It took 15-minutes and 28-seconds to import an 8-minute long 1080p video while exporting the same video took 33-minutes and 35-seconds in our testing. Intel quotes a 60-percent improvement in graphics performance from the new GPU, and we did find iMovie exported HD video clips faster than the last-gen model. In practical terms, our usual load of multiple browser windows (each with many tabs), email app, multimedia playback and image editing ran with no issues on the updated Air. It's worth bearing in mind that, thanks to the soldered RAM and the proprietary flash storage system, upgrading your MacBook Air is near-impossible, so it pays to make sure you're happy with the specifications when you first order.
A 512GB upgrade is also on offer, though it's expensive at $500 or more. Storage starts at 64GB of flash memory on the entry-level 11-inch and 128GB on the entry-level 13-inch, with the option to double that on each for $100 or $300 respectively. Otherwise there's 4GB of 1600MHz DDR3L memory as standard – double that of the 2011 model – with 8GB a $100 upgrade. For most mobile users that's probably an acceptable compromise in the name of portability and battery life, though if you plan on doing any HD video editing – or, indeed, gaming – then the limitations of the HD Graphics 4000 chipset will soon make themselves clear. Unlike the larger MacBook Pro there's no discrete graphics option, and you can only drive one external display, not two. While Windows ultrabooks are approaching the cusp of overtaking the Air - and we hope Apple's got a big surprise for us next year - it's still hard to go wrong with one of these tucked under your arm.Each model uses Intel HD Graphics 4000, the onboard GPU paired with Ivy Bridge processors. The new 13-inch MacBook Air might not be the huge revision we were hoping for, but it's still an excellent laptop, borne out of years of refinement. The 13-inch Air manages to slot in the top five for battery life - it'll survive quite well away from the wall. (Longer bars indicate better performance) Acer Aspire S3 (Core i5 2467M, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD).Asus ZenBook UX21 (Core i7 2667M, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD).Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A (Core i7 3517U, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD).Apple MacBook Air (Core i5 3317U, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD).HP Envy Spectre XT (Core i5 3317U, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD).
Samsung Series 5 Ultra 14-inch (Core i5 2467M, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Radeon HD 7550M).Samsung Series 5 Ultra 13.3-inch (Core i5 2467, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD).Toshiba Satellite Z830 (Core i5 2467M, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD).Toshiba Satellite U840W (Core i5 3317U, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD).Asus ZenBook UX31 (Core i7 2667M, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD).
When Windows 8 happens, with its rash of IPS-based laptops and whether they be convertible or not, Apple's lead will be diminished, yet again. Samsung's Series 9, with a 1600x900 PLS screen is the perfect example. That's not to say that the MacBook Air isn't excellent - it most certainly is, it's just that, more than ever before, it's feeling the heat from the Windows competition. Considering the ever-dropping price of flash memory, it seems Apple's a little behind the curve here. It's possible to upgrade to a 256GB or 512GB SSD, but this will add considerably to the price. The 13 starts at 128GB SSD, which is a bit better by today's standards. It also doesn't help that the default storage levels are small, particularly on the 11-inch version, which still starts with a 64GB SSD. It wasn't to be - what we got was a third generation Core processor, USB 3.0 ports, a new MagSafe connector and an updated webcam, but the form factor stays the same, as does the use of a 1440x900 TN-based screen.