Comparison of the MacBook Air Vs. a MacBook

A laptop screen is measured diagonally.

The MacBook and the MacBook Air are laptop computers manufactured by Apple Inc. They are similar in many ways, such as both running Mac OS X. Their differences include size and functional aspects such as storage. Both models have a "unibody" design, meaning the battery is integrated in the computer itself and not removable.

Physical Differences

A larger carrying case is required for the MacBook.

The most obvious difference between the computers is size. Both MacBook Air models are much lighter and thinner than the MacBook, making them a much more attractive option for the road warrior and frequent flier. The 13-inch MacBook Air weighs 2.9 lb. and is 0.68 inches thick (at its thickest part), while its 13-inch MacBook counterpart weighs 4.7 lb. and is 1.08 inches thick. The 11-inch MacBook Air model weighs 2.3 lb. The MacBook Air is available only in brushed aluminum; the MacBook is available only in white, although Apple previously produced a black MacBook.

Storage

The MacBook contains a standard 2.5-inch internal hard drive. The capacity of these drives range from 320GB to 500GB. The MacBook Air features flash-based storage rather than a traditional platter-based hard drives. While this is a faster option, the capacity of flash-based storage is far less, ranging from 64GB to 256GB. In addition, unlike the MacBook, the MacBook Air does not contain an internal CD/DVD drive. However, MacBook Air owners have the option of buying an external USB drive.

Processing Power

Overall, the MacBook packs a greater punch with its processing power as compared to the MacBook Air. Both MacBook Air models (11-inch and 13-inch) use a version of the Intel Core Duo Processor (1.42 GHz and 1.86 GHz respectively) while the MacBook uses a Dual Intel Core Duo 2.4 GHz processor.

Ports

Both models allow you connect a second display or projector.

In order to be light and thin, the MacBook Air has to sacrifice some options that are standard on the MacBook. While both models contain two USB 2.0 ports and a built-in AirPort wireless card, the Air lacks an Ethernet RJ-45 port for hardwired networking. Both the 13-inch Air and the MacBook contain a headphone jack and a memory card slot, but neither model contains a FireWire 800 port, something only found on the MacBook Pro.

Considerations

The MacBook is a more powerful machine than the MacBook Air, a key factor if you plan on owning just one computer. However, if you already have a primary computer (either a laptop or desktop) that you use for most of your heavy lifting, but need a second one to travel with, then the MacBook Air is a good option. If price is the deciding factor, MacBook Air models range from $999 to $1,199, while the MacBook is also priced at $999, but options including additional RAM and a larger hard drive will quickly boost the price.

References

• Apple: MacBook
• Apple: MacBook Air

Resources

• Apple: Special Deals -- Refurbished Macs