Tag Archives: MacBook Air

New 2024 13″ and 15″ MacBook Airs Give Apple’s Thinnest Laptops Their Biggest Performance Boost

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Apple has launched the latest 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models. These laptops have a gorgeous design and strong performance. Although slim, their M3 chip provides impressive performance. They handle tasks such as number crunching, video editing, and binge-watching series effortlessly. Apple has again shown the capabilities of laptops by combining appealing design with high performance.

Designer: Apple

Despite their high-performance features, the new MacBook Air models are quiet, thanks to a fanless design that maintains a thin, light design and offers up to 18 hours of battery life. Users can enjoy a Liquid Retina display with up to 500 nits of brightness and support for 1 billion colors, ensuring a visually captivating experience.

The new models can support two external displays and offer Wi-Fi speeds up to double that of previous models. They are available in four appealing colors: midnight, starlight, space gray, and silver. Midnight features an anodization seal to minimize fingerprints. Other significant features include a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, a three-microphone array, and an immersive sound system with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos.

Claiming up to 60% faster performance than their M1 predecessors and up to 13 times faster than the quickest Intel-based MacBook Air, the new MacBook Air models with the M3 chip are equipped with an 8-core CPU, up to a 10-core GPU, and support for up to 24GB of unified memory, promising a smoother and enhanced user experience.

Additionally, Apple has really stepped up the gaming experience by incorporating hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing, not to mention a beefed-up 16-core Neural Engine that takes AI capabilities to the next level. The new models even have the muscle to run big, brainy things like large language and diffusion models right on the device. It’s clear Apple is all in on weaving cutting-edge tech into the new laptops.

Running on macOS Sonoma, the new MacBook Air models introduce exciting features such as desktop widgets, better video conferencing, and a Game Mode that amps up gaming. Furthermore, they ensure a seamless connection with iPhone and other Apple devices, thanks to features like AirDrop, Universal Clipboard, Continuity Camera, and Handoff, enriching the overall experience within the Apple ecosystem for users.

Apple maintains its commitment to the environment. The new MacBook Air comprises 50% recycled content, including 100% recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100% recycled copper in the main logic board. The packaging is 99% fiber-based, with a goal to eliminate plastic by 2025. Apple aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its manufacturing supply chain and product life cycle by 2030.

The 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 is priced at $1,099, with a special education discount of $999. The 15-inch model is priced at $1,299, or $1,199, with an education discount. Orders can be placed starting today, and the products will be available from March 8.

The newest MacBook Air models demonstrate Apple’s position in the laptop market. They provide quicker, more intelligent machines while adhering to environmental sustainability and integrating effortlessly with other Apple devices. Apple is evidently committed to advancing its tech experience.

The post New 2024 13″ and 15″ MacBook Airs Give Apple’s Thinnest Laptops Their Biggest Performance Boost first appeared on Yanko Design.

MacBook Air 2022 mixes the old and the new: What you need to know

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As expected, Apple announced the new MacBook Air right at the start of its week-long developers’ conference, but, also as expected, it managed to throw in a few new surprises that changed the tone for its hardware reveal. Yes, some of the last-minute rumors were on point, disappointing some who had hoped for a more colorful selection, but MacBook Air 2022 ended up turning heads, even with its more subdued hues, and was generally received well. As they say, the devil is in the details, so here is a quick rundown of what has changed in the MacBook Air’s design, both the good as well as the inevitable bad.

Designer: Apple

Power in a slim package

The MacBook Air has always been characterized as Apple’s slimmest and lightest laptop, but that also came with some compromises in terms of power. With the new Apple M2, however, the MacBook Air leads the trail with a newer and more powerful processor, though the bottleneck remains to be its 8GB of memory. The rest of the hardware package, however, is something befitting higher-end laptops, so this year’s MacBook Air definitely levels up its game.

Despite those upgrades and its slightly larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, the MacBook Air gets to keep its title as Apple’s slimmest, at only 11.3mm thin and 2.7lbs light. This means that carrying all that computing power won’t be a literal burden, which does give the iPad Pro, which will be more macOS-like in the next upgrade, more competition.

