Apple introduces 11.6″ Macbook Air

Apple today unveiled their smallest notebook so far — an 11.6″ Macbook Air weighing in at only 2.3lbs (1.05kg).

It’s much lighter and thinner this time — between 17mm to 30mm on the side — and since it’s just 11.6″ diagonally, this new Macbook Air is bordering into the netbook space.

Apple’s $999PHP 58,627INR 84,665EUR 951CNY 7,271 introductory price point targets students the same way as they positioned the white Macbook (also priced at $999PHP 58,627INR 84,665EUR 951CNY 7,271).

11-inch Macbook Air
11.6″ display @ 1366×768 pixels
Intel Core 2 Duo 1.4GHz
NVidia GeForce 320M
2GB DDR3 RAM
64GB and 128GB SSD storage
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth
webcam
2 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x mini display port
64GB – Php51,990USD 886INR 75,105EUR 844CNY 6,452 ($999PHP 58,627INR 84,665EUR 951CNY 7,271 in the US) inclusive of 12% VAT
128GB – Php61,990USD 1,056INR 89,551EUR 1,006CNY 7,693 ($1,199PHP 70,364INR 101,615EUR 1,142CNY 8,727 in the US) inclusive of 12% VAT

The Intel Core 2 Duo 1.4GHz chip they installed in here is most probably the Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 (very close to the SU7300 1.3GHz used on the Sony Vaio Y and the Dell Alienware MX11).

Of course, there’s the usual 13.3″ Macbook Air that’s also been refreshed with the new unibody design and components. Apple claims up to 5 hours with WiFi on for the 11.6″ model and 7 hours on the 13.3″ model. Standby time for both models go up to 30 days.

When you order the new Macbook Air 11-inch at the Apple Philippines online store, you are also given the option to upgrade up to 4GB of DDR3 RAM. The Apple website indicates there’s a 1.6GHz CPU option but it’s not included in the cart. Expect shipment within 6 days or ordering.

On a related note, a previous survey here indicated that the most preferred screen size is 13.3″ with the 11.6″ the least preferred among laptop users. Would be interesting to see responses from people regarding the smaller form factor.