Apple MacBook Air (2017) 13.3" Intel Core i5 128GB vs Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018) 13.3" Intel Core i5

Comparing the design elements of the Apple MacBook Air (2017) and the Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018) involves evaluating their impact on user experience, practical usability, and aesthetic appeal to cater to varying user requirements.

Apple MacBook Air (2017):

Ergonomics and Portability:

• The 2017 model is light at 3 pounds, making it easy to carry around.
• Measuring 12.8 x 8.9 x 0.7 inches, it offers a blend of portability and screen real estate. The backlit keyboard improves usability in dimly lit settings.

Materials and Build Quality: The sleek aluminum body gives a high-end feel and guarantees long-lasting quality.

• The laptop's durability is bolstered by its unibody construction.

Connectivity:

• Although it doesn't have Thunderbolt or USB-C ports, it provides two USB 3.0 ports for connecting external devices.
• It supports Wi-Fi and has an external memory slot for expanded storage options.

User Demographic Suitability:

• Students in need of a dependable yet portable laptop for daily activities may be interested in this model. Professionals valuing portability over high-end performance may find its design appealing.

Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018):

Ergonomics and Portability:

• This model weighs only 2.8 pounds, making it lighter than its predecessor and improving portability.
• Its slim 0.6-inch profile enhances portability across different environments.

Materials and Build Quality:

• The new model keeps the aluminum construction, striking a balance between style and strength.
• Thunderbolt ports offer increased flexibility for connectivity choices.

Unique Design Features:

• Enhancing security and convenience for users, the inclusion of a fingerprint scanner is a valuable upgrade.
• The enhanced audio features three microphones to deliver high-quality sound for recordings or calls.

User Demographic Suitability:

• Professionals seeking a blend of performance, portability, and security features may lean towards this model.
• Creatives or content creators who value high-quality audio input might find the upgraded microphone setup beneficial.

In conclusion, both laptops offer distinct design characteristics for different user preferences. The Apple MacBook Air (2017) balances portability, usability, and reliability, suitable for students or general users. The Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018) enhances its design with increased portability, Touch ID security features, and improved audio capabilities appealing to professionals or users with specific needs like content creation or secure access requirements.

Apple MacBook Air (2017) vs. Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018): Screen Comparison

When you weigh the screen quality between the Apple MacBook Air (2017) and the Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018), various crucial factors can greatly influence your user experience, be it for gaming or professional graphic design work.

Screen Resolution:

• Apple MacBook Air (2017): Featuring a 13.3" display with a resolution of 1440 x 900 pixels and a pixel density of 127 ppi.
• Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018): This model offers improved resolution, providing a sharper view at 2560 x 1440 pixels and a higher pixel density of 227 ppi.

Influence on Tasks: When gaming, the enhanced visual clarity and detail on the Retina model can improve the gaming experience. Games with detailed graphics will look crisper and more immersive on the Retina display than on the non-Retina version. When it comes to professional graphic design, higher resolution provides increased screen space for fine-tuning edits. This means you can view intricate details in images and designs, facilitating precise editing without sacrificing quality.

Screen Size:

• Both laptops come with a 13.3-inch screen size for a convenient and practical viewing experience.

Display Technology:

• Both laptops use IPS LCD technology with LED backlighting to deliver vibrant colors and wide viewing angles, maintaining consistent color accuracy from various viewing positions.

Influence on Tasks:

• When gaming, IPS technology allows for better color reproduction and viewing angles, crucial for an immersive gaming experience where color accuracy enhances gameplay visuals.
• In professional graphic design tasks, consistent color representation is essential for accurate editing and design decisions. The IPS technology in both models ensures that colors remain true regardless of your viewing angle.

In conclusion, if you value visual quality in gaming or graphic design, choosing the Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018) could offer a more enjoyable experience with its superior resolution and pixel density. Nonetheless, for tasks not demanding ultra-high-resolution displays, the Apple MacBook Air (2017) still delivers dependable screen performance for daily use.

In comparing the hardware features of the Apple MacBook Air (2017) 13.3" Intel Core i5 1.8GHz / 8GB / 128GB versus the Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018) 13.3" Intel Core i5 1.6GHz / 16GB RAM / 1.5TB SSD, key elements affect their performance in different tasks.

Apple MacBook Air (2017)

• Key Hardware Aspects:
• CPU: The MacBook Air (2017) runs on an Intel Core i5 processor operating at 1.8GHz, with a turbo boost capability up to 2.9GHz.
• GPU: Utilizes Integrated Intel HD Graphics 6000 to efficiently manage graphics tasks.
• RAM: Comes with 8GB of RAM running at a speed of 1600MHz. Storage: Offers a 128GB flash storage capacity.

Performance Impact: While suitable for everyday tasks, the lower RAM and storage capacity may limit its ability to handle demanding multimedia applications or heavy software operations efficiently due to potential storage constraints and slower data access speeds.

Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018)

• Key Hardware Aspects:
• CPU: The MacBook Air Retina (2018) features an Intel Core i5 processor clocked at 1.6GHz, capable of turbo boosting up to 3.6GHz.
• GPU: Uses integrated Intel UHD Graphics 617 for enhanced graphics performance compared to the previous model.
• RAM: Upgraded to a substantial 16GB of RAM running at a faster speed of 2133MHz.
• Storage: Massive upgrade with a spacious and fast 1.5TB SSD storage capacity.

Performance Impact: With double the RAM and significantly larger SSD storage, this model excels in multitasking, handling resource-intensive applications with ease, and storing vast amounts of multimedia files without compromising performance.

Hardware Comparison Summary:

In conclusion, if you tend to juggle multiple tasks, need plenty of storage for media files, or often use resource-intensive apps, the Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018) is the better pick. On the other hand, if you mostly handle light tasks and prioritize portability over raw power, the Apple MacBook Air (2017) remains a dependable choice at a more affordable price.

Comparing the battery performance of the Apple MacBook Air (2017) 13.3" Intel Core i5 1.8GHz / 8GB / 128GB against the Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018) 13.3" Intel Core i5 1.6GHz / 16GB RAM / 1.5TB SSD, it's crucial to assess factors that affect daily use and portability.

Battery Life Comparison:

• Apple MacBook Air (2017):
• Battery Life: The MacBook Air (2017) provides up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge, giving users the freedom to work, stream content, or browse the web for an extended period without frequent recharging.
• Magsafe Power Adapter: The Magsafe power adapter enhances convenience and safety by magnetically connecting to the laptop, minimizing the chances of accidental disconnections or pulls on the power cord.
• Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018):
• Battery Life: The MacBook Air Retina (2018) also offers up to 12 hours of battery life, ensuring extended productivity and entertainment for users on the move.
• Sleep And Charge USB Ports: This model has sleep and charge USB ports, enabling users to charge their devices while the laptop is in sleep mode, increasing usability and convenience.

Comparative Analysis:

Both laptops provide up to 12 hours of battery life for extended usage without the need for frequent charging. The Apple MacBook Air (2017) includes a Magsafe power adapter for convenient connectivity and enhanced safety features, while the Apple MacBook Air Retina (2018) offers sleep and charge USB ports, allowing other devices to charge even when the laptop is in sleep mode.

Conclusion:

When comparing battery performance, both models offer a reliable 12-hour battery life. Your decision between them might hinge on personal preferences for extra features like the Magsafe power adapter in the older model or the sleep and charge USB ports in the newer one.