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Review: Asus Zenbook UX31

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<img alt="Review: Asus Zenbook UX31" class="aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/8221316e7770-100.jpg.jpg" src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/8221316e7770-100.jpg.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /> 
<h3 style="font-size: 1.17em;">
Overview</h3>
The Asus Zenbook UX31 is one of the first laptops to conform to Intel's Ultrabook specification. 
And, right away, we'll tell you - it stands toe-to-toe with Apple's MacBook Air in the fight for the title of best luxury ultraportable. 
More competition is to come, however, in the form of the Lenovo IdeaPad U300 S, Acer Aspire S3 and, potentially, others from the likes of HP and Dell. 
Back to the present though and Asus has done a terrific job with the Zenbook's design - even if you have to acknowledge that the designer took more than a sneaky glance at Apple's ultraportable first. 
The 13-inch Zenbook is fantastic to look at. When closed, the wedge-shaped laptop measures 17mm at its thickest point and a mere 3mm at its thinnest. 
<img alt="Asus zenbook ux31" data-mce-src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/e1bfaf186120-100.jpg.jpg" src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/e1bfaf186120-100.jpg.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="320" /> 
The aluminium silver lid boasts a distinctive concentric circle design that catches and reflects the surrounding light. Befitting the name, the Zenbook's simple, sleek finish gives it a premium look that keeps getting better as soon as you lift the lid. 
The design ethic is in evidence earlier than that, though - it's a lovely experience as you open the box while Asus has also included a mini Display Port to D-Sub adapter and a USB to Ethernet lead as well. Both are housed in their own little pouch. Better still, you even get a bespoke sleeve for your Zenbook in the box. 
The same thinking even stretches to the Intel Core and Windows 7 stickers. We wonder who it was that proposed they were silver and black - Intel? Asus? - but whoever did has made a difference. 
<h3 style="font-size: 1.17em;">
Specifications</h3>
<img alt="Asus zenbook ux31" data-mce-src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/22662ebd6f420-90.jpg.jpg" src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/22662ebd6f420-90.jpg.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="420" /> 
The outward elegance of the Zenbook UX31 has certainly been matched by power on the inside. There are currently two different versions available, our test model has the Core i7 2677M Processor while there's also a Core i5 2467M Processor variant. 
Our test version was running Windows 7 Home Premium, though the Asus spec sheet seems to suggest that Professional is also available should that be a requirement for you. 
For those looking for a smaller laptop, there's an 11.6-inch UX21 version that costs £849. We'll be reviewing that separately as soon as we can get our hands on one. 
You'll get 4GB or RAM with all 13-inch models, as well as a 128 or 256GB solid state drive (SSD). Our review model had a 128GB drive under the hood and, as we were using it a lot, we managed to fill most of that with apps and files in no time. This is a performance machine and you may find yourself wanting the larger capacity. 
The isolation-style keyboard is front and centre inside the Zenbook with no additional clutter from the likes of hotkeys, volume controls, numeric keypads or even separate mouse buttons. 
As the chassis is so thin, there's very little depth to each key. It must be said that, at first, this can be of-putting, especially if you're used to hammering out your emails – but before long typing on the Zenbook becomes second nature. 
We did find the directional arrows and the enter key to be a little on the small side, but not enough to interfere with extended typing sessions. 
There's also no backlight to the keyboard - as the MacBook Air and other competitors such as theSamsung 9 Series have this. A shame it's missing here. 
<img alt="Asus zenbook" data-mce-src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/a48e703e90420-90.jpg.jpg" src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/a48e703e90420-90.jpg.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="420" /> 
Alongside the keyboard, Asus has included a large, central touchpad. We had doubts about the inbuilt buttons and lack of a textured surface at first, but these were soon laid to rest. 
