Apple MacBook Air MC234LL-A Review

SEE IT
Apple MacBook Air MC234LL-A
1,350 $ at amazon.com
  • Intel Core 2 Duo SL9600 (2.13 GHz)

  • NVIDIA GeForce 9400M

  • 2 GB RAM Size

  • 128 GB HDD Capacity

2

Our summary of all reviews

  • Performance

    /100

    At this level, the performance is very low. This limits the user to usual activities e.g surfing the web, writing emails. Using applications like Word or Excel is possible, though at a very low speed. Gaming and other high performance tasks are impossible. People looking for a secondary laptop or using non-complex applications only will be satisfied.

    • 3DMark 06 1024 x 768

      1104.6 #

    • PCMark 05

      4893 #

    • Cinebench xCPU 64Bit

      3034 #

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Design

    5.0/5

    The laptop design was received with great enthusiasm by reviewers. The crushing majority agrees that even people with the highest sense of aesthetics will be ecstatically pleased.

  • Build Quality

    4.8/5

    The extremely solid build quality provides for absolute protection of the inner components of this laptop. All the outer components -hinge, display panel, and chassis- are highly stable, with no gaps or cracking sounds ever experienced. This computer is ideal for people with very active lifestyles, requiring absolute endurance and solidity of their laptops.

    • Base Unit Flex

       : 

      5.0/5

      Active people with lifestyles requiring traveling, and who place a high value on perfection will be very satisfied with this laptop.

    • Hinge Stability

       : 

      4.0/5

      The screen hinge, connecting the monitor and the laptop body, is characterized by good tightness and flexibility. The display might slightly wiggle after opening the laptop or when moving around, but it does not cause any real annoyances.

    • Display Panel

       : 

      4.5/5

      The display panel is a prime example of excellence. When moving the display back and forth it does not bend the slightest bit. There are no color distortions on the screen, even when applying significant pressure to the back of the monitor.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Display

    4.4/5

    The monitor provides good potential for professional designers and photographers. Gaming and multimedia users will be satisfied with this display. Looking at the screen both indoors and outdoors is a generally enjoyable experience. Therefore, even demanding business users will be satisfied with this great display.

    • Display Resolution

      1280 x 800

      This resolution does not allow for much multitasking. Opening two windows next to one another is quite annoying as much scrolling is needed to view the content of both. The users might get lost between their windows, as a continuous expanding and minimizing is required. Viewing highly detailed pictures demands quite a lot of zooming, and only low resolution picture and video editing is possible. Gamers could be satisfied with this resolution as many graphic cards support the native resolution of this display and run very smoothly. The gaming will not however be experienced to its full potential, as viewing graphic details is limited. The majority of movies will be viewed with black bars at the top and the bottom of the display.

    • Color Reproduction

       : 

      5.0/5

      This computer features perfect color reproduction. The color spectrum is fully covered, thus the colors are both attractive and true to nature. The screen fulfills the needs of professional designers as it displays the full sRGB spectrum. It as well is very attractive to non-professional users and gamers, because the picture is realistic and is thus perfect for high resolution games and HD movies for example.

    • Contrast

       : 

      4.7/5

      This laptop is able to produce a sharp contrast between the darkest color -black- and the brightest color -white-. This contrast ratio allows comfortable reading even when exposed to a bright ambient light. This feature is thus attractive to outdoor users, and office workers. Professional designers, gamers and movie viewers will as well be completely satisfied with this contrast. Shadows are so perfectly displayed that two-dimensional images appear almost three-dimensional. Movies using shadow effects extensively, like Horror, Mystery or Action movies, will be a delight to watch on this notebook. This contrast is especially appreciated with small-sized screens.

    • Contrast Value

      725.5 :1

    • Brightness

       : 

      5.0/5

      The maximum brightness of this display can with no doubt serve as a working replacement for the Olympic flame. The screen is evenly lid, and perfectly visible under intense lighting conditions. Using your laptop outdoors will be an enjoyable experience as it will compete with the sun quite fairly. However, when inside in a somehow darkened room, dimming the display will be easier on the eyes. Also, your battery will last longer when lowering the brightness.

