Is Apple competing with itself?
They have done it before, but this time they have really gotten my attention.
TUAW just posted an article doing a side by side comparison of the just released 11" MacBook Air and a top of the line iPad. The MacBook Air is cheaper.
This is the first time I can remember an Apple laptop selling for under $1000.
Apple says this new MacBook Air battery lasts up to 9 hours. Its 128 flash memory will give you "instant on" and be one of the fastest laptops on the market and it weighs a mere 2.38 lbs.
Here is the side by side table that shows the stats.
| 11" MacBook Air | iPad Air w/Cellular | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 11.6", 1366x768px | 9.7", 2048x1536px |
| Storage | 128GB flash | 128GB flash |
| Processor | 1.4GHz Core i5 | 64-bit A7 w/ M7 coprocessor |
| Camera | 720p FaceTime HD | 720p FaceTime, 1080p video, 5MP iSight camera |
| Battery | 9 hours wireless web | 10 hours web on Wi-Fi |
| Price | $899 | $929 |
I got rid of my laptop the day I got my iPad, two days after they were released and haven't looked back...until now.
There have been enough times that I wanted a keyboard for my iPad Air that I ended up buying a Bluetooth keyboard cover from Logitech and I love it. But if I add up all the accessories I have purchased for my iPad, I am very close to the $899 of the MacBook Air.
The cellular iPad still has the leg up by being able to connect to the web anytime from almost anywhere. But MacBook Air, has the core i5 or i7 processor as well as a higher end graphics processor.
Apple, why do you do this to me? I am never going to leave my iPad relationship, but you've got me looking at a possible new family member.