Look around an airport, airplane or hotel and you’ll likely see at least a few Apple devices nearby.
From iPhones to iPads to AirTags, the tech giant has created a number of products that have proven popular with dozens of travelers. Maybe it’s its portable and rugged design, or the ease with which devices communicate with each other, but the company has worked hard to convince outsiders to demonstrate its technology.
Apple has already captured most of the smartphone, smartwatch and tablet market. However, Apple’s MacBook laptops have yet to push themselves to the top of the laptop class—especially among business travelers who primarily rely on Windows computers.
But Apple is still playing in this area. Earlier this month, the company introduced a new MacBook Air with a number of upgrades designed to entice all users – especially travelers – to upgrade to this laptop.
How does Apple do this? To find out, TPG conducted an exclusive interview with Evan Buyze from Apple’s Mac product marketing team. Buyze explained to us how the company designed this computer specifically for travelers.
Thin, light and durable design
It starts with a thin and light design, available in 13.6 and 15.3-inch versions.
The small computer weighs just 2.7 pounds and is only 0.44 inches thick, making it the perfect choice for travelers who want maximum portability, Boyce said. It’s also the cheapest option, starting at $1,099.
Business travelers — but those looking for more screen space for multitasking — will likely prefer the larger 15-inch model. Compared to the 13-inch version, it weighs about half a pound and starts at $1,299.
Aside from the size difference, the 13- and 15-inch models are virtually identical in design. The latter simply has a more powerful speaker system.
Daily newsletter
Reward your inbox with TPG’s daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers and get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts.
Both laptops are no thicker than a 100-page book; Buzye said Apple has worked hard to ensure the display doesn’t come at the expense of durability. The new MacBook Air has an all-aluminum chassis that is “highly durable.”
Whether it’s an unexpected problem or an unexpected kitchen cart rolling into the driveway, Booz explains that Apple is sending the MacBook Air to its “reliability testing lab.”
“[It] “It simulates different customer experiences,” he said.[In the lab,] “They do a lot of different things to make sure it meets our standards for reliability no matter what situation you’re in, whether it’s in your backpack or you’re wearing it.”
During Baiz’s four-year tenure with the MacBook Air, he heard from travelers using the computer at airplane tables, in Ubers, in hotel rooms and in coffee shops. He and the team evaluated all of these use cases while considering sustainability requirements.
Buyze didn’t share more details about whether Apple’s testing lab has fake airplane seats or tray tables; He said only that the company uses “rigorous testing procedures” to ensure the computer works in all travel situations.
All day battery life
Despite the increased power requirements of the upgraded processor (more on that below), Apple managed to maintain 18 hours of battery life on both MacBook Air models.
Of course, when traveling you often don’t know where to find the nearest (working) socket. The all-day battery will provide enough power even if you’re on a flight without a power outlet.
While I haven’t tested the new MacBook Air’s battery life yet, I recently used the previous model — which I use as a daily PC — on the new MacBook Air. The longest flight in the world is from New York to Singapore. I started the ride at 100% and played a movie on loop on my laptop to see when it would stop. After about 18 hours in the air, I landed to find that the battery level had reached 17%, which is about the same level as a laptop battery.
And even if you don’t plan on using the full 18-hour battery, Buyze says the computer serves as “a great charger for your iPhone or iPad.” With two USB-C ports, you can power two devices at the same time and still have power left over for the laptop; This can be useful if you are not near a power outlet.
The new processor ensures more performance
Perhaps the biggest upgrade to the new computer is the introduction of Apple’s M3 processor chip. While the technical details – an 8-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU and a 16-core neural engine – can be dazzling, Buyze has distilled them into an easy-to-understand comparison.
“If you’re coming from an M1 MacBook Air, it’s up to 60% faster with an M3-based MacBook Air. If you upgrade from an Intel-based MacBook Air, it’s 13 times faster,” he said.
One particular aspect of the new processor that might interest travelers is its ability to provide more efficient video streaming for services like Netflix. According to Buyze, this will allow you to stream for longer periods of time.
Although the new chips had a huge impact, they were the “secret sauce” to making computers portable.
“How do we get this thin and lightweight design that fits under the drawer table?” Bossi asked. “Apple is switching to silicon,” he explained [processor chips] … It was a real game-changer because we were actually able to create these new designs that we had dreamed of creating before.”
Communication upgrade
Another big travel-focused improvement Apple is announcing with the new MacBook Air is the introduction of a connectivity upgrade.
The laptops now support Wi-Fi 6E, which Buyze says achieves “double the speed” with “extended wireless spectrum.” This means that the new antennas can easily connect to the Internet even if you are on a train, at the airport or in a hotel with crowded networks.
To make the most of Wi-Fi 6E, airlines and hotels should upgrade their Internet routers. Some have already started this process, while others are supplying new aircraft and hotels with pre-installed systems.
The MacBook Air also supports Apple’s MagSafe charging port, which magnetically attaches the charging cable to the computer and automatically disconnects if someone steps on it or pulls it out.
It’s “perfect for traveling when you don’t know the surroundings and gives you peace of mind in all situations,” he said.
Finally, to save space, most portable laptops on the market compromise on keyboard size and stability. The MacBook Air still has a full-size keyboard that Buyze says is “really comfortable and designed to provide a quiet, pleasant typing experience.”
the minimum
A new model of Apple’s best-selling laptop, the MacBook Air, is now available in stores.
Apple says there are some upgrades, many of which are designed specifically for travelers. It includes things like a new processor and improved connectivity, while maintaining battery life throughout the flight in a thin, light and durable design.
The new model builds on the strong foundation of previous versions of the MacBook Air. With its travel-friendly features and lack of price hikes, it’s safe to say that the MacBook Air is a strong candidate for the best travel laptop money can buy.
Related reading:
