The MacBook Air is encased in anodized aluminum, weighing only 3.0 pounds which maks it the lightest computer on the market at this time. I say at this time, because I’m sure it won’t be long before the new MacBook Air will get in our greedy consumers hands. Rumor has it that Apple will replace all aluminum with carbon fiber parts. And we’ve seen lately that most of Apple related rumors turn to reality.

Carbon fiber is an extremely lightweight material, being at the same time exceptionally strong.
Only by just replacing the lower case, the new Macbook Air could weigh 2.78 pounds or lower.
Well again we’ll just have to wait and see.

via macrumors

Tags: aluminum, Apple, case, Laptops, MacBook, MacBook Air, Portable Devices

This week brought in the new MacBooks and MacBooks Pro. We’ve covered the event and we talked about each of them in particular. We’ve seen the new building procedure, the new NVIDIA GPUs, and basically, we’ve confirmed most of the rumors prior to the event.

But the mobs are gathering. No one is completely happy with Apple’s decision of leaving out FireWire ports out of the new MacBooks. Logical forum threads have been popping up on Apple’s forums. And it looks like Apple isn’t happy with people that aren’t happy with the lack of FireWire support. In fact most of these threads are being deleted since they are filled with complaints rather than questions.

Apple’s decision is surprising and disturbing. As long as there are products, and especially cameras that use FireWire connection, why remove the port? And why not let people talk about it? It’s not like the angry mobs will stop buying Apple computers right?

via Gizmodo

Tags: Apple, FireWire, Laptops, MacBook, MacBook Air, Portable Devices

11:05AM PDT: That’s it for this Apple’s event. We’ll be back with more news and analysis in the following days. We’ll thank Engadget, Gizmodo and Slashgear for being there. If you have questions and comments, well, don’t hesitate.

11:03AM PDT: No Apple netbook is going to arrive any time soon. As for the glossy glass screens you will be stuck with them. There’s no matte screen option. Touchscreen Macs aren’t coming anytime soon either.

10:57AM PDT: The new NVIDIA is being used first by Apple but others might get it soon. There’ no HDMI as it is limited in resolution. The Display Port is going to be used instead of that. There’s no Blu-ray as Steve says it’s “a bag of hurt”. The 17 inch Pro is being refreshed today although they don’t have any prices to offer. These are the answer to some of the most relevant questions from the audience.

10:54AM PDT: While they are answering questions over at Apple’s event. In the mean time, what do you think about the new MacBooks? Remember that later on today you will be able to watch the whole keynote over at Apple’s site.

10:53AM PDT: 110/70 is Steve’s blood pressure. That’s a good thing. He didn’t make any other remarks, but as always he managed to get lots of laughs.

10:49AM PDT: It looks like Apple’s official are ending the event by emphasizing again the new manufacturing process and design.

10:47AM PDT: Jonathan Ives is talking about how great the new MacBooks are. And about the whole manufacturing process.

10:45AM PDT: The models will be in stores tomorrow. Upgrades include 4GB of RAM, 320GB 5,400rpm HDD, 128GB SSD, and DVI, dual-DVI and VGA adapters.

10:42AM PDT: The 13.3 inch version will be $700 cheaper than the Pro. It will cost $1299. For $1599 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo CPU and 2GB of RAM, 250GB HDD with backlit keyboard and slot-load drive

10:39AM PDT: A new MacBook is revealed. Like the Pro but smaller. It will have an entry price from $1099 to $999 - that’s the regular MacBook we know right now. It has the same case like the Pro, the NVIDIA 9400M chipset and it’s the “new generation MacBook”. We were expecting this new MacBook too.

10:37AM PDT: A new Cinema Display with backlighting is announced. It’s 24 inches, 1920 x 1200 resolution and stereo speakers. It has a MagSafe connector, 3 USB ports, iSIght and microphone. It will cost $899 in November.

