Apple MacBook Pro Fall 2011 (2.4GHz Core i7, 15-inch)
The good: Incremental updates to the CPU help keep the MacBook Pro line a step above the now-mainstream MacBook Air. The trackpad and gesture controls are still the best of any current laptop.
The bad: Unless you need an optical drive, the MacBook Air may be a better fit for most, and the Pro still lacks things we'd like to see, such as HDMI, Blu-ray, and USB 3.0.
The bottom line: A MacBook Pro is a significant investment, especially when adding in optional upgrades. Cost aside, there's not a better choice (there are, however, some close ties) for an all-around powerhouse that will work in the home, the office, and in between.
Editors' note: On October 24, 2011, Apple updated the MacBook Pro line with new CPUs, larger hard drives, and new graphics options. The upgrades were very minor, and the bulk of our review of the 15-inch MacBook Pro from earlier in 2011 still stands. We've added upgrade and contextual notes below, as well as new benchmark test results.
The latest round of updates to Apple's popular MacBook Pro line were modest enough that they simply appeared on the Apple Web site with little fanfare beyond a basic press release. Rather than a generational jump as we saw in February 2011 (when the Pro moved from Intel's original Core i-series CPUs to the latest second-generation chips, formerly code-named Sandy Bridge), this is perhaps better described as minor housekeeping.
In the 15-inch MacBook Pro, we previously reviewed the more high-end of two starting configurations. That $2,199 unit had a 2.2GHz quad-core i7, whereas the $1,799 model had a 2.0GHz CPU. The biggest change is that the $1,799 model now has that 2.2GHz quad-core i7, and the $2,199 model moves up to an even faster 2.4GHz CPU. The GPU options are now a 512MB AMD Radeon HD 6750M in the lower-priced version and a 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6770M in the more expensive one. Default storage remains the same for the 15-inch models, but the 13- and 17-inch MacBook Pros have their own set of CPU, GPU, and HDD updates.
Note that this time around we tested the new $1,799 15-inch MacBook Pro, whereas our previous 15-inch MacBook Pro review sample was the $2,199 version, so we're effectively looking at the same CPU in both cases.
The iconic unibody aluminum construction remains the same, as does the large glass multitouch trackpad. Thunderbolt, Intel's new high-speed powered port for data transfer and displays, remains an interesting extra, but its promise is still hypothetical, with few available Thunderbolt-compatible peripherals.
This 15-inch MacBook Pro, at $1,799, follows the usual Apple trajectory of keeping the price steady but adding faster, more powerful components. The latest round of upgrades, while not revolutionary, helps give the Pro line a boost at a time when the less-expensive MacBook Air has become such an excellent mainstream laptop that it could easily substitute for the Pro for many potential MacBook buyers who don't need an internal optical drive or bigger screen.
Apple MacBook Air (11-inch, Summer 2011)
The good: The new 11-inch Apple MacBook Air is dramatically faster than last year's version, has a backlit keyboard, and comes with a high-speed Thunderbolt I/O port.
The bad: The $999 entry-level Air still has the same limited fixed flash storage and RAM as last year's version, which most people will want to upgrade from--and there's still no SD card slot, Ethernet port, or 3G wireless option.
The bottom line: This year's 11-inch MacBook Air improves on last year's model in several significant ways and is by far the fastest ultraportable you're likely to find, though some users will consider the limited flash storage space to be a hindrance.
Last October, Apple's 11-inch MacBook Air debuted. The tiny, slim ultraportable was the smallest laptop Apple had ever made. Its combination of size and power earned it a four-star review, with caveats: it had a last-generation Core 2 Duo processor, lacked a backlit keyboard, and omitted an SD card slot. We're glad to find the newly released, back-to-school-timed 2011 MacBook Air update fixes two of our three complaints, while keeping a $999 starting price.
Both 11- and 13-inch MacBook Airs have been updated with new, faster second-gen Core i5 processors. The new Air also, finally, has a backlit keyboard. There are more bonuses, too: Mac OS X Lion, Apple's brand-new operating system update, comes preinstalled. A Thunderbolt I/O port for high-speed data transfer and HD audio/video has been added.
Unfortunately, there's still no SD card slot, and memory and storage configurations remain both fixed and limited: the entry-level $999 configuration still only has 2GB of RAM and 64GB of flash storage, which many will consider inadequate. We recommend the $1,199 configuration, which has 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Perhaps the biggest change to the MacBook Air is how it's being sold. Now that the $999 white MacBook no longer exists, Apple has made the MacBook Air the entry-level laptop for everybody (everybody with a grand to drop on a laptop, at least). The $999 11-inch MacBook Air is the most affordable MacBook in Apple's stable.
The 2011 11-inch Air is, undeniably, an improvement over the fall 2010 version. Is it a MacBook for everyone, though? Not yet, unless you can live with the Air's still comparatively limited storage space. For a more full-size laptop with even better battery life, many might be tempted to get the 13-inch MacBook Air or even the more full-featured 13-inch MacBook Pro. But, for sheer portability and performance, nothing can beat the 11-inch Air.
Apple MacBook Air (13-inch, Summer 2011)
The good: The 13-inch MacBook Air has been updated with the latest Intel CPUs for better performance and battery life. Backlit keyboards make a welcome return.
The bad: The 128GB SSD drive is a lot smaller than a standard hard drive. This also starts at $100 more than the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The bottom line: The latest version of the 13-inch MacBook Air vastly outperforms its predecessor, and can finally be called suitable for mainstream use, instead of relegated as a niche product.
As with most Apple products, the MacBook Air has moved into an annual update cycle, taking it from the original niche product version to its new perch as Apple's mainstream laptop line. With that, we've also seen a continued mainstreaming of the system's components and capabilities over the course of three generations.
Apple's new Air models hold last year's prices, the 13-inch model starts at $1,299, but while dramatically upgrading the processing power: the new second-generation Core i5 processor in the base 11-inch and 13-inch Air is a jump of two Intel generations, going directly from the older Core 2 Duo CPUs past the first generation of Core i5/i7 chips and directly to the 2011 second-generation Core i-series.
Physically, the new MacBook Air looks and feels identical to the one from October 2010, with one important exception. Both the 11- and 13-inch models now include a backlit keyboard, a much-missed feature in the previous generation (in a CNET poll, 26 percent of readers listed a backlit keyboard as their most-wanted new MacBook Air feature).
Thunderbolt has been added to the both Airs as well, replacing the Mini DisplayPort (the new combo port acts as a Mini DisplayPort output as well). At the moment, it's more of a novelty than anything else, with few accessories available, but Apple's upcoming Thunderbolt Display, intended for use with laptops, seems intriguing.
The most obvious non-component-related change to the MacBook Air line is the preinstalled OSX Lion software. If getting this new operating system update is your primary goal, it's available for any Intel-powered MacBook for $29--so there's no reason to trade in your last-gen Air just yet.
With 4GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage, the 13-inch Air is a better bet for trouble-free mainstream computing than the 11-inch version, which defaults to 2GB of RAM and only a 64GB SSD (of which, only around 48GB is available to use). The trend toward cloud storage makes this less of a problem than it might have been, but you may want a little more breathing room.
Now that it uses current-gen Intel CPUs, the MacBook is definitely a viable everyday laptop, rather than a specialty product--its performance was very close to the 2011 13-inch MacBook Pro in most of our benchmark tests, and its battery life similarly excellent.
