Benchtests: MacBook Air


The bottom line? MacBook Air is slower than the other MacBooks in Apple's line-up. And, indeed, slower than a 1.83GHz Mac Mini, as PC World reports.

That doesn't mean 'slow', but more 'not as fast'. And it's hardly likely you'd be packing the MBA to work on your latest epic in Photoshop. Or encoding H.264 video, which is one of tests cited in this article. That doesn't mean you can't; it just means you don't have an MBP on your lap.

If it makes you feel better, the MBA did beat out the 15" 1.67GHz PowerBook G4 by a healthy margin (which is what this is being written on, albeit a 17' model).

The MBA tested was a 1.6GHz model with C2D and a s-l-o-w 4,200rpm hard drive. Of course, the aim of all this is like an economy car: use less juice while on the road.

It's a traveler's notebook after all. Although I have a bit of a problem with the lack of optical drive (would need to buy one), or necessity of having a second computer so you can 'borrow' its drive. Ripping a bunch of DVDs for a trip is almost an essential these days, and with no optical drive to do it, this can be a minor pain. We think Apple will sell a bunch of the $99 external USB-2 SuperDrives. Hopefully, a range of third-party alternatives will be available as well.

It won't be your only Mac, but it could become your boon traveling companion.