Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch.
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The Apple Vision Pro was undoubtedly the highlight of WWDC 2023, but there were several other exciting announcements, including new Mac computers. One of these is the highly anticipated MacBook Air 15-inch, priced at Rs. 1,34,900 in India. It will be available in four attractive color options: Midnight, Silver, Space Grey, and Starlight. In terms of most specifications, it closely resembles the MacBook Air released in mid-2022, featuring the powerful M2 chip and offering storage options of up to 512GB SSD.
During my time at WWDC 2023, I had the opportunity to try out the new MacBook Air, and I noticed that it is notably larger than the MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022). Nevertheless, it maintains the iconic Air design language, and Apple proudly claims it to be the thinnest 15-inch laptop in the world. This device is specifically designed for users who desire the portability and ease of use associated with the MacBook Air's form factor, but with the added advantage of a slightly larger screen.
First impressions: big in size, despite the light weight.
Despite its slim 11.5mm thickness, the larger size of the MacBook Air 15-inch makes it somewhat challenging to hold with one hand, unlike the older 13-inch MacBook Air (2017) which was more manageable. However, the MacBook Air 15-inch's form factor proves useful when it's closed, as it easily fits into backpacks or handbags, provided you can handle its larger footprint.
In terms of specifications, the MacBook Air 15-inch is nearly identical to the 13-inch M2-powered version launched in 2022. The choice between the two primarily depends on your specific needs in terms of size and portability. For everyday use cases, the 13-inch version is usually more suitable and sufficiently powerful. The 15-inch version may be more beneficial if you engage in photo editing or graphic-intensive tasks, as the larger screen offers more workspace and multitasking capabilities.
As someone currently using an older MacBook Air and planning to upgrade within the same lineup, you might lean towards the smaller 13.6-inch screen size. Additionally, the 13-inch version is now priced at Rs. 1,14,900 in India, slightly lower than its launch price, making it a more enticing option in terms of affordability.
First Impressions: Final Thoughts
The 15.3-inch screen size of the new MacBook Air provides a significant advantage by eliminating the need to consider the more expensive and powerful MacBook Pro 16-inch for those who simply desire a larger display. The new MacBook Air is well-equipped to meet the daily computing requirements of most users, and the 256GB of storage is likely to be more than sufficient.
That being said, the MacBook Air 13-inch with the M2 chip remains my preferred choice as an entry point into the Mac laptop lineup and as an upgrade for longtime MacBook Air users. Apart from the screen size, there are few additional features offered by the new model compared to the one launched last year.
Apple also made several other announcements at WWDC 2023, including new Mac Studio and Mac Pro variants, the release of iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and MacOS Sonoma, as well as the remarkable Apple Vision Pro mixed reality headset.
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In anticipation of Apple's upcoming annual developer conference, we delve into what we can expect to witness at WWDC 2023 on the popular Gadgets 360 podcast, Orbital. Our discussion encompasses a wide range of exciting topics, including Apple's debut in the mixed reality realm with their first-ever mixed reality headset, as well as anticipated software updates. Tune in to Orbital, available on various podcast platforms such as Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more, to join us as we explore these thrilling prospects.