Apple MacBook Air Fall 2010 (Core 2 Duo 1.86GHz, 128GB SSD, 13.3-inch)
The good: Apple's MacBook Air is thin and powerful enough to use as a mainstream laptop. It has an excellent battery and includes an SD card slot.
The bad: The Air has limited connections compared with other 13-inch laptops, and its keyboard isn't backlit. It's outclassed by the new MacBook Pro line.
The bottom line: The second generation of Apple's MacBook Air fixes many of our issues with the ambitious original, adding more USB ports, an SD card slot, and a more powerful processor.
Apple's original ultrathin MacBook Air was the very definition of a specialty laptop: its alluring design was offset by a limited number of connections and an underpowered CPU, making it truly useful for only a small fraction of users. The second generation of the 13-inch MacBook Air addresses most of our issues with the Air, adding a second USB port, an SD card slot, a higher-resolution display, and better CPUs.
To maximize battery life, this new MacBook Air moves to an SSD-only hard drive, and like the 11-inch version we reviewed last year, the system starts up in a flash and wakes up from its sleep state even faster.
All these improvements don't come cheap, however. At $1,299 (and up), this is a premium-priced laptop, and it feels even more so when you consider that the 11-inch Air and standard white MacBook are available for $999 (to say nothing of the $499 iPad).
If you can survive without a built-in optical drive, and don't need more than the two USB ports provided, we'd be tempted to say we'd grab this 13-inch MacBook Air over the more powerful 13-inch MacBook Pro, because its slim, lightweight design makes it a lot easier to carry around, but keep in mind that the newly refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro (with Intel's latest Core i-series CPUs) both is much more powerful and has better battery life.
Apple MacBook Pro Winter 2011 (2.3GHz Core i5, 13-inch)
The good: The CPU updates to the 13-inch MacBook Pro offer big leaps in performance. The machine has phenomenal battery life, and excellent ergonomics, keyboard, and large, smooth, multitouch trackpad are still among the best available. It also comes with 720p HD Webcam.
The bad: Graphics performance is slightly worse than last year's 13-inch Pro. The 13-inch screen resolution is still low compared with the MacBook Air. The Thunderbolt port is an unknown quantity until accessories become available. There are limited upgrade options, and no HDMI or Blu-ray.
The bottom line: The new entry-level $1,199 13-inch MacBook Pro's significant CPU updates and fantastic battery life are nearly as good as what you get in the more expensive $1,499 version.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is the most affordable of Apple's high-end laptops. With the admittedly supercharged 15-inch version starting at a princely $1,799, the 13-inch model's starting price of $1,199 is the one many consumers will likely consider first. Its size is also ideal and in fact, we've long considered 13 inches to be the sweet spot in laptops for usability and performance. The question is: does the smaller Pro deliver the processing punch that last year's lacked?
In short: unequivocally yes. This year's 13-inch Pro gets a cutting-edge processor upgrade that many were waiting for--including us. That upgrade comes in the form of next-generation Intel Core i-series CPUs. The 2011 MacBook Pros are the first laptops we've reviewed at CNET with these processors; the entry-level 13-inch model features a second-generation 2.3GHz Core i5 processor, whereas the $1,499 configuration has a 2.7GHz dual-core Core i7.
Though both configurations use differently branded CPUs, the Core i5/Core i7 difference turns out to be pretty insignificant between these two 13-inch Pros. In our benchmark tests, the Core i5 13-inch model performed so closely to the Core i7 version (and, in single-task tests, not that far off from the quad-core 15-inch Pro) that, for the $300 savings, it's arguably the better buy. The entry-level version has an identical screen, graphics, RAM, and ports to the $1,499 model, with the exception of a 320GB hard drive instead of 500GB.
One small drawback: the integrated (and nonupgradable) Intel HD 3000 graphics in both 13-inch models are a step backward from the integrated Nvidia graphics found in the 2010 13-inch Pro. Though it's a bit of a backslide, however, it still amounts to better graphics than low-end Nvidia GeForce GPUs, and it's leaps and bounds above Intel integrated graphics in 2010 Windows laptops.
The entry-level 13-inch Pro also still comes with the much-talked-about high-speed data/video port, Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt is envisioned as a sort of future unified successor to USB, FireWire, and DisplayPort, allowing peripherals to carry data and video at 10Gbps. We don't know when Thunderbolt-compatible peripherals will be available (although Apple says the first ones should show up in the spring of 2011), how much they'll cost, or if Apple will be adding the technology to future displays or iOS devices. For now, it's a wait-and-see gamble on a future technology, but at least the port is backward-compatible with Mini DisplayPort, and a FireWire 800 port remains for legacy hardware.
In the end, the 2011 13-inch Pro is a big step up in processing performance for the same price as its predecessor. To put it in perspective, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is about as powerful CPU-wise as last year's $2,199 15-inch Core i7 model. And though its integrated Intel graphics are a bit less capable than the previous model's Nvidia 320M GPU, the payoff comes with a sizeable jump in battery life. To be honest, we'd rather have a longer-lasting battery.
Apple MacBook Spring 2010 (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD)
The good: Faster processor; improved graphics; better battery life.
The bad: Still no SD card slot; might be time for Apple to switch to 16:9 aspect ratio displays.
The bottom line: Apple slightly revamps its basic MacBook with improvements under the hood, but keeps the design and price the same, which makes the new MacBook tough to beat as a back-to-school laptop.
Incredibly popular on college campuses and in coffee shops, Apple's MacBook laptops are arguably one of the most flexible and useful laptop lines ever designed, thanks to the company's overarching hardware and software ecosystem--and anchored by our favorite track pad ever.
The Pro line may be Apple's flagship laptop, but the basic white polycarbonate $999 MacBook hits the sweet spot between price and performance; especially now that the Apple's latest updates have added a slightly faster Intel Core 2 Duo processor, improved Nvidia graphics, and even given its battery life a modest boost.
While the practical impact on users is probably modest, Apple still hasn't moved to Intel's newer Core-series CPUs in its 13-inch models, and the lack of an SD card slot in any laptop these days seems like a glaring omission. We expect some changes in these areas when Apple gives its MacBook line its next big refresh, else things may start to feel a bit dated. While we're compiling a wish list, we'd love to see Apple make the switch and give the MacBook screen a 16:9 aspect ratio with higher resolutions.
That said, if you're shopping for a back-to-school laptop--and it's certainly getting to be that time of the year--the 13-inch MacBook is very likely near the top of your list, and with good reason.
The bad: Unless you need an optical drive, the MacBook Air may be a better fit for most, and the Pro still lacks things we'd like to see, such as HDMI, Blu-ray, and USB 3.0.
The bottom line: A MacBook Pro is a significant investment, especially when adding in optional upgrades. Cost aside, there's not a better choice (there are, however, some close ties) for an all-around powerhouse that will work in the home, the office, and in between.
Editors' note: On October 24, 2011, Apple updated the MacBook Pro line with new CPUs, larger hard drives, and new graphics options. The upgrades were very minor, and the bulk of our review of the 15-inch MacBook Pro from earlier in 2011 still stands. We've added upgrade and contextual notes below, as well as new benchmark test results.
