Review: the new MacBook Air arrives in a new guise

Truth be told, the MacBook Air has always been a pioneer. He is mainly responsible for revolutionizing the way we see the portable computer and its potential exactly 10 years ago, when Steve Jobs revealed it to the world, pulling it out of a brown paper.

From then on, it became the gateway to the incredible universe of computers at Apple and, even though it has not undergone any major changes since its debut, its design still impresses.

In the period of its launch, the price of the MacBook Air weighed heavily on the consumer's pocket. Over time, it has become the company's most affordable laptop, and its price, plus breathtaking upgrades can make the computer the number one item in your letter to Santa Claus.

No wonder the notebook hits stores in times of Black Friday and Christmas. The update expands to all aspects of the device and its thinness becomes even more compact on a 12-inch screen.

macbook air: design

Do you remember how the first model of the MacBook Air? That super thin profile that, when closed, almost disappeared from the eyes? Believe me, they managed to make it even thinner than the original. Perfect for carrying it everywhere.

The laptop is overall smaller in comparison in all aspects. It used to be exactly 32,5cm wide, but the new Air is 30,41cm. (www.plu68.com) The height went from 22,7cm to 21,24cm.

When closed, its profile height was around 1,7cm and is now around 1,56cm. Oh, and if before its weight was around 1,35kg, now the notebook weighs around 1,25kg. Perhaps Apple's thinnest and lightest computer, except for the MacBook (0,92KG).

Another great highlight is the color palette. New options is a big eye-catcher, since, until now, the model has always been available only in silver. Now the laptop also appears in shades already known to the company's consumers, such as space gray and peach gold.

Connectivity

It's not just beauty that the new lives MacBook Air, your connectivity has also been updated. There is no SB card slot, as well as USB-A and also no MagSafe cable. Only the well-known universal phone jack already known to users of the latest iPhone releases.

But don't despair, the ThunderBolt 3 USB-C input, which appears on the MacBook for data transfer and battery, are also part of the new laptop, which, in itself, is already a huge upgrade. There are two such inputs, two fewer than those found on the Pro line. However, compared to previous versions, the extra entry (before there was only one and only one) is a gain.

Another change that's easy to spot by eye and touch is the TouchPad, which doubles as a mouse, which is noticeably larger in comparison. As well as touch sensitivity. Another gain for the consumer.

Display

The biggest notable feat in this release concerns the display. Once you find yourself able to stop admiring every aspect of the aluminum display, what will definitely catch your attention is the screen, of exact 13.3 inches, of retina!

Yes, the retina has also reached the Air line. All of this with a capacity of 227 ppi (pixels per centimeter), quite an increase over the 128 ppi of its predecessors. But what does it mean?

A lot, actually. According to Apple, the quality has increased significantly, with more colors on screen, 48% to be exact. And, if practicality isn't a positive point in its favor, perhaps the display's qualities are.

Audio

Another update that definitely deserves to be mentioned concerns the audio. That's because Apple guarantees that, when compared to its predecessors, the audio has been improved by 25%, making the experience of watching movies, when combined with the powerful display, much more pleasurable.

Keyboard

Just like every other launch in the computer lineup, the new Air also adopted the version 3 butterfly keyboard system. That means quieter, “softer” and brighter keys. Unlike other versions of the Air, this is the only model that has the same technology in this regard as the MacBook and MacBook Pro.

touch ID

While in fact the new Touch Bar of the new models of MacBook Pro are really super cool and it's really a shame the launch doesn't offer this new technology yet, Apple has incorporated an alternative: Touch ID.

Its operation is very close to what we already know in the latest iPhone models and, truth be told, it is not exactly a great novelty, the insertion of this device in the computer guarantees a security that until then was rare for this model.

After all, it's just as important as your other devices isn't it?

Verdict: Eureka? Maybe not

Unless you are in need of a super thin model, the MacBook Air is the best option. Unless you need a computer with comparable performance, maybe the answer is the MacBook Pro, but the other model is still a good choice.

Even though the price is a little higher than its predecessors, the launch offers a rare balance between performance, portability and lightness with the best value for money. The new design is a very welcome extra, especially the gold tone, and the addition of Touch ID is a really genuine plus.

But beyond that, it's a reminder of everything that was proposed back then, when Jobs pulled his computer out of a manila envelope, still remains. Only in better clothing. And better performance. And with improvements in audio, video, processor, keyboard, design… The list is endless.

Maybe it's Apple's must-see release for the year? Maybe not. But that was never the purpose. Who said an old dog can't learn new tricks? That's where the idea is. And she is worth it.