Apple's MacBook Air goes into Intel i5 hyperdrive
Where a Core 2 Duo--introduced way back in 2006--was, the new MBAs house spanking new Sandy Bridge chips.Intel's newest design is two generations removed from the Core 2 Duo.And that means you get nice design extras like processors that overclock automatically when applications demand bursts of speed. Intel calls this turbo frequency.So what's under the hood specifically? The i5-2467M (11.6-inch model) and i5-2557M (13.3-inch) processors, running at 1.6GHz (with turbo speeds up to 2.3 GHz) and 1.7GHz (can turbo up to 2.7 GHz) respectively. There is also an option for an 1.8GHz Core i7 (add $100), which by all appearances is an i7-2677M that turbos to 2.9GHz. The i7 has a slightly larger cache, 4MB versus 3MB for the i5s. A larger cache typically means better performance. And these processors deliver on performance--in tandem with fast solid-state drives. CNET Reviews' Dan Ackerman has run some initial tests (below) that are indeed impressive. (Also see CNET Reviews' product pages here and here.)The Multimedia Multitasking and Adobe Photoshop CS3 show impressive gains for both 2011 MBA models. And Apple iTunes encoding results show that we're talking about more than a small performance uptick.The i5s and i7 used in the ultra-skinny Air are not gas-guzzlers.They're Intel's most power-efficient i series chips--what Intel used to refer to as ULV or ultra-low-voltage. All are rated at a cool 17 watts, rather the 25 or 35 watts for mainstream Intel laptop processors. Intel's HD Graphics 3000 is also built into the chip. Nvidia's graphics chipset is no more.But there is no performance hit to speak of.And, besides, in the MBA enclosure's cramped quarters, the Intel-only layout apparently makes room for Thunderbolt-related circuitry, according to iFixit's teardown. And for those willing to crack open an Air, the solid-state drive (ranging up to 256GB) is not soldered on the logic board, iFixit said.So it's user upgradable. That said, you're out of luck if you need extra RAM. Apple MacBook Air Summer 2011 performance charts: initial benchmark scores.(Note: A full review with complete benchmarking and battery life scores will come later at CNET Reviews.) Multimedia Multitasking test (in seconds) (Lower numbers indicate better performance)Apple Macbook Air 13.3-inch (Summer 2011): 233 Apple Macbook Pro 13.3 inch 2.3GHz Core i5 (2011): 239 Apple Macbook Air 11.6-inch (Summer 2011): 253 Apple Macbook Air 11.6-inch (2010): 719 Samsung Series 9 NP900X3A: 1094 Samsung Series 9 NP900X1A: 1436 Adobe Photoshop CS3 image-processing test (in seconds)(Lower numbers indicate better performance)Apple Macbook Pro 13.3 inch 2.3GHz Core i5 (2011): 78 Apple Macbook Air 13.3-inch (Summer 2011): 85 Apple Macbook Air 11.6-inch (Summer 2011): 103 Samsung Series 9 NP900X3A: 139 Apple Macbook Air 13.3-inch (2010): 149 Apple Macbook Air 11.6-inch (2010): 199 Samsung Series 9 NP900X1A: 264 Apple iTunes encoding test (in seconds)(Lower numbers indicate better performance)Apple Macbook Air 13.3-inch (Summer 2011): 98Apple Macbook Pro 13.3 inch 2.3GHz Core i5 (2011): 99 Apple Macbook Air 11.6-inch (Summer 2011): 110Apple Macbook Air 13.3-inch (2010): 176 Samsung Series 9 NP900X3A: 226 Apple Macbook Air 11.6-inch (2010): 266 Samsung Series 9 NP900X1A: 321 System configurations: Apple Macbook Air 13.3-inch - Summer 2011OS X 10.7 Lion; 1.7GHz Intel Core i5-2557M; 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz; 384MB (Shared) Intel HD 3000; 128GB Apple SSDApple Macbook Air 11.6-inch - Summer 2011OS X 10.7 Lion; 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-2467M; 2GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz; 256MB (Shared) Intel HD 3000; 64GB Apple SSD Apple Macbook Air 13.3-inch OS X 10.6.6 Snow Leopard; 1.86GHz Intel Core 2 Duo; 2GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce GT 320M; 128GB Apple SSDApple Macbook Air 11.6-inch OS X 10.6.4 Snow Leopard; 1.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo U9400 (ULV); 2GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066MHz; 256MB Nvidia GeForce 320M; 128GB Apple SSDSamsung 9 Series Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit); 1.4GHz Intel Core i5-2537M; 4096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz; 64MB(Dedicated) Intel GMA HD; 128GB Samsung SSDSamsung Series 9 NP900X1A Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) w/ SP1; 1.33GHz Intel Core i3-380UM; 2GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz; 64MB(Dedicated) Intel GMA HD; 64GB Samsung SSDApple Macbook Pro - Core i5 SandyBridge 13.3 inch - 2.3GHz OS X 10.6.6 Snow Leopard; 2.3GHz Intel Core i5; 4096MB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz; 384MB (Shared) Intel HD 3000; 320GB Hitachi 5,400rpm Updated on July 22 at 12:30 a.m. PDT: with additional chart data and system configurations.
