MacBook Air 2018: What's new with Apple's revamped lightweight laptop, and how it compares to the other MacBook ranges.
Apple has revealed the new MacBook Air 2018 range. The new ultra-portable comes with a 13.3-inch Retina Display screen bordered by a super-skinny bezel, Touch ID, storage up to 1.5TB and memory up to 16GB with everything powered by a dual-core Intel Core i5 CPU.
The new MacBook Air 2018 range, which goes on sale today, November 7, was revealed during Apple’s October 30 event along with a slew of other gadgets, including a new Mac mini and iPad Pro.
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook and vice president of hardware engineering Laura Grove talked through the basics of the new MacBook Air range during the launch event. Read on for every scrap of information we have on the new laptop.
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MacBook Air 2018 – What’s new?
Grove said the new 13.3-inch Retina Display “quadruples” the pixel count of the old MacBook Air range, boasting a 2560×1600 native resolution. The MacBook Air also promises “48% more colour” than the previous iteration’s screen.
With shells which are fashioned entirely from recycled aluminium, these are the most environmentally friendly MacBook Airs to date. You’re free to pick between Gold, Silver and Space Grey finishes too.
Not happy with Silver? The new MacBook Air is also available in Space Grey and Gold finishes
As well as cranking up the pixel count, Grove said that Apple engineers have shrunk the bezels by 50%, taking the display “right to the edge of the enclosure”. The the new MacBook Air is even lighter now too, weighing in at 1.25kg.
Other features coming to the new MacBook Air include those what we’ve seen elsewhere in Apple’s laptop ranges over the years. These are the Touch ID fingerprint scanner, which lets you confirm iTunes purchases as well as unlock your device, an always-on audio processor for constant Siri support, a Force Touch trackpad and a 3rd-gen butterfly keyboard.
In terms of ports, you’ll get two Type-C USB ports supporting Thunderbolt 3, along with a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The top end storage option is a 1.5TB SSD, while the maximum amount of memory you’ll be able to get in your new MacBook Air is 16GB of 2133MHz RAM.
A dual-core 8th gen Intel Core i5 CPU with a base clock speed of 1.6GHz and boost speed of 3.6GHz runs the show, promising speeds that will delight both web browsers and creatives.
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MacBook Air 2018 – Specifications
Want the exact specifications? We’ve piled them all into the table below so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.
| MacBook Air 2018 | |
| Display | 13.3-inch Retina Display, 2560 x 1600 LED |
| Processor | 8th Gen Intel Core i5, base clock 1.6GHz, boost up to 3.6GHz |
| Memory | 8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 RAM (configurable up to 16GB) |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1.5TB SSD |
| Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 617 |
| Ports | 2 x Type-C USB (Thunderbolt 3 support), 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Connectivity | 802.11ac Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Misc | 720p FaceTime HD camera, TouchID, T2 security chip, 3rd-gen butterfly switched keys |
| Dimensions | 4.1–15.6 x 304.1 x 212.4 mm |
| Weight | 1.25kg |
| Battery | Up to 13 hours video playback (iTunes) |
| Price range | from £1199 ($1199 in US) |
MacBook Air 2018 release date – When is the MacBook Air 2018 coming out?
Thanks to the new Retina Display, this looks to be the most stunning MacBook Air screen yet
The new MacBook Air goes on sale today, November 7.
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MacBook Air 2018 price – How much will the new MacBook Air cost?
A new MacBook Air with 128GB of storage costs £1199. Fancy 256GB storage instead? Then you’ll have to cough up £1399.
Both configurations are a little more expensive than we were expecting, especially when you consider the 2017 range started at £949. Then again, you’re getting a beefier processor and plenty of nifty features in return.
What would you like to see on the new MacBook Air? Let us know @TrustedReviews.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
