Computersight -

Portability of a laptop is of utmost importance to its owner. Laptop users have to carry their computers around for extended periods of time, hence the lesser a laptop weighs, the better. Apple’s new MacBook fulfills this criterion perfectly, weighing only about 1.36 kg for its factory default model. The lightweight structure is coupled with enhanced functionality because of the state of the art hardware components packed into this laptop. The laptop boasts of quite a powerful hardware setup. Here are the key specs:

• Processor: This component does all the heavy lifting when the laptop is running highly detailed graphical applications, such as photo and video editors and 3D games. MacBook Air ships preinstalled with either a 1.86 GHz, or 2.13 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which have a whopping 3 MB or 6 MB L2 cache, respectively. The processor is quite a powerful one, yet does not seem to generate too much heat.
• GPU: MacBook Air comes with the GeForce 9400M onboard graphic chipset, which can handle some pretty taxing graphical applications. Games such as Call of Duty 4, Doom 3, and Quake 4 are quite playable using this integrated chipset solution at medium details, with decent framerates. Furthermore, the GPU supports NVIDIA’s CUDA technology. So, applications like Adobe® Photoshop™ CS4 should run noticeably faster than many other laptops of the same category.
• Memory: The laptop comes with 2 GB of RAM, which is expandable up to 4 GB.
• High storage capacity: The laptop comes with a 160 GB hard disk, which can be upgraded up to 500 GB, taking care of all the storage space that the user may need.
• Unibody technology: The entire body of MacBook Air is constructed out of a single sheet of anodized aluminum. This makes the laptop extremely lightweight. Besides, the absence of multiple moving parts also increases durability considerably.
• LED-backlit display: The 13.3 inch, widescreen, LED-backlit display supports a maximum resolution of 1280 x 800. The LED technology makes the display crisp, and at the same time, energy efficient. Apple claims that the glass used in the display is free from arsenic and mercury, thereby making it environment-friendly as well.
• Full-size keyboard: MacBook Air features a full-size keyboard with backlit keys. Also, the inbuilt light sensor detects the amount of ambient light and adjusts the degree of illumination of the keys automatically, thus ensuring better visibility.  
• Solid state drive (optional): Users of MacBook Air have the option of getting a 128 GB solid state drive for storing their data efficiently.
• Built-in wireless networking support: The laptop comes with inbuilt support for 802.11 wireless networking capability, and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR. The Bonjour software allows users to share files easily with others across the internet.
• Ports and more ports: The MacBook comes with a multitude of ports built into its back panel. The ports include a mini-DVI port, which allows the user to connect the laptop to an external display. Other ports include a Gigabit Ethernet, FireWire 400, audio input jack, headphone jack, two USB 2.0 ports, and a lock slot.
• Two-finger scroll: The trackpad of a MacBook can be used to scroll through webpages with two fingers, which makes it quite comfortable. Also, the right side of the trackpad can be clicked just like the right button of a mouse.
• SuperDrive: The laptop comes with a SuperDrive, which allows users to burn optical discs, and to back up data stored in the hard disk. The included iDVD software allows the user to create high quality home movies that can be watched on standard DVD players.
• User-friendly power adapter: The MagSafe power adapter is connected to the power port via a magnetic connection. This ensures that in case someone trips on the cord, it will simply get disconnected from the connector, and won’t drag the MacBook away with it.
• Integrated camera: The smartly hidden iSight camera has good clarity and enables the user to participate in video chats, and 4-way video conferences, with the help of the iChat software. The software also allows the user to share videos with other users over the internet. The camera has good picture quality and clarity, considering its tiny profile. Also, no additional software has to be installed for the camera; it works perfectly out of the box.
• A plethora of useful features, coupled with sleek look and an affordable price tag does make the Apple MacBook quite a good choice for power users who need to be constantly on the move.