Apple’s popular MacBook Air is now available with a 15-inch display. After the first launch of the MacBook Air in 2008, Apple finally brought the MacBook Air 15 with a 15-inch display in 2023. It has been released along with the 13-inch MacBook Air M2.
Regarding power and lightweight, Apple’s MacBook Air was always the first choice. But with a smaller display people slowly started to opt for other brands with a bigger display. So Apple has introduced the latest 15-inch MacBook Air, which showcases the state-of-the-art M2 chip. Notably, it proudly holds the distinction of being the world’s slimmest 15-inch laptop.
Let us see what the laptop offers.
Specifications:
| Display | Liquid retina display 15.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology 500 nits brightness |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1864 resolution at 224 pixels per inch |
| Dimensions | Height: 0.45 inch (1.15 cm) Width: 13.40 inches (34.04 cm) Depth: 9.35 inches (23.76 cm) Weight: 1.51 kg |
| Processor | Apple M2 chip 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores 10-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine 100GB/s memory bandwidth |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB | 512GB |
| Battery | 66.5-watt‑hour lithium‑polymer battery Up to 18 hours |
| Charging | 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter Fast-charge capable with 70W USB-C Power Adapter |
| Ports | MagSafe 3 charging port 3.5 mm headphone jack Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with support for: Charging DisplayPort Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s) USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s) USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s) |
| Keyboard and Trackpad | Backlit Magic Keyboard with: 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 full-height function keys and 4 arrow keys in an inverted-T arrangement Touch ID Ambient light sensor Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities; enables Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Webcam | 1080p camera |
| Audio | Six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling |
| OS | macOS |
| Colours | Silver | Starlight | Space Gray | Midnight |
| Price | Rs 210,000 (8/256GB) Rs 243000 (8/512GB) |
Design and Display
The Apple MacBook Air 15 shares the same design as the 13-inch variant. It has an all-metal build with a thickness of just 11.5 mm and a weight of 1.51 kg. If compared side by side, the MacBook Air 15 is just as thick as the Apple MacBook Pro’s keyboard. The all-metal build looks quite good but is a dust and fingerprint magnet.
The MacBook Air 15 distinguishes itself from the 13-inch variant with several notable features, such as a larger display, an expanded trackpad, and an upgraded audio system with six speakers instead of four. The increased size of the trackpad enhances precision and accessibility, contributing to an improved user experience.
The remaining features are almost the same with the same keyboard layout and a fingerprint sensor on the right side. It also does not have any air vents for a cooler or fan making it look like a slab of flat metal.
The MacBook Air 15 has a 15.3-inch display to be exact. It has a rectangular notch where the 1080p webcam sits. The bezels are also thin giving a premium look. The 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display with IPS technology, offers a resolution of 2880 x 1864 pixels at 224 pixels per inch. The display boasts a brightness of 500 nits, providing vibrant and sharp visuals.
Performance and Storage
The Apple MacBook Air 15 is equipped with Apple’s new M2 chip. It features an 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. It has a 10-core GPU, ensuring smooth graphics performance for video editing and other demanding apps. It has a 16-core Neural Engine for enhanced performance and 100GB/s memory bandwidth for fast data access and smooth multitasking. The operating system on the laptop is macOS.
The RAM option includes 8GB which is configurable to 16GB and 24GB. In Nepal, the 8GB variant is up for pre-order which is paired with a base storage option of 256GB and another 512GB option.
Battery and Others
The Apple MacBook Air 15 features a 66.5-watt‑hour lithium‑polymer battery that offers up to 18 hours of usage. It can be charged using the 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter or fast-charged with a 70W USB-C Power Adapter.
It includes a MagSafe 3 charging port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. It also offers two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with various capabilities like charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 (up to 40Gb/s), USB 4 (up to 40Gb/s), and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s).
The MacBook Air 15 features a backlit Magic Keyboard with 78 or 79 keys, including function keys and an inverted-T arrangement for arrow keys. It includes Touch ID and an ambient light sensor. The trackpad is a force-touch trackpad with precise cursor control, pressure-sensing capabilities, and support for force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and multi-touch gestures.
For connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3. It is equipped with a 1080p camera and a six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling technology.
It is available in four colours; Space Grey, Midnight, Silver and Starlight.
The Apple MacBook Air 15 is up for pre-order in Nepal and costs Rs 210,000 for the 8/256GB option and Rs 243000 for the 8/512GB option.
Verdict
The MacBook Air series has gained immense popularity worldwide. The 13-inch MacBook Air, a favourite among people, was known for its compact size and performance. However, with increasing demands for a larger MacBook Air, the 15-inch model will become the go-to choice for many. It offers a lightweight and compact design, coupled with outstanding performance thanks to the all-new M2 chip.