The latest round of updates to Apple's popular MacBook Pro line were modest enough that they simply appeared on the Apple Web site with little fanfare beyond a basic press release. Rather than a generational jump as we saw in February 2011 (when the Pro moved from Intel's original Core i-series CPUs to the latest second-generation chips, formerly code-named Sandy Bridge), this is perhaps better described as minor housekeeping.
In the 15-inch MacBook Pro, we previously reviewed the more high-end of two starting configurations. That $2,199 unit had a 2.2GHz quad-core i7, whereas the $1,799 model had a 2.0GHz CPU. The biggest change is that the $1,799 model now has that 2.2GHz quad-core i7, and the $2,199 model moves up to an even faster 2.4GHz CPU. The GPU options are now a 512MB AMD Radeon HD 6750M in the lower-priced version and a 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6770M in the more expensive one. Default storage remains the same for the 15-inch models, but the 13- and 17-inch MacBook Pros have their own set of CPU, GPU, and HDD updates.
Note that this time around we tested the new $1,799 15-inch MacBook Pro, whereas our previous 15-inch MacBook Pro review sample was the $2,199 version, so we're effectively looking at the same CPU in both cases.
The iconic unibody aluminum construction remains the same, as does the large glass multitouch trackpad. Thunderbolt, Intel's new high-speed powered port for data transfer and displays, remains an interesting extra, but its promise is still hypothetical, with few available Thunderbolt-compatible peripherals.
This 15-inch MacBook Pro, at $1,799, follows the usual Apple trajectory of keeping the price steady but adding faster, more powerful components. The latest round of upgrades, while not revolutionary, helps give the Pro line a boost at a time when the less-expensive MacBook Air has become such an excellent mainstream laptop that it could easily substitute for the Pro for many potential MacBook buyers who don't need an internal optical drive or bigger screen.
The bad: The $999 entry-level Air still has the same limited fixed flash storage and RAM as last year's version, which most people will want to upgrade from--and there's still no SD card slot, Ethernet port, or 3G wireless option.
The bottom line: This year's 11-inch MacBook Air improves on last year's model in several significant ways and is by far the fastest ultraportable you're likely to find, though some users will consider the limited flash storage space to be a hindrance.
Last October, Apple's 11-inch MacBook Air debuted. The tiny, slim ultraportable was the smallest laptop Apple had ever made. Its combination of size and power earned it a four-star review, with caveats: it had a last-generation Core 2 Duo processor, lacked a backlit keyboard, and omitted an SD card slot. We're glad to find the newly released, back-to-school-timed 2011 MacBook Air update fixes two of our three complaints, while keeping a $999 starting price.
Both 11- and 13-inch MacBook Airs have been updated with new, faster second-gen Core i5 processors. The new Air also, finally, has a backlit keyboard. There are more bonuses, too: Mac OS X Lion, Apple's brand-new operating system update, comes preinstalled. A Thunderbolt I/O port for high-speed data transfer and HD audio/video has been added.
Unfortunately, there's still no SD card slot, and memory and storage configurations remain both fixed and limited: the entry-level $999 configuration still only has 2GB of RAM and 64GB of flash storage, which many will consider inadequate. We recommend the $1,199 configuration, which has 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Perhaps the biggest change to the MacBook Air is how it's being sold. Now that the $999 white MacBook no longer exists, Apple has made the MacBook Air the entry-level laptop for everybody (everybody with a grand to drop on a laptop, at least). The $999 11-inch MacBook Air is the most affordable MacBook in Apple's stable.
The 2011 11-inch Air is, undeniably, an improvement over the fall 2010 version. Is it a MacBook for everyone, though? Not yet, unless you can live with the Air's still comparatively limited storage space. For a more full-size laptop with even better battery life, many might be tempted to get the 13-inch MacBook Air or even the more full-featured 13-inch MacBook Pro. But, for sheer portability and performance, nothing can beat the 11-inch Air.
The good: The 13-inch MacBook Air has been updated with the latest Intel CPUs for better performance and battery life. Backlit keyboards make a welcome return.
The bad: The 128GB SSD drive is a lot smaller than a standard hard drive. This also starts at $100 more than the 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The bottom line: The latest version of the 13-inch MacBook Air vastly outperforms its predecessor, and can finally be called suitable for mainstream use, instead of relegated as a niche product.
As with most Apple products, the MacBook Air has moved into an annual update cycle, taking it from the original niche product version to its new perch as Apple's mainstream laptop line. With that, we've also seen a continued mainstreaming of the system's components and capabilities over the course of three generations.
Apple's new Air models hold last year's prices, the 13-inch model starts at $1,299, but while dramatically upgrading the processing power: the new second-generation Core i5 processor in the base 11-inch and 13-inch Air is a jump of two Intel generations, going directly from the older Core 2 Duo CPUs past the first generation of Core i5/i7 chips and directly to the 2011 second-generation Core i-series.
Physically, the new MacBook Air looks and feels identical to the one from October 2010, with one important exception. Both the 11- and 13-inch models now include a backlit keyboard, a much-missed feature in the previous generation (in a CNET poll, 26 percent of readers listed a backlit keyboard as their most-wanted new MacBook Air feature).
Thunderbolt has been added to the both Airs as well, replacing the Mini DisplayPort (the new combo port acts as a Mini DisplayPort output as well). At the moment, it's more of a novelty than anything else, with few accessories available, but Apple's upcoming Thunderbolt Display, intended for use with laptops, seems intriguing.
The most obvious non-component-related change to the MacBook Air line is the preinstalled OSX Lion software. If getting this new operating system update is your primary goal, it's available for any Intel-powered MacBook for $29--so there's no reason to trade in your last-gen Air just yet.
With 4GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage, the 13-inch Air is a better bet for trouble-free mainstream computing than the 11-inch version, which defaults to 2GB of RAM and only a 64GB SSD (of which, only around 48GB is available to use). The trend toward cloud storage makes this less of a problem than it might have been, but you may want a little more breathing room.
Now that it uses current-gen Intel CPUs, the MacBook is definitely a viable everyday laptop, rather than a specialty product--its performance was very close to the 2011 13-inch MacBook Pro in most of our benchmark tests, and its battery life similarly excellent.
The good: Apple's MacBook Air is thin and powerful enough to use as a mainstream laptop. It has an excellent battery and includes an SD card slot.
The bad: The Air has limited connections compared with other 13-inch laptops, and its keyboard isn't backlit. It's outclassed by the new MacBook Pro line.
The bottom line: The second generation of Apple's MacBook Air fixes many of our issues with the ambitious original, adding more USB ports, an SD card slot, and a more powerful processor.
Apple's original ultrathin MacBook Air was the very definition of a specialty laptop: its alluring design was offset by a limited number of connections and an underpowered CPU, making it truly useful for only a small fraction of users. The second generation of the 13-inch MacBook Air addresses most of our issues with the Air, adding a second USB port, an SD card slot, a higher-resolution display, and better CPUs.
To maximize battery life, this new MacBook Air moves to an SSD-only hard drive, and like the 11-inch version we reviewed last year, the system starts up in a flash and wakes up from its sleep state even faster.
All these improvements don't come cheap, however. At $1,299 (and up), this is a premium-priced laptop, and it feels even more so when you consider that the 11-inch Air and standard white MacBook are available for $999 (to say nothing of the $499 iPad).