The Notch

Apple may have addressed some of the biggest complaints and criticisms about the MacBook Pro, but it also introduced a new one last year. The notch has found its way to MacBooks, and, unsurprisingly, it’s also here on the new MacBook Air. And as with any new Apple design, it will be around for a few generations before the company ever turns around.

The notch is what allows the MacBook Air 2022 to have a slightly larger screen without downsizing the Face ID camera. In fact, that camera just got upgraded to 1080p, so that may actually be worth the design sacrifice, in this case, especially considering how often laptop users are subjected to video meetings. There are ways around that notch, but it’s not as convenient as what you’d see on Android phones, so it will be one of the biggest things to get used to when switching to the newest MacBook Air.

Starlight, Midnight

While the notch was really expected to be inevitable, there were still some that held out hope that the MacBook Air would follow the path of the colorful new iMacs. Sadly, Apple dashed all hopes and finally put all rumors to rest when it revealed only four colors for the MacBook Air 2022. That’s admittedly one color more than usual, but the selection isn’t exactly that groundbreaking anyway.

Joining the standard Space Grey and Silver are Starlight and Midnight. Starlight is really more like the old Gold, except with a more champagne-like shade, while Midnight is a very dark and deep hue of blue. The latter two could probably be the bestsellers given their novelty, but it won’t be surprising if more expressive owners continue to patronize third-party skins and decals to make their new MacBook Air stand out.

MagSafe Returns, Headphone Jack Remains

The new MacBook Air ushers in a new age for Apple’s lightweight notebook, but it also does so in an almost ironic way. It brings back a few features it shed off in the past, almost like a vindication of the technologies the company shunned for a while.

As with the MacBook Pro, the MagSafe charging connector makes a return to the side of the MacBook Air 2022, delivering stress-free and accident-safe charging back to Apple’s laptop line. It can still charge over USB-C, of course, and the braided MagSafe cable itself uses a USB-C plug on the other end. Still, it might be comforting to long-time MacBook fans to know that an iconic feature has made its way back home.

And for those worrying that Apple will turn the MacBook Air into an iPad Laptop, the presence of the 3.5mm headphone jack proves otherwise. Some might consider it a small matter, but it leaves up USB-C ports for more critical connections and avoids the stress of having to deal with Bluetooth.

Charger: Two isn’t always better than one

In addition to the revival of the MagSafe charging connector, Apple also introduced what is pretty much its first dual-port USB-C charger, both in compact and standard form. This charger comes with a higher-specced MacBook Air 2022, while the base model only gets the standard 30W charger. Things get a bit confusing here, though, because Apple also laid out a few gotchas and options.

For one, despite the two USB-C ports, the 35W dual-port charger won’t be able to support the fastest MacBook Air charging capacity. It also means that already modest power output will be split between two devices if you try charging them simultaneously. If you want to take full advantage of the MacBook Air 2022’s fast-charging capabilities, you’ll have to buy Apple’s 67W charger. Even then, however, you have to make sure to use the MagSafe 3 charging cable to make that happen.

Final Word

Apple definitely outdid itself in meeting expectations and then going beyond them with the new M2 MacBook Air. The lure of power in a slim profile is already enough for some Apple fans, but the addition of MagSafe 3 charging is definitely icing on the cake. Still, there are some places where we wished Apple did more, like in the color selection, while others probably wished the notch was never invented in the first place. Despite and because of all these, the MacBook Air retains its character as Apple’s most talented juggler, balancing the old and the new, the good as well as the bad.

The post MacBook Air 2022 mixes the old and the new: What you need to know first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple WWDC 2022 is just around the corner: What Product Designers Need to Know

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WWDC is always an exciting time for Apple fans. Although the event is primarily aimed at developers, hence the name, there is always something that can be gleaned from what Apple reveals, both on stage and sometimes behind closed doors. Sometimes, there is a new device to pine for in the months ahead, though most of the time, the focus will be on new user experiences delivered through the next releases of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. This year is no exception, of course, though whispers seem to be more subdued and modest than before. That said, there are still a few interesting things that could be announced this Monday, including some that will affect product designers in one way or another.

