Macbook Air Retina Display (2018)

After nearly 5 years, Apple Computers Inc. finally updated their flagship MacBook Air. This year, changing the name, the 42-year company called it the MacBook Air Retina display. Apple released on a special event all the new devices in their brand-new Headquarters in California. The evening of November 7th the biggest announcement was certainly the new laptop. The claim of this new computer is to target the everyday Apple user and have computer friendly software for the average person. Being one of the companies most popular devices, this laptop update is definitely one of a kind.

Software.

The 2018 MacBook Air counts with the latest Apple software: MacOs High Sierra. The operating system is the latest of its versions and handles the computer seamlessly. On the other hand, the earlier model released in 2013, while able to download MacOs High Sierra, struggles to handle it. Having a smaller, less capable, graphics card, along with a slower processor, the 2013 Macbook does not perform as expected. Performance-wise, to digest the fullest of the Apple ecosystem the new MacBook air is the way to opt, with an incredible performance to handle multiple tabs and get the most of the software the Cupertino company offers.

Battery Life.

The new laptop counts with a 12-hour battery life. Capable of surfing the web, checking email, and handling heavy performance apps all day. In the negative spectrum, the old MacBook Air that came in two sizes did not reach the 12-hour lifespan. The 11 inch (27.94 centimeters) had a battery life of 5 hours and the other, more capable, 13 inch(33.02 centimeters) version, had a 7-hour life. Ignoring the time of release between the two, both models had decent battery life, but as for today, the new model will last you a days work, while with the earlier models you are more likely to have to replace it or charge it midday.

Build.

The 2018 MacBook Air has a new Apple aluminum that comes in four colorways, space gray, rose gold, silver, and gold. Made of 100 percent recycled aluminum the device weighs 2.75lb (1.25 kilogram). While the build is strong, the new model has a few ports. The “Mac” has a headphone jack and a single USB-c port capable of transferring files and charge. It also has the new Apple Butterfly Keyboard and the force touch trackpad. Furthermore, it has a fingerprint reader on the upper right corner for payments and security. And like its predecessor, a 13.3-inch screen. The model released in 2013 is made of aluminum, yet, has no colorway options. Weighing an impressive 1.35 kg, it’s still heavier than the current model. With a strong build, the 2013 model packs many more ports than the new model. The device has a headphone jack, two USB 2.0 ports, a thunderbolt-three port (display-transfer) and the earlier mac-safe Apple port exclusive to charge. It has the old Apple Magic Keyboard, that has more travel or “clickiness” than the new model, and has the older trackpad, capable of handling gestures and shortcuts. Built steadily, the older model does impress more than the newer. Having more weight feels like a more premium design, and the wide range of ports augment the user experience.

Display.

The new MacBook Air has the new apple retina display, It ships with a stunning 13.3-inch LED-backlit IPS panel with a resolution of 2560 x 1,600 / 227 pixels per inch (PPI). Packing a powerful screen, it also has a drastically smaller bezel, by being black, the screen appears larger than it really is. In comparison to the previous model, it has an LCD not led panel, but exactly the same screen size. In the older model, the colors are not as sharp and blacks are not as deep as in the new one. The new retina display is the best of its kind; it’s a rich experience to look at and consume media. It is definitely an upgrade if the display and screen are an important factor for you.

Overall the new MacBook Air is an excellent device for everyday heavy use. Most importantly, it counts with much better features as its predecessor, like the display, improved battery life, and it’s capable and intuitive software. Yet, people who cannot compromise ports have the disadvantage to consider. Lastly, The new Macbook Air sets the standard for modern computers, and a clear step in the right direction for Apple.