The benefits of Apple’s push into consumer electronics and mobile devices were on display Tuesday as Steve Jobs, chief executive, unveiled an ultra-thin laptop that makes use of technologies taken from Apple’s iPod music player and iPhone mobile handset.

At just 0.76 inches wide, Apple’s new MacBook Air rates as the world’s thinnest laptop computer. It is set to go on sale for $1799 in the US (£1199 in the UK) beginning next month.