10:37AM PDT: $1799 for the Air with 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM and 120GB HDD. $2499 for the Air with 1.86GHz CPU and 128GB SSD. Both available in November.

10:36AM PDT: The MacBook Air will get an 128GB SSD upgrade and a mini display port. The standard is 120GB HDD with a NVIDIA 9400M card.

10:34AM PDT: The 15.4 inch MacBook Pros are shipping out today in a 37% smaller packaging which got Apple the EPEAT Gold Award.

10:33M PDT: $2499 for 2.53GHz CPU, double the cache, 4GB RAM, double graphics memory and 320GB HDD

10:33AM PDT: $1999 for 15.4-inch 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo 2GB of DDR3 RAM, NVIDIA 9400 and 9600

10:31AM PDT: Ethernet, firewire 800, two USB and mini display port, an ExpressCard slot, an optional SSD, in/out audio, built-in WiFi N and Bluetooth. These are the features of the slimmest MacBook Pro to date: 0.95 inch thickness.

10:30AM PDT: There’s of course the slot-load drive, magsafe power connector and the battery indicator which has been moved to the side. With the 9600M GT you will get around 5 hours of battery time instead of 4.

10:29AM PDT: The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics will be used in the new MacBook Pros. Together with it a 9600M GT will be included. You can switch between them, or have just the integrated 9600M GT running for better battery life.

10:27AM PDT: Steve Jobs has actually passed around the shell so those attending live would get a their hands on the aluminum case. Too bad we aren’t there to get our hands on it already!

10:24AM PDT: The new MacBook Pro is introduced. It’s like we’ve suspected it would look like. Precision aluminum unibody enclosure, LED-backlit display, next generation GPU, multitouch trackpad, mini display port connector, built-in iSight and microphone, “Sudden motion sensor”, backlit keyboard, new magnetic latch.

10:23AM PDT: Here are the new actions:

• Two finger gesture = pinch and rotate for zooming and panning.
• Three finger gestures = swiping between photos.
• Four fingers = expose and app switching.

10:21AM PDT: The touchpad, as we heard, was changed completely. It’s made of glass and it’s 39% larger than current trackpads. It has no buttons as it’s a whole button itself. You can setup multiple virtual buttons and there are 4 new finger gestures to control the OS.

10:18AM PDT: Apple has been talking to NVIDIA, according to Steve Jobs, as the company had a new graphics product. The NVIDIA GeForce 9400 M. It’s a single die with chipset and GPU. It has 16 parallel graphics core, 54 gflops of performance. It’s 5 times faster than the current GPU in MacBook Pros (the NVIDIA 8600M).

10:16AM PDT: The case is made by rough-cutting it first followed by the making of the key holes. Instead of bolting things together to make it a whole, the remove material from a “Brick” of aluminum to come to the final shape.

10:15AM PDT: “We’ve been looking for a better way, and we think we’ve found it” They refer to the MacBook Air. The notebook wouldn’t have been possible if they would have used the old building process. That’s where creating the case out of a solid piece of aluminum comes into place.

10:13AM PDT: Current models have the internal frame filled with components and which is bolted to a pressed baseplate.

10:12AM PDT: Steve Jobs is back on the stage with Jonathan Ives. Now they are talking about building the new laptops. They wanted something light but strong. Aluminum comes to mind!

10:10AM PDT: Like always we have numbers from Apple. One out of every three dollars is spent on a Mac in the USA. Apple’ marketshare is at 17.6%. 39% that’s the unit share for computers in education. 50% is the number of Macs at major universities; up from 15%. Q1 to Q3 Mac sales in 2008 already equal sales for 2007.

10:07AM PDT: 400,000 people come in the Apple Stores a day. 50% of those that end up buying a map are new to the whole Apple hardware and freeware.

10:04AM PDT: Steve says that Windows on a Mac “sends shivers up my spine”. Microsoft’s Vista is seen as a bad step for Microsoft; a step which has contributed to Macs’ recent success

10:03AM PDT: Tim Cook is talking now. Apple has sold 2.5 million Macs in the last quarter. They are better computers with better software.

