Apple Macbook Air 13 inch 2011-07
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Average of 38 scores (from 51 reviews)
Reviews for the Apple Macbook Air 13 inch 2011-07
Turbo Air. After the refresh of the Air’s case in autumn of last year, we now see completely new internal hardware based on Intel’s Sandy Bridge technology. The extremely thin aluminium chassis remains unchanged, still setting the bar for attractiveness, overall feel, and slenderness.
Source: Notebookreview.com Archive.org version
If you need a super portable laptop that is still pretty capable, get the 11-inch MacBook Air. If you need something that offers a bit more power and a smidge better resolution, go for the 13-inch form factor. You’ll be getting a great operating system in the form of OS X Lion, and a lot of amazing built-in software, such as iMovie. OS X is no longer remarkably better than Windows since Windows 7 came out, but the free apps like iMovie, iPhoto and GarageBand have no match on Microsoft’s side.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 03/26/2012
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 80% performance: 90% features: 80% mobility: 90% ergonomy: 90%
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
The most expensive of the thin and light laptops we've tested recently, the 13in Apple MacBook Air will set you back the best part of a grand and a half. This makes it a sizeable investment, but one you're unlikely to regret – the build quality is phenomenal and the components top-notch.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 03/02/2012
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 70% features: 90% ergonomy: 90%
Source: Comp Reviews Archive.org version
Apple's MacBook Air 13 redesign offers some significant improvements to the premiere ultrathin platform. The new Core i5 processor and 4GB of memory are a marked improvement in performance over the past model. Add to this the inclusion of the backlit keyboard and Thunderbolt port and it has become even more functional.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 09/21/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Trusted Reviews Archive.org version
The latest and, at 13 inches, largest version of the MacBook Air series is undoubtedly the best. Over the previous generations it offers a better processor, a backlit keyboard and a Thunderbolt connector, while leaving everything that made its predecessors so attractive intact. It's still not cheap, but it has gained that vital bit of credibility as a worthwhile premium laptop solution, and is now worth its asking price. For many, PCs costing half the price offer a better, more sensible solution, but the MacBook Air remains king of the ultraportable brigade.
Single Review, online available, Very Long, Date: 09/15/2011
Rating: Total score: 80% price: 70% performance: 80% features: 70% ergonomy: 100%
Source: Hardware Zone Archive.org version
We think that the MacBook Air is absolutely marvelous. It is thanks to Apple, who persevered in the direction in which they think they should, that we are able to get the MacBook Air today. Instead of letting the MacBook Air die a novelty (Dell Adamo?) when faced with poor sales, they chose instead to turn the MacBook Air into one of the mainstays of the Mac family.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/26/2011
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 90% performance: 90% mobility: 95%
Source: Digital Trends Archive.org version
When Apple released the re-designed Air in 2010, we gave it a score of 8.5 out of 10 and an editor’s choice award. At the time, we were impressed by the performance of the Air, considering its absurdly thin size. Now the qualifier to that statement can be removed. The second-gen Intel Core i5 in the new model provides performance that is almost indistinguishable from a larger laptop.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/17/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Digital Versus Archive.org version
Bigger, more powerful and with a higher battery life than its 11.6-inch version, the MacBook 13.3-inch represents one of the - if not the - best choices for those looking for a powerful, mobile machine. Note however that a richer connectivity wouldn't go amiss as there still aren't very many thunderbolt compatible peripherals out there.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/12/2011
Rating: Total score: 100%
Source: V3.co.uk Archive.org version
video review
Comparison, online available, Short, Date: 08/10/2011
Source: Tech Advisor Archive.org version
The Apple MacBook Air 13in (Mid-2011) that we reviewed carries the maximum memory and storage of 4GB and 256GB. If you can work with 128GB of flash storage, the price drops to £1099, which is unbeatable even amongst shabbier-built ultraportable imitators. At time of press, we couldn’t find any Wintel manufacturer that could match the 256GB model's specs.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/08/2011
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 70% performance: 80% features: 80% ergonomy: 100%
Source: Good Gear Guide Archive.org version
The Air remains a relatively expensive proposition, but Apple's entry level MacBook offers excellent performance and portability. Apple claims that the MacBook Air's battery life is "up to seven" hours; it lasted almost six hours in our battery rundown test, where we looped an XviD file in full screen mode. Just like the MacBook Pro, the MacBook Air has a non-removable lithium-polymer battery.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/05/2011
Rating: Total score: 85%
Source: PC World Archive.org version
How fast is a MacBook Air when it's powered by an Intel Core i7 processor? Now that we've posted performance reports for the standard-configuration MacBook Airs, it was time to turn our attention to testing the optional, build-to-order (BTO) configurations of Apple's latest line of ultra-portable computers.