The response is swift and because of the larger size, it is possible to use your thumb on the touchpad without moving your hands from the typing position. Occasionally you might brush the touchpad when typing but this is a rare occurrence. 
However, we really don't like the mouse buttons. The touch isn't very definite, while it can be quite hard to do selections or multiple presses. Things could be a lot better here. 
Another noteworthy feature of the Zenbook is the external speaker running across the base of the 13.3-inch, 1,600 x 900 16:9 Super-TFT screen. Developed by Bang & Olufsen and called ICEpower, the speaker is monitored by in-built Asus techcalled SonicMaster to keepthe balance even. 
The Zenbook will hit a reassuringly loud volume without disintegrating into either a tinny treble or a fuzzy bass. It sounded impressive both in our expansive office and at home in a fully furnished room. 
For the record, there's also a 0.3 megapixel webcam for video conferencing or Skype. 
The Zenbook weighs in at 1.4kg, exactly the same as the 13.1-inch Macbook Air. It's hardly noticeable when carried around for the day and, because of the svelte design; it won't take up too much space in your bag. 
Thankfully Asus hasn't filled the Zenbook with too much add-on software, but there is an annoying Live Update engine that keeps on popping up messages from the taskbar, while there's also a battery life gadget (actually useful but it remains in your taskbar), as well as backup tools and a webcam app. 
We're sure there are some people that think it's nice to have this kind of stuff, but we're not among them. Moreover, much of the software is simply unnecessary. 
And then there's the graphics that appear when you turn the volume up, change the brightness or switch the power mode. To be honest, they're horribly ugly and we're simply not impressed. 
It's a shame the same attention that was paid to the external design wasn't paid to the add-ons within the OS. 
<h3 style="font-size: 1.17em;">
Performance</h3>
<h4 style="font-size: 1em;">
<img alt="Asus zenbook ux31" data-mce-src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/037e9a3793420-90.jpg.jpg" src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/037e9a3793420-90.jpg.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="420" /></h4>
<h4 style="font-size: 1em;">
TechRadar Labs</h4>
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Cinebench 10: 8726 3D Mark '06: 3623 Battery Eater '05: 253 mins 
Both processors in the 13-inch are from Intel's second-generation Sandy Bridge family and mean the Zenbook can easily handle multi-tasking, varioius demanding apps and multiple displays using the Sandy Bridge chips' in-built HD 3000 graphics capabilities. 
However. the lack of non-dedicated graphics from AMD or Nvidia does hit the Zenbook in the performance pocket - hence our relatively modest 3D Mark score. 
We felt the display wasn't the best - dark colours and especially blacks seem a little washed out - but definition is good. We also found the viewing angle wasn't great for watching video and working alongside others. 
Speed, clearly, is the focus of the ultrabook range and the Zenbook is no slouch. The instant-on feature means you can be up and running in just two seconds from sleep mode and standby time will hit two weeks on a single charge. 
The Core i7 unit featured here performs brilliantly and it was able to handle multiple browsers, Outlook and Word 2010, Spotify, FileZilla and image editing apps all concurrently. You really find you can do what you want, when you want. 
There were a couple of times when we found this wasn't the case - several times when switching power states suddenly (like unplugging the charger) meant that the whole system seemed to struggle to adapt - browsing became slow and we had to let the system calm completely down. Also we found that using more intensive apps could make things hang - handling a load of images inside Microsoft Publisher, for example. 
Even with heavy use during our testing, the Zenbook's battery lasted for an impressive 253 minutes. And when the battery does dip below 5 per cent, the Zenbook will automatically save any files in progress to avoid you losing all your work when the machine shuts down. 
The battery can seem like it's draining reasonably quickly when doing any tasks on high performance but on power saving mode this thing is positively frugal, going for around six hours if you're careful. Asus quotes seven, but you'll have to barely use it to get that. So we're not at the all-day battery life scenario yet, but we're getting closer. 
The slim design means physical connectivity isn't as abundant as regular laptops, but there's still enough here to satisfy most users. 