If you can survive without a built-in optical drive, and don't need more than the two USB ports provided, we'd be tempted to say we'd grab this 13-inch MacBook Air over the more powerful 13-inch MacBook Pro, because its slim, lightweight design makes it a lot easier to carry around, but keep in mind that the newly refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro (with Intel's latest Core i-series CPUs) both is much more powerful and has better battery life.
The good: The CPU updates to the 13-inch MacBook Pro offer big leaps in performance. The machine has phenomenal battery life, and excellent ergonomics, keyboard, and large, smooth, multitouch trackpad are still among the best available. It also comes with 720p HD Webcam.
The bad: Graphics performance is slightly worse than last year's 13-inch Pro. The 13-inch screen resolution is still low compared with the MacBook Air. The Thunderbolt port is an unknown quantity until accessories become available. There are limited upgrade options, and no HDMI or Blu-ray.
The bottom line: The new entry-level $1,199 13-inch MacBook Pro's significant CPU updates and fantastic battery life are nearly as good as what you get in the more expensive $1,499 version.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro is the most affordable of Apple's high-end laptops. With the admittedly supercharged 15-inch version starting at a princely $1,799, the 13-inch model's starting price of $1,199 is the one many consumers will likely consider first. Its size is also ideal and in fact, we've long considered 13 inches to be the sweet spot in laptops for usability and performance. The question is: does the smaller Pro deliver the processing punch that last year's lacked?
In short: unequivocally yes. This year's 13-inch Pro gets a cutting-edge processor upgrade that many were waiting for--including us. That upgrade comes in the form of next-generation Intel Core i-series CPUs. The 2011 MacBook Pros are the first laptops we've reviewed at CNET with these processors; the entry-level 13-inch model features a second-generation 2.3GHz Core i5 processor, whereas the $1,499 configuration has a 2.7GHz dual-core Core i7.
Though both configurations use differently branded CPUs, the Core i5/Core i7 difference turns out to be pretty insignificant between these two 13-inch Pros. In our benchmark tests, the Core i5 13-inch model performed so closely to the Core i7 version (and, in single-task tests, not that far off from the quad-core 15-inch Pro) that, for the $300 savings, it's arguably the better buy. The entry-level version has an identical screen, graphics, RAM, and ports to the $1,499 model, with the exception of a 320GB hard drive instead of 500GB.
One small drawback: the integrated (and nonupgradable) Intel HD 3000 graphics in both 13-inch models are a step backward from the integrated Nvidia graphics found in the 2010 13-inch Pro. Though it's a bit of a backslide, however, it still amounts to better graphics than low-end Nvidia GeForce GPUs, and it's leaps and bounds above Intel integrated graphics in 2010 Windows laptops.
The entry-level 13-inch Pro also still comes with the much-talked-about high-speed data/video port, Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt is envisioned as a sort of future unified successor to USB, FireWire, and DisplayPort, allowing peripherals to carry data and video at 10Gbps. We don't know when Thunderbolt-compatible peripherals will be available (although Apple says the first ones should show up in the spring of 2011), how much they'll cost, or if Apple will be adding the technology to future displays or iOS devices. For now, it's a wait-and-see gamble on a future technology, but at least the port is backward-compatible with Mini DisplayPort, and a FireWire 800 port remains for legacy hardware.
In the end, the 2011 13-inch Pro is a big step up in processing performance for the same price as its predecessor. To put it in perspective, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is about as powerful CPU-wise as last year's $2,199 15-inch Core i7 model. And though its integrated Intel graphics are a bit less capable than the previous model's Nvidia 320M GPU, the payoff comes with a sizeable jump in battery life. To be honest, we'd rather have a longer-lasting battery.
The bad: Still no SD card slot; might be time for Apple to switch to 16:9 aspect ratio displays.
The bottom line: Apple slightly revamps its basic MacBook with improvements under the hood, but keeps the design and price the same, which makes the new MacBook tough to beat as a back-to-school laptop.
Incredibly popular on college campuses and in coffee shops, Apple's MacBook laptops are arguably one of the most flexible and useful laptop lines ever designed, thanks to the company's overarching hardware and software ecosystem--and anchored by our favorite track pad ever.
The Pro line may be Apple's flagship laptop, but the basic white polycarbonate $999 MacBook hits the sweet spot between price and performance; especially now that the Apple's latest updates have added a slightly faster Intel Core 2 Duo processor, improved Nvidia graphics, and even given its battery life a modest boost.
While the practical impact on users is probably modest, Apple still hasn't moved to Intel's newer Core-series CPUs in its 13-inch models, and the lack of an SD card slot in any laptop these days seems like a glaring omission. We expect some changes in these areas when Apple gives its MacBook line its next big refresh, else things may start to feel a bit dated. While we're compiling a wish list, we'd love to see Apple make the switch and give the MacBook screen a 16:9 aspect ratio with higher resolutions.
That said, if you're shopping for a back-to-school laptop--and it's certainly getting to be that time of the year--the 13-inch MacBook is very likely near the top of your list, and with good reason.
Apple MacBook Pro Spring 2010 (Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, 13-inch)
The good: Adds fast, efficient Intel Core i5, i7 processors, new Nvidia graphics, seamless switching between integrated, discrete GPUs...
The bad: At the top end of the price scale; still no HDMI, Blu-ray, or other high-end options.
The bottom line: Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro keeps the same look and feel, but offers major internal changes, including an optional Intel Core i7 CPU, making it a very serious portable powerhouse.
Apple has updated its line of MacBook Pros with new second-generation Intel Core i-series processors, AMD and Intel HD 3000 graphics, and high-speed Thunderbolt I/O ports. See CNET's coverage of the Winter 2011 MacBook Pros for more information.
Updates to Apple's MacBook line of laptops are always closely watched, and they generally fall into two categories: there are major evolutions, such as the switch to aluminum unibody construction in 2008, and then there are minor spec upgrades, typically small bumps to processor speed and hard-drive size.
The newest version of the MacBook Pro line surprisingly falls outside of those two extremes. The iconic unibody aluminum construction remains, as does its large glass multitouch trackpad (in fact, from the outside, the new MacBook Pro looks identical to its predecessor). But the revamped internal components are much more than a simple spec upgrade.
The 15- and 17-inch Pro models have moved to Intel's newer line of Core-i CPUs, from the older Core 2 Duo models (the 13-inch Pro, unfortunately, still uses a Core 2 Duo CPU). Both mainstream Core i5 and high-end Core i7 versions are available. This requires a new chipset architecture (courtesy of Intel) and a switch from the integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400 to Intel's built-in integrated graphics for the systems' default GPU.
Our review sample is the highest-end 15-inch base configuration, with a 2.66GHz Core i7 CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and Nvidia GeForce GT330M discrete graphics. At $2,199, it's definitely expensive, but it's still $100 cheaper than the previous high-end 15-inch MacBook Pro configuration. The lowest-priced 15-inch model costs $1,799, which is $100 more than the previous low-end 15-inch MacBook Pro--but that system now includes discrete graphics instead of only integrated graphics. Overall, this round of updates follows the usual Apple trajectory: keeping the price steady but adding faster, more powerful components.