    • Average Brightness

      318 cd/m²

    • Reflections

       : 

      3.5/5

      Viewing the display without major difficulties is achievable in almost all indoor lighting conditions. Office workers should be satisfied with this laptop. Reflections on the display will however cause discomfort when outdoors, unless the laptop is positioned in shaded spaces.

    • Viewing Angle

       : 

      3.0/5

      Two individuals can sit next to one another comfortably, and still view the screen with hardly any image deviation. Colours might start to change if you move far to the sides of the display, so viewing the screen with a group of people will not guarantee a clear picture for everyone.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Sound

    2.0/5

    The internal speakers of this laptop provided for a below average sound quality. Low sounds are still recognizable. Music can still listened to although the users should account for the necessity of external speakers when planning to watch a movie with a group. Musicians should not even stop to consider this laptop for their work, and gamers will be disappointed as the sound will be convincing. Even maximum volume will not make the sound experience enjoyable.

    • Maximum Volume

       : 

      2.0/5

      This laptop provides for a great opportunity to test your hearing abilities. At maximum volume, users can expect the sound to be loud enough to partially cover the space in one room. It would be difficult to enjoy a movie with a group of people if you are not all sitting close to the laptop. Headphones or external speakers should prove to be a good back up for action/thriller movies to be enjoyed.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Keyboard

    4.2/5

    This keyboard has been rated by most reviewers as quite convincing. If your daily life relies heavily on typing, then this keyboard has been manufactured for you. Whether you are an academician, a journalist, or an office worker, you will find this keyboard providing for both comfort and speed. Gamers will be as well satisfied even after long hours of use.

    • Layout

       : 

      3.0/5

      The layout of this keyboard might not feel comfortable for everyone. Inconveniences such as unintuitive positioning of different keys and different key sizes compared to the standard layout will be encountered. This most likely will lead to typing errors until the user readjusts to the keyboard.

    • Keyboard Size

       : 

      5.0/5

      This keyboard is characterized by large keys, thus dramatically reducing the frequency of typing mistakes. Typing is as well made very comfortable thanks to the deep palm resting area, which is as well handy when playing games, or for any activity requiring long hours of commitment. The whole keyboard is well proportionate with just the right spacing between the keys, providing for an ideal size for most users.

    • Key Responsiveness

       : 

      4.5/5

      This keyboard is made for enjoying long typing hours. The keys do not need that much applied pressure for accurate feedback, and you might even be quite amazed by the improvement in your typing accuracy -no typos- and your speed. The keyboard feels very smooth and comfortable, as the keys go just deep enough when typing. All in all: Guaranteed satisfaction no matter you expectations and your demands.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Touchpad

    4.6/5

    The reviewers found this trackpad to provide for a perfect combination of size, accuracy, smoothness and resistance. All these qualities make this trackpad a perfect fit for laptops with big displays, or everyone who plans to use the touchpad extensively only for gaming you will find an external mouse needed. The buttons are as well suited for all applications even those requiring a high level of accuracy such as picture editing or design. In short, this trackpad will ease you into adapting to your laptop in quite a pleasing way.

    • Touchpad Surface

       : 

      5.0/5

      The touchpad surface of this keyboard is nothing short of perfect. The manufacturer has managed to keep the tricky balance of smoothness and resistance. The touchpad feels great, accommodating for users requiring either relative roughness against sweaty finger, or smoothness to help with sliding across the screen. No matter your needs, this surface will not disappoint you.

    • Sensitivity

       : 

      5.0/5

      This touchpad has proved to provided for excellent feedback with impressive accuracy. There was no lag or jumpiness, which greatly contributes to increasing your working speed. Your mouse pointer’s precision will be nothing short of an arrow splitting the stem of a flower. All in all, this touchpad is perfectly reliable concerning precision and reaction.

    • Touchpad Size

       : 

      5.0/5

      The generous size of this touchpad will remind of limitless playing fields when you were a little child. You can reach the furthest part on the screen with a single slide over the touchpad, even with big displays.

