Apple took the wraps off two new MacBook Air models, with prices starting at $999. Both models ship today.

[ad#Google Adsense 300×250 in story]The new MacBook Air is available in two primary configurations – an 11.6 inch model starting at $999 and a 13.3-inch model priced starting at $1299. The device is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, and features improved battery life and features carried over from the iPad, thanks to its reliance on flash-based storage rather than a conventional hard drive and hard drive interface.

“What would happen if a MacBook met an iPad?” was the question that Steve Jobs asked the audience at today’s “Back to the Mac” event in Cupertino. The iPad features the ability to instantly power on, has superior battery life, amazing standby time, and uses solid state (flash) storage in place of a hard drive. These are the features that carry over to the new MacBook Air.

The MacBook Air retains its clamshell design but is even thinner and lighter than before. The 11.6-inch model weighs a scant 2.3 pounds, while the 13.3-inch model weights 2.9 pounds. The larger model measures 0.68 inches at its widest point in the back and 0.11 inches in the front. The 11.6-inch display has 1366 x 768 pixel resolution, the 13.3-inch display has 1440 x 900 pixel resolution, and both are LED backlit. Also included is a full-sized keyboard and full-sized glass trackpad, just like other MacBook and MacBook Pro models.

Inside is a Core 2 Duo microprocessor – 1.4GHz on the smaller model, 1.86GHz on the larger one. Storage on the base model starts at 64GB, with 128GB available for $1199. The 13.3-inch system is clocked at 1.86GHz; 128GB and 256GB models are available for $1299 and $1599 respectively.

Apple says the smaller MacBook Air model can work on a single charge for about 5 hours at a time; the larger model, which has more battery storage capacity, works for about 7 hours at a time. Either system can hold a charge in standby mode for up to 30 days.