Oh, come on. I’m home sick, let me have a little fun with my titles, would you?
In This Article:
Smaller Envelope
However, Apple switched the spots, making the MacBook a more simplistic machine than the MacBook Air, slimmer and lighter as well. Now the MacBook Air is a slim model that slides perfectly between the MacBook and MacBook Pro. The “just right” MacBook for many consumers.
The new MacBook Air is thinner, lighter, and with a smaller footprint than the outgoing model. It’s still slightly thicker and heavier than the MacBook, but that additional size is used for a larger screen and more power. Of course, it can also still fit into an envelope.
More Power
The MacBook Air comes with only one processor choice. It’s not a very fast one, but it will outperform the 12″ MacBook, and it’s a huge improvement over the outgoing MacBook Air. You get a 1.6GHz dual core Intel Core i5 processor. The MacBook, as a reminder, comes with a 1.2GHz Intel Core m3, a mobile processor, and can be upgraded to a 1.4GHz Intel Core i7. The MacBook Air is no powerhouse. However, for web browsing, emails, meetings, note taking, and other such ordinary tasks, the MacBook Air will be more than enough for you, and certainly more powerful than the MacBook.
When it comes to memory, the MacBook Air can only get up to 16GB. That’s not much if you’re building apps or editing video, but if you’re just looking for a computer that can keep 12 tabs open while you do your homework and chat over Facebook Messenger, then it’ll be perfect for you.
Something to Look At
Touch ID
The new MacBook Air has a Touch ID sensor, like the MacBook Pro. Apple didn’t add a Touch Bar to the MacBook Air, which some would consider quite fortunate. The Touch Bar hasn’t been universally popular. In fact, I still can’t tell if I like it or not, I oscillate between the two. Leaning towards indifference though. If I had to pay money for the Touch Bar, I wouldn’t.
The MacBook Air power button has been replaced with a Touch ID button, sitting at the end of the row of normalz function keys. Good, solid, clicky butterfly mechanism keys. They might not travel more than a fraction of a millimeter, but they’re better than typing on a solid surface.
More?
100% recycled
The new MacBook Air lowers carbon emissions by 47% over the previous model. Getting your papers in on time and saving the planet? It’s a mighty Mac, indeed!
Larger trackpad
Apple loves a good trackpad. Multitouch trackpads that can be clicked anywhere? Fantastic. But why not more trackpad? That’s what Apple has been doing to their entire MacBook lineup. The MacBook Air is no different. The new trackpad is 20% larger than the previous one. It might be a small difference, but it’ll surely improve your productivity.
Larger speakers
Hey, you’re not going to listen to music loudly in the library with those, are you? Good, because the new MacBook Air has twice the bass and speakers that are 25% larger than the previous model’s. That can translate to quite a ruckus. Sure, you’ll still need headphones or quality speakers to really enjoy your music, but watching a video or playing some music softly while you write? They’ll be perfect for that.
HD camera
Maybe your brother went off to college too, and you want to be able to bring the whole family together with the new group FaceTime feature. Can you do it on your iPhone? Sure. But wouldn’t you rather a big 13.3″ screen to see your loved ones on? I’m sure they would prefer it as well. The new HD camera is clearer than ever, for those times when you have to phone home.
Ports
Power Sipping
The MacBook Air can last up to 12 hours with regular use over WiFi, or 13 hours of movie playback. That’s more than enough power to get you through your day. In fact, if you’re taking notes in class, you can turn WiFi off, ensuring that, even if you’re compiling apps, writing code, or doing some photo editing, your MacBook Air will last you through every class before you need to hit a charger.
MacBook Air: Class is in Session
If I was going off to college today, or if I was sending a child off to school today, a moderately upgraded MacBook Air would be my choice. It’s got enough power to bring a student through their four years of undergrad, battery life to last all through classes, even when you get stuck with 8 hour days without a charger, and it’s slim and portable. I think the MacBook Air is the perfect Mac for a student. In fact, it seems as though it was designed for them. Of course, if you just want a Mac for around the house or office that you can take anywhere and stay connected, it’s perfect for that as well.