<img alt="Asus zenbook ux31" data-mce-src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/92fd505d39420-90.jpg.jpg" src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/92fd505d39420-90.jpg.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="420" /> 
Asus has included two USB ports, one of which is USB 3.0 as well as an SD card slot plus a mini HDMI and mini DislayPort for connecting the ultrabok to an external TV or monitor. The Zenbook also has 802.11n Wi-Fi and cutting edge Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connectivity. 
<img alt="Asus zenbook ux31" data-mce-src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/e5fce105e4420-90.jpg.jpg" src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/e5fce105e4420-90.jpg.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="420" /> 
<h4 style="font-size: 1em;">
Good value?</h4>
Although the 13.3-inch Zenbook will set you back from £999, that;s still £100 less than the cheapest 13.3-inch Macbook Air. 
Similarly, Asus has matched Apple with pricing for the 11.6-inch model which, like the smaller Macbook Air comes in at £849. Considering the technology and the form factor, a starting price point of under a thousand pounds is good value for money - especially when you consider other such ultraportables have cost as much as £1,500 in the past. 
<img alt="Asus zenbook ux31" data-mce-src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/482aefdb73420-90.jpg.jpg" src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/482aefdb73420-90.jpg.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="420" /> 
<h3 style="font-size: 1.17em;">
Verdict</h3>
<img alt="Asus zenbook ux31" data-mce-src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/a2b8881ec9420-90.jpg.jpg" src="http://www.new-technology-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/a2b8881ec9420-90.jpg.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="420" /> 
Overall we were very impressed with the Asus Zenbook. Neither power nor portability has been sacrificed in pursuit of the other and features that traditionally suffer, such as audio quality and battery life, have not been neglected. 
Battery life, especially, isn't the worry it usually is with the Zenbook, but you need to make sure it's in the right power state - running on high performance means that the system flies - but it comes at a cost. For most purposes, running in power saving mode is more than enough. 
<h4 style="font-size: 1em;">
We liked</h4>
There's so much to like about this laptop. It's a real PC ultraportable - the design is fantastic and it goes like stink. 
Beautiful design can only come into its own when there's performance to match.And it's all here in spades. 
The instant sleep and resume is exactly what you want in a laptop like this, and you'll find yourself quickly adapting to never shutting down. Unless, that is. Windows wants to install updates! 
<h4 style="font-size: 1em;">
We disliked</h4>
There's surprisingly little we disliked about the Zenbook, but it must be said that the trackpad buttons grate especially. They are truly awful and mean that a mouse is recommended for serious work. 
The keyboard takes a bit of getting used to and isn't as good as many - however, you quickly get to know it and it's not too much of an issue. The lack of a backlight is also a problem. 
Graphics performance could be better but we realise that's slightly unrealistic for a machine of this type - we also weren't huge fans of the display. 
Finally, you could say the design - though fantastic - is rather derivative. Still, unless you're a real design freak, you'll almost certainly find that you're not that fussed. 
<h4 style="font-size: 1em;">
Verdict</h4>
While price may preclude some from purchasing the Zenbook, we have no problem in recommending it as one of the best ultraportables we've seen. 
It's certainly a match for the impressive MacBook Air - and a real tonic to those who have wanted a performanceWindowsultraportable at a price point that doesn't require a remortgage. Yes, it's expensive. But it's so worth it. 
<img alt="" border="0" data-mce-src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/117146065320/u/49/f/9809/c/669/s/19a2249f/kg/253-259-260-264-273-279/a2.img" src="http://da.feedsportal.com/r/117146065320/u/49/f/9809/c/669/s/19a2249f/kg/253-259-260-264-273-279/a2.img" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" /><img alt="" data-mce-src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~4/gD8hOYvx7ak" height="1" src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~4/gD8hOYvx7ak" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="1" /> 
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Review: Asus Zenbook UX31