New apps bring speed reading to iOS
New apps bring speed reading to iOS
Time is a precious commodity, arguably the most precious. Reading is one of the best ways to spend that time, so it stands to reason you'd want to squeeze in as much of it as possible. Earlier this year, a speed-reading technology called Spritz debuted for Android, promising to help you consume text much faster via rapid series visual presentation. Now there's an iOS e-reader that incorporates the technology, and a similar app for consuming Web content. Get ready to turbocharge your reading.ReadMe! is the first iOS app to include Spritz. It's an e-reader that supports DRM-free ePub books, meaning you're limited primarily to public-domain works; no Kindle or iTunes stuff. But it's a good way to get a taste of the technology (and enjoy some classic Twain or Conan Doyle in the process). The app costs $1.99.I wasn't able to test that one, but I did try ReadQuick, which aims to help you read faster by flashing one word at a time in a fixed position, just like Spritz. The difference: ReadQuick works with Web content, not e-books.ReadQuick's browser lets you navigate to any Web site and speed-read whatever you find.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETThe app has a built-in browser so you can navigate to a Web site (say, CNET.com), tap an article, then "clip" it for speed-reading. It can also link with your existing Instapaper, Pocket, and Readability accounts, a great way to speed-read content you've already clipped.Looking for other reading material? Tap the Featured button for a handful of sources (The Morning News, GigaOM, and so forth), then choose a story that sounds interesting.Speed-read settings are just a swipe away.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETRegardless of where the story originates, ReadQuick works like this: Double-tap the screen to start the presentation, double-tap again to stop. If you swipe right, you can use a slider to adjust the display speed (from 50 words per minute all the way up to 1,000), switch between day and night modes, and toggle small/large print.All told, it's very easy to learn and use, and definitely an interesting (sorry) glimpse at this style of speed-reading. I found I could comfortably consume nearly 450 words per minute, which seems pretty quick; various sources peg the average reading speed at anywhere from 200 to 300 WPM.That said, I'm not yet sold on using this full-time. Call me old-school (if not old-fashioned), but I like seeing printed pages. I like taking "natural" pauses while I read; the app feels like it's strong-arming words down my brain unless I manually pause them. And I definitely think you can lose an author's voice when you speed-read, especially when it's something funny or poignant that merits laughter or consideration.Of course, my chief complaint in life is that I don't have enough time to read, so I'll definitely be spending more time with apps like these. Maybe they're best for consuming news, blog posts, and the like, as opposed to works of fiction. Your thoughts?By the way, if you're not an iOS user, check out these three Spritz-like speed-reading apps for Android.
Time is a precious commodity, arguably the most precious. Reading is one of the best ways to spend that time, so it stands to reason you'd want to squeeze in as much of it as possible. Earlier this year, a speed-reading technology called Spritz debuted for Android, promising to help you consume text much faster via rapid series visual presentation. Now there's an iOS e-reader that incorporates the technology, and a similar app for consuming Web content. Get ready to turbocharge your reading.ReadMe! is the first iOS app to include Spritz. It's an e-reader that supports DRM-free ePub books, meaning you're limited primarily to public-domain works; no Kindle or iTunes stuff. But it's a good way to get a taste of the technology (and enjoy some classic Twain or Conan Doyle in the process). The app costs $1.99.I wasn't able to test that one, but I did try ReadQuick, which aims to help you read faster by flashing one word at a time in a fixed position, just like Spritz. The difference: ReadQuick works with Web content, not e-books.ReadQuick's browser lets you navigate to any Web site and speed-read whatever you find.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETThe app has a built-in browser so you can navigate to a Web site (say, CNET.com), tap an article, then "clip" it for speed-reading. It can also link with your existing Instapaper, Pocket, and Readability accounts, a great way to speed-read content you've already clipped.Looking for other reading material? Tap the Featured button for a handful of sources (The Morning News, GigaOM, and so forth), then choose a story that sounds interesting.Speed-read settings are just a swipe away.Screenshot by Rick Broida/CNETRegardless of where the story originates, ReadQuick works like this: Double-tap the screen to start the presentation, double-tap again to stop. If you swipe right, you can use a slider to adjust the display speed (from 50 words per minute all the way up to 1,000), switch between day and night modes, and toggle small/large print.All told, it's very easy to learn and use, and definitely an interesting (sorry) glimpse at this style of speed-reading. I found I could comfortably consume nearly 450 words per minute, which seems pretty quick; various sources peg the average reading speed at anywhere from 200 to 300 WPM.That said, I'm not yet sold on using this full-time. Call me old-school (if not old-fashioned), but I like seeing printed pages. I like taking "natural" pauses while I read; the app feels like it's strong-arming words down my brain unless I manually pause them. And I definitely think you can lose an author's voice when you speed-read, especially when it's something funny or poignant that merits laughter or consideration.Of course, my chief complaint in life is that I don't have enough time to read, so I'll definitely be spending more time with apps like these. Maybe they're best for consuming news, blog posts, and the like, as opposed to works of fiction. Your thoughts?By the way, if you're not an iOS user, check out these three Spritz-like speed-reading apps for Android.
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