Macbook air
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Confirmed: MacBook Air Superdrive Does Not work with other Macs
Today was a great day for me personally as my MacBook Air arrived from Apple and I've begun to put it through its paces (expect a full review very soon.). In addition to the MacBook Air, my MacBook Air external USB Superdrive also arrived today as well.Naturally, being the curious sort I am, before I even plugged the Superdrive into the MBA, I decided to see if it would, in fact, work while attached to any of my other Macs. So, I attached it and gave it a try. I won't keep you in suspense, it didn't work. While the Superdrive was recognized in system profiler by name, when plugged into both my 24" iMac and my 15" MacBook Pro, the drive did not work.In fact, it didn't even seem like it was getting any power at all and made no sound. It was only when finally plugged into the MBA's sole USB port did the drive come to life. After that, it worked flawlessly when attached to the MBA, as you would expect it to. So, if you were planning on using the MBA Superdrive on any other Mac, you're out of luck.
Win a MacBook Air poster
One item in our loot from Macworld was a shiny new (though now slightly ruffled from the flight) MacBook Air poster. You want it? Sure thing, just leave a comment and validate. It may be the closest some of us will get to a real MacBook Air, until 2011, when all MacBooks adopt the same form factor, naturally. To enter, leave a comment on this post, validate it so it appears in the comments section. The comment must be left before February 3, 11:59PM Eastern Time. You may enter once. We'll check. One winner will be selected in a random drawing. The one winner will receive a MacBook Air poster, worth whatever is being fetched on ebay, because you can't buy this thing anywhere. Click Here for complete Official Rules (after the jump).
iFixit rips apart a MacBook Air
Every time a new Apple product comes out our friends at iFixit go way beyond the typical unboxing pictures, and take the whole darn thing apart. They have done the same thing with the MacBook Air, and posted a bunch of very high quality pictures.They found out a few things: The battery is very easy to replace (though the procedure requires removing 19 screws). The multitouch trackpad uses the same controller as the iPhone making it unlikely we'll see a software update enabling that feature for older MacBooks. The processor is very photogenic.
MacBook Air splayed -- multi-touch trackpad controller chip same as iPhone
It's that time of the product cycle again, the teardown. This time, iFixit's applying the Xacto to Apple's MacBook Air. Notable discoveries are an easy to disassemble chassis just big enough for Samsung's 1.8-inch, 80GB disk but not the relatively chubby 160GB variety found in the iPod classic. They also found the new multi-touch trackpad using the same control chip as the iPod touch and iPhone -- the Broadcom BCM5974. That leaves Apple plenty of room to grow the gesture options via software updates. Want to remove the battery? Go ahead, 19 screw removals (in addition to Apple's non-removable feebie) will get the job done. Mmm, silicon and aluminum carnage, smells like... victory. Now hit up that read link IEEE types, where it's high-res all the time.%Gallery-15129%
MacBook Air unboxing pictures and video
The MacBook Air has landed, and people are posting unboxing videos and pictures. The embedded video was sent to us by desenso44, a new MacBook Air owner. Our friends at UneasySilence have taken a slew of pictures of their newly arrived MacBook Air.Are you reading TUAW on a MacBook Air? How is it treating you so far?Update: The embedded video has been changed to point to the correct source of the video.
MacBook Air wireless problems?
This news comes just as some of you are un-boxing that shiny new MacBook Air. Macworld reports that Apple has updated the MacBook Air wireless release note. In this release note, Apple explains that you may experience problems with older 802.11n routers when using Remote Disc, Migration Assistant, or Remote Install. As a possible solution Apple mentions that you can try upgrading the firmware on your router; however, this is only possible if your router supports upgrades (although most popular routers do). Otherwise, you may be looking to get a new router; which adds to the total cost of owning a MacBook Air.
PC vendors to use the MacBook Air's tiny Intel chip
The World's Thinnest Laptop will soon have competition. Macworld is reporting that (at least) two unnamed manufacturers intend to use the tiny Intel chip that powers the MacBook Air. Steve Jobs made a big deal about it at this month's Macworld Expo keynote address. The chip uses Intel's 965GMS chipset, and has a footprint 60% smaller than comparable Merom processors. The MacBook Air ships with either a 1.6Ghz or a 1.8GHz version.While other manufacturers will target the MacBook Air's size, they'll have trouble beating its good looks. Sure, many have complained about its lack of Firewire or what have you, but no one denies its beauty. Johnny Ive knows what he's doing.