Overview The Asus Zenbook UX31 is one of the first laptops to conform to Intel's Ultrabook specification. And, right away, we'...

Macworld benchmarks i5 MacBook Airs

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After one week on the market, the first good benchmarks of the new MacBook Air models are beginning to show up. Macworld ran benchmarks of the i5-based 11.6" and 13" MBAs and found them to be quite fast in everyday operations. The Macworld lab is in the process of fine-tuning their SpeedMark benchmark for Lion, so the tests were performed by timing tasks like duplicating, zipping, and unzipping folders, importing and exporting files from Pages and iMovie, and so on.</div>
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Not surprisingly, the tests showed that the new MacBook Airs were faster than the last generation models and the final generation of the MacBook. The MBAs beat even the current 13" i5 MacBook Pro in the file duplicate and zip tests. Strangely enough, though, the previous model 13" Core 2 Duo MacBook Air bested all comers for importing a movie archive to iMovie '09, had the best results with the Cinebench R11.5 graphics benchmark, and the highest framerate while playing Call of Duty 4.</div>
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If you do a lot of AAC to MP3 encoding in iTunes 10, then the 13" i5 MacBook Air is going to be your best friend. It was faster than even the latest 13" i5 MacBook Pro, although not by much. The bottom line is that these new MBAs are fast, due in part to the SSDs used for storage, but slower than their predecessors in some graphics operations.</div>
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Why? The previous MacBook Air models used Nvidia GeForce 320M integrated graphics, while the new models use the Intel HD Graphics 3000 capability embedded into the silicon of the i5 processor. The Nvidia graphics chip was faster, but the i5 with graphics is less expensive than the Core 2 Duo / Nvidia combo used before.</div>
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With the specs of the MacBook Air approaching those of the MacBook Pro line and rumors of a 15" Air-like Apple laptop on the horizon, it's interesting to conjecture that Apple may eventually get to one line of MacBooks -- the MacBook Airs.</div>
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Macworld plans on running more tests in the future using various configure-to-order options of the MacBook Air, and we'll be waiting to see what they find.</div>
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Macworld benchmarks i5 MacBook Airs

After one week on the market, the first good benchmarks of the new MacBook Air models are beginning to show up. Macworld ran benchmarks...

