http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/182476/macintosh_buying_guide.html
MacBook Air
Looking for a Mac netbook? The MacBook Air is the closest you'll get. The most recent MacBook Air models were released in June, and externally, the MacBook Air hasn't changed from the previous versions.
Not much has changed with the MacBook Air's internals, either--the most dramatic changes occurred between the first and second generations, and we're now at the third generation. About the only major change is with the processor.
Configurations: Before the June update there were two MacBook Air models. There are still two models, but the processors have been upgraded.
The first MacBook Air model is has a 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 120GB hard drive for $1499. (Get best current price.) The other MacBook Air has a 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 128GB solid-state drive for $1799. (Get best current price.)
Performance: In our testing, the 2.13GHz MacBook Air was a bit slower than the old top-of-the-line MacBook Air, which had a 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo. Even more interestingly, the new 1.86GHz MacBook Air was slower than the old 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo. We're note sure why each machine performed the way they did, but we suspect that the MacBook Air's thermal-protection systems in the new models turning down the speeds of the processors in order to keep the laptops cool.
Macworld's buying advice: The MacBook Air isn't about performance, and if speed in a small laptop is your top priority, you should consider a 13-inch 2.53GHz MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air is all about portability--it's small enough and light enough to bring with you almost anywhere.
MacBook Air
Looking for a Mac netbook? The MacBook Air is the closest you'll get. The most recent MacBook Air models were released in June, and externally, the MacBook Air hasn't changed from the previous versions.
Not much has changed with the MacBook Air's internals, either--the most dramatic changes occurred between the first and second generations, and we're now at the third generation. About the only major change is with the processor.
Configurations: Before the June update there were two MacBook Air models. There are still two models, but the processors have been upgraded.
The first MacBook Air model is has a 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 120GB hard drive for $1499. (Get best current price.) The other MacBook Air has a 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 128GB solid-state drive for $1799. (Get best current price.)
Performance: In our testing, the 2.13GHz MacBook Air was a bit slower than the old top-of-the-line MacBook Air, which had a 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo. Even more interestingly, the new 1.86GHz MacBook Air was slower than the old 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo. We're note sure why each machine performed the way they did, but we suspect that the MacBook Air's thermal-protection systems in the new models turning down the speeds of the processors in order to keep the laptops cool.
Macworld's buying advice: The MacBook Air isn't about performance, and if speed in a small laptop is your top priority, you should consider a 13-inch 2.53GHz MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air is all about portability--it's small enough and light enough to bring with you almost anywhere.
