Apple Macbook Air 2017 | Specifications, Price, Features
Apple has updated its processor on 13in MacBook Air from 1.6GHz to 1.8GHz. It can’t be considered as a massive improvement as the new processor is from the same generation. But still, MacBook remains to be the favourite for an entry-level Mac laptop.
This laptop is the one you can see in coffee shops, libraries, offices, and student digs all over the world. It’s cannot be considered as a new model since its only an update done in its processor. There were some minor processor and port changes in 2015, but since then the only real updates have been found on the processor speed and a welcome doubling of the default memory from 4GB to 8GB. It’s available only in One silvery colour.
Processor, Graphics and RAM
The update in 2017 has been limited to the slightly faster processor and rest everything remains the same from the 2015 model in which the same Intel “Broadwell” processor (1.6GHz) was used. A small speed bump from 1.6 to 1.8 GHz has been offered by the new processor in MacBook Air 2017.
Apple offers a feature, Turbo Boost, which overclocks the processor to push to greater speeds if the power is available and the temperature is at the safe level enabling to work faster. The standard 1.8GHz i5 can be pushed to 2.9GHz.
Storage
The difference between MacBook Air 2015 and MacBook Air 2017 is the storage capacity. Air’s “solid state” drives ADD drives can be got either in standard form (128GB or 256GB) or you can double the maximum onboard storage to 512GB.
Ports and Slots
It has the same side ports as the 2015 models in MacBook 2017. Two USB 3 ports up to 5Gbps for the usual peripherals, one Thunderbolt 2 port up to 20 Gbps, MagSafe 2 power port for power and peripheral making it to require £69 ($69).
It has SDXC camera card slot and 5mm headphone jack. It boasts same great 802.11ac Wi-Fi standards as the top-of-the-range MacBook Pro.
Screen
Its screen is a 13.3in diagonal LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with a resolution of 1440×900 pixels and a pixel density of roughly 128 pixels per inch. The screen does use less power, though, and contributes to the lower overall cost.
Price
The MacBook Air is the cheapest new Mac laptop starting at ₹57,990 for the 128G model. The 256GB Air is priced at $1,199 and 512GB Air with ₹75,490.
Installed Software and apps
Lot of great Apple apps including FaceTime for free video calls and other similar apps for Apple devices and office apps, plus photo archiving, movies making, music making and listening apps can be accessed in MacBook Air.
Specifications
8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with 3MB shared L3 cache with the custom option of 2.2GHz Intel Core i7 processor.
- 1600MHz LPDDR3 RAM 8GB
- 128GB, 256GB or 512GB PCIe-based flash storage.
- 3in, 1440×900 pixel display
- Intel HD graphics 6000
- 11ac Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Ports:2×USB 3; 1×Thunderbolt 2; 1×SDXC Card slot; 1×3.5mm headphone jack
- Stereo Speakers
- 720p FaceTime HE camera
- Full-size backlit keyboard with Ambient light sensor, Multi-Touch tracks
- 54-watt-hour battery: Up to 12 hours wireless web browsing
- Height: 0.3–1.7cm (0.11–0.68in)
- Width: 32.5cm (12.8in)
- Depth: 22.7cm (8.94in)
- Weight: 1.35kg (2.96lb)
Drawbacks
- MacBook Air is having limited hardware upgradeability.
- The memory and processor components of the device are solved together in a single circuit board.
- It has an outdated screen display sporting low resolution twisted nematic (TN-LCD) with low pixel density, unpleasant colour reproduction and restricted viewing angle.
- Limited internal storage capacity.
- The maximum storage you can get is 512GB that too comes with a price.
- Not a good choice for Power users such as graphic designers and gamers.
- High price tag
Conclusion
MacBook Air is a line of portable Mackintosh computer from Apple first introduced by Steve Jobs during 2008 MWC. The aforementioned specifications of MacBook Air make it an all-around every-day laptop. With mobility from a compact build and design, this ultra-portable laptop from Apple is ideal for students and business professionals.
Originally published at geekyalien.com on February 21, 2018.