Review: Apple MacBook (2011)

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/What%20Laptop/WLT%20148/WLT148.rev3.Apmac01_1-200-200.jpg"> With the continuing popularity of the iPad, iPhone and iPod range, Apple's laptop sales have seen an impressive boost in recent months. The Apple MacBook is its entry-level model, and while some could argue it offers limited value, it's still a great choice. The main argument against Apple's laptops is that despite their use of older technology, they still cost the same as cutting-edge Windows-based machines. The MacBook uses a last generation Intel 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo P8600 processor, rather than a Core i5 chip as seen in the Acer Aspire 5943G and Fujitsu Lifebook S710. While the difference in performance is significant, there's still ample power to run the excellent Mac OS X 10.6 operating system and software with plenty of speed. Graphics are just as capable. While outperformed by the Acer Aspire 5943G and Samsung RF510, the dedicated Nvidia GeForce 320M graphics card has treble the power of the Fujitsu Lifebook S710, running photo and video editing tasks with ease. Even light gaming is possible. Benchmarks Battery life: 505 minutes MobileMark 2007: 204 3DMark 2003: 10,375 This multimedia ability is aided by the impressive 13.3-inch screen. Despite having a low resolution of 1280 x 800, brightness, colour and contrast are stunning. Photos and videos look fantastic, and even the glossy screen coating manages to hide reflections well. Stunning usability As with all Apple laptops, an isolated-style keyboard design is used, with each key cut through an individual hole in the laptop's top panel. This allows plenty of space between keys and stops dirt falling beneath them. Usability is excellent and the keyboard is a pleasure to use. Apple was among the first to use multi-touch touchpads and the technology is used in the Apple MacBook (2011) with aplomb. The huge 104 x 75mm glass touchpad allows effortless gesture control, for scrolling documents and zooming and rotating images with just a simple pinch or swipe of your fingers. Unfortunately, where the MacBook falls short of its rivals is its limited connectivity options – offering just two USB 2.0 ports. Storage, at 250GB, is also low, but will nevertheless suit most needs. <img alt="Apple macbook 2011" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/What%20Laptop/WLT%20148/WLT148.rev3.Apple02_1-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> Far more impressive is the fantastic mobility and software. With 505 minutes of battery life, you can work on the move for over eight hours. Apple's iLife suite is also included, providing an outstanding range of photo editing, movie making, web design and music creation tools. While there's no denying the MacBook is overpriced, considering its use of older technology, Apple's renowned usability and stunning design go a long way to compensate for this. As long as you don't want the most cutting-edge machine, this is a stunning laptop that the whole family will enjoy using. <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/vcr00bpywg4/story01.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Article</A>

Review: Apple MacBook (2011)

With the continuing popularity of the iPad, iPhone and iPod range, Apple's laptop sales have seen an impressive boost in recent months. ...

Alcatel-Lucent trust sues Apple and others over video patents

<img align="right" alt="MacBook Stock" border="0" hspace="8" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.tuaw.com/media/2010/12/macbook-stock.jpg" vspace="8" />Apple has been hit with yet another <a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9202018/Alcatel_Lucent_trust_sues_Apple_others_over_video_patents">patent infringement lawsuit</a> this week. The lawsuit was filed on Monday in the U.S. District Court for Southern California by the Multimedia Patent Trust. The MPT is a subsidiary of <a href="http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/">Alcatel-Lucent</a> that was formed when Alcatel merged with Lucent Technologies in 2006. The MPT controls and defends a block of patents previously owned by Lucent. The company has a litigious history and has filed infringement lawsuits against Microsoft, Dell, Disney and DirecTV. 
 
The four patents listed in this infringement case focus on video codecs with Apple allegedly infringing on three of the four patents. Cited in the complaint are Apple's <a href="http://www.apple.com/macbook/">MacBook lineup</a> of laptops, the iPhone and its video editing solution, <a href="http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/finalcutpro/">Final Cut Pro</a>. Apple is not alone in this lawsuit; Canon cameras and camcorders, LG mobile phones and TiVo DVR equipment are also being targeted by MPT. MPT is asking for past royalty payments from these alleged infringing products and, at least for Apple, is not seeking an injunction. 
 
