Apple MacBook Air 15 review
The Apple Apple MacBook Air 15 ranks as the #681 laptops globally, achieving a LibraScore of 66. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #226-ranked features among 46 laptops. Consider the AORUS 5 or Acer Predator Helios 700, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Is it Worth it?
The MacBook Air 15 is a solid device for everyday productivity tasks. However, its limitations become apparent under heavy workloads or with demanding applications. The 256GB storage is woefully insufficient, and the lack of ports is inconvenient. Despite these drawbacks, the laptop's performance is still respectable, thanks to the M2 chip's efficiency. With a price tag of $1,299, it's hard to justify the investment when other options offer better specs for slightly more money. If battery life is your top priority, the MacBook Air 15 might be worth considering. Otherwise, you may find yourself wanting more, making it a mediocre value proposition overall.
Build
The MacBook Air 15 is a marvel in terms of build quality. Its sturdy aluminum body exudes premium feel and durability. The larger chassis offers better passive cooling, resulting in higher clock speeds and improved performance. However, this also means the laptop is slightly thicker and heavier than its 13-inch counterpart. Despite this, it remains remarkably lightweight and portable. The lack of ports may be a drawback for some users, but overall, the build quality of the MacBook Air 15 is exceptional, making it a reliable companion for everyday productivity. Consider discovering the power of Apple MacBook Air 13, featuring the latest advancements in build.
Display
The 15-inch MacBook Air boasts a stunning display that shines in various lighting conditions. The screen's vibrant colors and crisp text make browsing the web, watching videos, or editing photos an enjoyable experience. While some users may find it slightly too bright for their liking, the overall image quality is impressive. The increased real estate provides ample space to multitask, making it a great feature for productivity-driven users. With its excellent color accuracy and decent brightness, this display is sure to satisfy both creative professionals and casual users alike. However, some may find the bezels on either side slightly thicker than expected, which might detract from an otherwise exceptional viewing experience. You might prefer Apple MacBook Air 13, designed with an upgraded display for a better experience.
Performance
The performance of the 15-inch MacBook Air is satisfactory for everyday productivity tasks such as emailing and watching videos. However, it may struggle with more demanding workloads due to its limited 8GB unified memory and shared between CPU and GPU. This can result in sluggish performance in applications like Lightroom and Photoshop. The M2 chip's multi-core and single-core performance is improved compared to the 13-inch Air, likely due to better passive cooling, but this advantage is offset by the 256GB SSD's limitations. As a result, users may need to consider upgrading to the 16GB or 24GB RAM option for smoother performance. For a superior performance, Apple MacBook Air 13 could be the right choice.
Battery and Charging
The 15-inch MacBook Air boasts impressive battery life, offering almost six extra hours on a single charge compared to its predecessor. The power-efficient M2 Chip ensures long run times even under moderate tasks like watching 4K videos. With up to 12 hours of screen time, this laptop is perfect for those who need a reliable companion for extended periods. While the charging speed is not mentioned, it's likely to be fast and efficient, matching Apple's standards. Overall, the battery performance is a significant upgrade over previous models.
Connectivity
The MacBook Air 15's connectivity is a letdown. With only two Thunderbolt ports, users will need to rely on adapters or hubs for additional connections. The lack of USB-A ports and an SD card slot also limits versatility. While the M2 chip's improved performance makes up for some of these limitations, the connectivity constraints may be frustrating for those who require more outlets or ports. You may find Apple iPad Air 13 a better fit, thanks to its superior connectivity.
Features
The 15-inch MacBook Air boasts a powerful M2 chip, 8-core CPU, and 10-core GPU, making it ideal for everyday productivity tasks. It features a stunning display, up to 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB or 512GB SSD. With improved passive cooling, the laptop runs cooler and faster than its smaller counterpart, delivering impressive multi-core and single-core performance results in benchmarks. Battery life is also significantly better, with almost six extra hours on a single charge. If you’re after a better features, Apple iPad Air 13 could be the ideal option.
Support and Maintenance
The MacBook Air 15's battery life is significantly better than its predecessors. However, the 256GB storage capacity may be too small for consumers' needs in 2023. The lack of ports and inability to upgrade components are notable drawbacks. Overall, while a great laptop, it feels like Apple is pushing customers to spend more money on upgrades, making it less appealing at $1,299.
Pros
1. Super light weight
2. Pretty capable for all modern tasks
3. Better battery life compared to 13-inch model, with around 45 minutes more run time on usual light load test
4. Noticeably faster in multi-core and single core performance when compared to the 13 inch air
5. Good improvements in both MC and SC runs
Cons
1. 256 gigabytes of storage is not enough for consumers in 2023, filling up quickly
2. Lack of ports was a pretty big deal, requiring plugging in dongles
3. Performance can be sluggish with heavy tasks like Lightroom, requiring upgrading to 16 or 24 GB RAM spec
4. Single Nan SSD affects overall user experience in resource-intensive applications
5. Not ideal for those who need more storage space and ports, making it hard to recommend without upgrades
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