Apple recently refreshed their third-generation MacBook Air. With True Tone display technology and the latest butterfly mechanism keyboard, the new notebook computer is a modest improvement over the previous model.
By Chand Bellur
November 3, 2019 at 5:28 p.m. PDT
A Brief History of the MacBook Air
The MacBook Air became Apple’s entry level notebook computer, after the company discontinued the MacBook in 2011. The compact laptop briefly earned the distinction of being the thinnest notebook in the world, but was eventually surpassed by the Dell Adamo and other models.
The relatively inexpensive MacBook Air is intended for students, office workers and casual users. Unlike its MacBook Pro counterpart, the device is relatively light on specs. Although it can be used for video editing and music production, it lacks the power for audio visual professionals.
The first MacBook Air was launched in January 2008. The display only supported a maximum resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, which is slightly better than the 720p HD standard. Its Intel Core 2 Duo processor, running at 1.6 Ghz, was sufficient for light tasks.
Overall, the MacBook Air proved to be a popular notebook. Apple seemed to neglect the computer for years. When they launched a new, ultra thin MacBook, Apple analysts figured that the Air was dead. They were dead wrong. With a newly redesigned third-generation MacBook Air debuting in 2018, the company delivered yet another entry level notebook computer.
2019 MacBook Air Features
As a second refresh of the third-generation MacBook Air, the new 2019 model only offers slight improvements over its predecessor. Like the previous model, it features Touch ID, a 13.3” screen and the same 1.6 GHz Intel dual core i5 processor.
The addition of a True Tone display and a new keyboard mechanism are really all that set this refreshed model apart from last year’s MacBook Air. Performance tests have shown that the new model’s solid state drive runs 35% slower than the previous model.
According to iMore, Apple is using cheaper SSD components than in the 2018 model. Apple passed the savings on to customers, lowering the price by $100.
For those who want a speedier MacBook Air, the 2018 model is ideal. If a better screen is worth a slightly slower user experience, the 2019 model is an acceptable option.