MacBook Air gets the unboxing treatment
Not that we'd expect any different but, in just two days after the first few shipping notices went out, we now have some of the first MacBook Air unboxing photos, which again show that thing is really thin (and the box isn't too pudgy either). What's more, the folks at Uneasy Silence who did the unboxing honors are also promising to benchmark the system shortly, although there shouldn't be too much surprise as to how it stacks up. Head on over after the break for a couple more pics, and hit up the read link below for the full show.
MacBook Air's custom-built CPU going PC?
That special Intel processor found in the MacBook Air could be getting a lot less special. PC Advisor, citing "a source familiar with Intel's plans," claims that a pair of PC makers will use the MBA processor. Not that this would be unexpected. The custom-built 1.6GHz and 1.8GHz Intel procs remember, are 60% smaller and consume less power than the typical Core 2 Duo while using the same 65-nm manufacturing processes. Of course, with Intel's 45-nm Montevina platform scheduled to ship as early as May, the advantages gained by the processor will likely be short lived, though glorious if a PC maker can dethrone Apple of its claim to the world's smallest thinnest laptop.
A more elegant manila envelope
We posted a while ago about AirMail, a vinyl carrier for the MacBook Air which took the manila envelope idea quite literally. It's conceivable that the sheer sexiness of the MacBook Air may eventually make the manila envelope itself a fashion icon, but in the meantime Studio Leung has come out with a bag that abstracts the envelope concept into a less humorous (and possibly more elegant) design. The Mac bag is water resistant and made from waxed cotton with a felt lining. Its source of inspiration is especially evident in the closure which is an envelope-style wraparound fastener using plastic buttons and a rubber cord. [via Core77]
Apple posts MacBook Air support page
The first MacBook Air knowledge base article I posted about wasn't exactly breaking news, but you can find out lots of new tidbits about the MacBook Air by perusing the newly unveiled MacBook Air support page. Take a look at the User's Guide (PDF), chime in on the forums, or figure out how to setup your MacBook Air.Looks like there is some interesting stuff in there, and perhaps reading about the MacBook Air will help you stop compulsively refreshing that tracking information Apple sent you.
MacBook Air Leopard disk only works with MacBook Air
As we speak many, many people are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their MacBook Air. When you open up the MacBook Air you'll see that it includes a Leopard installation disk, as every other Mac does. This Apple KB article supplies us with an interesting fact: the Leopard disk will only work with a MacBook Air. The Installer checks to see if it is running on an Air, and if it isn't refuses to install Leopard.Clearly, with support for multi-touch gestures and Remote Disc, the MacBook Air is likely running a slightly custom install of OS X, so it makes sense that Apple would limit it to installing on the Air. In the same vein Apple warns you not to try and install a non-MacBook Air version of Leopard onto the Air. Something to keep in mind.Update: This is why you shouldn't blog before having your morning caffeine, folks. As many people in the comments pointed out this isn't new to the MacBook Air, most restore disks only work the with model of Mac that they came with. It is still interesting to note, though, for people new to the Mac (right? Any body?).
MacBook Air shipments beginning for the earliest adopters
If you were prepared to snap up whatever ultraportable Steve Jobs threw at you during his Macworld keynote, and started frantically refreshing the Apple Store to buy the MacBook Air as soon as it was announced, you might be seeing a shipping notice from Apple in your inbox pretty soon. Reports are coming in from early adopters that their MacBook Airs are on the way, with some projected arrivals as early as February 1st -- pretty much right on target for Apple's projected two week wait. The rest of you suckers who dilly dallied in your purchasing decision might have to wait a bit longer, and potentially be subject to the humiliation of the laptop hitting stores before it arrives on your doorstep.
