MacBook Air 2018: what we want to see | Computing
In 2018, the MacBook Air is in a weird place. While it still features the same design it’s had since 2010 and a 5th-generation Intel Broadwell CPU – now three generations behind the MacBook Pro and two behind the MacBook – it’s still the most affordable way to get your hands on a laptop that runs macOS High Sierra.
However, that might not be true for long. There have been a ton of rumors revolving around either a cheaper MacBook Air, a 13-inch Retina MacBook or both that may be releasing later this year. We were expecting a MacBook Air at WWDC 2018, but it was a no-show, so we think it’ll come out in the second half of 2018, just in time for the holiday shopping rush.
However, the MacBook Air we reviewed here is still the best option for anyone to get into macOS without spending a fortune. It should still serve you well, even if it is in dire need of an upgrade.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? A hopeful sequel to Apple’s most popular laptop
- When is it out? June 2018 at the earliest
- What will it cost? Hopefully as much as current models
MacBook Air 2018 release date
Over the last several years, the MacBook Air has received updates on an annual basis since its initial release in 2008, and in largely different months during those years. However, June has always been the most likely month to see the release of a new MacBook Air.
Don’t expect much about the MacBook Air price to change year over year – its affordability is a huge part of its continued draw.
While WWDC 2018 came and went with no new hardware, we have seen speculation that Apple is planning to release five different MacBooks this year – with the MacBook Pro 15 and 13-inch being two of them. So, we’re thinking the MacBook Air 2018 will be one of them. As for when we see it, we could see Apple imitating the release of the MacBook Pro, and just releasing it out of the blue. However, it could announce the new MacBook Air at the iPhone event in September, as well.
So, that Digitimes report may have been right, we might actually see it debut in October or November, in time for the holiday shopping rush. We’re past the halfway point of 2018, so a MacBook Air 2018 announcement grows closer every day – keep this page bookmarked so you don’t miss it.
MacBook Air 2018 price
Of course, until we see an actual announcement from Apple, we know next to nothing regarding the price of the MacBook Air 2018. But, the wait is almost over. We’re fully expecting to get this information later today.
We initially weren’t expecting pricing to change much – Apple has nailed the prices for the MacBook Air, starting at $999 (about £949, AU$1,499). But, in light of recent rumors we expect the starting model to come down in price, possibly using a lower-priced ARM processor.
It would be a surprise if Apple were to throw one of its newfangled T series processors (based on ARM architecture) inside a MacBook Air 2018.
From there, you can double the starting model’s 128GB SSD capacity to 256GB for another $200, £150 or AU$300.
If pricing were to change this year, we’d wager that Apple would simply make room for that rumored 13-inch, entry-level MacBook by either bumping up or knocking down this MacBook Air’s hardware and adjust accordingly. Though, it’s probably more likely that Apple would just shutter the laptop line altogether if that aforementioned MacBook is a reality.
We’ll look out for new rumors and update this article as soon as the MacBook Air 2018 price begins to grow clearer.
What we want to see in MacBook Air 2018
Naturally, this 100% lack of any truly substantial information about the forthcoming 2018 MacBook Air gives us plenty of room to draw up a wishlist. So, here’s what we want to see from a MacBook Air for 2018.
Up-to-date components all around
This is the most basic and essential of requests, but the MacBook Air could really use a soup to nuts upgrade. From the processor to the ports and screen resolution, everything about the MacBook Air could do with ample refinements.
This should start with the design of the laptop. In its current state, the MacBook Air appears more antiquated than the Windows laptops that have shamelessly ripped it off. What it needs now more than ever is a Retina display that goes as bezel-less as possible without sacrificing the webcam.
We’ve seen a wealth of rumors that suggest that the 2018 MacBook Air will feature 8th-generation Intel Core processors, which would go a long way to making the MacBook Air a more compelling device.
However, there are other rumors circulating that there will be a MacBook Air with an ARM processor, and if so, we could be seeing a faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient MacBook Air with maybe even some LTE functionality – bringing new weight to the name ‘MacBook Air’.
A better screen
There’s no argument from us that the MacBook Air’s display needs to get with the times. By now, every other MacBook except the Air is using a Retina display featuring at least 226 pixels per inch (ppi). Meanwhile, the MacBook Air remains stagnant at only 128 ppi, a measly 1,440 x 900 pixels on a 13.3-inch panel.
We can conclude, then, that the resolution has to get a bump of at least 76% in order to keep up with Apple’s other products. Fortunately, the webcam doesn’t necessitate a similar treatment, as the current MacBook Air FaceTime camera already captures video at a higher resolution than the pricier 12-inch MacBook.
No matter how crisp its screen, the MacBook Air 2018 will benefit from the MoltenVK Vulkan API implementation recently introduced for Apple’s Metal 2 graphics framework. This means we can expect to see higher frame rates across the board for a number of multiplatform games available for macOS including, but not limited to, Dota 2.
The traditional keyboard stays
For as much as we appreciate the revised butterfly hinge keyboard in the MacBook and MacBook Pro, we’d really like to see at least one Apple laptop hold onto its traditional keyboard. There’s enough room inside the chassis, and giving fans a choice would be admirable.
That’s not to mention the fact that as good as it is, the butterfly hinge mechanism has its flaws, which Apple has even admitted. So, letting consumers have the choice would not just be good for us, it’d be good for Apple as well. We don’t think Apple wants to endure another class-action lawsuit.
Plus, even though the MacBook Pro is now using a keyboard with a revised Butterfly hinge keyboard with membrane to keep dust out, it doesn’t change the fact that using existing hardware could keep the costs of a revamped MacBook Air down to where they should be – keeping the price low.
Fast charging, please
It shouldn’t be difficult for Apple to maintain the same stellar level of battery life within the MacBook Air if all of its parts are upgraded in tandem. But, just to make the experience that much better, charging the laptop for 10-plus hours of use in a fraction of the time would be nice.
This comes in tandem with the request for new ports, i.e. USB-C for fast charging, but we’d like to see to see the MagSafe cord remain. Even the option for both would be pleasant.
iOS apps on MacBook Pro
Now that it’s been bandied about for a while, we’ve come around to idea of iOS apps on macOS. The prospect of continuing work from our phones straight away on our laptops – or polishing off that top score upon sitting down at the desk – is an exciting one.
And, at the WWDC 2018 keynote, Apple detailed exactly which iOS mainstays will be making their way over to macOS Mojave. You won’t be seeing any third-party apps making their way over, but iOS core apps like News, Stocks, Home and Voice Memos. Apple hinted at third-party apps making their way over to macOS apps in the future, but we’ll have to wait until 2019 to see it.
- These are the best Macs that 2018 has to offer so far
Gabe Carey has also contributed to this report