How To Update Macbook Air Software

After years of rumours and speculation, Apple has finally updated the MacBook Air, arguably the tech giant's virtually popular laptop e'er.

The Cupertino, California-based company showed off the long-awaited update to the iconic MacBook Air'south design during its fall hardware keynote at the Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York.

MacBook Air 2018

While almost of the upgrades to the new Air are exactly what users have been request for, there are a few changes some people likely won't be enthusiastic about.

The new 13-inch MacBook Air features a slight taper that makes it smaller than the Pro, and results in a wedge pattern that looks very similar to the old Air, though with an added level of modernistic smooth.

2018 MacBook Air side view

Other new features include reduced bezels, Touch ID and of course, USB-C. Those who were blindly hoping Apple would include a mix of USB-A and USB-C in the new Air, volition exist disappointed to larn that isn't the case.

At first glance, the Air's display looks nifty, though information technology doesn't feature the Truthful Tone technology included in the 2018 Macbook Pro. The Air's new smaller bezels requite the laptop a more modernistic look, likewise. Farther, the older Air'due south aluminum bezels accept been replaced with glossy glass, which is a move some people might non exist fond of.

MacBook Air triangle

Given the problems I've had with the MacBook Pro's display scratching, I expect the shift to sleeky bezels that aren't raised volition result in the Air suffering from the same trouble. Overall, the new MacBook Air's display seems roughly on par with the 2017 MacBook Pro in terms of overall vibrancy and colour.

Regarding the Air'south keyboard, Apple says that the new laptop features its third generation butterfly machinery.

macBook Air keyboard

This means the Air includes the same keyboard equally the 2018 MacBook Pro, which features quieter primal travel and more resistance to grit. As a effect, the Air should experience fewer keyboard problems than the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro, at least in theory.

I tested out the keyboard for a few minutes and was impressed with how shine the typing experience is. It as well feels similar the keys have slightly more bounciness to them when compared to the 2017 MacBook Pro and peradventure even the 2018 MacBook Pro.

MacBook Air USB-C

In terms of build quality, the Air hits the typical standard most expect from Apple despite the fact that the computer is at present manufactured from 100 percent recycled aluminum. The new Air'south touchpad, as you may have already guessed, is massive and now features Strength Touch rather than a mechanical click, similar to the trackpads included in all of Apple's modern laptops. Information technology'south also worth noting that the new Air weights 1.24kg (2.75lbs), with the older version of the laptop coming in at 1.3kg (2.95lbs) — the laptop felt extremely light and I could easily hold information technology in 1 hand.

MagSafe has been ditched for two USB-C ports, which is a step in a higher place the standard MacBook's single USB-C outlet and on par with the 13-inch MacBook Pro that doesn't feature a Touch Bar. The laptop besides still includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, unlike the new 2018 iPad Pro. Other new features include Affect ID and Apple'south proprietary T2 security chip, which manages the fingerprints stored on the laptop.

MacBook Air Touch ID

Given that this is the first time Apple has redesigned the MacBook Air in roughly viii years, all of the to a higher place changes are welcome updates to the classic design. Unfortunately, in the Canadian market, the lowest cease Air comes to $ane,499 CAD, a price tag that sits a little under the lowest-finish 13-inch $1,729 MacBook Pro without a Touch Bar, as well equally the 12-inch $1,729 MacBook.

I would have ideally liked to see the new Air land somewhere in the $1,300 range given Apple is arguably positioning the laptop as its enty-level device. The everyman-end MacBook Air features a 1.6Ghz dual-core 8th-generation Intel Cadre i5 CPU with Turbo Boost up to 3.6Ghz, 8GB of LPDDR3 RAM, 128GB of SSD Storage and an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 617 card.

MacBook Air display

While my initial impressions of the MacBook Air are positive, a few questions near the device remain, particularly battery life given this is the feature the older air is most well known for.

Apple says that the Air's 50.iii watt-hr lithium polymer bombardment specifically features up to 12 hours of bombardment life when web browsing, 13 hours when watching iTunes motion picture playback and 30 days of standby time. More than testing is necessary to verify these claims, notwithstanding.

MobileSyrup will take more on the new MacBook Air in the coming days, including a total review of the laptop.