We think it’s inevitable that eventually all of Apple’s excellent MacBook like will go Air-like thin, it’s just a matter of when. Now there has been a lot of chatter lately that Apple may soon be introducing 15 and 17-inch MacBook Airs, that could eventually kill off the MacBook Pro as we know it. The rumors are not too far-fetched, the MacBook Air already took care of the 13-inch white MacBook.
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With the Sandy Bridge MacBook Air being such a svelte performer (check out our full review here) there was little appeal to the old fatty white plastic MacBook. The 13-inch laptop was killed last summer when the new line of MacBook Airs was released.
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My scenario, I have my MacBook Air connected to a wireless network and I want to give the password to a friend to connect. Now I can go over to my Wi-Fi router and look under its casing where I have the password written on a post-it, but there must be a smarter way around this that would save me the trip. Obviously, there could be tons of reasons why you wound need access to the Wi-Fi key, e.g. you’ve misplaced or forgotten it. The easy instructions below would work on any MacOS X computer that can already connect to the wireless network in question.
MacOS stores passwords in what is called the Keychain. Bear in mind that the Keychain holds a lot more than Wi-Fi passwords, like passwords for websites and FTP servers, networks passwords and certificates.
So here is what you do on your Mac:
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We’ve been hearing about fuel cells powering our gadgets for some time now, but the technology hasn’t really caught on yet. Fuel cells convert chemical energy from a fuel to electricity though a chemical reaction. Hydrogen is the most common fuel used in fuel cells, though alcohols or natural gas are not unusual.
In portable devices, micro fuel cells would work together with integrated rechargeable batteries and promise continuous charge for your gadgets away from a mains socket, as long as you have fuel on hand. Apple has recently filed for two patents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, titled ‘Fuel Cell System to Power a Portable Computing Device‘ and ‘Fuel Cell System Coupled to a Portable Computing Device‘. These could potentially open the way for fuel cell powered MacBooks.
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We’ve been hearing rumors about a 15-inch MacBook Air (or a new thin 15-inch MacBook Pro) for a while now. Digitimes, whose reports have been a hit-or-miss affair, claims supply-chain sources indicate that a new 15-inch model will be joining the MacBook Air line as early as the first quarter next year. The new larger-screened Air, will be joined by refreshed 11.6 and 13.3-inch models.
Although Apple had only refreshed the MacBook Air (MBA) line this summer, donning it with fast Sandy Bridge processors and Thunderbolt ports — you might want to read our full review of the mid-2011 MBAs — the accelerated development cycle would help Apple stop competing Windows ultrabook adoption.
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Apple has upgraded the MacBook Pro laptop range with faster Sandy Bridge processors, better graphics and more storage. The changes are internal rather than cosmetic, and prices remain the same, you just get more for your money.
The entry level $1,199 13-inch MacBook Pro gets a dual-core Core i5 2.4GHz processor and 500GB hard drive as standard, while for $1,499 you can bump the processor to a dual-core Core i7 2.8Ghz and storage to 750GB. The $1,799 and $2,199 15-inch models come with Core i7 2.2GHz and 2.4GHz processors, with 500GB and 750GB hard drives respectively; the latter gets a new AMD Radeon HD 6770M 1GB GDDR5 graphics card as well. Finally the $2,499 17-inch MacBook Pro gets a Core i7 2.4GHz processor, 750GB and the new Radeon HD 6770M 1GB GDDR5 graphics card.
The MBPs however haven’t received the expected bump to Bluetooth 4.0, that the 2011 Mac Mini, the MacBook Air and the iPhone 4S have received.
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This is a review of the mid-2011 Sandy Bridge MacBook Air (MBA). I’ve been using the 11-inch model, but most of what I will say also applies to the 13-inch version — a comparison of the two is at the bottom of this review. The review will concentrate on the hardware, rather than the software, aspects of the laptop. After all, loading Windows on the MBA is straightforward and we ours loaded with both operating systems — of course you can also load your favorite Linux distro as well. We’re certainly not discounting that the new MBA comes pre-loaded with the new Mac OS X Lion, but, that is a totally independent review in its own. Enough, however, with the introduction and lets move on to our experience with the new MBA.
We like to front-load our reviews, so, lets just say that there is very little that I don’t like with the new MacBook Air. What I mean is that there are only pleasant surprises, such as the performance, with most nags from last years’ model already worked out. But the MBA is certainly not the only laptop to offer performance in a small package, especially now that Intel is pushing the concept of the ‘ultrabook’.
A wise man once said that god is in the details, and that’s where the MBA wins over other offerings, in the details. We don’t have any preference with regards to manufacturer or operating system. But as said, it’s the little things that count. Apple has, over time, accumulated a list of extra features and little nuances that make its notebook products stand out. The MagSafe connector with a truly portable power brick, the oversized clickable multi-touch glass trackpad, a strong unibody construction that leaves zero room for flex, an excellent backlit island keyboard. The MBA is a culmination of all of these. It’s also the culmination of true portability and finally power.
The MBA is a svelte performer, never boggling down even with a dozen of browser windows, Mail, Photoshop and Spotify running all at the same time.
That’s not to say there are no faults, but it would have been unfair to mention these first; we found the poor vertical viewing angles somewhat restrictive, particularly for the form factor, while, the lack of ports could be a deal-breaker for some. Battery life is also on the lower side, not to say it’s bad or anything, but could be disappointing to some road warriors wanting a whole day charge. But please, read on while we delve deeper on Apple’s latest ultra-mobile notebook.
Although we can’t say we’re too surprised, together with the release of Mac OS X Lion, Apple has released an updated line of MacBook Air ultraportable laptops.
Both the 11- and 13-inch models have been updated with latest generation 2011 Intel Core i5 and i7 Sandy Bridge processors, Thunderbolt ports, while the MacBook Airs will once again sport back-lit keyboards.
Apple has also officially axed the basic white MacBook, which, lets face it, would have now had limited appeal as both MacBook Airs will now be running on speedy processors.
The basic 11-inch model, selling for $999, now features a 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 2GB of RAM and a 64GB solid state drive (SSD). For an extra $200 you can double both the RAM and disk space to 4GB and 128GB respectively while there is also a $150 option to bump the processor to an 1.8GHz Core i7.
The $1,299 base 13-inch model runs a 1.7GHz dual-core i5 with 4GB RAM and 128GB SSD storage. Doubling the SSD to 256GB will cost you $300 more, while the 1.8GHz Core i7 option adds $100.
The 11-inch model weighs 2.38 pounds with a disclosed 5 hours battery life, while the 13-inch weighs 2.96 pounds providing up to 7 hours of battery life.
All models come with OS X Lion, of course, and you can order them online immediately — at least for now shipping is within 24 hours, so hurry up! Pictures and press release after the break.
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Fujifilm X100S camera announced with fast AF and new 16.3MP X-Trans II sensor (hands-on video)January 6, 2013
Supposed Sony Nexus X images leakOctober 15, 2012
Asus 4.7-inch Padfone 2 demoed in video with new slimmer tablet dockOctober 14, 2012
Upcoming Google Nexus 4 smartphone by LG poses for camera in leaked picsOctober 11, 2012
Skype for Android with video chat official for some, unofficially for Galaxy S II, HTC Evo 3D, Thunderbolt, Sensation and othersJuly 1, 2011
Stuff-Review giveaway: win a B&N Nook Color, leather case and 4GB microSD cardOctober 12, 2011
Stuff-Review giveaway: win a PowerSkin silicon case with built-in batteryAugust 21, 2011
Connecting the Galaxy Nexus to your computer via MTP and the lack of USB Mass StorageDecember 10, 2011
