After our time with the new MacBook Air, we are still struggling with the verdict. Besides the device itself, you also have to consider Apple's other laptops, especially the two 13-inch MacBook Pro models. But let's start with the new Air first.



Many customers have waited years for a new MacBook Air. The highlight of the redesign is obviously the screen, which features a high resolution compared to the old Air. However, the quality is not as good as the screen on the more expensive MacBook Pro, neither in terms of luminance nor color gamut. Apple still deserves praise for the great calibration out of the box, because basically all measurements are already in the target range. The new Air also has a glossy screen, which is not surprising, but it is still noticeable compared to the previous generation.

The processor does not leave a good impression after the initial benchmarks, because the performance hardly improved over the small MacBook 12 and the old MacBook Air. The new Air can sustain the (low) level of performance even after longer periods, but you are confronted with a loud fan in return. The latter cannot be justified at this performance level. So is the performance sufficient for many daily tasks? Yes, at least for now. The competition uses much faster CPUs, though, and they are better equipped for the future.

Our initial battery runtime tests determine long results between 11 and 12 hours in the Wi-Fi test, but it also takes quite a while before the battery is charged again. The touchpad is still the benchmark in the notebook segment and the keyboard features a precise stroke, but the typing experience is a matter of taste and you should definitely try it out before you buy the laptop. Overall, the new MacBook Air is still a very good, although very expensive, subnotebook.



The new MacBook Air is better than its predecessor in pretty much every regard, but this is not surprising considering the age of the old model. We like the display, and the performance is sufficient for everyday tasks. If you are looking for a slim laptop with macOS and you don't mind the high price, the new Air is a good choice. However, it is neither without competition nor very innovative.

The comparison with the MacBook Pro 13, more precisely the less-expensive model without the Touch Bar, gives us a bit of a headache though. The new case is certainly very good, but there is not a huge mobility advantage over the MacBook Pro 13. The footprint is identical and the rear of the Air is even slightly thicker compared to the Pro. The weight difference is not crucial, either, at just 100 grams, and it should not influence the purchase decision. The MacBook 12 is still the best choice if you want the most compact Apple laptop.

"MacBook Air" is a very popular brand name, so it makes a lot of sense to continue the series for Apple. The Air used to be the best MacBook for many customers. However, the new Air is much more expensive, and we think it is too expensive, especially considering the comparatively low CPU performance. This is a problem for customers, because Apple holds back a better laptop: the "cheaper" 13-inch MacBook Pro with an 8th Gen. Intel processor, the improved keyboard including Touch-ID and maybe even a TrueTone display. This device would have been an easy recommendation. But Apple could not have justified the new MacBook Air or its high price, respectively. It looks like the marketing department won in this case and we expect Apple will discontinue the MacBook Pro 13 with Function Keys pretty soon. An updated 2018 MacBook Pro 13 with Function Keys would have been the better product for customers.

