by bfishadow
MacBook Air Feels Like an iPad in a Laptop
[Via Apple Hot News]
Walt Mossberg at AllThingsD.com reviews both the 11- and 13-inch models of the MacBook Air and writes that the “gorgeous, very thin and light, but very sturdy” computers “really do offer the different, more iPad-like experience Apple claims they do.” Noting their efficient flash storage, high screen resolution, strong battery life, near-instant wake from standby, and full-size keyboard, Mossberg concludes: “Overall, Apple has done a nice job in making these new MacBook Airs feel more like iPads and iPhones without sacrificing their ability to work like regular computers.”
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I walked in to the Apple store yo get the new version of iLife. It was so crowded that I actually had to flag down someone to let me pay for it. They were really busy with a lot of the blue shirts showing off the Airs.
They are for people attracted to iPads but wanting more ability to easily create content. The iPad is great for reading content. It is small and light. Nice to carry around. And its battery life means you hardly every have to charge it. As opposed to most smartphones – even the iPhone – which need to be tethered to power even when not in use as they drain so fast.
Up until now really useful laptops have not had the qualities of an iPad – small, light, no need to keep plugged in – although some of the newer Macbooks started getting battery life over 5 hours.
But now these Airs combine the lightness and battery life of the iPad with the power of a laptop. Standby can last for 30 days, so you really never need to shut them off. After an hour or so, it enters hibernation but can be roused in seconds. Just charge them up every once in a while. So, instant on is a real pleasure.
The flash drive reduces battery use and is much faster in real life use than a normal disk drive.
But none of this is what you notice when you pick one up. It is so light and thin that it seems just impossible it actually has a computer inside. Man, I can see it being a great computer for a student, or someone traveling a lot.
I love my 13 inch MacBook Pro but these Airs are really seductive. No wonder they are selling so fast.
