Over five years have passed since the introduced on the MacBook Air line. However, Apple have recently updated its collection to include Intel’s new Haswell processor. We take a look at the 11-inch MacBook Air to see how the new processor affects its performance.
The 11-incher weighs just 1.08kg and is primarily constructed from aluminium. It’s sleek, stylish and effortlessly cool.
The new generation of MacBook Air is Apple’s first computer to feature Haswell, Intel’s latest CPU. So, what does this mean?
Whereas we could expect roughly five hours or so of battery life from the 2012 11-inch Air, the 2013 model boasts a reported nine hours, offering the ability to do a full day’s work without having to recharge.
Haswell also brings a 40% improved graphics performance thanks to the Intel HD 5000 graphics chip that’s integrated into the CPU. This means that the new MacBook Air should prove more capable for graphically-intensive tasks than previous Air models.
Although the display doesn’t come close to the Pro Retina screen, it’s still a decent display with intense colours and good viewing angles. The keyboard and the trackpad are also faultless.
The 11-inch Air sports two USB 3.0 ports, a combined Thunderbolt and MiniDisplay port, a combined headphones and line in port, and a MagSafe 2 connector. The new Air also sports the 802.11ac WiFi standard, so coupled with the new Airport Extreme, it offers significantly quicker WiFi speeds.
The 2013 11-inch MacBook Air is currently Apple’s most affordable laptop, and it offers a great deal for your money. It looks great, performs impeccably and offers superb battery life, making it the finest, number one choice for a laptop of its size.
