Test : MacBook Air 2018
2018 MacBook Air price and availability
Currently available on Apple, the 2018 MacBook Air has been completely redesigned, both in terms of design and performance. As a result, its selling price exceeds our forecast of €1.
Sure enough, while we thought the new MacBook Air would cost under $1, Apple priced it at $100 for 1GB of storage and $349 for 128GB.
If you want, the previous version of the MacBook Air is still present on the Apple Store, under 1 €.
Design and build of the 2018 MacBook Air
Previously, the MacBook Air only existed in a silver aluminum finish now three choices are available to you: Gold, Silver and Space Gray.
With this color choice, Apple is trying to make its new MacBook Air more attractive and unique.
In addition to the choice of colors, we love that this MacBook Air is made entirely from recycled aluminum. A small step in favor of the environment.
Even keeping its classic design, the 2018 MacBook Air is smaller and thinner.
The new MacBook Air measures 30,41 x 21,24 x 1,56cm compared to 32,5 x 22,7 x 1,7cm (shrinking to 0,3cm) for the previous model.
The real achievement is that Apple has thinned and shrunk the MacBook Air while maintaining the same screen size (13,3 inches). It even lost 10 g, compared to the old MacBook Air (1,35 kg). It is therefore easier to transport.
Screen
The MacBook Air finally has a Retina display, and it was one of the most anticipated improvements.
The new native resolution of 2 x 560 pixels, or 1 pixels per inch (as seen on the 600-inch MacBook Pro) is truly a big leap from the previous generation (227 x 13 pxl). The format, meanwhile, is always 1:440.
MacBook Air 2018 Retina Display
Thanks to the Retina screen, your photos will be sublimated with bright colors, your texts will be clear. Due to its native resolution, which is now more than satisfactory, rendering your videos in Full HD (1×920) is much more pleasant.
Our only disappointment is that it does not benefit from True Tone technology, reserved for the MacBook Pro. This allows you to adjust the colors according to the ambient light.
Also, while the previous MacBook Air's screen was surrounded by thick aluminum edges, on the latest it stretches almost to the ends of the computer. In addition, thanks to its black glass borders, it gains in modernity.
touch ID
Since Face ID cannot be integrated into the MacBook Air, Touch ID has been introduced, in the form of a new sensor above the keyboard.
This feature is easy to activate; it takes place as soon as you turn on your new Mac for the first time. If you want to do it later, then go to System Preferences → touch ID and follow the steps that appear.
You can register three fingerprints on it, which is very convenient for shared use.
If you wish, it is also possible to pay with Apple Pay, thanks to Touch ID. To add a card to Apple Pay, go to System Preferences → Wallet & Apple Pay → Add card.
Note that only one user can configure Apple Pay and that some banks have not yet integrated this technology on their cards.
Hey Siri
The other new feature of the 2018 MacBook Air is the T2 chip, made by Apple. It secures the launch of the computer, encrypts data and allows Siri to listen to you (hold the keys Order et Space pressed).
If during installation you forgot to configure Siri, then go to System Preferences → Crab → Listen for "Hey Siri".
You can ask him to read your latest messages, or to change your wallpaper.
Keyboard and touchpad
Now, the 2018 MacBook Air has the same 'butterfly' keyboard as the 2018 MacBook Pro, which also requires a little more support than the iMac's Magic Keyboard.
Below the keyboard is a new Force Touch trackpad, it's 20% larger than before. For example, when you want to go on the internet, by clicking on 'Safari', you will be able to preview the page to which you will be directed.
MacBook Air 2018 specs and performance
In terms of basic performance, the new MacBook Air packs a 5GHz dual-core Intel Core i1.6 processor, Turbo Boost to 3.6GHz, and offers you 128GB or 256GB of storage. An 3 GB LPDDR8 memory at 2133 MHz, as well as an Intel UHD Graphics 617 chip are integrated into it.
As for the build-to-order options, they include 16GB of RAM (previously only 8GB), 512GB or 1,5TB of storage, and the 1.6GHz processor (Intel Amber Lake Core i5 processor with no option).
The Amber Lake Y processors are less powerful than the Coffee Lake of the MacBook Pro, but they are very suitable for basic or professional use. In addition, they consume less energy which improves autonomy (13 hours).
2018 MacBook Air connectivity and audio
The new MacBook Air only has two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack. The Thunderbolt 3 comes with a USB-C connector, with which you can also connect DisplayPort displays.
The lack of a USB port is a real drawback for those who don't want to buy a €25 adapter. On the other hand, Apple has chosen not to include an SD card reader, which can be frustrating for photographers...
The Magsafe power port is also gone, replaced by a 30W USB‑C power adapter with a USB‑C power port.