Comparison, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/02/2011
Source: Stuff TV Archive.org version
But if none of these features are deal-breakers, the 2011 Macbook Air is the best ultraportable, nay laptop, in the land for day-to-day computing. Its combination of lightning speed, slim profile and the gesture-tastic Mac OS X Lion mean it melds the benefits of tablets (portability, usability) with the power of traditional laptops. And, to top it all, it's an incredibly lovely thing. We recommend adopting one as soon as financially possible.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 07/30/2011
Rating: Total score: 100%
Source: PC Pro Archive.org version
The VAIO Z – with its optional media dock and battery slice – remains the ultraportable of choice if expandability is your chief priority. But with more than enough processing grunt for both work and leisure, decent battery life, and exemplary ergonomics and design out of the box, the MacBook Air 13in is - by the silver skin on its tiny behind - the most desirable executive laptop on the market, bar none.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/29/2011
Rating: Total score: 83% price: 83% performance: 67% features: 100% ergonomy: 100%
Source: PC World Archive.org version
And finally, for those of you lamenting the dearly departed MacBook, our test results show the new $999 MacBook Air to be much faster in our file duplication and unzipping tests, and faster in our processor tests-but as we've seen before, slower in the graphics tests.
Comparison, online available, Very Short, Date: 07/29/2011
Source: AnandTech Archive.org version
Whereas last year's MacBook Air was a good machine for light work, the 2011 models are true replacements for mainstream portable Macs. There's still no dethroning the MacBook Pro (although the 13-inch model clearly needs a higher resolution display option), but for the rest of the world there are now some excellent ultra portable options that don't force you to really compromise on performance.
Comparison, online available, Very Long, Date: 07/28/2011
Source: Techradar Archive.org version
This However, the benchmarks are clear - if it's high-end task-orientated or gaming performance you want, you need a MacBook Pro. If you don't need that extra oomph, a MacBook Air is one of the very finest laptops on the market. Sleek. Powerful. A real statement and pretty handy at every common task. But you're digging pretty deep for the pleasure of owning one.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/28/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: It Pro Archive.org version
Sleek, sexy and expensive. But enough about us, is the new MacBook Air still the best ultraportable laptop you can buy? Alan Lu takes a closer look in our review.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/28/2011
Rating: Total score: 83%
Source: Mobile Tech Review Archive.org version
Buy one now. Really, it’s that good. Even if you’re not a Mac OS X person, but want a super-strong, impossibly thin yet powerful 13” ultraportable to run Windows, it’s hard to beat the 13” Thunderbolt Macbook Air. It’s capable enough to be your primary laptop unless you’re a serious 3D gamer, is gorgeous looking and has enough ports to get by on. Paired with Apple’s expensive Thunderbolt Display, it can even become a desktop replacement with Ethernet, FireWire 800 and additional USB ports. Battery life is excellent, instant-resume from standby is a joy and the SSD drive means no moving parts and better speed, and it comes with the impressive new Mac OS X Lion.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/26/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Reg Hardware Archive.org version
Despite the hiccough in graphics performance, the new MacBook Air solidly outperforms last year’s model and it no longer feels as though you’re sacrificing performance in order to achieve that lightweight design. It’s still pricey, of course, but the improved performance and ultraportable design is an undeniably attractive combination.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/26/2011
Rating: Total score: 85%
Source: Engadget Archive.org version
The 2011 MacBook Air addresses nearly every concern anyone could lob at its predecessor. It's still light on ports, the missing SD slot on the 11-inch model is a drag, and no, it isn't cheap, but this machine is fast, efficient, and not to be underestimated. It's a supermodel with a law degree from Columbia, a hunky motorcycle racer who looks good in leathers yet is also a concert pianist -- whatever your passion it won't disappoint, all while making a lot more room in your bag.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/25/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Pocket Lint Archive.org version
If you're in the market for a new Mac this is certainly worth the upgrade. We for one will be going out to buy one once our review model goes back, and you can't get better praise than that.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/25/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Wired Magazine Archive.org version
Indeed, the new MacBook Air provides an unbearable lightness of being that seamlessly marries brute computing muscle with unprecedented portability. There’s little reason to doubt that it may ultimately change our perception of what can be accomplished, technologically speaking, in small packages.
