MacBook Air Comparison Review

Apple announced recently "the world's thinnest notebook," the MacBook Air, which on the outside appears to be one amazingly innovative step forward for portable computers. However, how does the MacBook Air square up against the lightest of laptops produced by industry heavyweights like Toshiba, Sony, and Dell?

MacBook Air

Apple's new notebook comes with a standard 1.6 Ghz, Intel Core Duo processor, 2 GB of SDRAM memory, a 80 GB hard disk drive, a 13.3" widescreen display, and WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities. It measures in at 12.8 inches wide, a max height of .76 inches, and weighs a mere 3 pounds. With no portable disk drive and five hours of battery life, consumers can expect to pay up to $1799 for the standard model. The notebook also contains a built in webcam and video card with 144 MB shared memory. Buyers also gain from Apple's reputation for quality and a unique stylish feel.

Toshiba Satellite U305-S7467

Gaining only 1.6 pounds over the MacBook Air, consumers can buy one of Toshiba's trademark Satellite models. The U305-S7467 also hosts a 13.3" display, a 1.66 Ghz Intel Core Duo processor, 2 GB of RAM, and WiFi connectivity. For $809 less than MacBook Air (U305 costing $989.98), consumers loose Bluetooth capabilities, but gain a 130 GB larger hard drive and a dual-layer DVD-RW drive. The Toshiba also comes .6 inches less width (1.33 inches) than MacBook Air, but with a max height .57 inches taller (1.33 inches). Toshiba's system possesses a built-in webcam and a video card with 107 MB more shared memory (251 MB total) than the MacBook Air.

Sony VAIO VGN-SZ320P / B

Sony's computer flagship line, the VAIO, can be just as pricey and luxurious as Apple's MacBooks. Regardless, Sony's $1627.93 comes equipped with a 1.83 Intel Core Duo Processor, a dual-layer DVD-RW drive, a 120 GB hard drive (40 GB more than MacBook Air), but only 1 GB RAM (1 GB less than MacBook Air). The notebook's other features include an Nvidia graphics card with 125 MB of shared memory (less memory than MacBook, but more bang), Bluetooth and WiFi, a 13.3" display, and a built-in webcam. .3 inches shorter than MacBook Air (12.5 inches total width), but .74 inches taller (1.5 inches max height), Sony's Vaio only weighs 1.1 more pounds (4.1 pounds total) than Apple's notebook and can last 1 hours longer on battery (6 hours total). Given that buyers can upgrade the VAIO's memory and that Sony's reputation for quality meets that of Apple's, the $171 price difference seems like an appealing alternative.

Dell XPS M1330

Since Dell entered the PC race over 25 years ago, it presents an overwhelming force in the industry. On Dell's website one can pretty much match the internal specs of the MacBook Air and then some with a custom built XPS. 1.66 Ghz Intel Core Duo Processor, 2 GB RAM, 120 GB hard disk (40 GB more than MacBook Air), 128 MB Nvidia graphics card (less memory, but better product), WiFi, Bluetooth, 5.5 hours of battery life, and built-in webcam. The XPS weighs in at 3.97 pounds (only .97 more than MacBook Air), comes only 12.5 inches wide (.3 inches shorter than MacBook Air), and does not exceed 1.3 inches of height (only .54 inches higher than MacBook Air). For $1219 ($580 less than MacBook Air), consumers also receive a duel-layer DVD-RW drive and a product of just as high standard's as Apple's.

Bottom Line

Reviewing similar notebooks available on the market, the MacBook Air does look attractive, comes in a one-of-a-kind aluminum shell, and in terms of height, cannot be beat. However, consumers sacrifice DVD-RW capabilities and for paying more (sometimes considerably more) receive less battery life, less storage space, and less desk space. Apple still supports a smaller spectrum of programs and games, but of course comes installed with an array of popular and time-proven proprietary software. Looking forward, the MacBook appears to be ready for a complete wireless future, but the rest of the world will probably not be entering that technological stepping stone for a few more years, just like people still need to settle into the realm of High Definition.

Users should also be cautious of Apple's push for online storage, a real security risk, and people should be weary of Apple's attempts to force consumers to pay for online television shows and films. Look at MacBook Air, enjoy the glamour, but consider the real alternatives that exist on an equal scale, and usually at a lower price, when searching for a notebook.

More by Warren Samu

aka thegecko