New MacBook Air Announced With Magic Keyboard, Up to 2x Faster Performance, and Lower $999 Starting Price

[Reason077]

For those wondering, I think they put the i3-1000G4, i5-1030G7 and i7-1060G7 in this generation. These are 10nm CPU's with a 9 watt TDP.

Thanks. It's frustrating that Apple doesn't specify exactly what processors they have on the "Tech Specs" page!

I'm curious how the 10th-gen "Iris Plus Graphics" in the new Air perform compared to the "Iris Plus Graphics 640" in my 2018 MacBook Pro. Quite tempted by this Air, particularly by the keyboard, but if the graphics are a downgrade I'll reconsider...

 

[SvenLorenz1975]

No WiFi 6 has to be an error on the webpage, right?

 

[llllllllll]

Seeing the price for leveling up from i5 to i7 quad core is negligible this seems like a no brainer -
or are there reasons to avoid the i7 like thermal issues or battery life?

 

[theluggage]

I don't get it. Why is an overall better computer cheaper than the previous models?

Well, for one thing, the old entry-level Air had a 2-core i5-8210Y ($281-$393 "recommended customer price" according to ark.intel.com) so the relevant update would have been the 10th gen, i5-10210Y at $292 - which, thanks to the march of progress, now has 4 cores. But instead of using that and giving us a 4-core, entry MBA at the same price as the old 2 core, Apple have gone downmarket to a 2 core i3-1000G4. Intel haven't published the price of that yet, but here's betting it's cheaper.

Not saying that's a bad thing - the new chip may well be ideal for the job. It's not like the Mac Mini where they pulled the same trick (expensive mobile-class i5 -> much cheaper desktop-class i3) and increased the price...

Also, the "generous" SSD capacity bump is probably because 64GB chips are falling out of demand (so they get expensive) and replacing 2x64GB with a single 128GB chip knobbles the performance.

 

[PostApple2016BrainWash]

The Intel i5 comet-lake y with 5w is even better for a 12” MB that can price at $999 as well.

 

[anarche]

shipping of April 3-10 if I take the i5 chip and the 256 GB SSD

 

[PostApple2016BrainWash]

I don't get it. Why is an overall better computer cheaper than the previous models? I can only think that Apple was overcharging customers.

The 2018 MBA indeed was overcharging the customer.

 

[Hook1903]

Should i upgrade my mbp 19 base model for quad-core? I’m using mac for xcode only.

 

[torana355]

Can see this machine being a top seller. Finally 256gb of base storage at the right price and with a proper keyboard. Might sell my 2018 mba and upgrade.

 

[autoturk]

It’s based on Intel’s ARK specifications.

Intel® Core™ i5-1030G7 Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz) - Product Specifications | Intel

Intel® Core™ i5-1030G7 Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.50 GHz) quick reference with specifications, features, and technologies.

ark.intel.com

Right, but do we know that Apple has configured this machine to be a 12W machine? It's a big jump to go from 7 W in the previous model to 12 W with the same chassis. Just want to make sure before ordering an i7

 

[DeepIn2U]

What is this persistence in making the iPad a laptop? If I had the choice between a MacBook or even this new iPad with trackpad keyboard, I would choose MacBook all day.

The Navigator (1984 Youtube prototype)
^ that's your answer ... heck even then they thought of an interactive AI assistant.

Given all the apps and file manager and archiver you use on macOS if fully immersive and non-restrictive on an iPadOS you'd probably have thoughts reconsidering, others may possibly. But I like the design of the current gen MBP as much as I loved the Ti-Book.

 

[Icaras]

Spectacular update! Ok Apple, now redesigned iMac next!

 

[joeswamp]

Thank God I can finally replace my 2011 MacBook Air!!!!

 

[Jury]

I can see that the MBA bezel is not symmetrical. Please get it to look as even as possible.

 

[ColdSugar]

I am happy it works for you. I don’t understand what this normal stuff is. For me I find the 2019 MBP can’t even handle basic web browsing and email while running word. I’d call that light usage, but it coughs after a short period of light usage. If I need to use more intense Apps I have to close everything first.

If your 2019 machine can't handle Word, Mail/Outlook and web browsing at the same time without stuttering, then it sounds like something is wrong with your Mac in particular.

 

[Dave-Z]

Amazing. A nice machine with a fair price.

Pity it runs macOS Catalina.

 

[nordique]

This is a fantastic Air refresh

10th gen intel chips are very good for laptops, plus the better value (2x storage) at 100$ USD base price lower....

this is a great deal in Canada as well. I think I'll be trading in my 2016 retina Macbook with charging issues for this.

Core M to Ice Lake is a very big processing jump.

 

[KPOM]

Right, but do we know that Apple has configured this machine to be a 12W machine? It's a big jump to go from 7 W in the previous model to 12 W with the same chassis. Just want to make sure before ordering an i7

If you click on the link, you’ll see that the 800MHz Core i5 1030G7 is configurable up to 1.1GHz with a 3.5GHz top Turbo Boost speed, and support for 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory. That matches the specs of the base quad-core. Same if you check out the 1.0GHz Core i7 boosted to 12W. Remember the chassis is very similar to the 13” Pro which starts at 15W with the single-fan design.
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This is a fantastic Air refresh

10th gen intel chips are very good for laptops, plus the better value (2x storage) at 100$ USD base price lower....

this is a great deal in Canada as well. I think I'll be trading in my 2016 retina Macbook with charging issues for this.

Core M to Ice Lake is a very big processing jump.

It is a big jump, though it is 40% heavier. At least the other specs are significantly improved (Thunderbolt, quad-core if you go for the $1299 model, better keyboard). I had a hard time justifying the 2019 MacBook Air. This is a much better deal.

 

[uandme72]

Do we think a MBP upgrade will follow this week?

I think Mac Pro will be updated in September 2020.

 

[Jury]

Thank God I can finally replace my 2011 MacBook Air!!!!

APPLE needs to put back the MagSafe port!!

 

[Matthew.H]

The quad-core i5/16GB RAM/256GB 2020 Air for £1299 is a pretty tempting upgrade from my base model Mid 2014 13" Macbook Pro.

I only really use my laptop for web browsing and generally don't have more than a couple of programs running.
Half think of waiting for the 14" Pro but it will be heavier and likely cost a fair bit more. Plus I don't like the TB.

 

[iMi]

It would be nice to know which models have the Intel 11th generation graphics. The processor stack for Intel is so confusing now.

It has the 10th generation chips with the integrated Iris Plus (11th gen) replacing last generation's UHD Graphics 617.

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Overall, great update. Unfortunately the Air is not enough for what I need, so I'll definitely stick with the MBP16. Glad to see Apple brining more performance for the buck though. The new MacBook Pro is a beast, incredibly well equipped and honestly a fantastic value when compared to similar Windows machines. Now the Air pucks a pretty solid punch, especially considering the cost.

I hope this helps drive Mac sales. The more users, the better.

Edit: Corrected wrong info

 

[ilikewhey]

They just killed any reason to get the MBP 13.

Depends, if this model has the same passive Heatsink than a 13 mbp is still better

 

[imp3rator]

ilikewhey : But last year Air does have a fan

 

[kjvmartin]

I bootcamp into Window for Ages of Empires 2 Definitive Edition on my 2017 i5 base MacBook Pro. It's acceptable, but obviously not super great.

I would love this new MB Air, but it seems like the clock speed is too low and the processor may throttle bit. Thoughts on that?

What's up with these super low clock speeds also?