MacBook Air - Thunderbolt and lightning
Apple has announced its new MacBook Air models, with 11- and 13-inch editions coming with souped-up processing power and the return of the backlit keyboard.
The new 11- and 13-inch models are powered by Intel Core i5 processors and come complete with Thunderbolt connectivity, as predicted by leaks that hit earlier today.
The Sandy Bridge processors mean the new range is "up to twice as fast as the previous generation", according to Apple: the 11-inch Airs come with the 1.6GHz Core i5, while the 13-inch editions offer 1.7GHz, with a custom configuration of the 1.8GHz i7 processor available.
A memory boost has also come to the new Air models; the lowest-spec model comes with the same 2GB RAM as its predecessor, but the three higher-end editions come with 4GB of 1333MHz DDR3 RAM.
All models now come with the backlit keyboard that was missing from the last generation of MacBook Airs, while the battery life stays the same – the 11-inch models offering five hours of wireless web browsing, and the 13-inchers offering seven hours.
The design and sizing of the new Airs is the same as the 2010 versions, with the Thunderbolt ports replacing the Mini Display video out. All the new MacBook Air models will ship with Mac OS X Lion as standard, and all the 250 new features that it brings.
The new MacBook Air UK release date is 21 July, with pre-orders opening today.
The MacBook Air 2011 UK pricing is a varied beast: the 1.6 GHz 11-inch MacBook Air is available in two models, one with 2GB of memory and 64GB of flash storage coming in at £849, while the 4GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage model is £999
The 1.7 GHz 13-inch MacBook Air also comes in two configurations, one with 4GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage which will set you back £1,099, while the 4GB of memory and 256GB of flash storage edition will sell for £1349.
All models now come with the backlit keyboard that was missing from the last generation of MacBook Airs, while the battery life stays the same – the 11-inch models offering five hours of wireless web browsing, and the 13-inchers offering seven hours.
The design and sizing of the new Airs is the same as the 2010 versions, with the Thunderbolt ports replacing the Mini Display video out. All the new MacBook Air models will ship with Mac OS X Lion as standard, and all the 250 new features that it brings.
The new MacBook Air UK release date is 21 July, with pre-orders opening today.
The MacBook Air 2011 UK pricing is a varied beast: the 1.6 GHz 11-inch MacBook Air is available in two models, one with 2GB of memory and 64GB of flash storage coming in at £849, while the 4GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage model is £999
The 1.7 GHz 13-inch MacBook Air also comes in two configurations, one with 4GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage which will set you back £1,099, while the 4GB of memory and 256GB of flash storage edition will sell for £1349.