Comparison, online available, Short, Date: 07/25/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: CNet Archive.org version
As with most Apple products, the MacBook Air has moved into an annual update cycle, taking it from the original niche product version to its new perch as Apple's mainstream laptop line. The latest version of the 13-inch MacBook Air vastly outperforms its predecessor, and can finally be called suitable for mainstream use, instead of relegated as a niche product.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/23/2011
Rating: Total score: 80% performance: 80% mobility: 90%
Source: CNet Archive.org version
Apple's MacBook Air divided opinion when it launched in 2008. Some were charmed by the machine's razor-thin design and light weight. Apple's new 13-inch MacBook Air offers the same super-slim and sturdy design as its predecessor, but packs in a more powerful processor. It's a fantastic choice for the super-wealthy traveller.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/22/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: Slashgear Archive.org version
In short, that difficult decision between prioritizing portability and performance has pretty much been made for you: the MacBook Air grants you both. Build-quality is reassuringly strong, speed and performance are sufficient for most users, and the ability to drop the Air into a bag and hardly notice it’s in there is a huge advantage. In 13.3-inch form it’s a little more expensive than the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro (and you get a slower processor, less storage and no optical drive), but we’d wager the Air could still hold its own. Altogether, the MacBook Air remains our ultraportable of choice.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/22/2011
Source: PC Mag Archive.org version
With the MacBook Air 13-inch (Thunderbolt), Apple did what it had to do to recapture some of the momentum it lost when the MacBook Pros and its Windows counterparts migrated over to the latest Intel components. Putting in the Core i5 processor, upping the standard memory configuration to 4GB, and having a new graphics subsystem translate into a significant performance improvement over the previous Air 13-inch. That and adding a Thunderbolt port, bringing back the backlit keyboard, and the timely release of Mac OS X Lion will surely make it a formidable player in the ultraportable space. But if its looks haven't seduced you yet, your money will go a lot further with the Toshiba Portege R835-P50X and Acer Aspire AS3830TG-6431.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/21/2011
Rating: Total score: 80%
Source: Laptop Mag Archive.org version
We already loved the 13-inch MacBook Air, and Apple's improvements make it the perfect notebook as far as we're concerned. When you combine a sleek ultraportable design with a great display and touchpad then nearly double the performance--without sacrificing battery life--you're left with a winner. You also get an improved backlit keyboard, Thunderbolt support, and the more powerful and versatle Mac OS X Lion. The 13-inch Air is also a better deal than the Samsung Series 9, which costs $50 more when you configure it with the same amount of flash memory. Add it all up and you have a machine that not only earns our Editors' Choice award but also a very rare five-star rating.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/20/2011
Rating: Total score: 100%
Source: Computer Shopper Archive.org version
Don't be fooled when you look at the summer 2011 version of Apple's MacBook Air. On the outside, it looks almost entirely identical to the late-2010 MacBook Air iteration, which was released in October 2010. Intel's next-gen processors put the latest Air on performance overdrive. It's one of the most powerful—and beautiful—ultraportables available.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/01/2011
Rating: Total score: 95%
Foreign Reviews
Source: Computerbild - 9/12
Comparison, , Medium, Date: 04/01/2012
Rating: Total score: 84% performance: 84% features: 87% display: 83% ergonomy: 87% emissions: 87%
Source: Chip.de - 2/12
Comparison, , Medium, Date: 01/01/2012
Rating: Total score: 77% performance: 76% features: 67% display: 99% mobility: 77% ergonomy: 84%
Source: ZDNet DE→EN Archive.org version
Comparison, online available, Long, Date: 12/06/2011
Source: Tom's Hardware DE→EN Archive.org version
Comparison, online available, Long, Date: 09/29/2011
Source: Notebookcheck DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 08/17/2011
Rating: Total score: 89% performance: 79% display: 75% mobility: 92% workmanship: 97% ergonomy: 95% emissions: 90%
Source: PC Welt DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/05/2011
Rating: Total score: 79% performance: 85% features: 72% display: 73% mobility: 81% ergonomy: 90% emissions: 77%
Source: Notebookinfo DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/01/2011
Rating: Total score: 88% performance: 80% display: 95% mobility: 95% ergonomy: 95% emissions: 83%
Source: Mac Welt DE→EN Archive.org version
Comparison, online available, Long, Date: 07/29/2011
Rating: Total score: 91% performance: 91% features: 90% ergonomy: 88%
Source: Chip.de DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/29/2011
