Apple launched an all new MacBook Air, the first of a next generation of notebooks. The all new MacBook Air will replace mechanical hard disks and optical drives with Internet services and solid state flash storage.

These next generation notebooks are: (1) faster with solid state flash storage up to twice as fast as hard drive storage; (2) more reliable since hard drive crashes are eliminated; and, (3) lighter and smaller with the solid state flash storage up to 90 percent smaller and lighter than hard drives.

The new MacBook Air is Apple's lightest and most portable notebook ever. It is available in 11-inch and 13-inch models and weighing as little as 1.06 kilogramsMacBook Air uses the same solid state storage technology as iPad to deliver instant-on responsiveness with up to seven hours of battery life and up to 30 days of standby time. . (Visit Apple here for more information).

Apple's CEO Steve Jobs said: "MacBook Air is the first of a new generation of notebooks that leaves behind mechanical rotating storage in favour of solid state flash storage."

"We've taken what we have learned with the iPad-solid state storage, instant-on, amazing battery standby time, miniaturisation and lightweight construction, to create the new MacBook Air. With its amazing responsiveness and mobility, it will change the way we think about notebooks."

Starting at RRP AUD$1199 inc GST (AUD$1090 ex GST), the affordable MacBook Air defines the next generation of MacBooks.

The 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air are immediately available through the Apple Store (Australia), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers.

The 1.4 GHz 11-inch MacBook Air with 2GB of memory and 64GB of flash storage starts at a recommended retail price (RRP) of AUD$1199 inc GST (AUD$1090 ex GST) with a 128GB model for RRP AUD$1449 inc GST (AUD$1317.27 ex GST).

The 1.86 GHz 13-inch MacBook Air with 2GB of memory and 128GB of flash storage starts at a recommended retail price (RRP) of AUD$1599 inc GST (AUD$1453.64 ex GST) with a 256GB model for RRP AUD$1949 inc GST (AUD$1771.82 ex GST).

Consumers can use configure-to-order options and accessories to include faster processors, 4GB of memory, MacBook Air SuperDrive® and a USB Ethernet Adapter.

Disclaimer: The article is lifted from a media release from Apple Australia.