Designer: Ian Zelbo (rendersbyian)

2022 MacBook Air Colors

Apple broke tradition last year when it announced the new iMacs that came in a variety of colors. As a company best known for its almost clinical choice of colors, this unexpected move seemed like a nod to the candy-colored iMac G3 of old, as well as the more colorful iPhone 5c. Given this sudden change in direction, it wasn’t surprising when rumors started popping up about the MacBook Air getting the same colorful treatment.

Unfortunately, the last-minute word from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is less than encouraging. Despite hopes, dreams, rumors, and drool-worthy renders, the journalist and industry tipster claims that those reports were “probably exaggerated.” Instead, he believes the 2022 MacBook Air will still come in the same trio of hues, namely space gray, silver, and gold. The only change, he says, is that the gold would look more like champagne.

Though the absence of colorful options might be disappointing, the expected arrival of a notch might be even more devastating. The design has been widely debated on the Internet, but Apple might not be backing down from it, at least not yet. Either way, the notch has forced many apps to design around it, changing the user experience, for better or for worse.

AR Headset

The Metaverse isn’t ready yet for Apple, at least not in the way that most people presume the Metaverse to be. Apple is a big believer in augmented and mixed reality, and it’s no secret that it is working on its own AR platform behind the scenes. It’s just not ready to come out with its own headset yet, not even a prototype, so AR hopefuls will have to wait yet another year, or possibly later this year.

That doesn’t mean Apple will be silent on the AR front, though. Its focus will instead be to arm developers with the weapons they need to tackle the problem of adapting their apps for an AR future. Apple already has laid some of the groundwork for these, enabling iPhones and iPads to become windows into this mashup of the real and the virtual. New tools are expected to be announced at WWDC, including one that gives apps the ability to react to QR codes. This, for example, could kick off an AR experience after a user scans a QR code printed on a piece of IKEA furniture.

iOS 16 Always-on Display

The next version of iOS 16 will reportedly gain a capability that the Apple Watch has long had. With Always-On Display or AOD, the iPhone screen could keep on running even when you don’t see anything but will barely consume any power. It can also only light up the specific pixels required to display a notification or some widget with important information.

Designer: Apple

It’s a feature that’s a long time coming, but it remains to be seen whether it will be a battery-saver or a battery-drainer. Accessory makers, particularly for cases and docks, as well as app developers, might try to take advantage of this new capability by allowing the iPhone to function as a smart display when docked or by showing only a portion of the screen through a cutout of a folio case.

iPadOS 16 Multitasking

The next version of iOS for iPads will take Apple’s tablets one step closer to becoming a full computer replacement. iPadOS 16 might include more powerful multitasking features, including one that will allow owners to run apps in floating windows that they can resize and move around, similar to desktop platforms like macOS and Windows. There seems to be a bit of controversy regarding this feature and its impact on the iPad as well as the relationship between macOS and iPadOS, but it is generally being welcomed by iPad Pro owners who have been using the tablet as their bread and butter device.

The iPad Pro has long been a favorite among designers of all trades as a mobile workstation that can almost replace their laptops. These upcoming multitasking improvements could become a game-changer for them, allowing them more control and freedom in their workflows. That said, it will most likely require developers to also adopt those new features, and the user experience for these products could change in a drastic way soon.

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These 2022 MacBook Air renders could be the most accurate pictures of how the new device will look

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A new MacBook Air was expected at the Apple Peek Performance Event earlier this month. Apple launched a slew of gear back then, but the new MacBook Air was nowhere to be seen despite all the speculations in favor of its launch. Now about a month later, as a new MacBook Air still remains the hot topic, a YouTuber has gotten all creative and rendered interesting – and if you believe – the most accurate pictures of how the new device could look (when Apple eventually releases it).

Before we get into the discussion of what the renders suggest and how ZONEofTECH (YouTube channel) perceives the new MacBook Air; we shall just take a dive into what the tech circles expect – and we know – by the way of leaks and speculations.