Rating: Total score: 85% price: 75% performance: 81% features: 70% display: 99% mobility: 94% ergonomy: 84%
Source: Notebookjournal DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/26/2011
Rating: performance: 90% features: 30% display: 90% mobility: 70% workmanship: 90% ergonomy: 50%
Source: ZDNet DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/26/2011
Rating: Total score: 82% performance: 80% features: 80% mobility: 90%
Source: HardwareLuxx DE→EN Archive.org version
positive: performance, battery runtime, keyboard illumination; negative: limited RAM, no audio port
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 07/26/2011
Source: PC Actual ES→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 07/27/2011
Rating: Total score: 93% price: 86%
Source: Erenumerique FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/02/2011
Rating: Total score: 90%
Source: 01Net FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/22/2011
Rating: Total score: 100%
Source: Zoom RU→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/09/2011
Source: Hi-Tech Mail RU→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 07/26/2011
Source: Tinh Te VN→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/22/2011
Source: Media IT KO→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 08/12/2011
Comment
Series: The original MacBook Air, “the world’s thinnest notebook” was introduced at the 2008 keynote by Apple’s former CEO Steve Jobs. Key advantages are thinness, durability, high quality display especially the input device when compare with other netbook at the time. However, it was also heavily criticized for lack of Optical Disc, only one USB port, not user-removable battery among other things. At that time, nobody knows that these disadvantages of the MacBook Air series would be the pinnacle of Intel’s concept for next generation notebooks which will be the newest trend for 2012.
In 2011, Apple has introduced the latest update of the MacBook Air Series, with Intel’s latest Sandy Bridge Series, which doubling the performance. Major advantages of the 2011 MacBook Air in our reviews are the light weight, outstanding, unrivalled design and robust build quality thanks to the aluminum case, very good backlit keyboard plus glass track pad, as well as a very good performance for a subnotebook. The 2011 MacBook Air still shares some of the original’s disadvantages like limited ports, heavily reflective display, non-upgradeable memory and non-user-removable battery. Still, the MacBook Air outclasses almost every other Ultrabook out there with its advantage, save only for Samsung’s newest Series 9 model. On average, the review-ratings are very good, which always assure a place in the top 3 Subnotebook of Notebookcheck.
Rumor has it that Apple will introduce the new MacBook Air within a month during Apple’s usual WWDC with Retina-display, USB 3.0 and Ivy-bridge processor, so stay tune for the newest update of the most popular Ultrabook from the tech giant in Cupertino.
Intel HD Graphics 3000: Integrated graphics card in the Intel Sandy Bridge processors (Core ix-2xxx). The HD 3000 is the faster (internally GT2 called) version with 12 Execution Units (EUs).
Only some 3D games with very low demands are playable with these cards.
» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.
2557M: Power saving ULV processor clocked at 1.7-2.7 GHz due to Turbo Boost. Offers an integrated HD 3000 clocked at slow 350 / 1200 MHz and a DDR3-1333 memory controller.» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.
13.30":
There are hardly any tablets in this display size range anymore. For subnotebooks, on the other hand, it is the standard format.
The advantage of subnotebooks is that the entire laptop can be small and therefore easily portable. The smaller display also has the advantage of requiring less power, which further improves battery life and thus mobility. The disadvantage is that reading texts is more strenuous on the eyes. High resolutions are more likely to be found in standard laptops.
» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.Apple: Apple is a US company founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, the company is known for its innovative products such as the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, and manufactures computers and consumer electronics as well as operating systems and application software. Apple is also a leading provider of software and services such as the App Store, iTunes and iCloud.
Apple has earned a reputation as a company that focuses on design and ease of use. As for their notebooks, they are mostly in the high-priced segment, have their own operating system, but also run Windows on the newer Macbooks.
Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world and has a loyal following of customers and fans. The company also has a strong presence in the entertainment industry, with services like Apple Music and Apple TV+. In 2023, Apple had an approximate 8% market share of global PC sales, ranking it 4th after Lenovo, HP, and Dell.
88.47%: This is an above-average rating. Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that about one fifth of all tested models receive a better rating.
» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.