10:00AM PDT: Steve Jobs is out on stage, and he will have some stories about how notebooks were made.

9:53AM PDT: Apple’s MacBook event is about to start. We will be covering it live for you. Stay tuned for the hottest news from Steve Jobs’ keynote. Unfortunately we aren’t in California at this time but we will virtually cover “The Spotlight Turns to Notebooks” event live.

Tags: Apple, Apple, MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, microsoft, Mobile News, Portable Devices

Now here’s an event we are definitely waiting for. Although a rumor for now, a MacBook event seems to shape up for October 14th. Is that the day we’re going to see the new line of MacBooks roll by. People have been waiting for an announcement since yesterday at the “Let’s Rock” iPod event but Steve Jobs wouldn’t have done such a thing. He knows how these things are done doesn’t he?
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Tags: Apple, event, Laptops, MacBook, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mobile News, multi-touch, Portable Devices

I am expecting the new MacBooks to be upgraded, including their latest Air model. It will not come as a surprise shocker to anyone when that happens. But we had to have a rumor like that. It is said that national retailers have been warned about an upcoming MacBook Air upgrade.

But don’t leave yet, we have juicy details. Sure the Air is going to get upgrades. What kind of upgrades?

First of all the new 45-nm Penryn processor is going to replace the current Intel processor. That means going from 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz to 2.26GHz or 3.06GHz. The FSB will go up from 800MHz to 1,066MHz and CPU power draw will also increase to 29W from 20W. A better graphics card is to be expected and a better battery should also be in the works.

Nothing unusual right? I mean we were all thinking about some of those changes…

Tags: Apple, Laptops, Laptops, MacBook Air, Ultra Mobile PCs

Here’s something we were not exactly expecting. Apple decided to lower the price for both MacBook Air versions. Both models will see a surprising $500 taken off their initial price so better hurry. Although I would wait for the next generation of MacBook Airs which should be coming at some point in the future.
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Tags: air, Apple, Laptops, Laptops, MacBook Air, Notebooks, Portable Devices

Here’s an interesting idea. Let’s use the Sun as an alternative power source for out MacBook Air. Sure. That’s a logical step in this apparently eco-friendlier world we are living in. But why not add such an option to any laptop out there? After all should only MacBook Air owners enjoy such freedom?

QuickerTek will make your Air run longer by pumping solar energy into its veins. Apple Juicz is their new product which will add anywhere from 6 to 10 hours of battery life. An 18 Watt panel will cost $500 and a 27 Watt which will sell for $600. Those models will charge your laptop in 14 and 8 hours respectively which is really not bad at all. And if you are always on the go, and have an extra $1000 to spend for the 55 Watt panel, your Air will be charged in just 5 hours.

I’d want this eco-friendly technology to be made available for other laptops too. I mean the Air is nice and all but not necessarily perfect. Why shouldn’t we be able to charge any other notebook with a similar panel from QuickerTek.

via QuickerTek

Tags: Apple, Laptops, MacBook Air

In case you are tired of using your brand new MacBook Air the way it’s meant to be used, here’s an additional extra. Not only is the Air a very slim but very powerful Apple computer, but it’s also a great kitchen appliance, a heavy duty knife. A very expensive knife that is, but it will do the job.
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Tags: Apple, HP, Laptops, MacBook Air

Did you buy your first MacBook Air already? How do you like it? Most importantly how do you carry it? Light as a feather, it could go into anything right?
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Tags: Apple, Apple, Laptops, MacBook, MacBook Air

Apple’s Macbook Air has at least one important problem to solve, and that is overheating. This problem has been reported and I would assume Apple would solve it by the time they launch the next version. Just in case your Air needs more air in order for you to keep doing what you’re doing without any time off for cooling, here’s an external cooler, the Zephyr from Moshi. It might be the world’s slimmest cooler designed for the world’s slimmest laptop.

