I've been playing around with the new Air for the past five days and so far at least, am quite happy that I decided to upgrade from my 2013 version. That computer has provided excellent service for the past five years and still works well, but when I saw that Apple was offering $265 on a trade in, I decided to go for it. Here are my early impressions:
It looks and feels better. It is sleeker, and surprisingly lighter, smaller and well, just nicer to play with. Slimmer bezels and thinner case make this computer extremely portable. I was a bit hesitant to go with the gold color, but it looks great and the color is a bit darker than the rose gold IPhone that I have.
It is faster. It has a better processor and more memory. Maybe for complex tasks the Pro might be better, but for everyday web browsing, video watching, music, email etc., the new Air is definitely an upgrade.
The retina display is beautiful. Not to take anything away from the 2013 model, which has an excellent display, but this is very nice. It's not quite as bright as the older model, and I find myself adjusting it to the highest, or near highest level. This is obviously affecting battery life, which seems good to me in any event. But I don't think 12 hours is a reasonable expectation, unless the screen brightness is set pretty low.
The keyboard is nicer and the speakers sound surprisingly good. Pretty amazing when you consider how thin this laptop is. You will notice more bass, and clear and louder sound. The touch ID is cool. It recognizes my fingerprint in a split second with no issues.
On the negative side, it's expensive. For the price, it should probably have more hard drive space. And it's a somewhat ridiculous $200 to upgrade to 256 GB. I also kind of wish it had a regular USB port. Welcome to the future. It does have a regular phone jack though. That adapter you need for the newer IPhones always bugged me.
One more thing I just remembered. The viewing angles have been drastically improved. On my old Air, you had to tilt the screen just right and place it directly in front of you. Big difference here.
Overall, this is a very beautiful laptop, and a great update if you are looking for something new.
It's a great laptop, especially love how the gold matches the new iPhone XS and the Series 4 watch however it is overpriced by at least $300. The processor performance is closer to the Macbook 12" rather than the Macbook Pro. The Macbook Pro can be had for just $100 more and with sales on the pro happening often, I wouldn't really suggest anyone to go with this when you can get a lot more for your money for virtually the same price at places like Best Buy.
I really like the fact that this little comp does everything it claims to do - extremely well. Yes, it's expensive but it is Apple quality and NO MS Windows!! I grew up on Windows and will not go back to that as my "daily driver" after Windows 8. Don't get me wrong I do have another Windows DT that I use sporadicly, but MS lost me for good at Windows 8!! MS machines are cheaper, but you do really get what you pay for.
Folks are getting this little guy confused with a Mac Pro. Yes, those are more capable laptops, but they are more expensive and most people do not need/want the added performance. If you really want TOP screaming fast gamer performance I wouldn't buy a Mac at all. I'd buy a PS4 or an Xbox.
It's a great deal for an Apple laptop at 999 plus tax. I was not going to pay 1100 for it, as I would have went for a Mac Pro if that were the case. That said I do NOT NEED over 128GB on board, as 3rd party external storage is very cheap, and the added cost is not worth $200 inmo. BTW I am on the computer for business and this is laptop is not a slouch. It's gotten an unfair shellacking online, but is definitely worth the $999 price, if you can find that. I happen to live near a store tat was doing a pickup only for that price.
I love the fingerprint security. It's a huge time saver! As far as sweat shop labor, please name me a US manufactured computer and I'll be all over it and I'm not talking one you "build" with all "slave labor" parts.
Folks get really upset for no reason about other people that prefer Macs over Windows. Save your energy for something productive!
Buy it if you need it for the usual tasks of a ver small laptop computer. If you need a HEAVY gaming/video photo device then obviously don't buy this one. It's simple, just look at the specs folks. The air never claimed to be a PRO or an Xbox.
This review is not for power users (edit video regularly) - they should buy the more powerful MB Pro. The Pro without a Touch Bar is in the same price range as this MB Air and is a better option.
This review is also not for people who need the smallest, lightest possible computer capable of running macOS, and are willing to sacrifice performance for portability. They should buy the 12" MacBook.
If you're in neither of these groups, if you are a mainstream user and you're not willing to buy a cheaper Windows machine, this review is to help you decide if the 2018 retina MacBook Air is the right Mac for you.
I bought a silver one on launch day from my local Apple Store. I use it every day.
Here's my basis for comparison: I started with a 13" MacBook Air in 2010 and then an 11" Air in 2012; I loved both except for the low-resolution TN displays. In 2015, I bought a 13" retina MB Pro, which I replaced 3 weeks ago with this 2018 MB Air. At work, I use a MB Pro with Touch Bar, which my employer bought for my office in 2016.
I really love using the new MB Air and think most mainstream Mac users will, too. The form factor is great. It's comfortable to hold and comfortable to use. The screen is fantastic compared to the previous generation MB Air. It has enough power for all of the computing I do, which includes a ton of writing, spreadsheets, analyzing data with SPSS/Stata/GRETL, web browsing with 10 tabs open at a time, listening to music in iTunes or streaming from TIDAL or Spotify, watching videos in YouTube and Netflix and movies I've purchased from iTunes, and editing photos. I really don't edit video. You can find reviews from others who do, and they will tell you that this MB Air can handle a bit of video editing now and then just fine, but it struggles, and really shouldn't be used if you edit video regularly - especially 4K video.
KEYBOARD: I loved the previous chiclet-style Apple keyboards that Apple has stopped using. I used to complain about the newer butterfly keyboards. My computer at work is the first MB Pro to have the new butterfly keyboard and it is problematic. So I wasn't expecting I'd like the keyboard on the 2018 MB Air.
But I do. Because of the reduced key travel, I've modified my typing style to type with a light touch. (I didn't TRY to do this, it just happened.) I can now type just as fast and just as accurately as on the previous keyboard, and with this light touch the keyboard isn't loud at all. I actually enjoy typing on this keyboard, and I don't miss the older type of keyboard.
DISPLAY: Obviously, it's way better than the previous MB Air display, which used the same display technology since 2010. It's an IPS display which means better color and way better viewing angles. And it's retina, or high-resolution.
When I first got the new MB Air, I compared it side-by-side to my 2015 retina MB Pro before I sold that unit. To my eyes, they look equally bright and equally color-rich. Since my Pro was always bright enough for me, I'm sure the new MB Air will be, too. After I did this comparison, I checked the specs - both screens are rated at 300 nits of brightness.
I compared the new MB Air I bought for personal use to the newer MB Pro that my employer provided for my office use. The Air isn't as bright as the newer Pro, and the colors aren't as rich. The newer Pro is one of the Touch Bar models and the display has "true-tone" technology. It looks really great. But that computer, the 2018 version, costs way more than the 2018 MB Air, and I'm perfectly happy with the display on the 2018 MB Air.
USB-C PORTS: I used to complain about Apple replacing the very common USB-A ports with the newer USB-C ones. "Dongle hell!" Well, now that I have a new MB Air with USB-C ports and no USB-A, I can tell you that it really isn't a big deal, not for me, at least. I bought a Satechi USB-C dock which has 3 USB-A ports, ethernet, HDMI, SD card slot, two USB-C ports, and pass-through charging. That's really all I need. It's about 2.5" long and weighs about 3 ounces, so it really isn't a burden to carry it in my laptop bag. In the 3 years since Apple began the transition to USB-C on its computers, many affordable solutions have become available. Like cables with a USB-C plug on one end, or tiny adapters you plug a USB-A cable into and it can then plug into a USB-C port.
In summary, the "downsides" I was worried about - the butterfly keyboard, the move to USB-C ports, and the display not being as bright as the newer MacBook Pros - are non-issues, at least for me. They might be for you, so make sure you buy your computer from a reputable retailer that accepts returns with no restocking fee.
If you buy this, I would URGE you to get a bigger SSD. The 128gb SSD in the base model is not going to be enough for most people. (But if funds are really tight, you could probably get by with a 128gb SSD and a relatively inexpensive 128gb thumb drive.)
The new MB Air isn't the best choice for everyone. But it is for me, and might be for you. Good luck with your purchase decision!
I was kind of cautious when I decided to buy this new MacBook Air. I had been a longtime Windows user and honestly love Windows 10 so the decision to buy an Apple Laptop was hard. Especially after reading the reviews by the Verge, CNET, Apple Insider and other outlets, I was wary of buying this product. However I have been pleasantly surprised by the complete hardware and software experience.
