Apple updates Macbook Air; Launches FaceTime for Mac

In a much expected move, Apple has updated its Macbook Air line of notebooks and launched the infamous FaceTime application for Mac at their keynote event yesterday which was streamed live.

The new Macbook Air now comes in two sizes – 11.6 inches and 13.3 inches. Both have almost similar features:

	11.6 inches	13.3 inches
Microprocessor	1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB on-chip shared L2 cache Optional 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache 800MHz frontside bus	1.86GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB on-chip shared L2 cache Optional 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 6MB shared L2 cache 1066MHz frontside bus
Memory	2GB of 1066MHz DDR3 memory 4GB maximum configurable option
Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory4 Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 2560 by 1600 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors FaceTime camera Mini DisplayPort
Storage	64 GB SSD Upgradable to 128 GB SSD	128 GB SSD Upgradable to 256 GB SSD
Battery	Up to 5 hours with up to 30 days standby	Up to 7 hours with up to 30 days standby
I/O Ports	USB 2.0, Mini DisplayPort, headphone minijack, MagSafe power port	USB 2.0, Mini DisplayPort, headphone minijack, MagSafe power port, SD card slot
Wireless Connectivity	802.11n & Bluetooth 2.1 EDR
Price	$999 for 64 GB $1199 for 128 GB	$1299 for 128 GB $1599 for 256 GB

With the exception of the SD card slot, almost all the features in both the versions are same. In addition to being more lightweight at less than 3 lbs, the new models are much more powerful and battery efficient. Plus, they look stunning! Check out some pics to drool over at the end of this post.

Apple has also launched FaceTime for all its Mac users. The software is currently in beta and is available as a free download at http://www.apple.com/mac/facetime/.

This will enable millions of existing mac users to make FaceTime calls to iPhone 4, iPod Touch and other mac users. The setup is hassle free with literally few clicks required to initiate a FaceTime call. You will need to register with your email address on the FaceTime server when you first launch the app. People can then use this email address to initiate FaceTime calls with you.

Here are some pics of the new Macbook Air to drool over: