GADGET WATCH: MacBook Air

Apple recently pushed the MacBook Air into the spotlight by replacing the entry-level MacBook with this device. It was a bold move, with some analysts questioning whether Apple would be looking to replace its entire line with thinner designs and abandon optical drives.

There is no doubt now that Apple wants to focus more on this product line in the future. So it’s a good time to look over the device and determine whether it’s a good pick for entrepreneurs.

Hardware and features

The MacBook Air is obviously thin. The 11-inch model is 30cm wide, and at its highest is 1.7cm. The 13-inch model is the same, except 32.5cm wide to account for the larger screen. The models weigh 1.08kg and 1.35kg respectively.

Models come in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB versions, with memory all stored on Flash as opposed to mechanical drives. Buyers can pick between a 2GB or 4GB RAM model, with both coming installed with an Intel i5 processor. Each keyboard is backlit.

The Air features an Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor, along with a FaceTime camera, microphone, and two 2.0 USB ports. A Thunderbolt port is also included. WiFi and BlueTooth technology is available, with Apple bragging up to 30 days of standby time.

The MacBook Air features no optical drive of any kind, and no Ethernet port.

What’s the consensus?

There’s a lot to like about the design of the new MacBook Air. Engadget writes that with a bigger touch pad, and a nicer-feeling keyboard, the design improves on the older versions. It also praised the use of a backlight.

However, it noted that one big improvement over the old model was in battery life, with the 13” device testing very well.

“This new 13, configured with the default 1.7GHz Core i5 and paired with 4GB of DDR3 and a 128GB SSD, nearly doubled that: 5,373.”

“No, that won’t threaten the full-bore 15-inchMacBook Pro for sheer speed, but double the performance in nine months is a welcome improvement, living up to Apple’s 2x promises here, and from what we’ve seen elsewhere the 11-inch lives up to its 2.5x promises as well.”

PCMag wrote that the new Flash storage is a welcome improvement, and said the upgraded RAM also proved useful, along with graphics technology.

“With the new integrated graphics, the MacBook Air 13-inch can take on moderately-intensive 3D games (at medium settings) and run a 30-inch external monitor without skipping frames or crashing to a halt.”

However, it said the lack of a removable battery and longer battery life in some competitors was a disadvantage. And CNET writes that a lack of ports on both sides of the device is disappointing.

“All you’ll find around the body of the 13-inch MacBook Air are two USB 2.0 ports, a headphone socket, a magsafe power connector, an SD card reader and a lone Thunderbolt port. Compared to the port offerings in competing 13-inch notebooks, the MacBook Air looks a little, well… thin.”

Who’s it for?

There’s no doubt that when Apple replaced the entry-level MacBook with the MacBook Air, it wanted to market the device to those users who are either buying a computer for the first time, or aren’t going to be using the device for heavy duty work.

This is a great travel computer. It’s light and easy to carry. If you’re not relying on optical storage, or heavy use on features like video and photo editing, and just need a basic computer to get things done, then this is a solid, stylish and dependable choice that will last you for a long time.

And with an entry level price of $1,100, it’s an easy buy.