Apple MacBook Air (11.6-inch)
The basics
Apple shocked the world with the first MacBook Air, with the laptop proving thinner and lighter than we ever expected. The new Apple MacBook Air moves the game on – it's ever smaller, at 11.6 inches, thinner, and more usable than ever.
The good
If you're in the market for a super small laptop, then we've yet to see a more desirable option than the 11.6-inch Apple MacBook Air. It's thinner than any of its rivals, features all the style we've come to expect from Apple, and offers a full sized keyboard.
The biggest improvement with the 11.6-inch Apple MacBook Air is the inclusion of more ports – not least a second USB port. It means you'll be able to have a couple of gadgets charging at once, or access your memory stick while charging your iPhone, for instance.
Despite the small screen, the Apple MacBook Air is easily as usable as bigger laptops. It features a 1366 x 768-pixel resolution, so there's more than enough space onscreen to view a couple of documents.
The bad
Despite costing over £800, the Apple MacBook Air features the previous generation of Intel processors. It's still plenty quick enough to carry out most office tasks, but it's a shame that Apple hasn't included a cutting-edge Intel Core i3 processor.
The bottom line
As with the previous Apple MacBook Air, the latest model is still a slight compromise. It's not quite fast enough to be your only computer, but if you need a travelling companion there's nothing more stylish or portable currently on the market.
User comments (29)
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mike15 November 2010
WOW WOW WOW never had a mac b4 ..... the Macbook Air 11 inch is absolutely brilliant . Awesome software, design and super slick to use . I got used to Snow Leopard in 1 day !
Report as inappropriateAnonymous28 November 2010
Yeah i'm using Windows 7 I bet its amazing but not as good as Win 7
Report as inappropriateAnonymous06 December 2010
I have it ... EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ONE! it's the best laptop i've ever had and i personaly think it's better than the macbook air
Report as inappropriateTech_Guru24 December 2010
Mike I have something to tell you. The new MacBook Air does not use the SNOW LEOPARD operating system, the new MacBook Air uses Mac OS X Lion as an operating system. P.S. cleverj the new operating system, Mac OS X Lion, is better than Windows 7, however if you're a frequent Windows user then OS X Lion is a bit hard to get to grips with.
Report as inappropriateDanny25 December 2010
@ Tech_Guru You are wrong. MacBook Air uses the Snow Leoprad for now the same as any other current generation Mac. The Lion is still TBA. If you dont trust me just click "About this Mac" or ask Apple.
Report as inappropriateArmitage12 January 2011
@cleverj: You're comparing OSes rather than the hardware. I have the 13-inch version with 256GB of SSD storage partitioned with both OSX *and* Windows 7 installed. And a mighty fine Windows 7 platform it is too! @Tech_Guru: Lion hasn't been released yet and doesn't come installed on the Air.
Report as inappropriateJack Drayton22 January 2011
what is tech guru on? He calls himself a guru of tech and yet he doesn't know that OS X Lion isn't even available yet, jees its not hard, just look at the website or about this mac on your macbook. Simple stuffsss.
Report as inappropriateKen Rock14 February 2011
I went into the Apple shop to buy an 11" Air but it was sitting next to the 13" model. The larger screen looked so much better, it has an SD port, faster processor and is £100 more than the 128GB 11". I'm delighted with my new 13" Air.
Report as inappropriateAnonymous17 February 2011
it is sooooooooooooooooooooooo cool
Report as inappropriatejohnnyphead26 March 2011
it only has a 1.4 ghz processor ! pffft
Report as inappropriatesam26 April 2011
it probably only costs about £100 to make !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report as inappropriatesamuel2410200026 April 2011
they only spent £124.56 to make it
Report as inappropriatesamuel2410200026 April 2011
exeedingly high prices
Report as inappropriateDaniel19 August 2011
I wanted to buy a Macbook Pro from the US apple website. The reason being is because I was going to save about £200, but the problem was I needed a US address. Any ideas
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wbgavw21 September 2011
Hi all, whether there is a chance to become a moderator of your forum?
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chrislor06 October 2011
Daniel, try a remailer site in the US, then have it forwarded to you at your real address
Report as inappropriateAnonymous07 October 2011
I bought the 11.6 inch Macbook Air yesterday and I can't put it down. This is my first Apple computer and I am so pleased with it. The quality and power is just amazing and leaves my windows based laptop trailing behind. I love this thing its just amazing.
Report as inappropriatediscodave08 January 2012
I got one yesterday, was fortunate to get the 13" 128gb modle as a birthday present. I probably would not have bought one for my self due to the cost but am delighted I have been shown the way. Its my first mac and it is fantastic, so slick and smooth. Everything just works. Its my first mac and its amusing to read the comments of people dissing the mac that have never tried one properly as I used to think along their lines to my self. You can't see how good they are in a shop. If you want to be enlightened then try one for a weekend if possible, i know I have been. P.S If you do decide to get a mac don't bother with the £75 service to transfer music etc. from old computer. Its simple enough to work out if you do your research, i already have all my music transferred and it didn't cost me a penny. ;)
Report as inappropriateAnonymous14 January 2012
This is my first Mac and I love it. The quality of the machine is only matched by its beauty. A brilliant operating system much better than windows. Well worth saving up to get one.
Report as inappropriateHami Noshai29 July 2012
I like Mountain lion however they might have over done it like windows 8 but the best are xp,7,snow leopard
Report as inappropriatechrista1330 July 2012
I. Want. 1!!!!! I have an iPhone 4s but this laptop is the coolest! Apple make everything look a million times better than everything else! They usually work better too! (not always). I do want one but I wouldn't use it much cuz u find u don't use a computer/laptop when u hav an iPhone! But I would do get 1 if I could!
Report as inappropriatePriekSpureGep20 August 2012
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Report as inappropriateAxolotl27 November 2012
The mousepad is amazing, I've gotten so used to the flowing gestures that I get really confused when I go on a windows pc! I also love the backlit keyboard, it is more useful than you'd think in the dark
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Ianthetechman23 April 2013
The macbook air is a fantastic machine easily the best laptop i have ever owned, and believe me i have owned a lot. The software on my mid 2012 machine (Mountain lion) Is fantastic and there is noway after using a mac can you then go back to using windows. Unfortunately i have to use windows daily in my line of work but it is not a very nice experience compared to osx. The Macbook air is also hands down the best looking ultrabook there is out there.
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