The battery autonomy is also very good on the MacBook Air. The test was done with minimum lighting, wi-fi connection on and open office applications, and the battery last for around 3 hours. The only downside is the recharge times, which are rather long compared to other models: around 4.5 hours.

The lack of an optical unit can be compensated either by an external USB device or the Remote Disc integrated system. The latter allows the MacBOok Air to connect to another Mac or PC’s optical unit through a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. In order to activate the sharing, the Remote Disc Setup software must be installed on the other machine. From that moment on, however, it will be able to use their reader as an external device, hence allowing the MacBook Air to mount it and see the icon at its desktop, and use it to read CD’s or DVD’s. This system, however, can be rather uncomfortable and can only be used for reading and not recording. Also, the reading of a DVD is twice as slow with this system.

It’s astonishing, in any case, that when it comes to the Solid State Disk system, the only mobile internal component is the processor’s cooling fan. This situation makes us realize how much potential this system has when it comes to the mobility factor.

The MacBook Air features the new MacOS X Leopart, which is perfectly compatible with the Microsoft and Linus Operational Systems, which allows a personal customization for each user’s needs. The laptop, however, only shows its potential with Apple’s Operational System.

The processor isn’t the best available in the market, but it allows the computer to keep discreet performances in the most part of the situations. The RAM, although not expandable, is surely sufficient in order to keep a good system performance for work or audio/video entertainment.

Also the application loading has been slightly enhanced, even the more demanding ones have a good loading speed. The system is very silent, even in particularly warm environments, and the only central fan rarely activates. In fact, the global temperature is relatively low even when the laptop undergoes many consecutive work hours.

The Paralel ATA 80 GB Hard Disk is particularly slow, only 4200RPM, remarkably reducing the machine’s performance. This system, however, is replaceable with a 64GB solid state disk, which is a rather expensive purchase. With this second option, the loading file speed is a lot superior and the system, in overall, is faster and more ready; the energy savings also get an enhancement of 10% to 15% average when compared to the standard unit versions.

The monitor is rather bright, but it didn’t seem satisfying in every situation: some angles may produce a very annoying reflection. The color brightness has been clearly enhanced compared to the previous models. This system also features a 5100mAh battery, that allows for a discreet autonomy.

The basic version of the MacBook Air pack includes an Intel Core2 Duo 1.6GHz processor, with 4MB L2 cache and 800 MHz FSB. With an extra cost, it’s possible to buy a 1.8 GHz version (obviously not the best choice for the more demanding users). These processors aren’t the standard ones, but were specially developed by Intel in order to reduce the size and enhance the performance.

The system features 2GB DDR2 RAM at 667MHz, non-expandable. The RAM, in fact, is integrated within the motherboard and there are no expansion modules. The video system is also Intel branded, the GMA X3100 with 144 MB RAM which are shared with the system. These choices are necessary and perhaps even mandatory due to the lack of space and in order to guarantee a better autonomy.

The new Wi-Fi 802.11n Draft 2.0 guarantees a transfer speed of up to 100 MBits/s, and it’s compatible with the MIMO technology (multiple-input, multiple-output) that allows to use several antennae to transmit and receive the signal, enhancing its strength in any situation.

The pointer’s command (and not only) is trusted to the multi-touch trackpad. This system allows for a series of extra commands by touching the trackpad in a similar way to the iPhone. It is possible, for example, to zoom or spin documents simply using more than one finger at the same time, making intuitive and often natural gestures, that often result in a time saving as well.

The optical unit is missing, which was a needed choice in order to achieve such aesthetical results. On the front part, there is an infrared receiver for the Apple-Remote remote control (sold separately), while on the sides, hidden by a small cover, we can find the only physical ports present on this laptop: an USB port, a headphone jack and a mini-DVI to connect monitor or video-projectors.

There is no Ethernet port, but the latter is replaceable by using a specific adaptor (sold separately) that transforms the only USB port in an RJ-45. The MacBook Air features, however, all the necessary technologies in order to perform an “air connection”, whether on the Wi-Fi 802.11n connection or Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR.

The MacBook Air is build almost entirely in aluminum. Hence why, despite the small size, it looks sturdy and elegant. Its 2cm thickness and the round angles make this laptop particularly pleasant to look at. The weight is also very limited at 1,4kg.

