Exclusive video: Best shanzhai Macbook Air clone reviewed

Simply known as a Macbook Air, this is an uncompromisingly fake version of Apple's landmark ultra thin and light. A quick glance will tell you that it's a few millimeters thicker than the original, and sure the hardware is all different, but we paid a mere USD 260 for this baby, which is at least a grand cheaper than the Apple's version that inspired it. This the best quality we've come across so far, but is it a worthy and affordable replacement? Read on for analysis, pics and video.

First of all let's go through a few basic specifications and the key differences between the two systems. As I mentioned, by far the most significant difference is price. The clone is available for around a thousand US cheaper than the Apple original, which is of course a lot of money when you're talking about a PC. The key reasons for the difference in price are a) the build quality and finish are still pretty far from what Apple can achieve, b) the components inside are an altogether different class and c) the clone is entirely unlicensed, comes without a genuine warranty or after sales service and let's face it, it addresses a different segment and possibly different economic zones.

The clone uses the ubiquitous Netbook platform from Intel, consisting of an Intel Atom N280 and the usual 945GSE chipset. The Apple original conversely uses a far more expensive processor platform that alone could well cost more than the clone PC. With a Core2 Duo at 1.86GHz costing more than 300 bucks alone, you have to add the Nvidia ION graphics chip which might not be too cheap either, so you're starting to see where all your money is going when you buy a Macbook Air.


Despite this, the clone manages to offer a couple of advantages over the original, including an Ethernet port and an additional USB 2.0 port. One of the complaints that reviewers have mentioned is that incredibly, the Macbook Air has only one USB port and no LAN port at all. Apple point to the incredible thinness of the device and that an Ethernet port  would simply not fit. The clone has a nifty pull down cover that reveals HDMI, audio and that extra USB port. Maybe Apple should try that idea. Seems to work very nicely here.


One other area where some versions of the Apple device take a hit is in the hard drive department. Unless you go for the 128GB SSD drive (a few extra hundred bucks of it), your going to be stuck with a 1.8 inch 120GB drive that spins at a slow 4200 rpm. This is in contrast to almost every netbook ever made which feature a 2.5" 160GB hard drive that spins at a faster 5400 rpm. Again Apple claim thinness as the culprit, but hey, a USD 1 300 piece of kit has slower hard drive read and write speeds than every cheapo netbook out there? That's a sobering thought.

Here's the full specification comparison table. An interesting read considering the stark contrast in pricing.



Regarding build quality, Apple are streets ahead of just about everybody, leaving Sony, Dell and HP in their wake, so it should come as no surprise to learn that the clone is not quite as well built as the original. Apart from a few minor worries around the thinnest areas of the device, i.e. the screen and the corresponding hinges, and keyboard keys that might not take a beating for too many years, it's not as bad as you might think. In terms of getting hot (something that plenty of Macbook Air lovers have  noticed) the clone does quite well; your knees will feel some warmth but nothing too uncomfortable or life threatening.

We also enjoyed the shanzhai added extras on the device. These included customized intro and outro music on the XP install and the addition of a remote control for desktop, media player and menus, etc. Nice touches that simply work. Battery Eater however manged to churn through the battery life in 1 hr 20 mins, which probably gives you an idea of a real world situation. We're talking probably two hours or so max. This is fair enough for a standard 3 cell battery, which although removable and presumably replaceable, is still a good ways off the original.

In PCMark 05 and 3DMark 06 the device scored reasonably for a netbook class device, indicative of the hardware inside.

Here CPUZ as ever shows what's actually inside.

Overall, we were really impressed with this clone. The look and feel, build quality, etc, were fairly good considering what you pay for it. The extra shanzhai features actually turned out to be worth a look too. For sure, there is a massive market out there that would love a notebook like this. Finally, the lack of Chinese markings on the chiclet keyboard offer clues as to where this baby is destined. The grey markets of Eastern Europe and South America perhaps? We believe customers will be pleasantly surprised how affordable Apple products have become.

Disclaimer:
*Shanzai.com is a news and reviews website, we do not promote the purchase or sale of the products and services mentioned in our content.

Gadget Types - Media Players