Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023) Review: A Spacious Solution for Everyday Users Seeking Performance

Apple presents an impressive variety of Mac computers, with the MacBook Air series often viewed as the highlight of the collection. This line was famously unveiled in 2008 when Steve Jobs dramatically removed it from a manila envelope, and it has evolved into one of Apple’s most beloved Mac offerings. Its popularity stems not only from its compact and lightweight design but also due to its standing as the entry-level laptop in Apple’s portfolio over the years. For many users, it serves as the ideal ‘small laptop’ for those not seeking a high-performance, expensive workstation.

In 2020, Apple unveiled the first MacBook Air powered by its own M1 SoC, and subsequently introduced a redesigned version featuring the M2 processor in 2022. Throughout both iterations, the MacBook Air has maintained a 13-inch screen size, though the updates included design alterations that brought it closer in appearance to the pricier MacBook Pro models.

Zooming ahead to 2023, we are introduced to the new Apple MacBook Air 15, which was debuted at WWDC 2023. As its name indicates, it boasts the largest display ever for a MacBook Air at 15.3 inches, while retaining the same lightweight and slim design, as well as the expected battery duration that the Air line is recognized for. Powered by the Apple M2 SoC and starting at a price of Rs. 1,34,900 in India, this laptop may not feel entirely like a traditional MacBook Air, but it promises an expansive screen experience and competent performance. Here’s my evaluation of the new Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023).

Pricing and Variants of Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023) in India

The MacBook Air 15 starts at Rs. 1,34,900 in India, featuring the M2 chip (8-core CPU and 10-core GPU), 8GB of unified memory, and 256GB of SSD storage. Buyers can select either a 35W dual USB Type-C power adapter or a 70W charger with a single USB Type-C port, at no additional cost. Available colors include Midnight, Starlight, Space Grey, and Silver.

The review model provided by Apple was in the Midnight color with 16GB of unified memory, a 512GB SSD, and the 35W dual USB Type-C power adapter, valued at Rs. 1,74,900 in India. Users can opt for up to 24GB of unified memory and 2TB of SSD storage — this top-tier configuration is available for Rs. 2,54,900. It’s important to note that both memory and storage cannot be upgraded, so select a configuration that you believe will meet your needs going forward.

Design of the Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023)

When the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air debuted in 2022, it marked a shift in design, bringing it closer to the current style of MacBook Pro laptops. This new design features a flatter, more rectangular look, as opposed to the softer lines and curves of previous MacBook Air models. The added size of the 15-inch MacBook Air makes it appear even more akin to the MacBook Pro, fitting neatly between the 14-inch and 16-inch Pro models.

That said, the signature slimness of the Air series is preserved in the 15-inch variant; the laptop remains visibly thinner and lighter compared to the Pro models, with a thickness of just 11.5mm. In fact, the MacBook Air 15 is approximately 90g lighter than the 14-inch MacBook Pro (2023), despite its larger size.

Apple claims this is the thinnest 15-inch laptop globally. Nevertheless, although it’s undeniably slim and light, the large display can make it slightly cumbersome to grip with one hand. While I often transported my previous MacBook Air (2017) with one hand by holding the corner with the lid open, doing that with the MacBook Air 15 is more challenging.

The 15.3-inch display of the latest MacBook Air is expansive and crisp, maintaining the same pixel density as the 13-inch model even with the size enlargement

 

The bezels surrounding the display are slim like those found on other contemporary MacBook models, and the display notch is present to accommodate the 1080p camera. Although the notch is not new, it may require some time to adjust if you’re upgrading from an older MacBook or any laptop without a notch. Fortunately, macOS is optimized to ensure the notch does not interfere with usage, allowing applications to function seamlessly beneath it.

The Midnight color variant is the darkest option available, and it is essential to note that this is merely a coat applied over the natural aluminum color, so even with regular use, some fading may occur, particularly around the edges. The finish also attracts dust and fingerprint smudges, necessitating a cleaning cloth at my workspace (often used multiple times a day).

Interestingly, the MacBook Air 15 maintains the same pixel density as the smaller 13.6-inch M2 version, each displaying around 224ppi. The 15-inch model comes with a resolution of 2880×1864 pixels and a peak brightness rating of 500 nits, providing a genuinely larger screen without compromising detail and clarity.