<h6></h6><a href="http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9202018/Alcatel_Lucent_trust_sues_Apple_others_over_video_patents">Source</a>

Alcatel-Lucent trust sues Apple and others over video patents

Apple has been hit with yet another patent infringement lawsuit this week. The lawsuit was filed on Monday in the U.S. District Court for S...

Review: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair201012-200-200.jpg"> Apple has reimagined the MacBook Air and we've been using one full time for a few days now. Since Steve Jobs pulled the original out of that manila envelope back in early 2008, Apple's premium laptop has been somewhat of an enigma. At the time it wasn't underpowered, but it has never exactly sparkled either. And it has gained notoriety as the ultimate coffee table computer – well, that was until the iPad came along. The new model retains the sense of haughtiness and has now been launched in two models – 13 and 11-inch. This is the 13-inch version – we'll review the smaller model separately. The new model is so thin at its bottom end that it's hard to grasp to open it – just 0.3mm. The laptop is a real wedge shape and people are extremely impressed as to how thin it actually is. The indented part near the trackpad can seem quite sharp though and, while we haven't caught ourselves on it, it's a distinct possibility. <img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20104-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> As with the original Air, the hinge can easily hold the weight of either half of the notebook, so if you hold the screen with the keyboard part raised, the keyboard section won't drop down. The Air's real problem remains price – for a laptop of this core spec, Apple's latest MacBook represents extremely poor value for money. With only 128GB (or 256GB if you pay for it) of onboard storage, many would be hard-pushed to use it as their only machine. And, given that, the question has to be asked whether you can really afford it. A huge number of people would surely prefer to plump for the extra storage and oomph that a MacBook or MacBook Pro can offer. <img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair201010-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> In terms of ports, you get a Mini Display Port connector and headphone jack. There's also an SD card slot in the side (plus an additional USB port - there's now one on either side). <img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20101-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> Once again there is no Ethernet port, so you can only connect to networks wirelessly, and no DVD drive. This is to be expected of such a slim machine, but be sure to consider your needs carefully before buying. Once again, you can install software over the air from a DVD drive on another PC or Mac on your home network. <img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20103-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> A big omission is the backlit keyboard which was inside the original Air but not this new model. However, despite its compact dimensions, Apple has still managed to fit a full-sized keyboard into the slim chassis. The isolation-style design makes it incredibly comfortable to use. The Air also now has the full size multi-touch gesture-enabled glass trackpad from the MacBook and MacBook Pro, too. You can effortlessly scroll through documents, zoom in and out of photos and rotate images using a range of easy-to-master finger gestures. <img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20102-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> Performance-wise, the specs have improved, but there hasn't been a big boon in this area. Intel developed a special version of the Core 2 Duo when the MacBook Air originally launched and it's this processor that has been retained – albeit with better performance. 1.86GHz is the standard in the 13-inch now. Beyond the issue of physical room, there's also the issue of cooling, but the fact is that the MacBook Air is now a decidedly poor performance relation of the MacBook and MacBook Pro with their latter-generation Core processors. The main addition is in terms of flash storage, now available in 128GB as standard, with a build-to-order option of 256GB in the 13-inch, though 2.13GHz is an option. The screen surround is still metallic silver, and the Air now contrasts with the look of the MacBook and MacBook Pro which both now have black screen surrounds. Because of those design changes, it almost seems like there's something old-Apple about the screen surround of the new Air. The camera has been changed from an iSight camera to a FaceTime camera, but essentially it's still the same hardware underneath – you can use a beta software add-on to communicate with iPod touch and iPhone 4 owners. <img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20108-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> The Air has received a boost in terms of graphics though, with the Nvidia GeForce 320M which has dripped down from the MacBook Pro. If the Air had not had a decent Nvidia chip, it would have been a serious flaw in this design. The MacBook Air now has a deep sleep mode, which kicks in after your MacBook has been sleeping for about an hour. Apple says that the battery can last up to 30 days in this mode and, while we haven't found it to dispose of too much power when in this mode, we obviously haven't had it for 30 days to test that particular claim. While the original MacBook Air had a terrible battery life of just over two and a half hours, this latest model runs for nearly six hours, a great improvement. The battery remains non-user replaceable. <img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20105-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> And in terms of raw performance, the Air is finally able to compete with the best ultraportables in the business – even if it doesn't have the processor grunt of many cheaper laptops with Core i3 and i5 processors. Indeed, the performance of the Air vastly exceeded our expectations, running Apple's iMovie and iPhoto video and photo editing tools with aplomb. Even mid-level gaming is possible. The flash drive means it boots in absolutely seconds, but it's not cut out for serious video editing or other processor intensive tasks such as serious Photoshop work. The flash storage is extremely rapid – apps load in seconds and while 2GB of memory may not be enough for some, all the standard programs seem quite happy with it, as was Office 2008 (we didn't have 2011 at our disposal at the time of testing). A key criticism of the original MacBook Air was its limited performance, so it's great to see the problem rectified. Applications open and respond quickly and smoothly. Graphics are even more impressive for such a slim machine, thanks to those MacBook Pro-spec graphics. While the standard 128GB of storage is poor compared to many Windows-based machines, many purchasers of the Air will just be looking for a machine to take out on the road rather than a core workhorse. Unless your needs are light and you employ extra storage, this is still a secondary machine. By fixing many of the significant flaws of the original, the MacBook Air is fi nally a viable rival to the best ultraportables on the market. While it is still not the most comprehensively equipped sub-2kg machine, it is certainly the most luxurious and its improved power now makes it as capable as it is gorgeous. <img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20106-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG> We liked The flash drive is exceptionally speedy, and the whole package is extremely pleasurable to use. It really is a fantastic Mac that zips along for basic tasks including media and productivity apps. We disliked The cost makes the MacBook Air exactly what everybody knows it to be – an expensive luxury that looks the business. More power is surely a requirement for many using a Mac for work or serious pleasure and Intel will surely have to do better for the next generation of the Air. We'd also like our backlit keyboard back please. Verdict If you're going to go and buy this laptop, you have to know exactly why you want it. Despite the flash memory and great graphics, it's seriously underpowered for the kind of money you're paying – and you have to be completely comfortable with paying such a sum, though flash memory remains expensive, so that's worth remembering. Portability freaks may prefer to go for the smaller 11-inch model, even though the screen real estate is far better here. Aside from the obvious aesthetics, the only other explanation for buying this laptop is the ultimate portability it offers. Having carried it around, used it on flights and trains and used it for many different purposes, this is surely the ultimate travelling companion – one of the best laptops for mobility around. But light PC laptops are available with more powerful processors – they just don't look this good. Somebody asked us whether it was the best combination of portability and power. It's great for the former and average at the latter. Have you got the money?