We continue to pine for oft-requested extras such as HDMI, Blu-ray, and 3G, but at the same time, the Core i7 CPU is extremely impressive, both on paper and in action. With the 13-inch model still stuck with a Core 2 Duo CPU, this revamped 15-inch MacBook Pro now feels like the line's powerhouse flagship model.
Apple MacBook Fall 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.26GHz, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, Nvidia GeForce 9400M)
The good: Sleek unibody design; LED display; big multitouch trackpad; long battery life.
The bad: Loses FireWire; no SD card slot; nonremovable battery.
The bottom line: Apple's latest version of the popular $999 white MacBook gets an upscale makeover, while keeping the price the same. It's a strong alternative to the more expensive Pro line, if you can live without extras such as an SD card slot.
The white MacBook reviewed here , to include a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, a 250GB hard drive, and improved Nvidia GeForce 320M integrated graphics, mirroring some of the improvements seen in the 13-inch spring 2010 MacBook Pro. The $999 MacBook also boasts an improved battery life, likely receiving the same benefits we saw in the MacBook Pro. The unibody design has been retained, but the improvement bumps make this an even better value for the price.
While it's neither the less-expensive entry-level MacBook some had hoped for, nor the long-rumored touch-screen device, the new 13-inch MacBook can now escape its designation as the lone holdover system from Apple's previous generation, thanks to an upscale makeover that keeps the price stable at just under the $1,000 mark.
But, does that mean recent MacBook buyers should run out and upgrade?
If you own a recent polycarbonate MacBook, or even an older model that's still in good working order, we don't see an immediate need to upgrade. But, if you've been in the market for a MacBook, and waiting to see if the holiday season would bring lower prices, offering this new sleeker-looking version of the MacBook at the same price as the old one is as much of a slight recessionary nod Apple is likely to give.
The main knocks come from the loss of the FireWire port, and the lack of an SD card reader (now offered on the 13- and 15-inch Macbook Pro models) to replace it. Other than that, this is the best version to date of Apple's non-Pro laptop line.
Apple MacBook Pro Summer 2009 (Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 256MB, 15-inch)
The good: Price cut from previous version; new SD card slot; keeps the same solid unibody construction and oversize trackpad.
The bad: Loses the ExpressCard slot; switching GPUs not as seamless as it should be.
The bottom line: Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro makes only minor tweaks to the previous version, but cutting prices and swapping the ExpressCard slot for an SD card slot are enough to make it a solid improvement over its predecessor.
The latest round of MacBook revisions are nowhere near as radical as the aluminum unibody construction rolled out in late 2008. Instead, the 13-inch MacBook has been promoted to the Pro family, while the 15-inch MacBook Pro gets a handful of minor component upgrades. More important than that, however, is a series of price cuts for all of the base model MacBook Pros, including this $2,299 version--the comparable 2008 version originally cost $200 more.
Now that the 13- and 15-inch models have the same basic feature set, including Nvidia's excellent integrated GeForce 9400 graphics, a high-capacity (if unremovable) battery, an SD card slot, and FireWire connection, the main points of differentiation are minor CPU speed boosts, a bigger screen, and the availability of a separate discrete GPU (the GeForce 9600) that can be turned off if needed to improve battery life. Our $2,299 review unit had the 512MB version of the GPU, while the $1,999 version has a 256MB version.
Most users will be ably served by the less-expensive 13-inch MacBook Pro, which starts as low as $1,199, but the combo of a faster CPU, better battery, larger 500GB hard drive, the SD card slot, and a $200 price cut makes the new 15-inch MacBook Pro a solid improvement over its predecessor.
Apple MacBook Pro(Core 2 Duo 2.53GHz, Nvidia GeForce 9400M w/ 512MB)
The good: New aluminum unibody construction looks good, feels solid; giant trackpad; attractive edge-to-edge glass on display; new dual graphics provide more power or more battery life.
The bad: All-clicking trackpad is a bit awkward, at least initially; the extra-glossy screen won't appeal to everyone; switching GPUs not as seamless as it should be; similar performance to the cheaper 13-inch MacBook; still no media card slot.
The bottom line: Apple's redesigned 15-inch MacBook Pro boasts a redesigned aluminum body that's stunning, thin, and sturdy; a new trackpad with expanded functionality; and a dual graphics setup for either longer battery life or better performance, but there's now less incentive to spend extra for it because its 13-inch mainstream cousin received a greater overhaul.
With the new 13-inch MacBook looking and feeling more like the more expensive 15-inch MacBook Pro line than ever, it's harder to tell the difference between the two laptops. Both models feature a "unibody" aluminum chassis, a buttonless (or more accurately, all-button) trackpad, and edge-to-edge glass on the LED backlit display. So aside from 2 inches of display space, what advantages does the MacBook Pro offer compared with the less expensive MacBook?
For starters, FireWire. The Pro is now the only current Apple laptop with a FireWire port--that connection was unceremoniously dumped from the less expensive 13-inch model with the new redesign. Conspiracy theorists may cry foul, but FireWire is becoming increasingly used only in professional applications (although it may not feel like that if you have a FireWire-only camera). One can't help feeling this move was made to push you toward the more expensive systems. But it's worth noting that the $999 basic MacBook model (essentially a less expensive version of the traditional MacBook Apple's been offering for the past couple of years) still has its FireWire port, so there is a low-cost option if FireWire is a must-have.
In addition to its FireWire 800 port, the MacBook Pro also boasts an ExpressCard slot, an expansion option not offered on the MacBook. Regrettably, neither model received a media card slot in the latest revision, an increasingly odd omission since nearly any Windows laptop has served up such an expansion port for years.
Internally, the big news is Apple ditching Intel for an Nvidia chipset with improved integrated graphics, which is then paired with a dedicated Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics card that can be turned off as needed to improve battery life or on to boost performance. Our $2,499 review unit had the 512MB version of the GPU; the $1,999 MacBook Pro features a 256MB Nvidia GeForce 9600M. The more consumer-focused MacBook relies on integrated GeForce 9400M graphics.
Compared with the models they each replace, both the MacBook and MacBook Pro operate on a faster frontside bus (from 800MHz to 1066MHz) and move from DDR2 memory to DDR3, but both new models turned in similar performance in CNET Labs. While the overall MacBook Pro package, while expensive, remains a go-to for media professionals, as well as Mac fans who want a bigger screen, given the fact that there is less to differentiate the MacBook Pro from the MacBook, we think it'll be harder for Apple to make the case that the extra money for the higher-end Pro model is worth it.
Apple MacBook Pro (Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M w/ 256MB)
Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro received a design overhaul and now includes the unibody chassis built from a single piece of aluminum, a multitouch glass trackpad, a new black screen bezel, and black keys.
Of Apple's MacBook Pro lineup, only the two 15-inch models received the complete workup today. By now, you're probably aware of the design changes, which include a new "unibody" chassis, new buttonless multitouch trackpad, the addition of a mini DisplayPort, and the subtraction of the FireWire 400 port. Let's take a closer look at the changes under the hood.
Pricing remains the same, with $1,999 and $2,499 default configurations. The biggest change is the move away from Intel and to the Nvidia GeForce 9400M chipset and the introduction of a dual-graphics setup that lets you switch between integrated 9400M graphics and discrete GeForce 9600M GT graphics (either a 256MB or a 512MB card). The higher-end model now ships with 4GB of RAM by default, and doubling the RAM on the lower-end model is $50 cheaper, at $150. The CPUs remain largely unchanged, but now operate on a faster 1066MHz bus. The $2,499 MacBook Pro lets you upgrade to a 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo for $300; previously, the fastest chip offered was a 2.6GHz processor. Larger 320GB hard drives are now offered, including a 7200rpm unit, as is a 128GB solid-state drive.
