TechComputers & PCsLaptopsApple MacBook Air 15-inch (2023) review: it’s a big dealThe all-new 15-inch MacBook Air is bigger and, for many, will be a simply better proposition – here’s whyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)T3 VerdictThe 15-inch MacBook Air’s sell is simple: it’s a MacBook Air, embodying everything typically slim, light and portable about that, only it’s got a bigger screen (and bigger sound as an added bonus). There are no significant compromises in opting for the 15.3-inch screen, except it’ll inevitably cost you a little more and add some additional mass. For many that’ll make it the big-screen MacBook of your dreams… except now it’s a reality.Reasons to buy+Superb battery life+Silent operation as no fan cooling+Apple’s M2 is a real powerhouse when needed+Thin and light despite 15.3-inch screen – so still portableReasons to avoid-That divisive screen notch-MagSafe charger cable tangles up-Do you really need a 15-inch MacBook Air?Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechComputers & PCsLaptopsApple MacBook Air 15-inch (2023) review: it’s a big dealThe all-new 15-inch MacBook Air is bigger and, for many, will be a simply better proposition – here’s whyWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)T3 VerdictThe 15-inch MacBook Air’s sell is simple: it’s a MacBook Air, embodying everything typically slim, light and portable about that, only it’s got a bigger screen (and bigger sound as an added bonus). There are no significant compromises in opting for the 15.3-inch screen, except it’ll inevitably cost you a little more and add some additional mass. For many that’ll make it the big-screen MacBook of your dreams… except now it’s a reality.Reasons to buy+Superb battery life+Silent operation as no fan cooling+Apple’s M2 is a real powerhouse when needed+Thin and light despite 15.3-inch screen – so still portableReasons to avoid-That divisive screen notch-MagSafe charger cable tangles up-Do you really need a 15-inch MacBook Air?Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The all-new 15-inch MacBook Air is bigger and, for many, will be a simply better proposition – here’s why
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)T3 VerdictThe 15-inch MacBook Air’s sell is simple: it’s a MacBook Air, embodying everything typically slim, light and portable about that, only it’s got a bigger screen (and bigger sound as an added bonus). There are no significant compromises in opting for the 15.3-inch screen, except it’ll inevitably cost you a little more and add some additional mass. For many that’ll make it the big-screen MacBook of your dreams… except now it’s a reality.Reasons to buy+Superb battery life+Silent operation as no fan cooling+Apple’s M2 is a real powerhouse when needed+Thin and light despite 15.3-inch screen – so still portableReasons to avoid-That divisive screen notch-MagSafe charger cable tangles up-Do you really need a 15-inch MacBook Air?
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
T3 VerdictThe 15-inch MacBook Air’s sell is simple: it’s a MacBook Air, embodying everything typically slim, light and portable about that, only it’s got a bigger screen (and bigger sound as an added bonus). There are no significant compromises in opting for the 15.3-inch screen, except it’ll inevitably cost you a little more and add some additional mass. For many that’ll make it the big-screen MacBook of your dreams… except now it’s a reality.Reasons to buy+Superb battery life+Silent operation as no fan cooling+Apple’s M2 is a real powerhouse when needed+Thin and light despite 15.3-inch screen – so still portableReasons to avoid-That divisive screen notch-MagSafe charger cable tangles up-Do you really need a 15-inch MacBook Air?
T3 VerdictThe 15-inch MacBook Air’s sell is simple: it’s a MacBook Air, embodying everything typically slim, light and portable about that, only it’s got a bigger screen (and bigger sound as an added bonus). There are no significant compromises in opting for the 15.3-inch screen, except it’ll inevitably cost you a little more and add some additional mass. For many that’ll make it the big-screen MacBook of your dreams… except now it’s a reality.
T3 Verdict
The 15-inch MacBook Air’s sell is simple: it’s a MacBook Air, embodying everything typically slim, light and portable about that, only it’s got a bigger screen (and bigger sound as an added bonus). There are no significant compromises in opting for the 15.3-inch screen, except it’ll inevitably cost you a little more and add some additional mass. For many that’ll make it the big-screen MacBook of your dreams… except now it’s a reality.
Reasons to buy+Superb battery life+Silent operation as no fan cooling+Apple’s M2 is a real powerhouse when needed+Thin and light despite 15.3-inch screen – so still portableReasons to avoid-That divisive screen notch-MagSafe charger cable tangles up-Do you really need a 15-inch MacBook Air?
Reasons to buy+Superb battery life+Silent operation as no fan cooling+Apple’s M2 is a real powerhouse when needed+Thin and light despite 15.3-inch screen – so still portable
Superb battery life
Silent operation as no fan cooling
Apple’s M2 is a real powerhouse when needed
Thin and light despite 15.3-inch screen – so still portable
Reasons to avoid-That divisive screen notch-MagSafe charger cable tangles up-Do you really need a 15-inch MacBook Air?
That divisive screen notch
MagSafe charger cable tangles up
Do you really need a 15-inch MacBook Air?