Review: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch

Apple has reimagined the MacBook Air and we've been using one full time for a few days now. Since Steve Jobs pulled the original out of...

Review: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair201012-200-200.jpg"> 
Apple has reimagined the MacBook Air and we've been using one full time for a few days now. Since Steve Jobs pulled the original out of that manila envelope back in early 2008, Apple's premium laptop has been somewhat of an enigma. At the time it wasn't underpowered, but it has never exactly sparkled either. And it has gained notoriety as the ultimate coffee table computer – well, that was until the iPad came along. The new model retains the sense of haughtiness and has now been launched in two models – 13 and 11-inch.This is the 13-inch version – we'll review the smaller model separately. The new model is so thin at its bottom end that it's hard to grasp to open it – just 0.3mm. The laptop is a real wedge shape and people are extremely impressed as to how thin it actually is. The indented part near the trackpad can seem quite sharp though and, while we haven't caught ourselves on it, it's a distinct possibility.<img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20104-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG>As with the original Air, the hinge can easily hold the weight of either half of the notebook, so if you hold the screen with the keyboard part raised, the keyboard section won't drop down. The Air's real problem remains price – for a laptop of this core spec, Apple's latest MacBook represents extremely poor value for money. With only 128GB (or 256GB if you pay for it) of onboard storage, many would be hard-pushed to use it as their only machine. And, given that, the question has to be asked whether you can really afford it. A huge number of people would surely prefer to plump for the extra storage and oomph that a MacBook or MacBook Pro can offer.<img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair201010-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG>In terms of ports, you get a Mini Display Port connector and headphone jack. There's also an SD card slot in the side (plus an additional USB port - there's now one on either side). <img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20101-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG>Once again there is no Ethernet port, so you can only connect to networks wirelessly, and no DVD drive. This is to be expected of such a slim machine, but be sure to consider your needs carefully before buying. Once again, you can install software over the air from a DVD drive on another PC or Mac on your home network. <img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20103-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG>A big omission is the backlit keyboard which was inside the original Air but not this new model. However, despite its compact dimensions, Apple has still managed to fit a full-sized keyboard into the slim chassis. The isolation-style design makes it incredibly comfortable to use. The Air also now has the full size multi-touch gesture-enabled glass trackpad from the MacBook and MacBook Pro, too. You can effortlessly scroll through documents, zoom in and out of photos and rotate images using a range of easy-to-master finger gestures.<img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20102-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG>Performance-wise, the specs have improved, but there hasn't been a big boon in this area. Intel developed a special version of the Core 2 Duo when the MacBook Air originally launched and it's this processor that has been retained – albeit with better performance. 1.86GHz is the standard in the 13-inch now. Beyond the issue of physical room, there's also the issue of cooling, but the fact is that the MacBook Air is now a decidedly poor performance relation of the MacBook and MacBook Pro with their latter-generation Core processors. The main addition is in terms of flash storage, now available in 128GB as standard, with a build-to-order option of 256GB in the 13-inch, though 2.13GHz is an option. The screen surround is still metallic silver, and the Air now contrasts with the look of the MacBook and MacBook Pro which both now have black screen surrounds. Because of those design changes, it almost seems like there's something old-Apple about the screen surround of the new Air. The camera has been changed from an iSight camera to a FaceTime camera, but essentially it's still the same hardware underneath – you can use a beta software add-on to communicate with iPod touch and iPhone 4 owners. <img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20108-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG>The Air has received a boost in terms of graphics though, with the Nvidia GeForce 320M which has dripped down from the MacBook Pro. If the Air had not had a decent Nvidia chip, it would have been a serious flaw in this design. The MacBook Air now has a deep sleep mode, which kicks in after your MacBook has been sleeping for about an hour. Apple says that the battery can last up to 30 days in this mode and, while we haven't found it to dispose of too much power when in this mode, we obviously haven't had it for 30 days to test that particular claim. While the original MacBook Air had a terrible battery life of just over two and a half hours, this latest model runs for nearly six hours, a great improvement. The battery remains non-user replaceable.<img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20105-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG>And in terms of raw performance, the Air is finally able to compete with the best ultraportables in the business – even if it doesn't have the processor grunt of many cheaper laptops with Core i3 and i5 processors. Indeed, the performance of the Air vastly exceeded our expectations, running Apple's iMovie and iPhoto video and photo editing tools with aplomb. Even mid-level gaming is possible.The flash drive means it boots in absolutely seconds, but it's not cut out for serious video editing or other processor intensive tasks such as serious Photoshop work. The flash storage is extremely rapid – apps load in seconds and while 2GB of memory may not be enough for some, all the standard programs seem quite happy with it, as was Office 2008 (we didn't have 2011 at our disposal at the time of testing).A key criticism of the original MacBook Air was its limited performance, so it's great to see the problem rectified. Applications open and respond quickly and smoothly. Graphics are even more impressive for such a slim machine, thanks to those MacBook Pro-spec graphics. While the standard 128GB of storage is poor compared to many Windows-based machines, many purchasers of the Air will just be looking for a machine to take out on the road rather than a core workhorse. Unless your needs are light and you employ extra storage, this is still a secondary machine. By fixing many of the significant flaws of the original, the MacBook Air is fi nally a viable rival to the best ultraportables on the market. While it is still not the most comprehensively equipped sub-2kg machine, it is certainly the most luxurious and its improved power now makes it as capable as it is gorgeous.<img alt="Apple macbook air review" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/mac/images/macbookair2010/macbookair20106-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG>We liked The flash drive is exceptionally speedy, and the whole package is extremely pleasurable to use. It really is a fantastic Mac that zips along for basic tasks including media and productivity apps.We dislikedThe cost makes the MacBook Air exactly what everybody knows it to be – an expensive luxury that looks the business. More power is surely a requirement for many using a Mac for work or serious pleasure and Intel will surely have to do better for the next generation of the Air. We'd also like our backlit keyboard back please.VerdictIf you're going to go and buy this laptop, you have to know exactly why you want it. Despite the flash memory and great graphics, it's seriously underpowered for the kind of money you're paying – and you have to be completely comfortable with paying such a sum, though flash memory remains expensive, so that's worth remembering.Portability freaks may prefer to go for the smaller 11-inch model, even though the screen real estate is far better here. Aside from the obvious aesthetics, the only other explanation for buying this laptop is the ultimate portability it offers.Having carried it around, used it on flights and trains and used it for many different purposes, this is surely the ultimate travelling companion – one of the best laptops for mobility around. But light PC laptops are available with more powerful processors – they just don't look this good. Somebody asked us whether it was the best combination of portability and power. It's great for the former and average at the latter. Have you got the money?

Review: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch

Apple has reimagined the MacBook Air and we've been using one full time for a few days now. Since Steve Jobs pulled the original out o...