The first consideration of mine was battery life. Since I'm a student and frequently travel, I need something that I could confidently carry without a charger for extensive periods. While Apple advertises 12 hours in certain situation, I have gotten up to 15 hours with a mix of web browsing, word processing, messaging on iMessage & WeChat, and multimedia consumption (no-gaming). A full charge on this laptop lasts me at least 1.5 days of full business. I don't know how this will hold up over time but I'm loving it!
The infamous butterfly keyboards filled me with trepidation when purchasing the model but they are actually really nice. I think they have a good (not amazing) amount of travel and they are enjoyable to type on. As for longevity issues, I think they are mitigated with the membrane Apple added and a cheap but effective keyboard cover. Also TouchID works like a gem but wouldn't FaceID be appropriate since this is Apple in 2018? Lastly, the touchpad is a masterpiece. Responsive, accurate, and customizable, it is eons better over anything Windows or, god-forbid, Chromebooks.
As for internal hardware, I know reviewers have tout the Y-Series as a weaker inclusion in the MacBook Air. But for me and my mix of productivity task, it works at lightning speed and a good upgrade over the Intel Pentium models I used beforehand. The 128GB baseline storage, while meager and laughable at the price point, is enough for someone who can rely on external storage or cloud services. The two USB-C ports both can charge and while annoying, the transition to USB-C from all the other ports is probably something that will future-proof the laptops (just have an adapter with you). The Retina display isn't a huge upgrade from some of the mid or even upper range Windows laptops now and the lack of touchscreen capabilities is slightly inconvenient in certain situations but does prevent annoying fingerprints. The webcam is lacking pixels and isn't anything special but to be honest, how often do you use your webcam in this day and age?
You probably can get something better value if you would like to stick to Windows. I switched because of attractive pricing and the fact MacBooks apparently last forever. A few of my friends are still sticking to their early 2010s MacBook Airs and Pros so I figured it was worth it over Windows laptops that sometimes just last for one or two years. MacOS, while different and foreign for a Windows user, is actually very intuitive once you get used to it (I still can't figure out right clicking sometimes). But all in all, a great laptop, very safe bet if you were to consider buying, but wish it was more innovative in certain aspects. Totally would recommend!
Feature Product
- Stunning 13. 3-Inch Retina Display
- Touch ID
- Dual-core 8th-Generation Intel Core i5 Processor
- Intel UHD Graphics 617
- Fast SSD Storage
- 8GB memory
- Stereo speakers with wider Stereo sound
- Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
- Latest Apple-designed keyboard
- OS : macOS Sierra (10.12)
Description
Available in silver, Space Gray, and gold, The new thinner and lighter MacBook Air features a stunning Retina Display, touch ID, The latest Apple-designed keyboard, and a force touch trackpad—all housed in an iconic wedge design Made from 100 percent recycled aluminum. And with all-day battery life, MacBook Air is your perfectly portable, do-it-all notebook.
This replaced a 2012 MBPr, which by apple standards had a year or 2 left before the OS upgrades stopped. But instead of waiting I evaluated what I do with laptops these days. From surfing the internet to editing photos and videos, I knew I didn’t need another MBP. By choosing this laptop I knew what I was giving up, but what I gained in portability, speed and overall performance outweighed any sort of negative. So far this laptop is amazing, from the Retina display to the right form factor I don’t have much negative to say. Do I wish there were a couple more ports, sure. Aside from that, know what you’re getting here, a capable laptop that’s portable, with decent performance and of course Apple quality.
As for those concerned about the price, there a premium using MacOS. Considering it’s lean speed and intiative ways over windows, it’s worth the little bit extra.
I think buy a MacBook Air for a long time, the new MacBook Air come out I just so excited about the gold color, l watched a lot YouTube video compare the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, even though a lot people say MacBook Pro is more powerful but I really don’t do any videos editing and photoshop works also the MacBook Air is cheaper, l can save $540 dollars. I got $200 off, l think $1199 for the new MacBook Air 256gb, this is not bad choice.
The 2018 Macbook Air isn't a "game changer" like it once was, but it is still a damn good laptop.
