Apple's MacBook Air is far and away the most popular notebook in its class, according to new data from NPD that shows the ultra portable holding more than half of the thin-and-light laptop market.

Market research firm NPD estimates that Apple's MacBook Air grabbed 56 percent of the U.S. thin-and-light notebook market in the first five months of 2013, according to CNet. The remainder of the market was split between assorted Ultrabook manufacturers.

NPD's figures don't yet take into account the release of Apple's newest MacBook Airs, which leverage Intel's new Haswell processors. The 2013 models were designed to maximize battery life, with an advertised 12 hours of juice in the case of the 13-inch model.

AppleInsider found the 11-inch MacBook Air to not only live up to Apple's claims, but surpass them by some measure.