Designer: ZONEofTECH

MacBook Air has been through many alterations since its inception in 2008 and what we currently have on the market is the M1-powered version of the MacBook Air that now stands to change – in design, power, and colors – in 2022. What’s likely to change in the 2022 MacBook Air? According to seasoned leakers and analysts, there is plenty of insight that the rumored MacBook Air will arrive with the new M2 chip powering its guts. Moreover, the Air is likely to coincide with the 2021 MacBook Pro’s design language and steal colorways from the iMac.

If you have been following Apple leaks, you would be aware that the MacBook Air is expected in multiple colors, which is more than the gold, silver, and space grays we are used to. The new MacBook Air could roll out in a multitude of hues that would match the iMac colors. Taking leverage to show off the new MacBook Air renders in multiple colors, the YouTuber has created a design of the device to match that of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the rounded body. This is done to unify the entire MacBook lineup to look the same, which would be Apple’s idea too, as it has followed a unified design approach for the entire MacBook Air lineup in the past.

From the look of things, these renders of the upcoming MacBook Air may seem slightly thick, but these are actually modeled – with all the ports aligned – in a thickness of little over 1cm, ZoneofTech notes. The renders have been visioned with a notch – also to maybe unify the MacBook lineup – which could house an upgraded 1080p camera. The idea of a notch makes the bezel feel thinner – like with the MacBook Pro – but for most of us, the notch in a 13-inch display may just ruin a little more space than what’s already available on the little guy. To ensure more unification across all models of MacBooks, the designers have here modeled the MacBook Air with a larger keyboard, which means the trackpad size is slightly trimmed in length, even though the width can remain the same as on the 14-inch MacBook Pro.

The MacBook Air is expected in purple, blue, red, orange, yellow, green and white color options. Of course, with all that jazz and altered design, the 2020 MacBook Air will already have many takers, but there is a lot more to this laptop than its looks. For instance, the MacBook Air would be the first device powered by M2 chip, it would come with MagSafe port, and cost roughly around the $1,100 mark. If you’re all anxious, the Air is likely to arrive anytime between June and September 2022. Start budgeting!

Designer: ZONEofTECH

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Could the Apple MacBook Air 2021 finally come in the iMac’s candy colors?

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After the iMac got a refurbish this year at Apple’s Spring Loaded event, with a new slim 11.5-millimeter design, an M1 architecture, and those beautiful candy colors, it only seems natural that Apple carry that approach to its other Macs. Designer and visualizer, Devam Jangra’s put together a view to show us what candy-colored MacBook Airs could look like, and I won’t lie… I really like it!

If the colorful iMacs were a hat-tip to the candy-colored iMac G3 computers from 1998, these vibrant MacBook Airs most certainly pay a tribute to the old iBook G3s from 1999. It’s certainly been a while since Apple’s experimented with colored laptops – their latest foray was 6 years ago, with the rose-gold MacBook Air. Jangra’s concept video definitely shows why Apple should be less reticent and more open to creating colorful MacBooks… they spark joy, don’t they?!

Rumors of colored MacBooks have been in the air for a little over a month now. In a video back in May, famed leaker Jon Prosser stated that the company would reveal a MacBook lineup “very close if not identical to the shades that you see on the stands for the new 24-inch iMacs.”

Another noteworthy feature that’s rumored to make a comeback apart from the candy colors, is MagSafe charging. Apple ditched the crowd-favorite technology a few years back for Thunderbolt charging, but if the leaks are credible, the wildly loved snap-on magnetic charging port is due to make a comeback. Jangra’s video showcases this too, while also putting two USB-C ports beside the charging port for good measure. The MacBook Air even comes with the iMac Keyboard-inspired TouchID key on the top right corner.

There’s really no saying if and when Apple would launch these. While the rumors DO come from credible sources, we’ve already had 3 Apple keynotes this year, and the only one left is the keynote in September/October, when Apple unveils their new iPhones, AirPods, and the Watch. That being said, maybe we could see this debut sometime next year, along with Apple’s highly anticipated M2 chip! I wouldn’t mind me some candy-colored iPads too!

Designer: Devam Jangra

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