| Here is a corker of a conundrum: the latest | | | | 2.75cm /1.08" in height, 32.5 cm/12.8" in width and |
| MacBook models, like the Air, is a revolutionary | | | | 22.7cm / 8.94" in depth. While Macbook Pro 17 in |
| laptop and unique for both its weight and size. And | | | | measures 2.5cm/ .98" in depth, 39.2cm /15.4" in |
| yet the Macbook Air is just like the original | | | | width and 26.5cm/10.4" in depth. Well, hold on to |
| MacBook and the MacBook Pro. Well, for the | | | | the chair for this one: Our champ the Air weighs |
| most part. Even so, they share many similarities | | | | in at a lightweight 3 pounds, (that's a few pounds |
| and a few of very striking differences between | | | | Air owners won't be carrying around everyday |
| those three laptops models in the MacBook line. If | | | | during their daily activities. With lighter laptop, you |
| you are considering purchasing a Macbook, I will | | | | will feel an enjoyable difference in just a few |
| help you decide whether you would like to stick | | | | hours.), while the biggest loser is Macbook Pro 17 |
| with the contemporary laptop crowd or go | | | | in at 6.6 pounds! |
| ultra-thin. | | | | - Cost: There are a few variants for each |
| One thing is for sure - For many years, Apple | | | | Macbook model. An entry-level MacBook Pro will |
| never does things mundane! Perhaps, you | | | | set you back $1,000, and the top-of-the-line |
| remember when Apple released those iMacs? | | | | Macbook Air is a whopping $3,000. The more |
| Although iMacs shared the same general | | | | expensive Macbook model comes with a very |
| components as any computers - a keyboard, | | | | expensive, solid-state drive and a more powerful |
| ports, monitor, cables, and speakers, - iMacs were | | | | processor. If performance is your least concern, |
| revolutionary because it was entirely | | | | get the original Macbook for about $900. |
| self-contained. And they came in colors. And it did | | | | - Ports: The Air offers only 3 ports: one USB 2.0 |
| not have a floppy drive. As a matter of fact, | | | | port, a standard audio output jack, and also a |
| Apple had redesigned the ordinary computer with | | | | Micro-DVI that supports an external video device |
| the focus on ease-of-use and style, and had | | | | or monitor. Notice I did not mention a FireWire |
| scrapped the floppy drive (and rightly so, after | | | | port, which will be a big problem for most Apple |
| we see how floppies were unreliable to boot and | | | | old-timers. In other hand, other Macbook models |
| had become practically useless). Some people | | | | may have up to 3 USB ports and also Firewire |
| consider the MacBook Air is an extension in the | | | | 800 port. Even so, Air owners can buy a USB hub |
| iMac revolution. With the new design, Apple has | | | | to increase the number of available USB ports. |
| focused its efforts on weight and physical | | | | - Battery design: Air owners can't swap the |
| dimensions, and has tossed many things that | | | | battery because it is sealed inside the laptop. |
| aren't absolutely necessary for most Macbook | | | | While, owners of other Macbook models can |
| owners. However, you should be happy to note | | | | replace the battery easily at home. (Think iPod.) |
| that Macbook Air is no toy, nor an underpowered | | | | - Case design: Air owners can't replace or add |
| subnotebook. You'll find the Macbook Air as fast | | | | RAM modules. Even so, a MacBook Air has 2GB |
| as the regular MacBook and the Macbook Air | | | | RAM, enough for common uses. Comparatively, |
| even shares a few of the MacBook Pro features. | | | | the MacBook Pro and MacBook models come with |
| Consider the following similarities between the | | | | or can be upgraded to 4GB RAM. |
| regular Macbooks and the Air: | | | | - Speaker: The MacBook Air has only a speaker. |
| - Widescreen LCD screen: The Air has similar | | | | - Solid-state drive: Now we are talkin', Buck |
| display size as other MacBook units. Same | | | | Rogers! Only the latest Air model has a 128GB |
| gorgeous graphics, same display resolution, (In | | | | Solid-State drive. |
| fact, early MacBook Air and MacBook have similar | | | | - Optical drive: Whoa! This is certainly a big one. |
| internal video card) | | | | Apple thought that a typical Air user is likely to |
| - Intel Core2Duo processor: The Air is run by the | | | | use wireless connections for transferring media |
| same kind of processor as its siblings. | | | | and files. But what if you need to reinstall Leopard |
| - Trackpad and keyboard: The Air has a full size | | | | or latest applications? If you have to burn or read |
| keyboard, and it is even backlit, just like other | | | | discs, an external USB SuperDrive is sold for |
| MacBook models. The Air's trackpad supports the | | | | about $100, or you may use the Remote Disc |
| Multi-Touch control, too. | | | | feature to share the files on another computer. |
| - Leopard: All Macbook models have the latest | | | | You can see that, these striking differences make |
| Mac OS X version | | | | the decision to buy a MacBook Air, a MacBook |
| - Microphone and iSight: Every MacBook Air is | | | | and a MacBook Pro is very easy indeed. The Air |
| video ready, with the same iSight webcam. You | | | | is intended for the travelers who appreciate |
| can record audio files with the integrated | | | | minimum size and weight, but who does not want |
| microphone as well. | | | | to sacrifice the performance, full-size keyboard, |
| - Wireless support: All Macbook models have both | | | | and full-size screen of a typical MacBook. You can |
| integrated AirPort Extreme hardware (802.11n) | | | | see a MacBook Air as a racing car: nimble, with |
| and integrated Bluetooth adapter. Most Apple | | | | lower weight and no unneeded frills. (Think about a |
| laptop owners should agree that no MacBook | | | | typical NASCAR car: Who needs a costly air |
| model is underpowered pushover. | | | | conditioning or stereo?) If you prefer the extra |
| Here is the checklist of obvious differences of | | | | versatility of a MacBook Pro or MacBook -including |
| each Macbook models: | | | | the regular set of ports, the ability to upgrade |
| - Physical dimension: Apple does not call this laptop | | | | RAM and swap batteries, faster graphic card, and |
| the Air for nothing! The latest Air laptop measures | | | | also a built-in optical drive - it is highly |
| a mere 0.76"/1.94 cm in height (at the tallest | | | | recommended that you stick with the |
| point) when closed, 12.8"/32.5 cm in width, and | | | | contemporary MacBook Pro or original MacBook |
| 8.94"/22.7 cm in depth. Macbook measures | | | | models. |