That’s actually a couple hundred points less than the previous-gen 1.86GHz Air we reviewed in 2008, though it’s worth noting that model was selling for a huge $2,499 compared to the $999 of today’s version. We ran Geekbench on our test unit, an entry-level 11.6-inch Air with the 1.4GHz processor and 2GB of memory, and it scored 2261. Still, the updated CPU and GPU do at least stand a better chance for more mobile graphics crunching. The previous MacBook Air was most comfortable browsing and playing video, but Apple is positioning the 2010 model as more of an all-round machine.
Why? Because it was overly expensive and it was too ahead of its time when it came to losing the Ethernet socket all of that, combined with an average battery life, meant we felt it was a model that was never destined to leave the house.
When we reviewed the first MacBook Air in February 2008 we slammed it. So what you are actually getting is a fair deal, an expensive one agreed, but it's that move to SSD that is the expensive element here, not necessarily Apple just ripping you off. Factor that in and the MacBook Pro's pricing starts to become more realistic considering the lack of optical drive and ports like the Ethernet and FireWire.
#Macbook air 13 inch 2010 motherboard upgrade
In fact, at a quick glance the difference is over £500, but to be fair, the off the shelf MacBook Pro doesn't come with the flash storage an optional upgrade that adds £640 to the price tag. On the surface the MacBook Air looks like an expensive option compared to Apple's MacBook Pro that you get off the shelf. Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: If you’re on a budget and can’t justify the cost of the MacBook Air 11, at least you’re in luck with all the other options out there, and if you can afford the MacBook Air 11 then consider yourself lucky and in for a treat! The 4GB memory upgrade is probably worth the extra $100 but the processor upgrade to 1.60Ghz is not worth it. I think most students are going to have to step up to the 128GB storage version to fit all the programs and files you’ll need when in school, so that means you’re looking at a price of around $1,199. In conclusion, I do recommend the MacBook Air 11.6-inch to students that happen to have a little extra money and can warrant paying a premium for the Apple brand, quality and support. The screen on the MacBook Air 11 also stands out against any of the competition. The aluminum unicast body is extremely solid feeling and the feather light weight just amazing. All that competition though and the MacBook Air still reigns as the most drool worthy and well constructed of all these in the 11-inch laptop category. If you need more power than the MacBook Air in an 11.6” form factor there’s also the Alienware m11x. The Dell Inspiron M101z and HP Pavilion dm1z and Toshiba Satellite T215 are all also attractively priced at around $500 - $650.
For instance, you can get the Acer Aspire 1830t with a Core i3 processor and more ports for $699. It’s of course not perfect, and the one thing that prevents it from being a sure fire recommendation is all of the great competition out there for 11.6-inch laptops that are much cheaper. The MacBook Air 11.6-inch laptop is a beautiful laptop and a treat to carry around and use.