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Tags: Apple, cooler, Laptops, MacBook Air, Portable Devices

I’ve always said my next laptop will be a Macbook Air. Well I’ve always said that for only a few months until my actual Dell gave up and died. Then I started thinking I might be better of waiting for the second generation of fresh Air. Now I am considering the 24kt Gold Macbook Air above (not!)

I mean sure I appreciate the cool looks and I appreciate it’s an Apple we are talking about. Nevertheless this pimped up baby costs somewhere around $8000. That’s what you have to pay to afford the sapphires lighting up on the actual Apple logo or the slick Gold case. It’s out of my reach for now but I pretty sure buyers will line up for this unique piece of jewelry.

If you are interested for such an upgrade, you’ll have to talk to the guys behind Computer Choppers who are making it. And as a bonus to all that gold, you will still get the Intel Core 2 Processor, the 80GB hard drive and the 2GB RAM. What could you ask for more?

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Tags: Apple, Laptops, MacBook Air

With the kind of price tag the flimsy MacBook Air carries, there’s no doubt everyone would want to protect theirs without errr…cramping their style. The developer of scratch-free protection gear from electronics, NLU Products, has announced the availability of BodyGuardz clear film cover for the MacBook Air. BodyGuardz products are made to fit like second skin on devices to prevent scratches. The material used for BodyGuardz products are the same as what’s used to protect an automobile’s front from abrasion. It uses water-based adhesive and will not be removed until the user rips it off. The complete BodyGuardz kit for the MacBook Air which costs US$49.95 comes with instructions as well as how-to videos.

Check out the product page (with video).

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Tags: Apple, BodyGuardz, MacBook Air

Remember than coin-sized Intel Core 2 Duo chip the company designed for the MacBook Air? Well, after the launch and shipping of the Air, Intel is offering the chip to other customers. According to CNET, Lenovo and Fujitsu are going to be the first two companies to use the chips in their future products, although neither has confirmed this report. The coin-sized chip would be marketed for notebooks 3-pounds and lighter. This eliminates the hassles that come along with the low-voltage and ultra low-voltage chips manufacturers of ultra-portable notebooks use.

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Tags: Fujitsu, Laptops, Lenovo, MacBook Air

Yep, people. The raving Mac fan boys and girls have something to rejoice about today. The much discussed MacBook Air, that sleek yet lacking notebook Steve Jobs dramatically pulled out from a manila envelope during MacWorld, is finally shipping today. At the same time, the MacBook Air add-ons, optical drive and Ethernet adapter, are being readied. If you’ve forgotten about the MacBook Air specs, you can read them here.

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Tags: Laptops, MacBook Air

When the specs for MacBook Air came out, one of the things which displeased the many is that the MacBook Air battery was described as non-replaceable. According to sources, however, replacing a MacBook Air battery’s a cinch. All you need in your quest to battery replacement is one size-0 phillips screwdriver. Simply flip the Air over, unscrew the battery cover and then with the same tool, unscrew the battery and pull. And that’s it. Considering Apple’s MacBook Air battery replacement service costs US$129, better get yourself a Phillips screwdriver as soon as your Air arrives.

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Tags: battery, Laptops, MacBook Air

We all knew the number of MacBook Air-centric peripherals would mushroom over time the moment Steve Jobs slid the Air out of that manila folder. This is one of those. WaterField Designs has launched a new MacBook Air SleeveCase which fits the thin aluminum device like a glove. The outside of the sleeve is made of sturdy ballistic nylon while the inside is lined with neoprene for cushioning. You can choose between vertical and horizontal orientations and even add accessories to the sleeve such as a front flap, a shoulder strap and “Piggyback,” their name for a detachable holder for accessories. The SleeveCase sells for US$39 in the WaterField web site. The accessories mentioned are sold separately.

More pics after the jump.

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Tags: Apple, MacBook Air, sleeve