As expected (and widely rumored), Apple has refreshed the MacBook Air lineup in less than a year since its last update. The MacBook Air with a 2nd gen Intel Core i5/i7 processor and backlit keyboards can now be considered a notebook for day to day use, rather than just a ultralight weight version of the MacBook Pro.
Another encouraging add-on is the 13,3″ MacBook Air sporting a 256GB storage options. While the MacBook Air got an all-flash-storage tweak last year, the limit was 128GB, thus making it fast but less lucrative for many. The new MacBook Airs also have a backlit keyboard thus bringing another much wanted MacBook Pro feature to the Air. No surprise, it runs the just released OS X Lion and also integrates the Thunderbolt IO that Apple has been promoting along with Intel.
However, missing from the scene is a 15″ avatar of the MacBook Air. It was rumored, and we wish it was for real. But for now the 11″ and 13″ MacBook Air are here with 2.5x speed boost and same dimensions (though, 0.08 and 0.006 pounds heavier as per the spec sheet). RAM upto 4GB, Core i5 / i7 options and the same price point starting $999 is offered. Here, is a quick look at the specs and pricing:
11-inch MacBook Air:
- 1.6GHz Core i5, 2GB RAM, 64GB flash storage – Rs 56,990 (India) | $999 (US)
- 1.6GHz Core i5, 2GB RAM, 128GB flash storage – Rs 67,990 (India) | $1199 (US)
13-inch MacBook Air:
- 1.7GHz Core i5, 4GB RAM, 128GB flash storage – Rs 73,990 (India) | $1299 (US)
- 1.7GHz Core i5, 4GB RAM, 255GB flash storage – Rs 89,900 (India) | $1599 (US)
The 13″ MacBook Air and also supports 1.8GHz Core i7 processor (4MB L3 Cache) that can be ordered only via the Apple online store in US. We are trying to confirm the India price for this upgrade, in US it’s a $100 extra.
MacBook Discontinued
This MacBook Air refresh has come at the cost of traditional plastic body MacBooks. Apple no longer lists them on sale and thus the MacBook Pro, and Air are the two options for anyone looking for a Mac OS notebook. Incidentally the MacBook also started at $999, which happens to be the starting price of MacBook Air, as well.