TL:DR: The Macbook Air has a great screen, best in class battery life and trackpad, a good keyboard imo, and more than enough power to accomplish everything you want to do EXCEPT play graphically intense games or edit 4K video. The screen upgrade is worth the extra $200 to upgrade from the older Macbook Air, if only for your eye health alone. If you value battery life, then get the Macbook Air over the 2017 entry level Macbook Pro.
The best upgrade in the 2018 Macbook Air is hands down the new screen. The previous models of the Macbook air used a TN panel with a relatively low pixel density. By today's standards, it is pretty well unusable (even though Apple still sells it for nearly $1,000 dollars.) In the 2018 edition of the Macbook Air we FINALLY get Apple's Retina display, after about 7 years since it debuted on the Macbook Pro lines. The display has a 2560 x 16000 pixel screen, which yields a pixel density of 227 ppi. In practical terms, that means the 2018 Macbook Air screen is not even comparable to the screen on older models of the Macbook Air. It is worth every cent of the extra $200 retail to upgrade to the new Macbook Air. Take mercy on your eyes, don't subject them to that horrid TN panel on the older Macbook Air. I type all day and this screen causes me to have considerably less eye fatigue. Seriously, if for no other reason but the health of your eyes, do not go with the old Macbook Air.
The second best thing, and most important thing for me, is battery life. I commute and am always on the go. I get 7-10 hours of regular use, including using Chrome as a web browser, not just Safari. That is pretty much the best laptop battery life you can get in any laptop on the Market right now. It beats the best real world use I remember getting on my Macbook Pro by about 3-4 hours. Plus, the welcome addition of USB-C ports means you have considerably more options to charge the laptop. Due to the low watt processor, you can even charge the laptop with cordless power bank. This is the reason I ultimently decided to go with the 2018 Air over the 2017 Macbook Pro 13" without touch-bar.
The biggest surprise to me was the keyboard. I have used some of the previous models with Apple's butterfly switches and was not a fan. This 3rd generation of the Butterfly switches, which Apple claims is its most durable yet, actually feels really good to me. If you have every used the external Apple Macbook Keyboard, it feels a lot like that keyboard. The travel is not great, but it is enough. The keys are big and easy to strike. Overall, I was most worried that I would hate this keyboard, but I actually.... really like the keyboard. A lot.
The biggest drawback to the Macbook Air is the raw power of the machine. To get the great battery life, Apple had to use a 7 watt intel chip, as opposed to the 15 watt intel chips in the updated Macbook Pros. I haven't, however, had a single issue with performance with my workload. I have had up to a dozen chrome tabs open, Microsoft word, and played Youtube 4K videos without any noticeable lag. I have even found editing photos in Pixelmator to be snappy and responsive. The areas I have noticed slowdown is with editing 4K video even in Final Cut. I don't do much video editing on a laptop because I like myself, so it isn't really an issue with to me. Also, like most Mac users I don't play video games on a mac laptop so that is not an issue to me either. It should be noted, however, that both USB-C ports are Thunderbolt 3 compatible so it is in theory possible to plug in an external gpu and 4K monitor and transform this laptop into a sufficent 4K video editing rig.
Overall, I loved the Macbook Air when it came out but that terrible TN panel just became an issue to me as I became older and my eyes became more tiered. For that reason I had moved away from a Macbook Air to the Macbook Pro, even though I find the Macbook Pro battery life to be kind of crappy. I am happy that the Macbook Air finally has an upgraded screen, so I can get the benefits of that amazing battery life without destroying my eyes. I would recommend this laptop to anyone who likes Macs, and doesn't want to play graphically intense games or edit 4K video.
Overall specs are impressive as everbody else have also reviewed about this beautiful laptop. My only problem is its camera ,its so poor that i would not like to make any video call through it. I would rather use my iphone or my ipad which have much much better camera resolution.
This is my first ever mac. I've had lots of pc's in the past and I can't believe how fast, smooth, comfortable the new macbook air is. It is very portable, easy to pack/carry and lightweight. It boots up in seconds, compared to the several minutes it takes my pc to boot. The retina screen is super crisp - great for photo editing and viewing. The keys are perfectly placed and weighted. It may sound weird to say, but I actually make fewer typing errors on this keyboard. Trackpad is large and intuitive. Performance is fast and smooth. This is easily the best computer purchase of my life.
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