MacBook Air version Nvidia 9400M GT

The upgrade that Apple brings to the version using Nvidia 9400M GT graphics card is still only nature "new wine old bottle"

MacBook Air is the first laptop model with every USB port. Photo: Devicedaily .

Overall, the MacBook Air is the first laptop model with only one USB port with battery attached to the device and "lack of" many common features still found in models of ultraportable laptop segment. In the early part of the year, the "improved" model with Nvidia 9400M GT graphics card was quietly launched by Apple after other innovations such as aluminum MacBook 13 inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro used at the same time 2 cards painting.

As can be seen, with MacBook Air, equipped with integrated Nvidia graphics card and hard drive capacity increase is the real "blood change". However, these changes have yet to improve product performance and users will still have to accept certain restrictions. Therefore, the strategy of "not raising prices" with the new MacBook Air is Apple's "wise" choice.

The cover of the device remains the same. Photo: Makeuseof .

Because it is not possible to "sew a new thin coat" for MacBook Air, the shell of this super product remains the same. But now, the title of "the world's thinnest laptop" is in contention because the unique position of the MacBook Air has been challenged by the "supermodel" Dell Adamo. Comparing Dell Adamo and MacBook Air, it is hard to deny the beauty of both, but Air seems to be "more clever" in designing thin, soft edges and reducing weight for the device. Therefore, when looking at the MacBook Air, users still have the illusion of being the "thinnest laptop in the world".

In terms of certainty, the "soft" curved machine on every corner of the MacBook Air or the Dell Adamo's "rustic" square frame is very solid, especially in the case of the lid, to protect the screen light. "High-quality but fragile" background LED. Compared to ultraportables like the Sony Vaio VGN-Z590, the Toshiba Portégé R600-S4202, MacBook Air feels more "safe" right from the case. In terms of weight, with a modest "weight" of 1.35 kg, the MacBook Air is lighter than both the Sony Vaio Z590, Lenovo X301 and HP Voodoo Envy 133.

Screen quality is not much different from the old version. Photo: Macshop .

With this 13-inch ultraportable laptop segment, the screen quality is not different. Apple MacBook Air uses a mirror screen resolution of 1,280 x 800 pixels, while slightly better than the Z590 1,600 x 900 pixels and X301 1,440 x 900 pixels. This monitor does not use ultra-thin glass coating like Dell Adamo's because Apple does not want to increase the weight of MacBook Air even a few grams.

The MacBook Air and Sony Z590 both have the best keyboards, full-size, large enough keys and reasonable spacing between the keys for comfort. However, many people still consider the keyboard arranged in the "traditional" way of Lenovo X301. Like the MacBook Air, this upgraded version still has the largest Touchpad when compared to other models, with multi-touch support features, operation to close / export data files or to customize. Image editing can be done easily with multiple fingertips at the same time. If compared to Dell Adamo, the MacBook Air's Touchpad is still more responsive and smooth when hovering. The MacBook Air with the MacBook 13 inch (plastic case) is the Apple laptop model that also has a separate mouse button that many users still love by familiarity.

MacBook Air has only one USB port. Photo: Officecafe .

There are still only three connectors: USB, DisplayPort, and headphone jacks, because the MacBook Air is ready to "sacrifice" all to achieve a unique position of unimaginable thinness. The DisplayPort port is an alternative to the DVI port in previous MacBook Air models. Only one USB port will make it possible to connect several peripheral devices at the same time such as mouse, USB, portable hard drive, external optical drive, and connecting one device at a time will be very lost. time and bring inconvenience to users. A temporary solution that many "Macs" are carrying is always carrying a USB hub with the device.

The MacBook Air has not yet been equipped with an integrated optical drive like the Lenovo X301 and Sony Z590. With an external optical drive, users will have to spend an additional $ 99, but this DVD burner is only compatible with the MacBook Air. In terms of radio connectivity, the MacBook Air is "slower" than all three competitors, the X301, Z590, and Dell Adamo, with two Wi-Fi (802.11n) and mainstream Bluetooth connections, without integrating broadband 3G. . A slow 4200-rpm hard drive is a different point than competitors, and upgrading to a solid-state drive requires another $ 500. But this is a worthwhile investment for long-term goals.

Upgrading to higher graphics card shortens the running time. Photo: Crashepiqs .

Upgrading to Nvidia 9400M GT graphics card helps improve 3D image processing efficiency but shortens battery life. Another advantage that rivals have fully exploited is the use of power-saving microprocessors that now the MacBook Air catches up. With an Intel Core 2 Duo SL9300 1.6 GHz processor, it is cooler but not as fast as Core 2 Duo "power-consuming" which was used for previous versions. Especially with the Sony Z590 Core 2 Duo P9500 2.53 GHz, the MacBook Air is guaranteed to have a "hat" to work performance. Although the Intel Core 2 Duo SL9300 is a new generation of processors, the capability is only equivalent to the "low-life" Core 2 Duo models like the P7500 1.6 GHz. While other manufacturers continuously upgrade RAM capacity to 3 GB or 4 GB, the new MacBook Air still uses 2 GB RAM.

With Nvidia GeForce 9400M GT graphics card replacing the "weak old predecessor" of Intel, X3100, it has the ability to play some 3D games compatible with Mac OS. And users will also experience improved picture quality when watching high definition HD movies. The new MacBook Air still uses a 37 Watt battery capacity. Switching to ultra-portable, power-saving microprocessors also helps to increase the battery life of the system, compensating for the "amount" taken by the Nvidia graphics card. Experimenting with MobileMark 2007, the benchmark results show that the continuous battery life of the new MacBook Air is slightly better than the old version, with the corresponding time of 3 hours 18 minutes and 3 hours 5 minutes.

The new MacBook Air is still only "new, old wine". Photo: Product-reviews .

Apple MacBook Air will still be a must-have masterpiece of Mac believers as well as technology lovers. But the improvements, innovations, upgrades that Apple brings in the version using Nvidia 9400M GT graphics card still only nature "new wine old bottle".

In the US, the MacBook Air Nvidia 9400M GT graphics card costs $ 1,799 for a 1.6 GHz processor and 120 GB SATA hard drive. With $ 2,499, you will get 1.86 GHz clock processor and 128GB SSD hard drive.

In Vietnam, this new version has not appeared in the market yet.