Visually, the 15-inch Air is strikingly similar to its affordable 13-inch counterpart, lacking the ‘MacBook Air’ branding and sporting a ‘tall’ screen aspect ratio that maximizes space for the keyboard and trackpad. It features a six-speaker system (an upgrade from the four in the 13-inch MacBook Air) positioned ahead of the hinge. The minimalist base has only four visible screws and features a fanless design for silent operation, even under significant load.

The MacBook Air 15 includes a MagSafe charging port, two Thunderbolt/USB Type-C ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack

 

Similar to the 13-inch variant, the 15-inch model provides a MagSafe charging port and two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports on the left side, alongside a 3.5mm headphone socket on the right. These ports offer a maximum bandwidth of 40Gbps and also support DisplayPort and charging, allowing the use of a USB Type-C charger as well. This can come in handy for occasional fast charging, but you could stick with the MagSafe cable if desired, which would keep both Thunderbolt/USB ports available for other devices.

The power button also functions as a Touch ID sensor, enabling quick authentication for access to the device instead of inputting a password. Just remember that you’ll need to enter your password when booting up after shutting down or restarting the laptop. Notably, the MacBook Air 15 powers on upon opening the lid without needing to press the power button, which minimizes how often you need to use it.

Specifications and Software of Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023)

While Apple launched the M2 SoC in 2022, it continues to be effective and quite competent even now, particularly for the company’s premier products. Apple has repeatedly emphasized that its M2 SoC is a major advancement over its older Intel-based laptops, confidently asserting that it meets the everyday demands of most users, even offering capabilities needed for more resource-intensive tasks like video editing.

Like its 2022 counterpart, the 15-inch variant is equipped with the Apple M2, featuring the same specifications and hardware/software support. This encompasses an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 100GB/s memory bandwidth, and compatibility for up to 24GB of unified memory along with up to 2TB of storage. Additional useful features include support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. The battery capacity is marginally larger than that of the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air, yet it is claimed to be sufficient to deliver comparable battery life while powering the wider screen.

The MacBook Air 15’s power button serves as a Touch ID sensor for biometric authentication

 

Regarding software, the MacBook Air 15 comes equipped with macOS Ventura, running version 13.4.1 for the majority of this review. Noteworthy features of Ventura include enhancements to messaging, Stage Manager, the Continuity Camera to utilize your iPhone as a camera for your MacBook, and a generally improved aesthetic compared to previous macOS iterations. An update to macOS Sonoma is expected in due course.

Performance and Battery Life of Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023)

Having relied on a MacBook Air (2017) as my primary device for several years, I found it functional yet noticeably less capable compared to its original performance, especially against current requirements. Thus, I eagerly anticipated transitioning to the MacBook Air 15 as my main work machine during this review period.

My role doesn’t necessitate an overly powerful computer; my daily tasks mainly encompass web browsing (typically with multiple browsers and tabs open), composing and reading extensive documents, and occasionally using additional apps (such as Slack and Telegram) as needed.

On occasion, I need to edit images, record voice-overs, or participate in VoIP calls—all tasks that the MacBook Air 15 is reported to handle without issue. Even if your work involves more demanding activities like video editing or data analysis, the laptop should manage adequately. While 8GB of unified memory should suffice for the majority of tasks, it might be wise to consider upgrading to 16GB or 24GB to future-proof your device.

While the Midnight color is appealing, it readily shows smudges. Although the notch may initially seem awkward, you adapt to it over time.

 

Connectivity options are somewhat limited, with only two Thunderbolt/USB Type-C ports available. As such, you’ll need suitable adapters for various uses (like connecting to a projector or display) or a multi-port adapter to allow connections to older USB Type-A devices, such as thumb drives and external hard drives.

I’ve largely shifted to a cloud-oriented workflow, so the connection limitations of the MacBook Air 15 did not hinder me much. Importantly, the laptop was able to maintain a robust Wi-Fi connection in areas where many of my other devices struggled, allowing me to work efficiently even at a distance from the Wi-Fi router — a significant improvement over my prior MacBook Air under similar situations.

