Apple MacBook Air vs. Apple MacBook

Laptop Comparison, Reviews and Tests
Apple MacBook Air
Apple MacBook

In depth comparison and review of Apple MacBook Air and Apple MacBook. Compare sizes, performance, storage capacities, batteries and other important specifications and features to easily choose the right laptop for you. Our goal is to help you uncover differences between the products and find the laptop that will best fit your needs.

Laptop Specifications Comparison

Apple MacBook Air vs. Apple MacBook Comparison Chart
DESIGN AND DIMENSIONS Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
Product Type Notebook Notebook
Dimensions (WxDxH) 29.95 cm x 19.2 cm x 1.7 cm 32.5 cm x 22.7 cm x 2.8 cm
Weight 1.06 kg 2.4 kg
Colour - White
DISPLAY Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
Screen Size (Type) 11.6" 13.3"
LCD Backlight Technology LED backlight -
Screen Resolution 1366 x 768 (HD) 1280 x 800 (WXGA)
Widescreen Yes Yes
Features Glossy -
PROCESSOR Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
CPU Intel Core 2 Duo 1.4 GHz Intel Core Duo 2 GHz
Number of Cores Dual-Core Dual-Core
Cache L2 - 3 MB L2 - 2 MB
Front Side Bus 800 MHz 667 MHz
64-bit Computing Yes -
Features - Enhanced SpeedStep technology, power-optimized processor system bus, Execute Disable Bit capability
MEMORY Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
RAM 2 GB (provided memory is soldered) 512 MB
Max RAM Supported - 2 GB
RAM Type DDR3 SDRAM DDR2 SDRAM
Speed 1066 MHz 667 MHz / PC2-5300
Rated Speed - 667 MHz
Form Factor - SO-DIMM 200-pin
Slots Qty - 2
STORAGE Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
Main Storage Size (HDD/SSD) 64 GB SSD 60 GB HDD SATA 1.5Gb/s / 5400 rpm
Optical Drive - DVD±RW fixed
Read Speed - 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
Write Speed - 24x (CD) / 4x (DVD±R)
CD / DVD Rewrite Speed - 10x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW)
AUDIO & VIDEO Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
Graphics Processor (GPU) NVIDIA GeForce GT 320M Intel GMA 950
Memory Allocation Technology Shared Video Memory (UMA) Dynamic Video Memory Technology 3.0
Max Allocated RAM Size 256 MB 64 MB
Camera Yes Yes
Resolution - 0.3 Megapixel
Video Resolutions - 640 x 480
Sound Stereo speakers, microphone Stereo speakers, microphone
COMMUNICATIONS Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
Network Interface - Gigabit Ethernet
BATTERY Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
Technology Lithium polymer Lithium polymer
Battery Capacity (Size) 35 Wh 55 Wh
Battery Life Up to 5 hours -
AC ADAPTER Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
Input AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz) AC 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
INPUT Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
Type Keyboard, trackpad Keyboard, trackpad
Features Multi-touch touchpad -
CONNECTIONS & EXPANSIONS Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
Slots - 2 x memory
Interfaces 2 x USB 2.0
Headphone output
Mini DisplayPort
1 x IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
2 x USB 2.0 4 pin USB Type A
1 x display / video - DVI-Analog/Digital
1 x audio - SPDIF input/line-in - mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK
1 x audio - SPDIF output/headphones - mini-phone 3.5 mm / TOSLINK
SOFTWARE Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
Operating System (OS) Apple MacOS X 10.6 Apple MacOS X 10.4
Software Included Drivers & Utilities, Apple QuickTime, Apple iTunes, Apple Mac OS X Mail, Apple iChat, Apple iCal, Apple DVD Player, Apple Address Book, Apple Safari, Apple Dashboard, Apple Spotlight, Apple XCode Developer Tools, Front Row, Photo Booth, Apple Spaces, Apple Quick Look, Apple Time Machine, Apple iLife '11 Drivers & Utilities, Apple QuickTime, Apple Hardware Test, Apple Mac OS X Mail, OmniOutliner, Apple iCal, Apple DVD Player, Apple Address Book, Apple Safari, Apple iChat AV, Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Test Drive, Apple Dashboard, Apple Spotlight, Apple XCode Developer Tools, iWork (30 days trial), Front Row, Apple iLife '06, Freeverse Big Bang Board Games, plasq Comic Life
MISCELLANEOUS Apple MacBook Air Apple MacBook
Features Aluminum enclosure Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately)
ENERGY STAR Certified Yes Yes
EPEAT Compliant EPEAT Gold -
Max Operating Temperature 35 °C 35 °C
Min Operating Temperature 10 °C 10 °C
Humidity Range Operating 0 - 90% (non-condensing) 0 - 90%
Manufacturer Warranty Limited warranty - 1 year
Technical support - phone consulting - 90 days
Limited warranty - 1 year
Technical support - phone consulting - 90 days
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