“The new MacBook Air 2018 brings a slimmer design, Retina display, and Touch ID fingerprint sensor”
Apple has launched the first MacBook Air model with a Retina display, a feature that the entry-level laptop line had been missing for years despite users’ demands. The bezels are thinner by as much as 50 percent, but the display is still 13.3-inch in size with resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. The higher pixel density makes the new MacBook Air 2018 display sharper, and the company claims the colours are 48 percent richer. Along with the first Retina MacBook Air, the company also unveiled a new and more powerful Mac mini model.
The higher-resolution display aside, the new Retina MacBook Air integrates the Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the keyboard for security. This is complemented by the onboard T2 security chip similar to the one we recently saw on the new Pixel 3 models. Apple claims the refined backlit keyboard design makes it more comfortable to type on, while the new Force Touch trackpad is 20 percent bigger.
The new MacBook Air 2018 is powered by the 8th gen dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with integrated graphics. Buyers can get up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1.5TB of SSD storage that the company says is 60 percent faster for I/O operations. As for the connectivity, it comes with two USB Type-C ports and can support 5K displays. Battery capacity of the new laptop is pegged at 13 hours. The Retina MacBook Air is 15.6mm at its thickest point and weighs 2.75 pounds, resulting in 17 percent less volume. The stereo speakers are now louder and have more bass, accompanied by more mics onboard for FaceTime calls.
Apple also unveiled a new Mac mini at the event, which the company is calling the biggest change to the line. The new Mac mini model is 5x faster than the previous model and comes with up to 64GB of system memory. It looks pretty much the same as the last model but comes in a new Space Gray finish. Buyers can choose between four-core and six-core processors, and flash storage of up to 2TB capacity. The T2 chip has made its way to the Mac mini 2018 too in order to ensure security.
On the connectivity front, the new Mac mini four Thunderbolt 3 ports, one HDMI port, and two USB-A ports. Along with these, the new model offers Gigabit ethernet support as well as a 3.5mm earphone jack. The base model comes with 3.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i3 processor, with options going up to 3.2GHz/ 4.6GHz six-core Intel Core i7 CPU option.
Both the new models are made using a new aluminium alloy made from 100 percent recycled aluminium. This will help lower the carbon footprint of the MacBook Pro by as much as 50 percent. The Mac mini uses both the recycled aluminium alloy and 60 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.
Retina MacBook Air price, release date
The Retina MacBook Air price starts at Rs 1,14,900 for the model with 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD configuration. It will become available for purchase starting November 7th. As for the new Mac Mini, buyers will have to shell out Rs 75,900 for the base model, with pre-orders open today and shipping commencing on November 7th.
