Apple introduced the new series of MacBook Air 2018 edition which has a couple of changes including features and price. The last Apple MacBook Air 2017 edition which launched in India, the same laptop which I am using it right now, after the MacBook Air 2015, the macbook air 2017 upgraded which comes with the Intel Core i5 1.8Ghz with 8GB ram, rest of the design and specification are same. MacBook Air is the thinnest and lightest, the budget king of Apple laptop series in India.
After so many years Apple decided to change the look n feel of the MacBook Air 2018. Apple announced the 2018 Air on 13th October 2018 which is currently available on Amazon.com but in India, we should get on hands in early 2019.
Let me compare the difference here about:
MacBook Air 2018 vs MacBook Air 2017
Not only the Apple introduced the AIr 2018 but also updated their outdated products like Mac Mini and iPad Pro, the redesigned model of Air 2018 compare from 2017 Air model.
Let me first tell you in short about the Macbook Air 2017 then compare it to Air 2018.
MacBook Air 2018 Design
In the 2017 edition, it is simple same looks like a 2015 Air model, not much difference in design. Same iconic apple logo with lighting on the lid and a backlit keyboard with the smooth keys, awesome for coding and writing.
In Air 2018, thinness at its outer edge is around 1.56cm compare to 2017 it is 1.7cm. The weight is also reduced to 1.25kg. The new model is seriously more lightweight and smaller, this is a positive feedback for the design.
What sacrifices here to make it lightweight, in Air 2018, they removed the Magsafe and replaced with the two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports and 3.5mm headphone jack.
The most disappointing feature is here, they removed the glowing Apple logo which we like the most and have seen this on the predecessor even the Macbook Air 2017 have this glowing logo but another news is Apple won’t add glowing logo anymore in the future laptops, either Macbook Air or Macbook Pro
While Apple has changed the keyboard type in Air 2018 and they now added the latest generation Butterfly to avoid dust enters in the keys, however, there are some controversial going on the butterfly keyboard like not-responsive but Apple is replacing the keys with the new one, hope this won’t be the issue when they release the Air 2018 in India. But, as for now, 2017 model is ahead right now and I love it to use the keys.
Display
In 2017 model, the display was 1440 x 900 resolution pixels and not a full HD and no retina but in 2018 model, here are the changes which Apple made, they make the Retina display and 13-inch 2560 x 1600(2K) resolution pixels, just like in the Macbook Pro.
The new panel has 48% more colors on any other previous laptop and over 4 million pixels which gives razor-sharp text clarity and jaw-dropping images clarity.
Short Specification
In Air 2017, the processor was Intel Core i5 5th-Generation with the HD 6000 graphics. While in 2018, the processor is Intel Core i5 8th-Generation with the Intel UHD graphics 617 chipsets, the all-new Air comes with the pack of performance.
Battery Life
Apple claimed the battery life of the Macbook Air 2018 is up to 12 hours while in the flight mode it will be extended to 13 hours but while using Air 2017, I noticed I usually get 10-11 hours if the internet is ON, browser with tabs is opened but still the Apple won’t make you disappointed for the battery life.
Touch ID, TrackPad and Speakers
Apple introduced the new feature “Touch ID” which is not available in the previous models. Touch ID is the one key press to unlock the mac as well as documents, email, and settings. Speakers are 2x bass and 25% more volume than any previous model of Air. The trackpad is also changed to 20% more larger for the multi-touch gesture.
Now lets me put down altogether into the specification.
MacBook Air 2018 specification
- Processor: Intel Core i5 8th-Generation, Turbo Boost to 3.6GHz OC
- Memory: 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB SSD
- Graphics: Intel UHD 617
- Display: 13.3-inch LED-backlit with IPS technology, 2560 x 1600(2K) resolution
- Ports: 2x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), 3.5mm jack
- Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking, Bluetooth
- Battery: up to 13 hours, one lithium polymer
- Weight: 1.25kg
- Additional features: Touch ID sensor
- OS: MojaveOS(10.14)
Macbook Air 2017 Specification
- Processor: Intel Core i5 5th-Generation 1.8GHz, Turbo Boost to 2.9GHz OC
- Memory: 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3
- Storage: 128GB or 256GB SSD
- Graphics: Intel 6000 Generation
- Display: 13.3-inch LED-backlit, 1440×900 HD resolution
- Ports: 1x Thunderbolt 3, 3.5mm jack, Magsafe, 2x USB 3.0, Memory card
- Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking, Bluetooth
- Battery: up to 12 hours, one lithium polymer
- Weight: 1.35kg
- OS: Sierra but upgradable to MojaveOS(10.14)
Pricing:
The cost is slightly increased of the current Macbook Air 2017 model is Rs70,000 for a 128GB but you will get in Rs59,990 or much lesser in the festive season of online retailer sites like an Amazon and Flipkart. While Macbook Air 2018 model pricing in India is Rs 1,14,900, that is much compared to 2017 model but this is all about the base price, we have to check the festive season price when they launch the new macbook air in India.
Verdict
If you are planning to buy the Macbook Air, then you should go for the Macbook Air 2018 because they have changed a lot compared to the previous generation, you won’t get disappointed. The upset part is only the pricing which is not a friendly price but this is all about Apple.