Apple has recently unveiled their latest addition to the MacBook Air lineup, the 15-inch model, during their 2023 Worldwide Developers Conference. According to Apple, this new device is set to become the “world’s best 15-inch laptop.”
Measuring a mere 11.5mm in thickness, Apple proudly claims that this laptop is the thinnest 15-inch model available, weighing just over three pounds. It comes equipped with two USB-C Thunderbolt ports, a MagSafe charging connector, and a headphone jack. The laptop will be offered in Midnight (presumably dark) and starlight (presumably light) colors. Its 15.3-inch screen boasts five-millimeter bezels and offers a brightness of 500 nits. Additionally, it features a 1080p webcam and six speakers with spatial audio. Powering the device is Apple’s M2 chip.
The new MacBook Air starts at $1,299 ($1,199 for education) and will hit the market next week. Meanwhile, Apple is also adjusting the pricing of its smaller models. The 13-inch MacBook Air with M2 now starts at $1,099, while the base M1 Air is priced at $999.
Apple asserts that this new Air model will be 12 times faster than its predecessors, which utilized Intel chips. Moreover, it promises an impressive battery life of up to 18 hours. Apple claims that the laptop delivers double the performance, brightness, and 50 percent more battery life compared to competing 15-inch Windows laptops (though they did not specify the exact models).
Similar to previous MacBook Air iterations, the new 15-inch model features a fanless design.
This latest release from Apple fills the gap in their lineup by providing a midrange option. Previously, there was a significant price difference between the 13-inch MacBook models and the larger, higher-priced models. The 15-inch MacBook Air is likely to appeal to users who desire a larger screen but do not require the extra computational power and associated cost found in the 14-inch and 16-inch Pro models.
Moreover, the 15-inch size could serve as a convenient middle ground between Apple’s current 14-inch and 16-inch offerings. macOS enthusiasts have been longing for a compelling 15-inch option for some time now. The 14-inch screen is often considered too small for comfortable use with certain creative programs, while the 16-inch Pro model can be quite bulky when combined with peripherals and camera equipment. The introduction of a lightweight 15-inch model may provide a solution for users who have been torn between these two options in recent years.