Apple MacBook Air (Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M)
The MacBook Air introduced the unibody chassis design and multitouch gestures last year, and, thus, it doesn't receive much of an upgrade this time around.
The new MacBook Air looks the same as the original Air, but Apple squeezes a mini DisplayPort connection under the flap that hides the lone USB port and headphone jack.
As with the MacBook and MacBook Pro refreshes, the new MacBook Air ditches the Intel chipset for Nvidia and features integrated GeForce 9400M graphics. It also increases the front-side bus from 800MHz to 1066MHz, while keeping the Core 2 Duo processor offerings roughly the same, though the chips' L2 cache increases from 4MB to 6MB. The default memory is 2GB and you still can't upgrade beyond that, but it's now of the DDR3 variety. A 120GB (4200rpm) hard drive replaces the old 80GB unit, and a 128GB solid-state drive replaces the previous 64GB SSD offering.
The price of the lower-end Air remains $1,799, while Apple knocked $99 off the higher-end model, bringing it down to a still pricey $2,499.
The bad: At the top end of the price scale; still no HDMI, Blu-ray, or other high-end options.
The bottom line: Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro keeps the same look and feel, but offers major internal changes, including an optional Intel Core i7 CPU, making it a very serious portable powerhouse.
Apple has updated its line of MacBook Pros with new second-generation Intel Core i-series processors, AMD and Intel HD 3000 graphics, and high-speed Thunderbolt I/O ports. See CNET's coverage of the Winter 2011 MacBook Pros for more information.
Updates to Apple's MacBook line of laptops are always closely watched, and they generally fall into two categories: there are major evolutions, such as the switch to aluminum unibody construction in 2008, and then there are minor spec upgrades, typically small bumps to processor speed and hard-drive size.
The newest version of the MacBook Pro line surprisingly falls outside of those two extremes. The iconic unibody aluminum construction remains, as does its large glass multitouch trackpad (in fact, from the outside, the new MacBook Pro looks identical to its predecessor). But the revamped internal components are much more than a simple spec upgrade.
The 15- and 17-inch Pro models have moved to Intel's newer line of Core-i CPUs, from the older Core 2 Duo models (the 13-inch Pro, unfortunately, still uses a Core 2 Duo CPU). Both mainstream Core i5 and high-end Core i7 versions are available. This requires a new chipset architecture (courtesy of Intel) and a switch from the integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400 to Intel's built-in integrated graphics for the systems' default GPU.
Our review sample is the highest-end 15-inch base configuration, with a 2.66GHz Core i7 CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, and Nvidia GeForce GT330M discrete graphics. At $2,199, it's definitely expensive, but it's still $100 cheaper than the previous high-end 15-inch MacBook Pro configuration. The lowest-priced 15-inch model costs $1,799, which is $100 more than the previous low-end 15-inch MacBook Pro--but that system now includes discrete graphics instead of only integrated graphics. Overall, this round of updates follows the usual Apple trajectory: keeping the price steady but adding faster, more powerful components.
We continue to pine for oft-requested extras such as HDMI, Blu-ray, and 3G, but at the same time, the Core i7 CPU is extremely impressive, both on paper and in action. With the 13-inch model still stuck with a Core 2 Duo CPU, this revamped 15-inch MacBook Pro now feels like the line's powerhouse flagship model.
The good: Sleek unibody design; LED display; big multitouch trackpad; long battery life.
The bad: Loses FireWire; no SD card slot; nonremovable battery.
The bottom line: Apple's latest version of the popular $999 white MacBook gets an upscale makeover, while keeping the price the same. It's a strong alternative to the more expensive Pro line, if you can live without extras such as an SD card slot.
The white MacBook reviewed here , to include a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo processor, a 250GB hard drive, and improved Nvidia GeForce 320M integrated graphics, mirroring some of the improvements seen in the 13-inch spring 2010 MacBook Pro. The $999 MacBook also boasts an improved battery life, likely receiving the same benefits we saw in the MacBook Pro. The unibody design has been retained, but the improvement bumps make this an even better value for the price.
While it's neither the less-expensive entry-level MacBook some had hoped for, nor the long-rumored touch-screen device, the new 13-inch MacBook can now escape its designation as the lone holdover system from Apple's previous generation, thanks to an upscale makeover that keeps the price stable at just under the $1,000 mark.
But, does that mean recent MacBook buyers should run out and upgrade?
If you own a recent polycarbonate MacBook, or even an older model that's still in good working order, we don't see an immediate need to upgrade. But, if you've been in the market for a MacBook, and waiting to see if the holiday season would bring lower prices, offering this new sleeker-looking version of the MacBook at the same price as the old one is as much of a slight recessionary nod Apple is likely to give.
The main knocks come from the loss of the FireWire port, and the lack of an SD card reader (now offered on the 13- and 15-inch Macbook Pro models) to replace it. Other than that, this is the best version to date of Apple's non-Pro laptop line.
The good: Price cut from previous version; new SD card slot; keeps the same solid unibody construction and oversize trackpad.
The bad: Loses the ExpressCard slot; switching GPUs not as seamless as it should be.
The bottom line: Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro makes only minor tweaks to the previous version, but cutting prices and swapping the ExpressCard slot for an SD card slot are enough to make it a solid improvement over its predecessor.
The latest round of MacBook revisions are nowhere near as radical as the aluminum unibody construction rolled out in late 2008. Instead, the 13-inch MacBook has been promoted to the Pro family, while the 15-inch MacBook Pro gets a handful of minor component upgrades. More important than that, however, is a series of price cuts for all of the base model MacBook Pros, including this $2,299 version--the comparable 2008 version originally cost $200 more.
Now that the 13- and 15-inch models have the same basic feature set, including Nvidia's excellent integrated GeForce 9400 graphics, a high-capacity (if unremovable) battery, an SD card slot, and FireWire connection, the main points of differentiation are minor CPU speed boosts, a bigger screen, and the availability of a separate discrete GPU (the GeForce 9600) that can be turned off if needed to improve battery life. Our $2,299 review unit had the 512MB version of the GPU, while the $1,999 version has a 256MB version.
Most users will be ably served by the less-expensive 13-inch MacBook Pro, which starts as low as $1,199, but the combo of a faster CPU, better battery, larger 500GB hard drive, the SD card slot, and a $200 price cut makes the new 15-inch MacBook Pro a solid improvement over its predecessor.
The good: New aluminum unibody construction looks good, feels solid; giant trackpad; attractive edge-to-edge glass on display; new dual graphics provide more power or more battery life.
The bad: All-clicking trackpad is a bit awkward, at least initially; the extra-glossy screen won't appeal to everyone; switching GPUs not as seamless as it should be; similar performance to the cheaper 13-inch MacBook; still no media card slot.
The bottom line: Apple's redesigned 15-inch MacBook Pro boasts a redesigned aluminum body that's stunning, thin, and sturdy; a new trackpad with expanded functionality; and a dual graphics setup for either longer battery life or better performance, but there's now less incentive to spend extra for it because its 13-inch mainstream cousin received a greater overhaul.
