The MacBook Air has been Apple’s best-selling laptop for years. It is light, quiet, has a long battery life and is available in several versions. But which MacBook Air do you choose? The version with a 13-inch or the one with a 15-inch screen, how much memory and which chip?
In this selection aid we list the most important differences, so that you know exactly what suits your use and you choose the perfect MacBook Air for your tasks.
The two models: 13-inch and 15-inch
The MacBook Air is available in two screen sizes. The 13-inch is compact, light and easy to carry. It weighs less than 1.25 kilos and fits in almost any bag. That makes it ideal if you travel a lot or want a laptop that takes up little space.
The 15-inch offers more screen surface without making the laptop much heavier. It weighs just over 1.5 kilos, making it one of the lightest laptops in its class. The larger screen makes a difference when working with multiple windows side by side, video editing, or simply working more comfortably with more space. For home use or if you travel little, the 15-inch is an attractive option.
Which chip do you need?
Both MacBook Air models run on Apple Silicon. The M3 chip is the current standard and delivers excellent performance for daily tasks such as surfing, emailing, word processing and video calling. Lighter creative tasks such as photo editing and video cutting also run smoothly.
If you want to work more intensively with video, music production or programming, the M3 chip still offers more than enough. Only for heavy professional tasks such as 3D rendering or complex video exports is a MacBook Pro with M3 Pro or M3 Max a better choice. For most users, the Air is more than adequate.
How much memory do you need?
The MacBook Air starts with 8 GB of unified memory as standard. That is sufficient for light use, but if you keep multiple apps open at the same time, regularly browse with many tabs or do some video editing, you will quickly notice the difference with 16 GB. The memory is not expandable after purchase, so if in doubt, opt for more.
The same principle applies to storage. The base variant has 256 GB, which is tight if you keep a lot of files, photos or videos locally. 512 GB or more gives more breathing room, especially if you don’t want to store everything in iCloud.
Where can you buy a refurbished MacBook Air?
Anyone who wants a MacBook Air without paying the new price can go to specialized refurbished providers. Bee MacBook Air Upgreatest models have been thoroughly tested, cleaned and provided with a warranty. This way you get Apple’s performance for a lower price.
Buying refurbished is not only cheaper, but also more sustainable. A properly refurbished device lasts as long as a new one and prevents unnecessary electronics waste. When purchasing, always check whether the battery capacity is still sufficient and whether it comes with a warranty.
What is the best choice for you?
Do you mainly use the laptop for study, work and daily use? Then the 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 and 16 GB memory is the smartest choice for most people. Do you prefer to work on a larger screen or do you also use the laptop as a primary computer at home? Then the 15-inch is a nice upgrade.
Would you like to compare the range and see which models are available? Then look up Upgreatest for an overview of available Apple laptops, both new and refurbished, and find the model that suits your needs and budget.