Macbook Air 2011: 5 New Features That Will Blow Your Mind Away

The newly updated Macbook Air line of thin notebook computers released by Apple boasts 5 new features that make them faster and easier to use.

These 5 features include the new Sandy Bridge Intel dual core processors, Intel HD 3000 graphics, Thunderbolt port technology, a back-lit keyboard, and OS X Lion. Together, these new features create the best Macbook Air yet.

Read on to know more about the new features.

Sandy Bridge processors

With the implementation of Intel’s new Core i5 & i7 dual core processors, the new 11 inch as well as the 13 inch versions of the Macbook Air are 2.5 times faster than their predecessors.

The Sandy Bridge processors are ultra-low voltage and power efficient, reducing heat and battery drain at the same time. The dual core processors will also allow enhanced multitasking, allowing the user to run multiple applications at the same time without ever having to worry about slowing down.

Intel HD 3000 Graphics

By switching to Intel’s HD 3000 graphics technology the updated Macbook Air will see improved battery life as well as increased graphics performance.

Intel HD 3000 graphics chips integrate the processing power of the new Sandy Bridge processors, allowing graphics and CPU processing to occur simultaneously. The result of this new technology is enhanced 3D functionality and the elimination of a separate graphics card, greatly improving the new Macbook Air’s performance and energy efficiency.

Back-lit Keyboard

No light? No problem. The updated version of the Macbook Air utilizes a full-size and fully back-lit keyboard paired with a multi-touch glass track-pad.

The new back-lit keyboard is designed for maximum comfort while typing and eliminates the need for any external light. The brightness of the back-light can be adjusted with the touch of a button while a built in sensor detects changes in ambient light and adjusts the brightness accordingly.

Thunderbolt

Also included in the new Macbook Air is an entirely new input/output port technology called Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt port is unbelievably fast, capable of transfers that are 12 times faster than firewire 800 and 20 times faster than standard USB 2.0 ports.

Thunderbolt allows users to transfer data between multiple hard disks and the ability to hook up HD video cameras and high-resolution displays at never before seen blazing fast speeds.

OS X Lion 10.7

Included with every new Macbook Air is Apple’s newest and most refined operating system: Mac OS X Lion.

Lion is the eighth major upgrade to OS X that introduces and astounding 250+ new features, including new Multi-Touch gestures; full screen app functionality; Mission Control, a new feature which shows every application running; and Launchpad, a fast application launcher that allows the user instant access to any installed Mac apps. Also included is the brand new Mac app store directly built into Lion, allowing direct software downloads.

Verdict

The new software features included in OS X Lion as well as the new hardware features in the new Sandy Bridge processors, Intel HD 3000 graphics, back-lit keyboard, and Thunderbolt port technology make the new Macbook Air the most technologically advanced notebook computer of its size. The new Macbook Air is available in both 11 and 13 inch versions, starting at $999.99.

Editor’s note: This is guest post by Siau Hen (a.k.a Bryan), he is a part-time internet marketer and technology lover, he blog about new Macbook Air at http://UnbiasedReview.org. If you would like to contribute too, please contact me.