With the new 13-inch MacBook looking and feeling more like the more expensive 15-inch MacBook Pro line than ever, it's harder to tell the difference between the two laptops. Both models feature a "unibody" aluminum chassis, a buttonless (or more accurately, all-button) trackpad, and edge-to-edge glass on the LED backlit display. So aside from 2 inches of display space, what advantages does the MacBook Pro offer compared with the less expensive MacBook?
For starters, FireWire. The Pro is now the only current Apple laptop with a FireWire port--that connection was unceremoniously dumped from the less expensive 13-inch model with the new redesign. Conspiracy theorists may cry foul, but FireWire is becoming increasingly used only in professional applications (although it may not feel like that if you have a FireWire-only camera). One can't help feeling this move was made to push you toward the more expensive systems. But it's worth noting that the $999 basic MacBook model (essentially a less expensive version of the traditional MacBook Apple's been offering for the past couple of years) still has its FireWire port, so there is a low-cost option if FireWire is a must-have.
In addition to its FireWire 800 port, the MacBook Pro also boasts an ExpressCard slot, an expansion option not offered on the MacBook. Regrettably, neither model received a media card slot in the latest revision, an increasingly odd omission since nearly any Windows laptop has served up such an expansion port for years.
Internally, the big news is Apple ditching Intel for an Nvidia chipset with improved integrated graphics, which is then paired with a dedicated Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics card that can be turned off as needed to improve battery life or on to boost performance. Our $2,499 review unit had the 512MB version of the GPU; the $1,999 MacBook Pro features a 256MB Nvidia GeForce 9600M. The more consumer-focused MacBook relies on integrated GeForce 9400M graphics.
Compared with the models they each replace, both the MacBook and MacBook Pro operate on a faster frontside bus (from 800MHz to 1066MHz) and move from DDR2 memory to DDR3, but both new models turned in similar performance in CNET Labs. While the overall MacBook Pro package, while expensive, remains a go-to for media professionals, as well as Mac fans who want a bigger screen, given the fact that there is less to differentiate the MacBook Pro from the MacBook, we think it'll be harder for Apple to make the case that the extra money for the higher-end Pro model is worth it.
Of Apple's MacBook Pro lineup, only the two 15-inch models received the complete workup today. By now, you're probably aware of the design changes, which include a new "unibody" chassis, new buttonless multitouch trackpad, the addition of a mini DisplayPort, and the subtraction of the FireWire 400 port. Let's take a closer look at the changes under the hood.
Pricing remains the same, with $1,999 and $2,499 default configurations. The biggest change is the move away from Intel and to the Nvidia GeForce 9400M chipset and the introduction of a dual-graphics setup that lets you switch between integrated 9400M graphics and discrete GeForce 9600M GT graphics (either a 256MB or a 512MB card). The higher-end model now ships with 4GB of RAM by default, and doubling the RAM on the lower-end model is $50 cheaper, at $150. The CPUs remain largely unchanged, but now operate on a faster 1066MHz bus. The $2,499 MacBook Pro lets you upgrade to a 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo for $300; previously, the fastest chip offered was a 2.6GHz processor. Larger 320GB hard drives are now offered, including a 7200rpm unit, as is a 128GB solid-state drive.
The MacBook Air introduced the unibody chassis design and multitouch gestures last year, and, thus, it doesn't receive much of an upgrade this time around.
The new MacBook Air looks the same as the original Air, but Apple squeezes a mini DisplayPort connection under the flap that hides the lone USB port and headphone jack.
As with the MacBook and MacBook Pro refreshes, the new MacBook Air ditches the Intel chipset for Nvidia and features integrated GeForce 9400M graphics. It also increases the front-side bus from 800MHz to 1066MHz, while keeping the Core 2 Duo processor offerings roughly the same, though the chips' L2 cache increases from 4MB to 6MB. The default memory is 2GB and you still can't upgrade beyond that, but it's now of the DDR3 variety. A 120GB (4200rpm) hard drive replaces the old 80GB unit, and a 128GB solid-state drive replaces the previous 64GB SSD offering.
The price of the lower-end Air remains $1,799, while Apple knocked $99 off the higher-end model, bringing it down to a still pricey $2,499.
Apple MacBook Pro 2008 Edition
The good: Updated CPUs, improved battery life, adds touch pad gestures from the MacBook Air.
The bad: Small performance premium over the cheaper 13-inch MacBook; only 90 days of toll-free technical support; still no SD card reader.
The bottom line: A solid, if predictable, upgrade to the MacBook Pro line, but noteworthy for stealing the MacBook Air's best feature--expanded gesture controls for the touch pad.
Editors' note: As of June 2009, the product reviewed here has been replaced by these updated models.
Apple has made its first update to the venerable MacBook line since the introduction of the MacBook Air. Regular 13-inch MacBooks get the usual CPU upgrade, but the MacBook Pro line gets a notable internal overhaul--including new Penryn-class Intel CPUs, new touch pad gestures (lifted from the MacBook Air), and finally a backlit LED option for the 17-inch models, something already standard for 15-inchers.
As we've come to expect, the new configurations hit the same price as the now-discontinued ones. More power for the same money is always welcome, but at $2,499 (we looked at the higher-end of two 15-inch configurations), we still think the cheaper 13-inch MacBook is a better overall value, outweighed only if you need either the larger screen or Express card slot, or you can't live without the touch pad gestures.
MacBook Air 13” Review (Late 2011)
The MacBook Air might seem an odd choice to be reviewed as a business use laptop. Apple notebooks are expensive compared to PCs. They barely offer any security solutions. Apple is loathe to support any OS beyond a couple years, not the five to seven year cycle most businesses are on, but go to any airport lounge or Starbucks in America, and you’ll see men and women dressed in suits using this notebook, and its little brother, the 11” Air. Despite these shortcomings, the Air features what a lot of users crave. It’s light and portable, unbelievably thin, offers plenty of performance, has a good screen with above WXGA resolution and mated with a SSD drive, it’s fast. Read on to see if the Air makes a good fit for your business.
MacBook Air Specs
The specifications of the Air under review are:
Model:13” Macbook Air (MC965LL/A)
Operating System:OS X Lion
CPU:Intel 1.7GHz Core i5-2557M (3MB L2 Cache 1333MHz FSB) 17w
Chipset:Intel QS67
Memory:4GB DDR 1333MHz
Hard Drives:Samsung (SM128C) 128GB mSATA SSD
Screen:LG 13.3” WXGA+ (1440×900) Glossy
Graphics:Intel HD3000 Integrated
Network:Broadcom WiFi Card(A/B/G/N) and Bluetooth
Inputs: Keyboard and TrackPad
Ports:
Two USB 2.0 – One Left, One Right
Headphone Jack
Thunderbolt Port
Slots:
SD Card Reader
Battery:50w, 45w Power Adapter w/MagSafe
Dimensions (Six-Cell):Width 12.8”, Depth 8.94” and Height .11”(Front)/.68”(Rear)
Weight:2.9 Pounds
Warranty: One Year
Cost: $1,299
MacBook Air Vs ThinkPad X220 Comparison – the Gloves are Off!
