MacBook Air 2020: Is It Worth It?

If you’re in the market for a new laptop, you may have heard the news about one of Apple’s newest releases — the MacBook Air 2020. As one of Apple’s most popular computers, the MacBook Air has received some updates, one of them being the keyboard. It comes in gold, silver and space gray and is sure to be a contender for your next device. 

The many updates bring some cons along with pros. While experts are praising the new keyboard and trackpad, sound and design, others criticize the workload capability and webcam. The battery life will depend on how you use it. Overall, the laptop is receiving a more positive reception than negative, especially with a base model starting at $999.

Design

The MacBook Air 2020 is sleek. At 2.8 pounds and dimensions of 11.9 x 8.4 x 0.6, the laptop is lightweight and practical. The integration of Touch ID adds more convenience as it can replace your passwords and make online purchases a breeze. 

The 13.3-inch display comes with a resolution of 2560×1600 and 227 pixels per inch. Notably, Apple has increased the brightness of the new Air’s screen like never before. Also, the TrueTone feature makes for a nice touch since it adjusts the screen’s color temperature automatically according to your environment.

On the right side, you’ll find the standard headphone jack. You’ll also see two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the left. Some experts were expecting more ports, but this is no surprise — Apple tends to forgo them on their smaller models. 

The standard model starts with the Intel 10th Gen Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD. You could upgrade as high as the Core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM and 2TB SSD as well. 

Performance

The new Air’s performance is pushing laptops forward. First, the audio received an increase of 25% and twice the bass, according to Apple. As for visual, the 720p webcam remains the same, but perhaps with more color accuracy. The continued graininess has been at the center of some calls for updates for a while. 

As for its processing, The MacBook Air 2020 uses 1.1GHz Intel Core processors on the standard model that can jump up to 3.2GHz during periods of intense activity. This setup is an improvement from previous Air models and an area of praise from critics. However, if you’re going to be working with heavy-duty software like Lightroom, you may experience a slowdown. 

As for the battery, Apple states that it can run up to 11 hours with regular use. This number will decrease depending on how you use it, though. If you’re going to employ many different Mac apps, programs and software, you’ll probably see shorter battery life. 

Keyboard and Trackpad

Yes, it’s true. Apple has finally gotten rid of the butterfly keyboard that has lead to many issues and criticism. Instead, they’ve given the 2020 Air the new Magic Keyboard. With a depth of 1mm, the new scissor-switch keyboard is more responsive, accurate and comfortable than the previous butterfly model. Apple has also brought back the inverted-T arrow keys. 

With the trackpad, it’s bigger than ever before at 4.7 x 3.2 inches. Apple recently started expanding the size of their trackpads. The click responds well, just like the new keyboard. Both of these new updates have been the center of attention for customers. 

Should You Buy the MacBook Air 2020?

The pros seem to outweigh the cons, but should you buy it? Is the MacBook Air 2020 worth it? It’s going to depend.

This laptop is a step forward for Apple and is sure to be a memorable one. The company will likely take the best features from this model and apply it to their other products. However, if you’re going to be working with a lot of software or games, you might want to look into a MacBook Pro, which can manage heavy-duty activity. Still, the Air can handle its fair share of work. 

If you’re looking for a laptop for regular, everyday use, the MacBook Air is perfect for you. You can buy it online from Apple starting at $999 for the base model.