MacBook Air gets Faster, Cheaper

Apple released updated MacBook Air models on Tuesday, giving shoppers a faster processor and a US$100 price cut. The Mac Book Air is Apple's ultralight Mac laptop and is available with an 11.6-inch or 13.3-inch display.

Apple's MacBook Air: Now faster and $100 cheaperApple's MacBook Air: Now faster and $100 cheaper

The new MacBook Air is available with a dual-core 1.4Ghz Intel Core i5 processor with 2.7GHz Turbo Boost, up from the 1.3GHz version with 2.6GHz Turbo Boost. A dual-core 1.7GHz Core i7 processor with 3.3GHz Turbo Boost is available as a custom option, too.

Both models include 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, 4GB RAM with an 8GB RAM build to order option, Intel HD Graphics 5000, Thunderbolt and USB 3 ports, 720p FaceTime HD video camera, built-in stereo speakers and dual microphones, a headphone port, backlit keyboard, Mini DisplayPort video out support, and Apple's iLife and iWork app suites. The 11.6-inch model offers up to nine hours battery life, and the 13.3-inch model offers up to 12 hours.

The 11.6-inch MacBook Air with 128GB SSD storage is priced at $899, or $1,099 with 256GB SSD. The 13.3-inch model costs $999 with 128GB storage, and $1,199 with 256GB.