If you’re looking to buy a new ultraportable, the two hottest choices on the market right now are the Apple MacBook Air and the Lenovo ThinkPad X220. The MacBook Air offers a slick design, has a high resolution screen, is light and uber thin. The X220 on the other hand comes with ThinkPad durability, a great keyboard, dual drives and an IPS screen. Since you’re not Bill Gates’ kid and won’t be getting both, which do you choose? What follows is an examination of the strengths and weaknesses of both machines that will hopefully help you to make a better decision about which laptop is the best fit for you and let’s just say, the hockey gloves are off for this one!
MacBook Air Vs. ThinkPad X220 Specs Comparison
These are the main specs of the machines under review:
Processor:
Air – 1.7GHz i5-2557M 17w
X220 – 2.1GHz i3-2310M 35w
Memory:
Air – 4GB DDR3 1333MHz
X220 – 3GB DDR3 1333MHz
Storage:
Air – 128GB Samsung mSATA SSD
X220 – 80GB Intel mSATA SSD/500GB Hitach Z5K500
Screen:
Air – 13.3” Glossy WXGA+ (1440×900) TN LED
X220 – 12.5” HD (1366×768) IPS LED
Graphics:
Air – Intel HD3000
X220 – Intel HD3000
Ports/Slots:
Air – Two USB, Card Reader, Headphone, Thunderbolt
X220 – Three USB(One Powered), Ethernet, VGA and DisplayPort, Headphone/Microphone Jack, Dock Connector, Card Reader, ExpressCard Slot
Battery:
Air – 50w
X220 – 63w Six-Cell
Dimensions:
Air – Width 12.8”, Depth 8.94” and Height .11”(Front)/.68”(Rear)
X220 – Width 12.0” Depth 8.13” and Height .75”(Front)/1.36”(Rear)
Weight:
Air – 2.9 Pounds
X220 – 3.3 Pounds
Warranty:
Air – One Year
X220 – One Year
The good: Updated CPUs, improved battery life, adds touch pad gestures from the MacBook Air.
The bad: Small performance premium over the cheaper 13-inch MacBook; only 90 days of toll-free technical support; still no SD card reader.
The bottom line: A solid, if predictable, upgrade to the MacBook Pro line, but noteworthy for stealing the MacBook Air's best feature--expanded gesture controls for the touch pad.
Editors' note: As of June 2009, the product reviewed here has been replaced by these updated models.
Apple has made its first update to the venerable MacBook line since the introduction of the MacBook Air. Regular 13-inch MacBooks get the usual CPU upgrade, but the MacBook Pro line gets a notable internal overhaul--including new Penryn-class Intel CPUs, new touch pad gestures (lifted from the MacBook Air), and finally a backlit LED option for the 17-inch models, something already standard for 15-inchers.
As we've come to expect, the new configurations hit the same price as the now-discontinued ones. More power for the same money is always welcome, but at $2,499 (we looked at the higher-end of two 15-inch configurations), we still think the cheaper 13-inch MacBook is a better overall value, outweighed only if you need either the larger screen or Express card slot, or you can't live without the touch pad gestures.
MacBook Air 13” Review (Late 2011)
MacBook Air Specs
The specifications of the Air under review are:
Model:13” Macbook Air (MC965LL/A)
Operating System:OS X Lion
CPU:Intel 1.7GHz Core i5-2557M (3MB L2 Cache 1333MHz FSB) 17w
Chipset:Intel QS67
Memory:4GB DDR 1333MHz
Hard Drives:Samsung (SM128C) 128GB mSATA SSD
Screen:LG 13.3” WXGA+ (1440×900) Glossy
Graphics:Intel HD3000 Integrated
Network:Broadcom WiFi Card(A/B/G/N) and Bluetooth
Inputs: Keyboard and TrackPad
Ports:
Two USB 2.0 – One Left, One Right
Headphone Jack
Thunderbolt Port
Slots:
SD Card Reader
Battery:50w, 45w Power Adapter w/MagSafe
Dimensions (Six-Cell):Width 12.8”, Depth 8.94” and Height .11”(Front)/.68”(Rear)
Weight:2.9 Pounds
Warranty: One Year
Cost: $1,299
MacBook Air Vs. ThinkPad X220 Specs Comparison
These are the main specs of the machines under review:
Processor:
Air – 1.7GHz i5-2557M 17w
X220 – 2.1GHz i3-2310M 35w
Memory:
Air – 4GB DDR3 1333MHz
X220 – 3GB DDR3 1333MHz
Storage:
Air – 128GB Samsung mSATA SSD
X220 – 80GB Intel mSATA SSD/500GB Hitach Z5K500
Screen:
Air – 13.3” Glossy WXGA+ (1440×900) TN LED
X220 – 12.5” HD (1366×768) IPS LED
Graphics:
Air – Intel HD3000
X220 – Intel HD3000
Ports/Slots:
Air – Two USB, Card Reader, Headphone, Thunderbolt
X220 – Three USB(One Powered), Ethernet, VGA and DisplayPort, Headphone/Microphone Jack, Dock Connector, Card Reader, ExpressCard Slot
Battery:
Air – 50w
X220 – 63w Six-Cell
Dimensions:
Air – Width 12.8”, Depth 8.94” and Height .11”(Front)/.68”(Rear)
X220 – Width 12.0” Depth 8.13” and Height .75”(Front)/1.36”(Rear)
Weight:
Air – 2.9 Pounds
X220 – 3.3 Pounds
Warranty:
Air – One Year
X220 – One Year
Price
The pricing between the MacBook Air and the X220 is difficult to measure. The Air side isn’t that hard as the lowest you’ll see via the Internet for a new machines is around $1,250, but pricing on the X220 is a moving target. Usually, the least expensive way to get one is via Lenovo’s web site. Depending on what coupons are offered that day, the price can vary quite a bit. As an example, my X220 cost $750 shipped (see my review of the X220 here) and I’ve seen it lower, while right at this moment as I’m writing this review, the same configuration is a little over $1k. I think most savvy internet buyers can get close to the price I got if they’re willing to wait for coupons, but how to come up with a number for this article? I’ll split the difference and say $875. To be fair to Apple you have to add in the cost of the SSD. We’ll say $150 for a 128GB SSD. That makes it around $1,025 similarly configured to an Air, both with the one year warranties. A $225 price difference is significant, but not hugely so, especially if you plan to keep the machine for a number of years. In this instance, I’ll award a slight advantage to the X220.
The pricing between the MacBook Air and the X220 is difficult to measure. The Air side isn’t that hard as the lowest you’ll see via the Internet for a new machines is around $1,250, but pricing on the X220 is a moving target. Usually, the least expensive way to get one is via Lenovo’s web site. Depending on what coupons are offered that day, the price can vary quite a bit. As an example, my X220 cost $750 shipped (see my review of the X220 here) and I’ve seen it lower, while right at this moment as I’m writing this review, the same configuration is a little over $1k. I think most savvy internet buyers can get close to the price I got if they’re willing to wait for coupons, but how to come up with a number for this article? I’ll split the difference and say $875. To be fair to Apple you have to add in the cost of the SSD. We’ll say $150 for a 128GB SSD. That makes it around $1,025 similarly configured to an Air, both with the one year warranties. A $225 price difference is significant, but not hugely so, especially if you plan to keep the machine for a number of years. In this instance, I’ll award a slight advantage to the X220.
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