The New Air - summary

[agaskew]

Here's what I gathered so far on the new Airs, apologies if I missed anything or got something wrong:


Good:
More RAM - up to 4GB. At last.
Flash storage across the range - faster to resume from sleep, faster in general
11.6" also available - at least there is a choice of sizes
Beefier graphics chips - will now drive the 27" Cinema Display natively
Stereo speakers
Glass Trackpad - though you may not prefer it
Higher resolution displays
+1 USB port
Improved battery life (TBC)
Reduced thickness and weight


Not So Good:
No more backlit keyboard
No more bundled USB>Ethernet adapter
Still got display port/audio out/magsafe on different sides of the chassis


Unknown:
Have they fixed the hinge problem?
Have they improved the cooling design?
Are the edges still quite sharp on your wrists?
Is the display fully glossy or like the old ones?


- the only compelling feature for me over my revC is the 4Gb RAM. Not worth the cost of upgrading.

 

[Ivan P]

Is the display fully glossy or like the old ones?

They're glossy unfortunately, as seen (and mentioned) in Engadget's unboxing/showoff. The only thing with the screen like the old model is it has a silver bezel instead of black like other Mac notebooks.

 

[0007776]

No more bundled USB>Ethernet adapter

it looks like you have it about right, but the USB>Ethernet adapter wasn't ever included was it? I know my air didn't come with it. and it still is available as an option for people who want it.

 

[agaskew]

it looks like you have it about right, but the USB>Ethernet adapter wasn't ever included was it? I know my air didn't come with it. and it still is available as an option for people who want it.

- Mine did indeed come bundled with the USB>Ethernet adapter.

 

[0007776]

- Mine did indeed come bundled with the USB>Ethernet adapter.

did you get it without having to pay the extra $20 or whatever it costs, maybe it was because mine was a refurb, but I'm pretty sure it's always been a Build to order option like it is now.

 

[agaskew]

did you get it without having to pay the extra $20 or whatever it costs, maybe it was because mine was a refurb, but I'm pretty sure it's always been a Build to order option like it is now.

- absolutely definitely 100% was bundled for free with the new RevC, in the box, no extra cost.

 

[agaskew]

They're glossy unfortunately, as seen (and mentioned) in Engadget's unboxing/showoff. The only thing with the screen like the old model is it has a silver bezel instead of black like other Mac notebooks.

- Thanks! I watched the Engadget video and it sure looks glossy.

 

[stockscalper]

I'm hoping this lame upgrade is just a bridge upgrade to satisfy Air customers and that Apple has a much more capable machine in the works for an early Spring release. They've done this sort of thing before with laptops.

 

[agaskew]

I'm hoping this lame upgrade is just a bridge upgrade to satisfy Air customers and that Apple has a much more capable machine in the works for an early Spring release. They've done this sort of thing before with laptops.

I think its more compelling as a new purchase now than before, but not such a worthwhile upgrade over the old model.

 

[sparkie7]

They're glossy unfortunately, as seen (and mentioned) in Engadget's unboxing/showoff. The only thing with the screen like the old model is it has a silver bezel instead of black like other Mac notebooks.

It looks glossy, like the Rev C. But NOT glassy like the current MBP line up with the glass in front which is much, much worse