The monitor closure isn’t done through a mechanical system, but through a magnetic clip, as for the power plug, and this solution had already been introduced on the MacBook and MacBook Pro. The mechanism, called MagSafe, allows the immediate detachment of the power cable in case of an accident, and it was adapted to the reduced dimensions on the MacBook Air.

The keyboard features the classic back-lighting, and it’s particularly comfortable when in dark or poorly-illuminated ambients. The 13,3″ LED monitor features the Widescreen system and has a standard resolution of 1280×800 pixels. As for the keyboard, the display’s brightness is sensor-controlled, automatically adapting itself to each situation. The monitor’s frame features the integrated iSight and also a microphone.

Apple has established itself as a brand that equals efficiency and quality on their products. Durng the last few years, the company has invested a lot into manufacturing computers that could put together great performances and small sizes, something that could reach to the normal user as well as the more sofisticated customer. The latest arrival, the MacBook Air, claims to combine minimum space and low consumption in one item.

The laptop is rather small and offers a great mobility, which was achieved by sacrificing some elements that would normally be essential on a computer. In fact, the MacBook Air is born as a secondary solution, perfect to those who want a very compact system. It does need, however, some optionals in order to give the best performance. For this exact reason, perhaps, this laptop ends on a very “elite” range.

It has, however, a lot of merit. A new genre of ultra-portable computers, with an illuminated keyboard and a 13,3″ monitor, and more importantly, very thin and discreetly comfortable. Amongs some of the new features, the new trackpad system, while the hardware features an Intel Core 2 Duo, 667 MHz DDR2 RAM, Solid State Hard Disk (optional) and the new 802.11n standard Wi-Fi.

The MacBook Air aims, in fact, to be less bulky than other laptops, eliminating the physical ports to favor the wireless connection.

As for the processor, the changes are less noticeable. While the other models featured Intel T series processors, now they are Intel P series. That is due to the Penryn series update. The TDP (Thermal design power) of the P series is only 25 watts (compared to the 35 Watts from the T series). Consequently, the system should be faster and consume less energy. There’s also the option of a Core 2 Duo T9600, which is faster, but heavier in terms of energy consumption.

Thanks to the GDDR3 and the graphic performances on the GeForce 9600M, it’s possible to play heavier games with medium details and lighter games with high details with no problems. The 320 GB HD has a 5400 rpm speed, being more silent compared to the 7200 rpm ones. During benchmarks, the HD has reached a maximum writing speed of 63 MB/sec.

The most noticeable technical change is concerning the graphic chip. The previous Intel chip has been replaced by an nVidia one. Apple chose the new MCP79MX chipset, called GeForce 9400M by Apple (nVidia calls it 9400M G on their homepage). At the time of this review, it offers the fastest integrated graphics and it can use up to 256 MB RAM. If users have the need of a better graphic performance, they can switch to the  graphic card nVidia GeForce 9600M GT with dedicated 512MB RAM. However, in order to do so, it’s necessarily to leave the Mac OS. The 9400M solution is sufficient for a standard load and offers a longer battery duration. The 9400M is as fast as the basic graphic cards, in average, while the 9600 GT comes from the 8600M GT from the previous model. Thanks to the 65nm technology, it can be overclocked, and it also features a processor with new functions.

Following the iMAC’s design success, the black frame around the display is covered by a glass panel. The design should keep the monitor stable and resistant. Unfortunately, the opaque display isn’t available anymore. However, the reflection is limited unless there is a light supply right behind the shoulders. The consumption is reduced and it’s worth mentioning Apple’s ecological mark on the new model: it doesn’t contain mercury or arsenic.

The colors on the MacBook Pro’s monitor are definitely very interesting, appearing stronger and real. Tests have demonstrated the same, revealing a maximum contrast of 487:1 which is rather good. The grey gradients have showed minimum steps, but only looking up closer. Subjectively, the reaction speed is also sufficient.

As for most notebooks nowadays, the vertical visual angle’s stability is partially limited. From the sides, the contrast is held longer. On an overall, the visual angles are rather good and do not pose any problems to the user.