The MacBook Air 15-inch (2023) made its highly anticipated debut at Apple’s WWDC 2023 event after months of rumours. However, despite expectations of turning heads and shaking up the MacBook Air lineup, this new addition seems to have been overshadowed by another Apple product: the Apple Vision Pro, the tech giant’s foray into the VR market.
While the attention surrounding the Apple Vision Pro is understandable, it’s surprising that the MacBook Air 15-inch hasn’t received the same level of publicity. As one of the best-selling laptop series ever, one would expect a new entry to generate significant buzz. To understand this apparent lack of attention, we need to examine what the new MacBook Air offers compared to its predecessors.
A closer look at the specs reveals that Apple has made minimal changes. The port selection, chassis, and even the components remain almost identical to the 13-inch version. The only noticeable differences are the display resolution, screen size, and the upgrade to Thunderbolt 4. This lack of innovation reflects a departure from Apple’s once trend-setting reputation and suggests a disconnect from current design trends.
The most significant upgrade for the 15-inch model would have been an M2 Pro chip, which would have positioned it as a true rival to the Dell XPS 15 (2022), widely regarded as one of the best Windows laptops. Instead, it settles for the standard M2 chip, a solid performer but not enough to make the MacBook Air 15-inch (2023) stand out.
With similar performance to the smaller and cheaper 13-inch version, the decision to retain the same chip renders the increased display size somewhat pointless. The lackluster specs and unimpressive design aside, the MacBook Air 15-inch (2023) was further overshadowed by the buzz surrounding the Apple Vision Pro.
The VR headset, which also had its fair share of rumours and reports, generated significant attention due to its astronomical price tag of $3,499. The product’s description and demonstration also sparked discussions about its dystopian implications. Nevertheless, whether positive or negative, the Apple Vision Pro succeeded in capturing the spotlight and became a hot topic of conversation among industry professionals.
Unfortunately, this left the MacBook Air 15-inch (2023) in the dust, garnering little more than standard news coverage highlighting its key features. While it’s often said that any publicity is good publicity, having people discuss a product, even negatively, is better than having it go unnoticed.
If Apple had invested more in the MacBook Air 15-inch (2023), it could have generated significant public interest. There were numerous avenues for improvement, such as using the M2 Pro silicon, upgrading performance, enhancing the display and camera (perhaps even adopting OLED technology), and expanding the port selection. Additionally, a more unique and innovative design would have been welcomed, as it is disheartening to see Windows machines surpassing Apple’s once-iconic aesthetic.
Only time will tell how well the 15-inch MacBook Air will sell. It could potentially become a popular choice, rendering these concerns irrelevant. However, if sales disappoint, which seems likely, Apple will need to reconsider its strategy of releasing products that add little value to its lineup and may harm its brand image.