The keyboard, which is naturally larger and more spacious compared to 13-inch models, provided an excellent typing experience, and the generous trackpad made navigation and scrolling a delight. The display was bright and well-functioning with adaptive brightness, although occasionally it set the brightness too low, requiring a manual adjustment.

The six-speaker sound system performed admirably for video viewing and was notably loud when required, delivering clear audio for VoIP conversations as well. While the camera was adequate for standard laptop functionalities like video calls, leveraging the ‘continuity camera’ feature on macOS Ventura can enhance your experience if paired with a compatible iPhone.

The 35W dual-port charger is quite practical, but you may opt for the 70W single-port charger for faster charging at no added cost.

 

Despite both the MacBook Air 15 and the 13-inch model running on the M2 chip being designed for similar performance, subtle differences could be observed in benchmark scores. The 15-inch model generally outperformed in most tests, likely because my evaluation unit had 16GB of unified memory versus the 8GB found in the 13-inch version we reviewed in 2022.

During intensive benchmarking, such as encoding a five-minute ProRes 4K (422 HQ) file recorded on an iPhone 13 Pro (Review) to 4K (H.264) and full-HD (H.264), both devices exhibited nearly identical performance.

Casual gaming through Apple Arcade was seamless on the MacBook Air 15. The Steam version of the city-building survival game Frostpunk also ran smoothly. While the MacBook Air isn’t designed for gaming specifically, it certainly meets needs for occasional gameplay during downtime.

 

The battery capacity on the MacBook Air 15 is marginally greater than that of the 13-inch model, primarily ensuring that the larger display remains functional and that overall battery life mirrors that of its smaller counterpart. On occasions, I managed to get through an entire workday of approximately nine hours on a single charge with some charge remaining, although this can vary based on room temperature.

In an air-conditioned office, my typical usage usually lasted the entire day, but this duration notably decreased in a non-air-conditioned home environment. However, with the advent of the monsoon season affecting the citywide temperatures in Mumbai, battery performance showed slight improvements. Overall, I could expect the MacBook Air 15 to last a minimum of seven hours on a single charge. However, gaming and higher speaker usage might considerably impact these estimates.

Standby battery consumption is negligible, remaining largely imperceptible when transitioning from the end of one workday to the start of another. The charging speed using the 35W adapter is decent, reaching from 10 percent to about 35 percent in half an hour and about 64 percent in an hour with the included MagSafe cable. This speed may decrease if another cable is connected to the adapter, charging additional devices. Alternatively, you can select the single-port 70W charging adapter for quicker charging for the MacBook Air 15.

While the size renders it somewhat awkward to handle, the MacBook Air 15 is a reasonably priced, large-screen MacBook that fulfills a critical need in the product lineup.

 

Conclusion

Upon first testing the MacBook Air 15 at WWDC 2023, I found myself unsure about where this laptop would fit within the lineup. The Air series has traditionally been compact, user-friendly, and simple to transport, even fitting within smaller bags or backpacks, which makes a device with a 15.3-inch screen feel slightly out of place.

Nonetheless, there was a notable gap in Apple’s MacBook offerings for a reasonably priced large-screen device; until now, the only option was the 16-inch MacBook Pro, starting at Rs. 2,49,900, likely offering excessive power for most common tasks. The MacBook Air 15 adeptly fills this void, striking a fine balance between dimensions, features, and cost. Understanding this laptop’s placement becomes clearer if you consider it not just as an ‘Air’, but as the much-needed larger-screen MacBook aimed at everyday users.

While carrying it with the lid open felt a bit unwieldy, the lightweight and slender design undoubtedly contribute positively to different portability scenarios. Although my tasks do not require a large screen, I found it beneficial for enhanced visibility, particularly when using web browsers. Those who engage in tasks like photo editing, creating presentations and spreadsheets, or analyzing extensive amounts of text or data will greatly appreciate the larger display, and the M2 SoC is more than capable of handling most regular operations.

Of course, if you feel you don’t need the extra screen space, the MacBook Air (M2, 2022) (Review) is nearly equivalent performance-wise, significantly more compact, and priced around Rs. 20,000 lower than the 15-inch model with similar specifications.

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