The 15-inch Apple MacBook Air Ultrabook the Apple MacBook Air is the most popular laptop created by the company, making its debut 15 years ago in 2008. At that time, Steve Jobs surprised the world by unveiling a small-sized and lightweight laptop from an envelope. Throughout this time, the Air has maintained its line of lightweight laptops, and on June 5th of this year, we welcomed the 15-inch version with a larger screen.
Apple has chosen to offer users a 15-inch MacBook Air this time, seeing an opportunity to attract a new segment of consumers who don’t need overly powerful laptops but want to do everything on a larger screen for their daily tasks. Up until now, the new generation MacBook Air was equipped with a 13.6-inch screen, which I consider to be the ideal size. Okay, it might be slightly larger, but it must be noted that the 15-inch size in the Air model won’t be significantly larger.
Apple MacBook Air Design and Appearance
The 15-inch MacBook Air maintains the iconic design of its smaller siblings, with the same colors, sleek aluminum build, and thoughtful design elements. The Apple MacBook Air is crafted from aluminum and, compared to the previous generation, has a more squared-off design, with all edges being the same thickness. The front part used to be narrower than the rear. However, using the new design language, both the 13.6-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models have become narrower than the previous generation. Only the larger sibling is 2mm thicker, at 1.15mm. Nevertheless, it is still very slim and lightweight.
Size Matters
While the trend leans towards larger screens, the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch model strikes a balance between providing ample viewing space and ensuring portability. Regarding weight, the laptop weighs 1.51kg, while the smaller version weighs 1.24kg. Of course, the MacBook Air is lightweight, but it must be acknowledged that at this 15-inch size, it’s not as comfortable to hold in one hand anymore. This isn’t due to a weight increase, but rather the larger size. The official dimensions of the laptop are 34.04 x 23.76 x 1.15 cm. With the overall increase in size, the trackpad has also become larger. Personally, I have always liked larger trackpads, so in my view, this is an advantage.
On the left side of the laptop, we can find the MagSafe charging port, as well as two Thunderbolt ports. Meanwhile, on the right side, the 3.5mm audio jack can still be used. However, who still connects headphones directly to a laptop? The retention of just two Thunderbolt ports is a topic of debate, as some experts believe that the 15-inch model could have been equipped with at least one more port on the right side, expanding the laptop’s utility.
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch Ultrabook Specifications and Performance
One of the technical differences the 15-inch Apple MacBook Air receives is the addition of two extra speakers. This laptop is equipped with six speakers, which should provide slightly better and higher-quality sound compared to the smaller model. There might also be an improvement in bass, but after reviewing other testers’ results, I cannot say that there is a significant difference compared to the 13-inch model.
The larger MacBook Air has received a larger battery with a capacity of 66.5W, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the laptop will operate for longer, especially with a larger screen to power. However, the same efficiency and battery life have been maintained. For internet browsing, it can be used for up to 15 hours, and for video playback, it can last up to 18 hours. These technical specifications are identical to the 13.6-inch MacBook Air model. From my experience, the new Apple M processors do indeed provide long-lasting performance on a single charge.
While these differences might not be crucial, they could be felt when performing tasks involving more extensive video processing. However, if that is indeed the primary use, then perhaps the MacBook Pro would be a more suitable choice. This Apple MacBook Air is designed for people who use their laptops for various daily tasks such as document management, web browsing, and entertainment. Of course, the M2 processor is powerful and efficient enough to handle video and audio tasks as well. Therefore, its applications are quite extensive, and it all comes down to expectations.
The new generation MacBook Air models do not come with fans, which means they are very quiet. In a way, this directly affects performance, as an additional heat sink provides better CPU performance. However, in the case of the Air, this allows for a reduction in weight and size, making this laptop highly portable, and it will certainly fulfill its purpose.
Apple MacBook Air Everyday Use
The most significant question is about the practicality of this size in daily use. According to American technology experts, the 15-inch model will become the most popular among Apple and the overall laptop market. This is due to the fact that bigger things are liked on the other side of the ocean, and that’s the current trend.
Meanwhile, the Mac Mini desktop computer with the M2 processor can operate two screens. Similarly, the MacBook Pro with M2 Pro and M2 Max processors supports two external monitors. It’s clear that Apple differentiates its products with these limitations. In other words, the MacBook Air is designed as a laptop that can be easily taken along for daily tasks, and additional monitors are not necessary to be frequently attached. A rhetorical question arises – does this laptop model really require the connection of multiple external monitors?
A useful feature of the 15-inch MacBook Air is that it comes with a 35W power adapter that includes 2 USB-C ports. This allows the laptop to be charged while also being able to connect another device. By the way, we can also upgrade this laptop with a significantly more powerful 65W charger.
Conclusion Although it was pleasant to use this larger MacBook Air model and to appreciate the build quality of Apple products and the efficiency of the M2 processor, the role of this size model within Apple’s laptop lineup is not entirely clear. On one hand, this could be a great laptop for those who prefer larger screens and could replace some of the laptops used in corporate environments. Since we are increasingly seeing laptops with at least 14-inch screens.
The price of the new 15-inch Apple MacBook Air will start from $1299 USD. As we won’t be able to upgrade the memory ourselves, I encourage you to explore the MacBook Air 15″ configurator, which allows you to assemble the version of this laptop that best suits your needs.”
