RealClear Summary
Posted On June 22, 2012
Apple's 2012 update to its 13-inch MacBook Air brings several enhancements to the earlier generation model, including a new CPU (Intel's Ivy Bridge Core i5 and Core i7), updated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000) and more system memory. While the 2012 MacBook Air starts with the same option of 64GB worth of SSD storage, it's now upgradeable up to 512GB for those needing more space. The ultrabook's USB ports have been upgraded to USB 3.0 as well.
Otherwise, the Air retains most of the specs from the prior model, like the 3-pound weight and size (12.8 x 8.9 x 0.11-0.68 inches) and the display (no Retina here, sorry). Battery life still clocks in at between five and seven hours too.
Last, but certainly not least, the new 13-inch Air comes in at $100 less than the previous model at $1,199.
Reviewers were mostly pleased with the upgrades and while there's a lot more competition in the ultrabook market these days, most pundits ranked Apple's entry as the product to beat.
Reviews Sources
The MacBook Air comes with some of the best hardware, software, and performance on the market, and at a base price of $1,199 it can be had for $100 less than last year's model.
The 2012 MacBook Air doesn't look any different than its last couple of predecessors, but the upgrades on the inside are what make the machine.
The tweaks Apple made on the inside amount to some significant performance enhancements, and place the Air at the head of the (very crowded) pack.
Faster, more flexible and cheaper, it presents the strongest challenge from an Air model to-date. That's certainly enough to leave it as our choice of ultraportable notebook.
This year's MacBook Air opts for gradual improvements rather than anything revolutionary, but lowered prices continue to make it the go-to mainstream recommendation for any MacBook...
Compared to the competition, the MacBook Air remains a good choice after its Ivy Bridge update. While it's not a "must upgrade" if you have the previous MacBook Air 13-inch...
Apple makes the quintessential ultraportable notebook even better by giving the MacBook Air faster performance and longer battery life.
Apple has updated what was already one of the better ultraportable laptops on the market to keep it competitive, with an impressive set of specification upgrades and the best...
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