Apple unveils 'world's thinnest' laptop: the 15-inch MacBook Air

Apple made a significant announcement at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) by introducing the latest addition to its MacBook Air lineup: the 15-inch MacBook Air. Touted as 'the world's best 15-inch laptop,' the new model comes equipped with Apple's advanced M2 chip.

With a thickness of just 11.5mm, Apple claims that the new MacBook Air is the thinnest 15-inch laptop available, weighing slightly over 1.3 kg. The device offers two USB-C Thunderbolt ports that can support up to a 6K external display. It retains the MagSafe charging connector and headphone jack, while customers can choose from four different colors: midnight, starlight, space gray, and silver.

The MacBook Air features a 15.3-inch screen with impressively slim five-millimeter bezels and a brightness of 500 nits. Apple has upgraded the FaceTime HD webcam to 1080p resolution, and the device incorporates three microphones with advanced beamforming algorithms for improved audio quality. Furthermore, users can expect an immersive audio experience with the inclusion of six speakers, including two tweeters and two sets of force-canceling woofers, supporting spatial audio and Dolby Atmos.

Priced at $1,299 (or $1,199 for the education sector), the new MacBook Air is scheduled to be available for purchase starting next week. Alongside this release, Apple has revised the pricing of its smaller model. The 13-inch MacBook Air, now equipped with the M2 chip, will start at $1,099, while the base model with the M1 chip will remain at $999.

Apple asserts that the new MacBook Air will deliver exceptional performance, boasting speeds up to 12 times faster than the fastest Intel MacBook Air models. Additionally, it promises an impressive battery life of up to 18 hours. Apple claims that their latest offering is 25 percent brighter, 40 percent thinner, twice as fast, and half a pound lighter than a best-selling 15-inch Intel Core i7 PC laptop.

Similar to its predecessors, the new MacBook Air features a fanless design. It will debut with macOS Ventura and transition to macOS Sonoma upon its release later this year.

The introduction of the 15-inch MacBook Air fills a gap in Apple's MacBook lineup, providing a midrange option for consumers seeking a larger screen without the added computing power and cost of the 14-inch and 16-inch Pro models.

This new MacBook Air model also appeals to users who have been waiting for a compelling 15-inch option, as it strikes a balance between the smaller 14-inch screen and the heavier 16-inch MacBook Pro, particularly for those engaged in creative work. The lightweight design of the 15-inch MacBook Air may prove appealing to users who have found themselves caught between the two models in recent years.