Luke Larsen / Digital trends
For the first time in a long time, there are now two size options for the MacBook Air. The size difference between the 15-inch MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Air is dramatic, although you’ll find that they’re otherwise very similar laptops.
So which is better – or more importantly, which is right for you? We’ve reviewed both devices in detail, so here’s everything you need to know about deciding between these two laptops.
Glasses
| Apple MacBook Air 15 | Apple MacBook Air 13 | |
| Dimensions | 13.40 inches x 9.35 inches x 0.45 inches | 11.97 inches x 8.46 inches x 0.44 inches |
| Weight | 3.3 pounds | 2.7 pounds |
| Processor | Apple M2 (8 cores) | Apple M2 (8 cores) |
| Graphics | 10 GPU cores | 8 GPU cores
10 GPU cores |
| working memory | 8 GB 16 GB 24 GB | 8 GB 16 GB 24 GB |
| Display | 15.3-inch 16:10 Liquid Retina IPS 2880 x 1864 | 13.6-inch 16:10 Liquid Retina IPS 2560 x 1664 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD512GB SSD1TB SSD2TB SSD | 256GB SSD512GB SSD1TB SSD2TB SSD |
| Contact | Not | Not |
| port | 2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 41 x 3.5 mm audio jack | 2 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 41 x 3.5 mm audio jack |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Webcam | 1080 p | 1080 p |
| Operation system | MacOS Monterey | MacOS Monterey |
| Battery | 66.5 watt-hours | 52.6 watt-hours |
| Price | $1300+ | $1100+ |
When similarly configured, Apple charges $100 extra for the extra screen size of the 15-inch MacBook Air over the 13-inch model. That’s nothing, but it seems like a pretty fair price for a bigger screen.
However, there is one caveat. Apple says there’s a slightly slower and cheaper version of the M2 with just an 8-core GPU — but it’s only available on the 13-inch MacBook Air. That means it has a lower starting price of $1,100 compared to the 10-core GPU that comes standard in the 15-inch MacBook Air.
Both models can be configured with up to 2TB of storage and 24GB of RAM, and Apple charges the same high prices for upgrades on both machines. You’ll also want to choose carefully, since neither can be retrofitted. If you want more memory or storage space, you’ll need to opt for a 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Note that you can still buy the older MacBook Air M1 and you’ll save $200 on the entry level by sticking with the older technology. However, given the improvements in design and performance, we don’t consider it a legitimate competitor to the 15-inch MacBook Air, so we’ll leave it out of this comparison.
To shape
Luke Larsen / Digital trends
The 15-inch MacBook Air looks exactly like the 13-inch model, only stretched in width and depth. It’s nearly as thin at 0.45 inches compared to 0.44 inches, making it the thinnest 15-inch laptop around. It adds about half a pound, to 3.3 pounds versus 2.7 pounds, meaning both are very light for their sizes. While the 15-inch MacBook Air is incredibly small for a 15-inch laptop, make no mistake: this is a big computer by comparison. The larger screen is the main draw of the laptop, and it’s definitely worth it if you can handle the extra space it’ll take up on the coffee table or in your lap.
Both have the sleek, boxy look of the new MacBook line, with right angles and an aesthetic that needs nothing to be incredibly appealing. Both laptops are available in silver, space grey, starlight and midnight. Both machines are also incredibly well built, as all MacBooks are, but due to the incredibly thin chassis, the lids show some uncharacteristic flexing.
Connectivity is also shared, with just two Thunderbolt 4 ports and an audio jack. The MagSafe 3 power connector on both not only saves a Thunderbolt 4 connection port, but pops out easily if it gets stuck. Both laptops also list Wi-Fi 6 in their specs, which is a generation behind the faster Wi-Fi 6E, but both have the latest Bluetooth 5.3.
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Both also share the same limitation in external display support. The M2 CPU only works with one external monitor, up to 6K at 60Hz. That’s a significant limitation compared to most Windows laptops, as well as the more powerful MacBook Pro 14, but it makes no difference in this comparison.
The 1080p webcam is an upgrade over previous models, and both laptops use the same technologies to create a superior video image for video conferencing. You’ll also find Touch ID built into the power button on both devices.
Performance
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
The MacBook Air 13 can be equipped with a slower octa-core CPU/octa-core GPU M2 processor, with an 8-core CPU/10-core GPU M2 as an upgrade option. The MacBook Air 15 uses only the latter. If you’re looking to save a few hundred bucks, that makes the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Air an attractive proposition, even if it has the graphics power under the hood.
According to our own testing, the two laptops perform identically when configured similarly. Both are completely fanless, so even though they get a little warm during heavy loads, the laptops remain silent throughout their operation.
The only real difference is perception. We tend to think that bigger laptops mean better performance, but in this case, that’s simply not true. If you want a MacBook with a little more oomph, you’re still better off buying a 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Display
Luke Larsen / Digital trends
The MacBook Air 13 and 15 use the same Liquid Retina IPS technology, so they should deliver similar performance. The MacBook Air 15’s panel is 15.3 inches at 2880 x 1864 and provides similar sharpness to the MacBook Air 13’s 13.6-inch display at 2560 x 1664. The pixel density is identical to ensure the larger display isn’t just stretched.
While not as bright as the mini-LED panels on the MacBook Pro models, the MacBook Air 13 still delivers excellent brightness, color and good contrast for any technology that isn’t called mini-LED or OLED. It’s a screen that will please makers, creators and media users alike, and we imagine the MacBook Air 15 will offer more of the same, just with more room for multitasking.
One area where the MacBook Air 15 has an advantage is its six-speaker setup with force-canceling subwoofers. They sound wonderful and are a significant upgrade over the quad-speaker setup in the MacBook Air 13. Music sounds fuller and the bass is noticeably better. We don’t know how Apple pulls this off on such a thin laptop, but it’s one area where the 15-inch MacBook Air definitely wins.
Portability
Luke Larsen / Digital trends
As mentioned earlier, both laptops are almost equally thin and both are very light. The MacBook Air 15 is, of course, larger in width and depth, which means it will take up more space in your backpack. But you will hardly feel it.
In terms of battery life, both laptops will last a whopping 18 hours. That’s not just Apple’s claim either — it’s actually how long you can use devices without an outlet. This will decrease depending on what apps you use, but generally you’ll get a day or two without needing to charge.
It all comes down to size
Luke Larsen / Digital trends
Apple made the 15-inch MacBook Air specifically for people looking for a bigger screen. It’s not for more performance, despite what some people might assume given its size. If you’ve decided you don’t need the performance of a MacBook Pro, neither of these laptops will go wrong. Apple charges a fair price to upgrade, especially since you get both a bigger screen and better speakers.
The 13-inch model is probably a better option for students and commuters, while most others will appreciate the extra 15-inch display. If you’re still not sure, it’s worth seeing these in person and holding them — because the difference is significant.
Still, the MacBook Air’s starting price of $1,100 remains attractive, and since Apple doesn’t offer the same M2 configuration on the 15-inch model, it’s likely to continue to be an option.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn