it is just as easy for you to click a link and read it yourself. I would like to say a few side notes though.
Gizmodo, as well as doing a nice review, have benchmarked the device. It is the slowest available Macbook, but considering it is not meant to be a notebook replacement, you can let that one slide.
The remote drive ability of the device is super limited. It won’t let you play HD movies, CD’s, install Windows and numerous other things. It will be a deal breaker for a lot of people.
The available external drive for the Air doesn’t work on any other Apple. That is something that will probably be fixed by patch, so don’t take to much notice. Also it seems that battery replacement by the user is possible, though it will probably void the warranty, and isn’t something you will want to do on the road.
All in all, I will parse on this device. The taste it leaves in my mouth, while nice, isn’t irresistible. If may need a little salt and pepper, but the meal has already been served.
I have a bad habit of making up words, when I don’t know a better one to place there. Today it is Stupidism (stew-pid-ism) meaning Too worship a product because it is very well marketed and not because it is very well designed.
The guys and girls over at The Inquirer believe that Apple fanboys are stupid and that the Macbook Air is actually not an Apple achievement at all. There argument is flawless in a lot of ways. In other ways maybe not.
The Macbook Air, doesn’t really do much. It doesn’t have anything amazing and unique other then its track pad and size. Steve Jobs made it quite clear that the Air would redefine Apple, and is the greatest device they have made. Wait a second, did Apple make it? Has the Apple logo, the keyboard, the signature good looks.
The truth is that all the Macbooks have that, and the only difference is the innards. The gutsy Intel processor. The efficient Intel video chipset. The tiny pencil sized Intel motherboard. Wait a second, is this an Intel product or an Apple product? That is the whole argument The Inquirer are offering, and for most of it I agree 100%.
There are a few problems with the argument, and that’s they don’t really who contacted who? Perhaps it was Apple who approached Intel with the design and said “make this”, or perhaps Intel showed Apple a new product and Apple said give I’ll take it?
Either way you will probably never know, and there is a good chance that there will be very similar devices announced by Apple competitors before the end of this year. The question is, will the competitors designs be so similar that you will know it was Intel’s concept all along, or will Apple stay unique to the rest?
For a good read, and a little bit of a rant, go over to The Inquirer.
3rd party accessories for Apple products are a dime a dozen, and companies go a great distance to differentiate from the other fish. Belken have done it with their Macbook Air sleeves by releasing them months ahead of the actual Macbook Air. Who knows how they tested to make sure the Air would fit accurately (maybe some side deal with Apple)?
Belken have got 6 sleeves ready for you imaginary Macbook, ranging from a simple black neoprene sleeve for $29.99 to a cyan leather/neoprene sleeve for $49.99. I would go into much more detail about the products, but it will be easier to get an idea from the included pictures. The pockets come with a lifetime warranty and will be available before the Air (I guess?).
For more info, dive over to ChipChick.