    • Buttons

       : 

      3.0/5

      The reviewers considered the button quality of this touchpad to be satisfactory. Most users can rely on the accuracy and the smoothness of this button to carry out regular tasks. Very demanding users might find that the buttons fail to strike the right balance between being easy to click and giving clear feedback, making them a little too soft or too stiff. The button’s clicking sound will be acceptable for most, although sensitive users might prefer an even less noticeable auditive feedback.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Battery Surfing

    3:32 h

    This battery life should be enough for users planning to spend just a bit over a couple of hours away from a power source. If you want, for example, to check your emails in the garden, or during a short train ride, you should make sure that your display is set on low brightness. You should as well turn on your energy saving mode, and avoid running any other parallel programs other than the one you are using. With all these precautions, this battery might still not be enough for you, in this case you should have a second battery to secure longer working hours away from a power socket.

    • Battery DVD/Video

      2:22 h

      This battery will only provide for 2 to 3 hours of work with energy demanding applications. You will probably be able to watch one movie or stream a couple of videos. Gaming will consume much more energy compared to watching videos, thus the battery will not last as long. For mobile use, an external battery is a good idea as it will double the time you are independent from power sockets.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Weight

    3.00 lbs

    This laptop ranks amongst the lightest in the market. This weight makes the computer ideal for travelling or to use while commuting. Carrying this laptop feels just like carrying a bottle of water while hiking. It is easy to pack with your books when heading to the library, or to put back in your handbag after checking your morning emails at your favourite cafe. You might even forget you are carrying this laptop, even with the extra weight of the charger.

  • Noise

    3.5/5

    Most users will find the laptop to be on the quiet side. There is some noise emitted from the fan, the CD drive and other laptop parts, yet most will not experience any inconveniences due to it. Noise sensitive people might opt for an even quieter computer.

    • Noise Idle

       : 

      4.0/5

      Normally you do not notice the noise of the laptop ventilation while idle.

    • Noise Normal Use

       : 

      3.0/5

      Noise emitted from this laptop will not cause any major inconveniences when doing office work or browsing the Internet. Although it might be be noticeable in a quite room, it should not be obstructing your concentration.

    • Noise Full Load

       : 

      3.0/5

      When you are watching a movie, editing a video, or playing games, the noise emitted by this laptop will not be of much disturbance according to most reviewers. The degree to which you will be annoyed depends on your sensitivity and on how quiet your surroundings are.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
  • Temperature

    3.3/5

    The laptop may occasionally get too warm. Most reviewers found, at normal room temperature, you can comfortably use the laptop without burning your fingers or legs. The notebook may only become too warm when you stress it, watching a movie or alike.

    • Heat Top: Full Use

       : 

      4.0/5

      The notebook warms up just a little at normal use.

    • Heat Top: Normal Use

       : 

      3.0/5

      The laptop gets warm on top but nothing you would complain about.

    • Heat Bottom: Normal Use

       : 

      3.0/5

      The bottom of the notebook warms up a little but is not getting too hot to place it on your lap.

    • Heat Bottom: Full Load

       : 

      2.0/5

      There are some spots where the laptop gets a little hotter.

    ▼ expand ▲ collapse
4

Where to buy

You can get the Apple MacBook Air MC234LL-A for 1,350$
A

All external reviews  Apple  MacBook Air MC234LL-A

Language Source URL Review Date Author

English

www.reghardware.co.uk 12/22/12 Stephen Dean

English

www.pcmag.com 4/9/09 Cisco Cheng

English

www.slashgear.com 11/28/08 Vincent Nguyen

Deutsch

www.tomshardware.com 2/10/09 Benjamin Kraft

Deutsch

www.notebookjournal.de 11/28/08 Marco Obendorf

Deutsch

www.minitechnet.de 7/19/08 simon.k

Deutsch

www.notebookcheck.com 2/24/08 Klaus Hinum
▼ expand ▲ collapse
Total number of reviews: 7