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Mac OS X Lion v10.7.3 update released with Safari 5.1.3, promises to fix your Wi-Fi woes

News

  • February 1, 2012 at 4:56 pm

1

Mac OS X Lion 10.7.3 update

After several weeks of testing, Apple has finally released a software update for systems running Mac OS X Lion, bumping up the version to 10.7.3. The update includes a number of essential fixes and security patches. We particularly note that the update promises to fix Wi-Fi connection issues when waking from sleep, which is something that our MacBook Air (complete review here) has been suffering from. The software also includes a new version of Safari, 5.1.3 and adds additional language support.

To check for the update on your Mac OS X Lion computer, click on the ‘Apple’ logo at the top-left, then ‘Software Update’. Be sure to have a recent back up of your system before you install the update (e.g. through Time Machine). It’s a quite weighty download, ours measures 730.6MB. We’ll try to update you once we have a chance to test it out on our devices and if this finally fixes Wi-Fi issues on the MacBook Air.

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Apple’s MacBook Air line about to get even faster Samsung SSDs

News

  • January 12, 2012 at 7:31 am

0

MacBook Air (mid-2011)

One of the key factors that make the user experience of Apple’s MacBook Airs great is the fast data transfer speeds, which rely on the thin-and-light laptop line’s speedy solid state drives (SSDs). When we reviewed the mid-2011 MacBook Air (MBA) we found that startup and resume was incredibly fast, applications launched quickly, while overall, the operating system was very responsive. This is in no small part because of the transition Apple had made to SSDs.
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Our favorite gadgets from 2011

EditorialsFeatured

  • December 27, 2011 at 6:41 pm

0

Our favorite 2011 gadgets

The holiday season is a period for introspection and some quality time with our favorite gadgets. As a gadget blog, looking back into what we have covered during 2011, there are a few pieces of tech that really stand out. These are the gadgets that got us excited because they were pushing new boundaries, or they instantly became an integral part of our lives because they perform their task really well. Here are our favorite pieces of tech for 2011, they might not be the most obvious choices, but if you read through you’ll find out why they earned a place in our hearts.
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Apple MacBook Air review (mid-2011 11-inch and 13-inch)

FeaturedReviews

  • September 18, 2011 at 3:29 am

3

MacBook Air 2011 resting on a coffee table

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.

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Apple releases MacBook Air (mid-2011) EFI firmware update 2.1

News

  • September 12, 2011 at 4:45 pm

0

MacBook Air (mid-2011) EFI firmware update 2.1

If you own a mid-2011 MacBook Air you might want to hit the update button. Apple has just released an EFI firmware update which solves a couple of issues mainly dealing with Thunderbolt compatibility. The other issue deals with Lion Recovery from an internet connection.

The fixes should:

  • Enhance the stability of Lion Recovery from an Internet connection.
  • Resolve issues with Apple Thunderbolt Display compatibility.
  • Resolve issues with Thunderbolt Target Disk Mode performance.

To update, connect your mid-2011 MBA to a power source, click on the Apple logo in the top left corner and then “Software Update…”, then follow the dialogue boxes.
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MacBook Air misses half its thunder, still awesomely hot

News

  • August 1, 2011 at 11:16 am

0

2011 MacBook Air logic board

What you see above are the innards — that is the motherboard — of the latest 2011 MacBook Air, dissected and displayed with love and care from the folks at iFixit.

A careful examination of the Thunderbolt controller chip at the top right has revealed that this is a different chip compared to the one used in other Thunderbolt-equipped Macs we’ve seen so far. This chip, codenamed Eagle Ridge, is capable of handling two bi-directional 10Gbps Thunderbolt channels and one DisplayPort output. This means you can connect only one display, that is, no daisy-chaining of displays here.
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2011 MacBook Air Sandy Bridge benchmark

NewsThe Lab

  • July 25, 2011 at 5:24 pm

0

2011 11-inch MacBook Air Core i5 benchmark

We’ve had a feeling that the new MacBook Airs, featuring Intel second generation Core processors — a.k.a. Sandy Bridge — would be fast; we just didn’t know how fast.

Well we’ve taken our new 2011 11-inch MacBook Air running on a Core i5 1.60GHz processor, which is actually the lower spec’d of the new MBAs, and benchmarked it using 32-bit Geekbench. The results, which you can see after the break, are pretty impressive.
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Apple updates MacBook Air with Sandy Bridge processors and Thunderbolt; axes white MacBook

News

  • July 20, 2011 at 1:11 pm

0

mid-2011 MacBook Air 11- and 13-inch

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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