The New MacBook vs MacBook Air: Battle of the razor thin ultrabooks
The new MacBook from Apple is currently the world’s most efficient laptop, running at only 5Watt of power, it does not require active cooling so no noisy fans and even slimmer body.
When considering an ultra portable laptop, with the new MacBook (Silver) profile so closely resembling the MacBook Air 13 which would you go for?
MacBook vs MacBook Air
To make your decision easier we highlight the key differences:
Advantages of MacBook over MacBook Air
- Owing to the screen size, the new MacBook is smaller and lighter
- The new MacBook has Retina screen with higher resolution and pixel density
- MacBook uses the new generation, more efficient processor, offering more processor options
- The new MacBook is thinner overall, smaller footprint and lighter at 0.92kg
- MacBook has more memory at 8GB and bigger starting storage at 256GB
- MacBook uses the new generation USB-C port, single port everything (power, video and expansion)
- The new MacBook uses Force Touch trackpad with haptic response that mimics a click and hard tapping gives options)
- MacBook has more colour options; Silver, Gold, Space Grey
Advantages of MacBook Air 13 over MacBook
- MacBook Air 13 has bigger screen but not Retina display
- MacBook Air 13 has same aspect ratio as the new MacBook
- MacBook Air 13 has higher clock speed and even higher Turbo Boost speed
- MacBook Air 13 has thinner taper but not as thin as MacBook, bigger footprint and heavier at 1.35kg vs 0.92kg
- MacBook Air 13 has more storage options but smaller starting storage, 128GB and less starting memory at 4GB.
- MacBook Air 13 has better battery life of up to 12 hours instead of 9-10 hours on MacBok
- MacBook Air 13 has more connectivity ports (2 x USB 3.0, Thunderbolt 2 (MiniDisplay) and separate MagSafe 2 power port)
- MacBook Air 13 has SDXC card slot for memory expansion or simply to transfer images or video from camera.
The new one port approach, USB-C for everything may be restrictive but it does make the laptop look tidier and smaller. The ability to squeeze so many features found on a big laptop including that Retina display into an ultra slim, ultra lightweight body is a marvel on its own.
While it manages more memory at 8GB, a bigger starting storage capacity at 256GB and the new force touch keyboard compared to the MacBook Air, it does not have the same battery life, no built in ports (you will need separate adapters), no SDXC card slot and separate MagSafe 2 power port.
If you like all things new, small and shiny especially when you can now get them in three different colours; Silver, Gold and Space Grey to match your new iPhone 6 or iPad Air then the MacBook is for you. But if you would prefer a bigger screen, more battery life and more connectivity options without paying for adapters then stick with your MacBook Air and pocket the price difference.
Direct Comparison Table
See our direct spec-by-spec comparison table below for more information.
| MacBook (12-inch) | MacBook Air (13-inch) |
| 12‑inch (diagonal) LED‑backlit Retina display2304 x 1440 resolution at 226 pixels per inch with support for millions of colours [HIGHER RESOLUTION & PIXEL DENSITY]16:10 aspect ratio | 13.3‑inch (diagonal) LED‑backlit widescreen display [BIGGER SCREEN]1440 x 900 pixels16:10 aspect ratio |
| 1.1GHz, 1.2GHz, or 1.3GHz dual‑core Intel Core M processor Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz4MB shared L3 cache.Choices:1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.4GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache1.2GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor (Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache.[NEW GENERATION, MORE EFFICIENT, MORE PROCESSOR OPTIONS] |
1.6GHz dual‑core Intel Core i5 or 2.2GHz dual‑core Intel Core i7 processor Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz3MB/4MB shared L3 cache.Choices:1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache2.2GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache.[HIGHER CLOCK SPEEDS, HIGHER TURBO BOOST SPEED] |
| 0.14 to 0.52 inch thin (0.35–1.31 cm) [SLIMMER OVERALL]Height: 0.35–1.31 cm (0.14–0.52 inches)Width: 28.05 cm (11.04 inches)Depth: 19.65 cm (7.74 inches) [SMALLER FOOTPRINT]
Weight: 0.92 kg (2.03 pounds) [LIGHTER] |
0.11 to 0.68 inch thin (0.3–1.7 cm) [THINNER TAPER]Height: 0.3-1.7 cm (0.11-0.68 inches)Width: 32.5 cm (12.8 inches)Depth: 22.7 cm (8.94 inches) [BIGGER FOOTPRINT]
Weight: 1.35 kg (2.96 pounds) [HEAVIER] |
| 8GB memory of 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory – [MORE MEMORY] | 4GB or 8GB memory – [LESS MEMORY] |
| 256GB, 512GB (Up to 512GB flash storage) – [BIGGER STARTING STORAGE] | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB (Up to 512GB flash storage) |
| Intel HD Graphics 5300Dual display and video mirroring: simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840×2160 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colours | Intel HD Graphics 6000Dual display and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840×2160 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colours |
| Up to 9 hours wireless web3Up to 10 hours iTunes movie playback3Integrated 39.7‑watt‑hour lithium‑polymer battery29W USB‑C Power Adapter with cable management system
USB‑C power port |
Up to 12 hours wireless webUp to 12 hours iTunes movie playback [BETTER BATTERY LIFE]Integrated 54‑watt‑hour lithium‑polymer battery45W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter with cable management system
MagSafe 2 power port |
| Port(s) and Connectivity [SINGLE PORT]:USB-C port –USB3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gbps),Native DisplayPort 1.2 video output,
VGA output using USB-C VGA Multiport Adapter (sold separately), HDMI video output using USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter (sold separately)
802.11ac Wi‑Fi Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
FaceTime camera – 480p FaceTime camera
Full‑size backlit keyboard with butterfly mechanism Force Touch trackpad [FORCE TOUCH] External USB SuperDrive (requires adapter; sold separately) |
Port(s) and Connectivity [MORE PORTS]:Two USB 3 portsThunderbolt 2 port
802.11ac Wi‑Fi Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
FaceTime HD camera 720p FaceTime camera
Full‑size backlit keyboard Multi‑Touch trackpad [NO FORCE TOUCH]
SDXC card slot [MEMORY CARD READER]
External USB SuperDrive (sold separately) |
| OS X Yosemite Photos, iMovie, GarageBand, Pages, Numbers, Keynote |
|
| Colour Option [MORE OPTIONS]:Gold, Silver, Space Grey | Colour Option:Silver |
| Price: from £1049 (USD 1299) | Price: from £849 (USD 999) [CHEAPER] |
