MacBook Air, super-thin notebook, introduced

What may be the most talked about of Apple's four major product releases Steve Jobs introduced today is a new addition to the MacBook line called the MacBook Air. With a teardrop profile only 0.76 inches at its thickest point, it's the thinnest notebook computer ever. (You can get closer looks at the new MacBook Air by clicking on each of the embedded images.)

Apple didn't compromise much on features. There's a full-size, backlit keyboard, 13.3-inch screen, iSight webcam, large trackpad with multi-touch gesture support (similar to the iPhone's, which lets you use your fingers in more ways than the traditional tapping and sliding), plus a new magnetic latch.

There are only three ports on the right side: USB2, MicroDVI, and a headphone jack. (There's no Ethernet port for wired networking, but that's not really an issue with a notebook designed for extreme portability.) Apple says that the 1.6-GHz Core 2 Duo processor is 60 percent smaller than chips made for other models. The standard MacBook Air comes with an 80GB hard drive—or a 64GB solid-state drive for an additional $999. The standard memory configuration is 2-GB and Apple claims 5 hours of battery life. The built-in wireless capability supports 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR.

There's no internal CD/DVD burner; to use discs you need the $99 external MacBook Air SuperDrive which connects to the USB port. Also, a new custom application in Leopard called "Remote Disk" lets you wirelessly "borrow" other users' CD/DVD drives.

In keeping with Apple's environmental initiatives, MacBook Air notebooks have a fully recyclable aluminum case, displays that are mercury and arsenic free, and logic boards that are BFR and PVC free. In addition, the packaging has 56 percent less volume, to save trees.

The base model, which starts at $1,799, pairs a 1.6-GHz processor with an 80-GB Parallel ATA hard drive. A second model that features a 1.8-GHz processor and 64-GB solid-state drive starts at $3,098. Both ship in two to three weeks, but can be pre-ordered starting today.

Compared with Windows-based 13-inch slim-and-light notebooks we've rated (Consumer Reports' Ratings are available to ConsumerReports.org subscribers only), the MacBook Air is pricier and its hard drive is a bit slower and has a smaller capacity, but weighs more than a pound less. When compared with notebooks in the 3-pound range, such as the Sony TZ series 11-inch or Toshiba Portege R500 12-inch, its pricing is very competitive.

Other introductions at today's Macworld Keynote:

• Leopard's "Time Machine" feature allows for automatic backups, but an external drive was required. To make this more flexible for users, Apple introduced a new peripheral called " Time Capsule," a wireless backup appliance with its own built-in Airport Extreme 802.11n card, and a "server grade" hard drive. (Click on image at right for a closer look.) Just plug it in, turn it on, and enable it. The 500-GB model sells for $299, and a 1-TB (terabyte) model sells for $499. It's scheduled to ship in February.


• iPhone: While no new improved models were announced, a third-party software-development kit (SDK) was announced, and will ship next month, which should mean lots of new software for the iPhone down the road. But there were some improvements available today as well in the form of a major system software upgrade. It now supports improved mapping with location tracking, webclips, a more customizable home screen, text-messaging (SMS) to multiple recipients at once, and support for movie "chapters", subtitles in multiple languages, eve song lyrics. This upgrade is also available for iPod Touch users, along with Mail, Stocks, Notes, and weather, as a $20 upgrade. (It ships for free with new iPods, beginning today.)


• iTunes/Apple TV: iTunes movie rentals begin today. Eleven major studios are participating (including Universal). Fees are $2.99 from their library, or $3.99 for new releases. HD versions are just a dollar more across the board, with full HD quality and Dolby 5.1 sound. The rental lasts for 30 days from time of download. Once you begin viewing, however, you have 24 hours to watch the film. You can also transfer a rented film to another device in the middle of viewing it, like from your laptop to your iPhone.


• As many Apple users had hoped for earlier, a "reboot" of Apple TV was announced. "Take 2" needs no computer to operate, and allows users to access iTunes Movie Rentals via their flat-screen HDTV. (Click on image at right for a closer look.) You can also access YouTube, music, podcasts, Flickr, and .Mac using your TV remote. You can also buy TV shows, music, etc. and sync it back to your laptop or iPod. The new, improved Apple TV also ships in 2 weeks and sells for only $229. A free software update is also available—today—for current Apple TV owners.

—Thomas A. Olson

Comments

[Emily]

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