MacBook Air in stores Tuesday, empty pocketbook in your future
Just in case you were really, really anxious to get your hands on the MacBook Air, word on the street is that the little slivers are already in stores, and you'll actually be able to stroll up into the place and nab them this Tuesday. Of course, old Jobsy has already said as much ("two weeks"), but the Boy Genius is making extra-dextra sure that everyone knows they really will be on the floor come next week. If you're lucky enough to be employed by Apple as a "Genius," then you'll be getting some Air training tomorrow. Hey, it's never too late to sign up and instantly be accepted for a job... oh, wait, it probably is.
Found Footage: Meredith Viera licks MacBook Air
Well, here's something you don't see everyday. This is Meredith Viera on the Today Show pretending to lick a MacBook Air. Ironically enough, NBC is the owner of the Today Show. Al Roker, the technology person he is, informed the viewing audience that if you want the SSD option for the Air, you'll be "paying a bit more."
The Today Show's Meredith Viera licks the MacBook Air
There's nothing quite like hearing a group of network talk-show hosts heaping praise on a piece of technology they barely understand to jumpstart your day. We think you'll agree that listening to Matt Lauer loudly declare "It's awesome!" and watching Meredith "You're blowing the whole schtick" Viera vigorously mime licking the new MacBook Air is pretty wretch-inducing stuff -- though Al Roker informing us that if you want the SSD, you'll only have to pay "a little bit more," was definitely one toke over the line. Thanks for ruining our breakfast guys. Every breakfast.Watch the video after the break. We've included the crew's earlier encounter with the iPhone just in case you needed your memory jogged.
Engadget reviews the MacBook Air
If you've been dying to find out what the MacBook Air is really like, and weren't fortunate enough to be at Macworld to spend a little time hands-on with the latest Apple laptop, our colleagues over at sister-site Engadget have been busy testing the MacBook Air, and have just posted their review. Taking you through all the innovations (and compromises) it comes highly recommended especially with the galleries. Even as someone who was at Macworld, I remain astounded at the engineering involved in getting this machine just as thin as it is. Ryan Block makes some excellent points, and his concluding sentence (not wanting to ruin it for you) will undoubtedly resonate with a lot of people -- TUAW staff included.
MacBook Air review
It fits in a manila folder, you can slide it under a door, and if you threw it hard enough you could probably chop someone in half with the thing. It's the thinnest, and if we may say so, sexiest laptop around today: the MacBook Air. But looks aren't everything to everyone, and despite all the rhetoric about being a no-compromises ultraportable, Apple did leave plenty on the cutting-room floor in its quest to make an absurdly thin ultraportable that doesn't skimp on a full size keyboard or roomier 13-inch display. But, as many potential buyers have been asking themselves since last week, is the Air right to be your next machine? Read on, we'll tell you what we think.
First benchmarks: MacBook Air is the slowest Apple machine on the block
No one should be surprised, but if you were looking for a speed freak of a laptop, you're going to want to glaze those lustful eyes over the MacBook Air. While the new hotness has a speedy memory bus, overall its performance is dramatically smushed by its integrated graphics, anemic 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo processor, and 1.8-inch hard drive. Yes, you can officially call the MacBook Air the slowest machine Apple makes -- but you already figured as much, right? No one buys an ultraportable for its real ultimate power.
MacBook Air review round-up
Ah, it is that magical time after an Apple announcement: the big media reviews are starting to roll in. As you might be aware Apple loans out new hardware to technology journalists to put through their paces. The MacBook Air, being a new product, was delivered to a few tech heavy hitters (with the slightly less heavy hitters having to wait a little longer to get their review unit. And no, TUAW doesn't get any review units from Apple) sometime last week, and have been subjected to lots of prodding. The first few reviews are up, and they all pretty much say the same thing: the MacBook Air is really thin, and a great machine so long as you don't need the ports it doesn't have. The good news seems to be that Apple's estimate of 5 hours of battery life doesn't seem to be too far off.Read 'em' for yourself: Edward Baig's review in USA Today Steven Levy's review in Newsweek Walt Mossberg's review in The Wall Street Journal Our friends at Engadget just received their review unit, and have confirmed what we suspected: the external SuperDrive will not work with other Macs. They also list what you can and can't do with Remote Disc.And finally, the groovy folks at Gearlog have received their review unit and kindly posted unboxing pictures. Who doesn't like a good set of unboxing pictures?
