14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has updated its MacBook Air line with the latest Ivy Bridge processors from Intel, faster graphics and flash storage, touting the product as “the ultimate everyday notebook.”
Apple is still selling the Air in 11-inch and 13-inch configurations, as well as with the same price tag, starting at $999 (€799).
However, the systems now provide more value thanks to the inclusion of the latest Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors, the new integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 (up to 60 percent faster, Apple says), more flash storage, and now with 4GB of faster memory as standard (configurable up to 8GB).
MacBook Air also features the new FaceTime HD with 720p high-def video.
The 11-inch version comes with 1.7 GHz processor, 4GB of memory and 64GB or 128GB of flash storage.
The 13-incher comes with a 1.8 GHz processor, 4GB of memory and is available with 128GB and 256GB SSDs.
Apple offers the usual configure-to-order options which include a 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB solid state storage drive.
“Today we’ve updated the entire MacBook line with faster processors, graphics, memory, flash storage and USB 3 connectivity,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
“We’ve made the world’s best portable family even better and we think users are going to love the performance advances in both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro,” added Schiller.
The MacBook Air has not been redesigned, and the ultra-thin computers don’t feature the new Retina display found on Apple’s all-new MacBook Pro.
These are the third-generation MacBook Airs that work with Mountain Lion’s Power Nap feature. The second-generation models also support the function that keeps your Mac up to date while it sleeps.
The new MacBook Airs are available today from Apple's online store and Apple's retail stores worldwide.