I think that is mainly because of the fast solid-state hard drive. The little MacBook Air is by far the fastest computer I have ever used.
I have no experience with other light notebook computers, but I have lots of experience with an old 2.33 Ghz dual core 17' MacBook Pro and various Apple desk top computers and Dell desk top and notebook computers running Windows. I worked great on that trip, just as it does everywhere I go. A few months ago I rode my mountain bike from Miami to North Carolina. I take it with me in my backpack everywhere I go. I have been using a 13' MacBook Air for almost 2 years now.
