Are you in search of a larger MacBook with all the features you love, but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on the 16-inch MacBook Pro? Look no further than the Apple 15-inch MacBook Air. This new laptop boasts the same M2 processor as its 13-inch counterpart, but now offers a larger display and six speakers for even better sound quality.
And with a starting price of $1299, it’s an affordable option for those who need more screen space without breaking the bank. Keep reading for a review of the 15-inch MacBook Air and why it may just be the laptop you’ve been waiting for.
Overview of the Release of the 15-inch MacBook Air and its Significance
The release of the 15-inch MacBook Air on June 13th, 2023 marks an important milestone for Apple, as it’s the first time they’ve offered such a large screen size in their Air design. With its slim and lightweight design, the 15-inch MacBook Air offers a more portable alternative to the larger MacBook Pro models. Its powerful M2 processor with 10 GPU cores ensures great performance and speed, while the six-speaker array delivers impressive sound quality.
The starting price of $1,300 may be steep, but the extended battery life and larger screen size make the 15-inch MacBook Air an attractive option for consumers in search of a more accommodating display.
APPLE MACBOOK AIR 15-INCH SPECS
| Laptop Class | Desktop Replacement |
| Processor | Apple M2 |
| RAM (as Tested) | 16 GB |
| Boot Drive Type | SSD |
| Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 512 GB |
| Screen Size | 15.3 inches |
| Native Display Resolution | 2,880 by 1,864 |
| Touch Screen | |
| Panel Technology | IPS |
| Variable Refresh Support | None |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Graphics Processor | Apple M2 (10-core) |
| Wireless Networking | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Dimensions (HWD) | 0.45 by 13.4 by 9.4 inches |
| Weight | 3.3 pounds |
| Operating System | Apple macOS Ventura |
| Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) | 18:52 |
Overview of the product’s design and features
The design of the 15-inch MacBook Air is consistent with previous models, with an ultra-thin profile of only 11.5 millimeters and weighing just over three pounds. The laptop features a Retina display with 224 pixels per inch and 500 nits of brightness.
The 1080p camera is perfectly fine, just like it was on the 13-inch model. It looks good on Zooms.
Scott Stein/CNET
Additionally, the machine’s speakers have been upgraded to a six-speaker system, providing improved sound quality. The laptop offers the same connectivity options as the 13-inch model, including two USB-C ports and a headphone jack. Overall, the MacBook Air 15-inch boasts an attractive, lightweight design with sleek hardware and an improved speaker system.
Performance and speed analysis
The MacBook Air 15-inch M2 boasts the same performance as the 13-inch model, given that it uses the same processor. Apple claims that its machine is twice as fast as a 15-inch PC laptop with a Core i7 processor.
Although the MacBook Air 15-inch M2 has not been tested yet, it is expected to perform around the same level as its smaller sibling. Despite its larger screen size, the MacBook Air 15-inch M2 is relatively lightweight and portable, maintaining its tenets of portability and design.
MacBook Air 15 benchmarks
| Benchmark | 15-inch MacBook Air (M2) |
|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 CPU Single | 2606 |
| Geekbench 6 CPU Multi | 10055 |
| Geekbench 6 GPU (Metal) | 45607 |
| Geekbench 6 GPU (OpenCL) | 27795 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 8189 |
| Cinebench R23 Single | 1590 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi looped for 30 minutes | 7830 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider benchmark (1920 x 1200, highest) | 28fps |
| PugetBench for Premiere Pro | 328 |
| 4K export | 0:03:48 |
| XcodeBenchmark | 121 sec |
Comparison with other MacBook models
When it comes to MacBook models, the 15-inch MacBook Air offers some key differences compared to its counterparts. Here are some of the key ways it stacks up against other models:
– Compared to the 13-inch MacBook Air, the 15-inch model offers a larger display (15.3 inches vs. 13.3 inches), a six-speaker array instead of four, and a 10-core GPU as standard (versus an 8-core GPU on the base 13-inch model).
– The 15-inch MacBook Air is also significantly cheaper than the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro, retailing for $700 less despite delivering similar performance.
– That being said, if you’re looking for even more power, the updated desktop model with the M2 Max or M2 Ultra chip may be a better option.
M1 Air, M2 Air, M2 MacBook Pro Benchmarks
| Benchmark | M1 Air | M2 Air | M2 MacBook Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 5.3 CPU Single | 1730 | 1876 | 1937 |
| Geekbench 5.3 CPU Multi | 7510 | 8829 | 8968 |
| Geekbench 5.3 Open CL / Compute | 18357 | 27068 | 27496 |
| Cinebench R23 Single | 1494 | 1591 | 1584 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 6803 | 7706 | 8689 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi 30-min loop | 5369 | 6757 | 8968 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 19fps | 23fps | 29fps |
| PugetBench for Premiere Pro | 333 | 468 | 556 |
| 4K export (Adobe Premiere Pro 23) | 5:46 | 5:22 | — |
| XCode Benchmark | — | 142 sec | 132 sec |
Overall, the 15-inch MacBook Air strikes a sweet spot between price, performance, and portability, making it a compelling choice for many users.
Pricing and affordability for consumers
The 15-inch MacBook Air offers a competitive price point starting at $1299, which is significantly lower than the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro by $700. The lowered price point doesn’t compromise on performance, making it a great value for consumers.
Additionally, all 15-inch configurations come with a 10-core GPU and a 35W Dual USB-C Port Compact Power Adapter at no additional cost.
However, consumers who desire more storage space can expect to pay extra, as upgrading to a 512GB SSD brings the price to $1499. Students and educators can also enjoy a discount of $100 off these prices.
