you could presently buy two different nip of the MacBook Air , with both 13 - inch and 15 - in framework usable . But what are the central differences between these laptop , and which is best for you ?
We ’ve reviewed both laptop , so we ’re well placed to suffice those inquiry . Below , we ’ll be damp down the secernate specs , as well as what we ’ve learned during our all-embracing examination operation .
So if you ’re stuck between a leverage of the13 - in MacBook Airand15 - inch MacBook Air , this guide should hopefully help you give a final decisiveness .
Price and availability
We ’re live on to be focussing on the 2022 variant of the 13 - inch MacBook Air , for this guidebook , which is available from £ 1149/$1099 . However , it ’s also possible to buy the2020 model of the MacBook Air(with a slimly superannuated central processing unit ) with a starting Leontyne Price of just £ 999/$999 .
As for the 15 - inch MacBook Air , only the 2023 edition is available , and you ’ll need to spend at least £ 1399/$1299 for the pleasure of a grown concealment .
Design and screen
The most obvious difference between the 13 - column inch MacBook Air and 15 - column inch MacBook Air is that the latter has a observably orotund concealment . In his review , Max Parker say the 15 - inch MacBook Air is “ roomier than the14 - inch MacBook Prowithout feel too cumbersome and far easier to bring on than the 13 - inch aviation . ”
A larger covert also predictably results in a larger design , although the difference is n’t as big as you ’d gestate . The 15 - inch MacBook Air is 11.5 millimeter fatheaded , while the 13 - column inch MacBook Air is just 11.3 mm fatheaded . That mean both laptop computer share the same port wine selection , include 2x Thunderbolt , which is a little stingy if you ask us . You do at least getMagSafecharging .
The enceinte chassis of the 15 - inch MacBook Air does ensue in a noticeable surplus heft though , hitting the scales at 1.51 kg , whereas the 13 - column inch airwave only matter 1.24 kg . But while the latter is undoubtedly lighter , the 15 - inch model is still light enough to carry around on the go without issue .
Beyond the differences in size , there really is n’t much separating the laptop designs . Both feature the notch at the top of the CRT screen , feature full - size keyboard and sport that excellent metal physical body . The 15 - in Air does ostentate a gravid six - speaker speech sound organization though – the 13 - inch is limited to a four - speaker transcription .
As for the concealment , neither have the opulence of the vibrantMini LEDdisplay technology found on the more expensive Pro reach . Still , both are up to of a acme luminance of 500 nit which is way beyond what most Windows laptops can achieve . There is a difference of opinion in cover solving , but only to describe for the bigger screen size – both laptop are equal to of evilly incisive images and video .
Performance
Apple has fitted the M2 chip inside both the MacBook Air manakin , so you wo n’t be suffer a more herculean performance when opting for the 15 - column inch edition .
That said , the 13 - inch laptop computer provides exploiter the option of two flavours of theM2 chip : one with an 8 - core GPU , and another with a 10 - centre GPU . The 15 - inch Air is only available with the latter central processing unit .
As our bench mark results show in the graphical record below , there really is n’t much split the two laptops when it comes to processing top executive .
Our referee Max Parker was very impressed with the performance of the 15 - inch atmosphere , as he say : “ 4 K telecasting editing , in both Adobe ’s Premiere Pro and Apple ’s Final Cut Pro , is doable with smooth scrolling through timeline and quick exportation meter . As with the 13 - column inch variant , the only way I truly managed to slow down the machine down while edit 4 green footage was by having it plug into Apple ’s 5 K Studio Display . ”
Apple is put up up the same random memory ( up to 24 GB ) and SSD ( up to 2 TB ) shape options for both laptop computer too . As a result , you really do n’t demand to factor in the performance into your purchasing decision here .
Battery life
Apple claims that the 15 - inch MacBook Air share the exact same 18 - hour battery life as the 13 - inch model , despite the former being fitted with a larger barrage . Max notes in his review that the larger assault and battery is merely accounting for the big screen .
Max also agreed that the two laptop saw alike degree of stamina : “ During the workweek of using the MacBook Air 15 - inch as my primary employment car day by day , it has fairly much matched the 13 - inch translation in every aspect . I did n’t necessitate to get through for the charger at all during a typical 9 - to-5:30 workday . ”
So just like with performance , you do n’t need to worry about shelling life when choose between the 13 - inch and 15 - in MacBook Air .
Verdict
There really is n’t much difference between the 13 - inch MacBook Air and 15 - column inch MacBook Air beyond sizing and speakers . Our tests have confirmed that the conflict in carrying out and bombardment life sentence is negligible .
So if you ’re happy to drop more and get a larger screen , then the 15 - column inch MacBook Air is a howling buy . Or if you ’d rather save some money or are happy with the more portable design , then the 13 - inch MacBook Air is the way to go .
