Everything You Need To Know About The MacBook Air 15”
For Apple fans, it appears dreams do come true. Throughout the existence of the MacBook Air – Apple’s sleekest, most portable laptop range – users have been wishing for a version larger than MacBook Air M2, which has a 13” screen. 15” is the most popular laptop screen size across the market, after all. And while we could buy the MacBook Pro that has a 16” screen, it came with a hefty weight and a hefty price tag.
Finally, Apple have come good. An Air upgrade to a 15” screen might seem like a small change but 2 inches of extra screen size delivers extra power, extra battery life, and a smoother laptop experience. So while other laptop makers are adding in extra features, like incorporating an invisible touchpad (Dell) or building in a dual screen (Lenovo), Apple have concentrated on delivering a simple improvement at a very reasonable price. Smart thinking.
Tempted? Here’s a handy summary on what we can expect from the MacBook Air 15”
There’s all the good stuff of the MacBook Air M2
Fundamentally, the 15” has much in common with its smaller sibling. At its core (literally) is their M2 chip, a powerful thing which makes its running smooth and efficient – Apple claims this model is twice as fast as Windows laptops with an Intel Core i7 CPU. It then has all the other perks, like the intuitive iOS operating system and high-end tech and display specifications. That means theoretically, it should run similarly. But there are key differences that make it a little better overall – it’s just great to know that you’re not compromising on any other aspect.
The price
We can’t write about what the 15” has to offer without looking at the price – it’s a huge draw. If you want a standard-sized screen, the only option for a MacBook until now was the MacBook Pro, a 16” that would set you back a whopping £2,699. While the 13” MacBook Air is a more reasonable £1,149, this sits at the more affordable end, at £1,399. The price point makes this model compete keenly with other laptops on the market, and is arguably one of the biggest plus points.
The screen
The most obvious upgrade is the 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display. It might not seem like that big a change from a 13.6-inch model, but it makes all the difference. With a 16:10 aspect ratio, it feels more roomier than the smaller version, and makes zooming in and out less of a concern. Especially for those who use a second screen, it helps match the sizes, and when you’re on the go, the 15” screen is less of a compromise.
The weight
Speaking of being on the go, the portability of this MacBook is one of its major boons. It’s 1.51kg, compared to the 1.83kg of the MacBook Pro 16” – that’s means it’s over 15% lighter. It certainly feels easier to carry around, and it’s easy to slip in a laptop bag, as it’s the thinnest 15” laptop on the market.
The speakers
One area that’s been upgraded from the 13” is the sound system. While there are no major complaints with the 13”, you’ll notice the improvement in sound quality with the new model. Just like the MacBook Pro, it’s got six speakers instead of the 13”’s four. That allows for a more immersive sound and a solid bass – a feature that laptop speakers aren’t known for.
The battery life
Apple say that the 15” MacBook Air lasts 18 hours – exactly the same as the 13”. In real-life testing, neither reaches the proposed amount, but the 15” does appear to last longer. You can expect to get just under 15 hours of use before you’ll need to plug in again, which is noticeably more than the MacBook Air 13”, which lasts around 14 hours. So not only is it easier to carry around, but you can leave your charger at home on daytrips too. How handy does that sound?
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