New MacBook Air review

<a name="6741033708690421908"></A> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtO0yHh9YNuQ2W0cOXvUtbdrygfJmdnukf496LQnJQD-tdqGzgVskENgxxM42cVxUYGhyYyTsOTo0tKmamKHb7h_b554XHtOX-E3DickRavS2tNp-aLkmVLxwq5YKqF_CGX3AD12p-GhM/s1600/macbookair.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="236" src="/macbookair.jpg" width="400"></A> The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-MC503LL-13-3-Inch-Laptop/dp/B0047DVVZO?ie=UTF8&tag=techgeezelate-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">MacBook Air</A><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=techgeezelate-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0047DVVZO" width="1"> has been up there in terms of style and design. It's not perfect but it's innovative in every sense of the word. With the first model being as thin as normal laptops wouldn't although sacrificing on the power aspect. And with <a href="http://www.techgeeze.com/search/label/Apple">Apple</A> releasing another update to this coveted device, some may have their eyebrows raised or some may applaud in sheer awesomeness. Here are some thoughts regarding the new MacBook Air.<a name="more"></A> If you're not sure as to how this model differs from the previous releases, please refer to the table below. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHk8uimFyphFVplGVkaL7cqrokxNB1Hg_8T32_q-4ZVpTr9vdjS0kEUkbuoj3XZftaUg92wvTOj1YjUjQfA1ouhPtNlEAZzVUPBhk7p2wZxDZ7SHZCnmMkyOvwVUWUl0kfClRR5LG8KQ/s1600/macbookair-comparison.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="/macbookair-comparison.jpg" width="400"></A>(Click to enlarge) First and foremost, the hardware seems to have been upped a notch with it's more solid feel overall. That's both for the standard 13-inch model and it's little brother, the 11-inch model. A noticeable difference aside from the thinner aesthetics is the simplified track pad with the omission of the single button it had before. As for what's underneath, we mentioned earlier that they're not really the most powerful ones out there but you should know that if you'll be getting one of these. The 13.3-inch model has a 1.86 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB RAM and 128GB SSD. The 11-inch on the other hand has a slower 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo chip at 2GB RAM and 64GB SSD -- clearly not for the hardcore users out there. Attachments still include the mandatory USB ports (2 for the larger model), your MagSafe connector, an SD card slot (but not for the 11-inch model) and a Mini Display port. There's also no ethernet ports available so either you always go wireless or get Apple's adapter. Performance wise, you can use the table above for comparison with the previous ones. While they're clearly not for the really tech-savvy, the casual, stylish techie would surely have fun with its simplicity and ease of use -- plus the ever-so-marketable portability which the Air is known for. So overall, they're really very mouth-watering in terms of gadgetry, with the design, finish and the lower price tag, especially with the smaller model  For an in-depth review of both models, the great guys at <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/26/macbook-air-review-late-2010/">Engadget </A>has a review that can really help you decide in getting one of these.

New MacBook Air review

The MacBook Air has been up there in terms of style and design. It's not perfect but it's innovative in every sense of the word. Wi...

Apple MacBook Air review

For all our praises, there are definitely a couple things that bugged us about the new unit, though obviously nothing big enough to deter us from making it our main machine. We’re not thrilled with the visibility of the caps lock key — of all things — it’s a very faint green and it’s difficult to see when it’s active or not. It also requires more pressure than the rest of the keyboard, at least on our unit. 
We miss the backlit keyboard which existed on the first generation MacBook Air and we miss the ambient light sensor even though we basically would fight it on all occasions. Not having an ethernet port is also a slight bummer, but we understand the port physically wouldn’t fit height wise with the notebook’s design. Still, we’ll have to carry a USB ethernet adapter at all times in the event Wi-Fi isn’t available, and it will take up one of the USB ports. 
All things considered, what the new MacBook Air is, is an advancement of the laptop in ways that no other manufacturer has come close to touching. It’s not the least expensive option out there, though we wouldn’t necessarily call the most expensive option either. What the MacBook Air has done, is slowly start to transform the laptop industry much like the iPad and iOS have started to transform the mobile industry. Soon, all laptops will not require moving parts, they will also offer almost instant boot times, run cool, run fast, and they’ll be thin. Because thin is in. 
Tags: 1.1, 13, Air, Apple, core 2 duo, inch, intel, MacBook, review Email This Post

Apple MacBook Air review

For all our praises, there are definitely a couple things that bugged us about the new unit, though obviously nothing big enough to deter us...