Apple has finally unveiled the long-awaited 15-inch MacBook Air, expanding its lineup of laptops. The new MacBook Air closely resembles the redesigned 13-inch version that Apple introduced at WWDC last year, but with a slightly larger form factor. This release marks the first time Apple has offered a laptop with a screen of this size that doesn’t belong to its “pro” lineup, which includes the MacBook Pro and the PowerBook.
As expected, the 15-inch MacBook Air is powered by the same M2 chip found in its smaller counterpart, which was unveiled a year ago. Despite its age, the M2 chip has proven to be a reliable performer in the 13-inch MacBook Air, so there are no immediate concerns about its performance in the larger model.
In terms of design, the 15-inch MacBook Air follows the same overall aesthetic as Apple’s recent laptop releases, featuring a squared-off design instead of the previous wedge shape associated with the Air. The controversial notch, housing the 1080p webcam, also makes its appearance on this model.
Apple hasn’t disclosed the exact resolution of the 15-inch MacBook Air’s display yet. However, we know that it is a 15.3-inch “liquid Retina display” capable of reaching a brightness of 500 nits. Unlike the Pro lineup, this display doesn’t support the “ProMotion” adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz and maxes out at 60Hz. Additionally, it is a standard LCD display rather than the “XDR” extreme dynamic range display found in the Pro models. These differences are expected as Apple aims to differentiate the Pro lineup and reduce costs in the Air series.
According to Apple, the MacBook Air offers an impressive 18-hour battery life and weighs only around 3.3 pounds, with a thickness of 11.5mm. Like its smaller sibling, it doesn’t include a fan. The port selection remains unchanged, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a headphone jack, and a MagSafe charging port.
The 15-inch MacBook Air will be available in the same four colors as the 13-inch model: Midnight, Space Gray, Starlight, and Silver. The base model starts at $1,299 and is open for pre-orders starting today, with availability in stores next week. Further details on RAM and storage configurations are yet to be disclosed by Apple.
Simultaneously, Apple has reduced the prices of the existing 13-inch MacBook Air models. The M2 MacBook Air now starts at $1,099, down from $1,199, while the M1 model has a starting price of $999.
Rumors about the 15-inch MacBook Air gained traction last year, shortly after WWDC 2022. Bloomberg reported that Apple was developing a 15-inch Air for a 2023 release. More recently, developer logs were shared, revealing that Apple was testing a new device with specifications similar to the 13-inch Air but identified as a “Mac 15,3.” Although rumors about a 15-inch MacBook Air have circulated for years, they gained more substantial credibility in the past year.
The introduction of the 15-inch MacBook Air expands Apple’s laptop offerings, providing users with a larger display option while maintaining the lightweight and portable nature of the Air lineup.
