Review 15in MacBook Air: Apple’s Finest Consumer Laptop, Now Bigger and Better

Apple has finally unveiled its much-anticipated 15in MacBook Air, signaling the tech giant’s reentry into this particular market segment and introducing a larger screen to what is arguably the most exceptional consumer laptop available today.

Priced at £1,399 ($1,299/A$2,199), the 15in MacBook Air comes at a premium of £250 over its impressive 13in counterpart, which has received a £100 price reduction since its initial release.

This larger display positions it in direct competition with other 15in laptops like the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 and Dell’s popular XPS 15. However, unlike its bulkier counterparts, the 15in MacBook Air retains all the key features that made its 13in predecessor so appealing, only on a grander scale.

Weighing a mere 1.51kg and measuring just 11.5mm in thickness, the new Air stands as one of the most compact 15in machines available on the market. It effortlessly fits into most backpacks, although it may pose a challenge for smaller briefcase-style laptop bags.

Boasting the same ultrathin metal body, fanless cooling system for silent operation, and the powerful M2 chip, the MacBook Air delivers impressive speed and power efficiency, surpassing its competitors in terms of battery life. However, it sacrifices a discrete graphics card and the more robust processors commonly found in beefier 15in PCs from rival brands.

The Air caters to consumers seeking a larger screen without compromising gaming or workstation performance. The display itself is exceptional: vibrant, sharp, and colorful, offering a higher resolution than most full-HD laptops (though not as high as the pricier 4K-screen versions offered by competitors). With its 15.3in diagonal, it offers significantly more space than its 13in counterparts, allowing for multitasking with multiple windows simultaneously.

By utilizing half of the screen, websites can be displayed at nearly full size, while documents occupy the entire width, facilitating split-screen work. Furthermore, image and video editing applications benefit from the increased workspace compared to smaller models.

Movies and TV shows truly shine on this screen, which supports HDR content and is accompanied by a six-speaker system that outperforms expectations. The sound quality easily fills a small room with music, setting it apart from most laptops that tend to produce a tinny sound.

The keyboard provides a satisfying typing experience, combining firmness with responsiveness, and includes a Touch ID fingerprint reader integrated into the power button. The trackpad, best-in-class, is remarkably spacious and never interferes with typing.

The Air runs on macOS 13.4 Ventura, the same software found on Apple’s recent Macs, with the forthcoming Sonoma update scheduled for later this year. Ventura performs seamlessly on the laptop and incorporates a range of convenient screen-sharing and proximity features for other Apple devices.

For example, users can utilize a recent iPad as a secondary screen or control the MacBook Air remotely. While the option to use an iPhone as a wireless webcam is available and functions well, it becomes less necessary due to the already impressive FaceTime HD camera.

Specifications:

Unparalleled Battery Life:

The 15-inch Air offers the same array of ports found in its 13-inch counterpart. These include two Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 ports, a headphone jack, and a dedicated MagSafe charging connection. While the addition of a memory card reader or a few extra ports would have been appreciated, the extensive expansion options provided by the USB-C ports make up for it.

When it comes to battery life, the 15-inch Air continues to lead the pack. Depending on usage, it can last up to 16 hours for tasks like browsing and word processing in an office setting. Even when engaging in more demanding creative endeavors such as several hours of photo editing in Affinity Photo, the battery still holds strong for a respectable 13 hours. This means you can leave your charger behind when attending lectures or working.

Sustainability:

The 15in MacBook Air is only slightly wider and taller than the 14in MacBook Pro, which is considerably thicker.

In an effort to prioritize sustainability, the MacBook Air incorporates recycled materials, including aluminum, cobalt, gold, steel, tin, rare earth elements, and plastic. Apple provides a detailed breakdown of the computer’s environmental impact in its report.

The device is designed for repairability, with the battery easily replaceable by Apple for £189. The company also offers trade-in and free recycling programs, extending their services to non-Apple products as well.

Price:

The base model of the 15in MacBook Air starts at £1,399 ($1,299/A$2,199), offering 8GB of memory and 256GB of storage.

For comparison, the 13in MacBook Air starts at £1,149, the 14in MacBook Pro starts at £2,149, the 15in Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 begins at £1,299, and the 15in Dell XPS starts at £1,399.

Conclusion:

Apple’s latest addition to their laptop lineup, the 15-inch MacBook Air, combines the excellence of the 13-inch model with a larger display, catering to those who require more screen real estate.

Fortunately, this laptop doesn’t stray far from the successful formula that has made its predecessors so popular. Its fanless design ensures a noiseless operation, while the efficient yet powerful M2 chip offers ample performance and an impressive 16-hour battery life. However, individuals seeking a laptop for intensive gaming or professional work might need to explore alternative options.

The display of the 15in MacBook Air is truly remarkable, standing among the best available in the market. The speakers deliver fantastic audio quality, the webcam performs admirably, and the microphones are ideal for making calls. Additionally, its slim profile and sturdy construction make it more portable than many competing devices without sacrificing functionality.

While the 15-inch Air does come with a significant price tag, it remains reasonably priced for a premium laptop of its size. For users prioritizing portability, the 13-inch version may be a better choice. However, if you desire a top-tier consumer laptop with a spacious screen and do not require Windows compatibility, the 15-inch MacBook Air is the ideal option.

Pros: Swift M2 chip, silent operation, exceptionally long battery life, outstanding 15.3-inch screen, excellent keyboard, spacious and top-performing trackpad, MagSafe, remarkable speakers, good quality microphones and webcam, extensive use of recycled materials, slim and lightweight despite its size, Touch ID.

Cons: Relatively high price, limited to two USB-C ports with no USB-A or SD card slot, support for only one external display, absence of Centre Stage camera or Face ID.