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After years of major update, the new Retina MacBook Air was unveiled yesterday sporting a major refresh design, updated processor, Touch ID, USB-C and much more. Let's take a look at how the MacBook Air Retina compares to the rest of the MacBook lineup and which one you should buy.
Whoosh! Screen Cleaner
Before Apple's October event yesterday, there was a lot of speculation about what the release of a 13-inch Retina MacBook would mean for the rest of the lineup. Some thought Apple might kill off the 12-inch MacBook. Gold alternately, maybe Apple would end up the MacBook Air line and offer 12- and 13-inch Retina MacBooks.
Curiously enough, after announcing the 13-inch MacBook Air with Retina display, Apple is continuing to sell both the old-style MacBook Air at $ 999 and the 12-inch MacBook at $ 1,299.
The lineup also includes the 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar starting at $ 1,299. Let's dive into how the new 13-inch MacBook Air Retina compares to these machines with its starting price of $ 1,199.
Arguably, the biggest upgrade is with the new MacBook Air is the Retina display. Along with the new resolution, the Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro.
Apple says the bezels on the MacBook Air Retina are 50% smaller than the previous model. MacBook Air also offers the MacBook Air Retaurant MacBook Air 48% more colors than the previous MacBook Air.
Here's how the display compares across the MacBook lineup:
As you can see, the Retina MacBook Air delivers an impressive display upgrade, but you do not miss out on high-end features like Apple's True Tone tech and the P3 wide color gamut.
But most people who pick up the Retina MacBook, especially if coming from a non-Retina display, will be very happy with this screen.
The Retina MacBook Air scores a few wins when compared to the 12-inch MacBook when looking at I / O. The new 13-inch MacBook Air includes two Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports. Users will be able to take advantage of better USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 hubs like the MacBook Pro users can use that port, versus the single USB-C port adapters that MacBooks are limited to. Most single port hubs / adapters limited functionality to USB support, while some higher-end models will provide full TB3 support.
Also, the 12-inch MacBook's single port is USB-C (USB 3.1 Gen 1) only, and maxes out at a throughput of 5Gbps. Meanwhile, the new MacBook Air Retina with Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C can achieve speeds up to 40Gbps and includes USB 3.1 Gen 2 which provides speeds up to 10Gbps for non-TB3 peripherals.
The MacBook Air Retina MacBook Air and MacBook 4K displays at 60Hz.
When it comes to hardware specs, the MacBook Air Retina offers solid options. 16GB of RAM is now a configuration option along with a 1.5TB SSD. There is also a new integrated graphics card and another feature that sets the new MacBook Air apart is Touch ID.
While the basic 1.6GHz processor does not sound as fast as the 1.8GHz in the old MacBook Air, it will be more efficient and powerful being 8th gen chip even though the clock speed is a touch slower. Apple has not shared a benchmark yet.
If you're coming from an older MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, you'll find a new 3rd gen butterfly keyboard. It has a distinctly different feel and experience than the keyboards found on Apple's older notebooks, specifically.
For what it's worth, Apple says it's a better deal than a keyboard with a scissor mechanism. If you have not tried one out before, make sure to drop by an Apple Store or give a friend.
The Retina MacBook Air also gains the Force Touch Trackpad found on the MacBook Pro and MacBook. This also means 20% larger area than the previous generation. Here's how Apple describes the Force Touch trackpad.
Multi-Touch gestures like a pinch and zoom. Your fingers will feel right at home.
The Retina MacBook is also slower than its predecessor, however it is not as light as the MacBook. Here's how the stack up:
The MacBook Air Retina MacBook Air features 17% less volume and is about a quarter pound lighter MacBook Air. The 50% slimmer bezels help to make the footprint of the notebook noticeably smaller while retaining the same 13.3-inch screen.
MacBook Air is a tiny bit thicker than the old MacBook Air, the thicker side of the old one by .07 inches.
The Retina MacBook Air beats out its predecessor with 13 hours of battery when it comes to iTunes movie playback and matches it for wireless web browsing at 12 hours of use.
It also offers 10 hours of wireless web browsing, and 12 hours and 10 hours respectively for iTunes movie playback.
Mac made from 100% recycled aluminum, has 720p HD FaceTime Camera, improved speakers with 25% more volume and two times louder bass.
MacBook are the two most important deciding factors, the new Retina MacBook Air should prove to be an excellent choice for most users. It's also a great choice for the majority of users who do not need pro level performance.
With the new display, two Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C ports, Touch ID, new design and upgraded RAM and storage options, it's a compelling machine at a starting price of $ 1,199. One of the only downsides is that it still starts with just 128GB of storage for the base model.
Check out the first unboxings of the new Mac here, and keep an eye on 9to5Mac for our hands-on coverage of the Retina MacBook Air soon!
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