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The 15-inch MacBook Air annoys me. No,notlikethat. It annoys me because it’s so darn brilliant – and having purchased a smaller13-inch MacBook Airjust months ago, now I’ve used the 15-inch model for the past five consecutive days as my own, I realise it’s the bigger-scale Mac I never knew I wanted.
I mean the name sounds like a contradiction, right?Apple’s ‘Air’ line should be floaty-light and surely that’s not going to be achievable in a larger form factor? Wrong! The MacBook Air is the thinnest and lightest 15-inch laptop on the market, giving it kudos amongthe best laptops.
This MacBook Air’s 15.3-inch screen – notice it’s not 15.6-inch, that’d be bumping elbows too closely with theMacBook Pro 16-inch– means it’s still fairly portable, while embodying the goodness of Apple’s M2 silicon in a fanless (and therefore silent) design. Yes, there are nowM3-powered MacBooks, but for many that might be overkill.
So if you don’t need the very biggest power but do need a bigger screen then is the 15-inch MacBook Air nowthe best MacBook? Let’s get down to details in this MacBook Air 15-inch review…
MacBook Air 15: Price & Availability
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Today’s best Apple Macbook Air 15.3-inch M2 2023 deals$1,099ViewNo price informationCheck AmazonWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air 15.3-inch M2 2023 deals
$1,099ViewNo price informationCheck Amazon
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When Apple announced the 15-inch MacBook Air atWWDC 2023(its annual developer’s conference) it immediately triggered a price reduction for the smaller 13-inch model. That’s a major positive for any prospective buyers (slash the other reason it annoys me, ol' selfish out-of-pocket me) and puts a clear differentiator between the two.
In its entry-level format – which is really anything but, thanks to Apple’s M2 silicon –the 15-inch MacBook Air is priced at £1,399/$1,299/AU$2,199. It’s effectively a couple of hundred more for the bigger-screen model, which seems entirely reasonable for the added real estate.
MacBook Air 15in review: What’s new?
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
But that raises the question: is the 15-inch MacBook in 2023 literally just a larger version of the 13-inch model from 2022 then? Well, it’s not far off – as I detail in myWhich MacBook Is Better: 13-inch Or 15-inch?versus piece – but there are some additional points of difference, the majority of which are positive.
Well, actually they’reallpositive. Unless, of course, you don’t actually want a 15-inch laptop because it’d be too big for your needs (thanks for reading this review anyway, appreciate you). But, really, that’s the only downside: the 15-inch MacBook is a little thicker and heavier than the 13-inch model – but I mean barely, as you can see from the quick comparison table below.
Swipe to scroll horizontallyRow 0 - Cell 013-inch M2 (2022)15-inch M2 (2023)Thickness:1.13cm (0.44 inches)1.15cm (0.45 inches)Weight:1.24kg (2.7 pounds)1.51kg (3.3 pounds)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 - Cell 013-inch M2 (2022)15-inch M2 (2023)Thickness:1.13cm (0.44 inches)1.15cm (0.45 inches)Weight:1.24kg (2.7 pounds)1.51kg (3.3 pounds)
There’s also an all-new six-speaker arrangement, which elevates the 15-inch Air’s audio prospects to be a cut above the 13-inch model. Apple has really established itself in the audio department, with the 16-inch MacBook Pro being mind-boggling in how good it sounds – and while the Air isn’t quite to that level, it’s still very good indeed.
MacBook Air 15-inch: Display & sound
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
And so to the main reason that you’ll want to buy a 15-inch MacBook Air: its display. Here it’s a 15.3-inch panel, which is unusual in the catchall “15-inch” world, as it’s actually marginallysmallerthan the typical diagonal measure of 15.6-inch. For me this is a benefit though: it’s not too big, not too small, fulfilling the Goldilocks principle.
There’s plenty more info about the display, all of which matches its 13-inch Air brother in like-for-like form: despite being higher-resolution to cover the greater surface area, Apple has savvily opted to maintain the 224ppi density (here from 2880 x 1864 pixels). That means whether you opt for the 13- or 15-inch model, the sharpness is one and the same.
Add 500 nits of brightness (so it’s HDR capable), a wide colour gamut covering DCI-P3 (read that as having one billion colours available from its palette), and True Tone technology (which adapts the blue light output as the ambient light surroundings change for your comfort), and you’ve got a veritable feast of a screen. It’s not too reflective either, which I think is great, especially now the sun is out – and I’ve been able to use the machine whilst working outside in the day (hurrah).
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Then there’s the refresh rate: this is a 60Hz LCD panel, not a 120Hz one. Yes, I’d prefer a faster refresh rate option for greater visual fluidity, as that’s something PC laptops certainly offer, but they tend to cost a packet and, realistically, it’s not a requirement for my needs. If you demand one then it’s over to MacBook Pro territory for you, where brighter Mini-LED panels cater for 120Hz.
MacBook Air 15-inch review: Performance & spec
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
Just as I said in my earlierMacBook Air 13-inch review: “the [M2] innards really do step things up a notch … many will be able to do MacBook Pro-level tasks on the new Air, as it’s that high-powered”. That still rings true here, and while the newMac Studio and Mac Procan go all-out with M2 Ultra and 192GB memory, I’m never going to need that much at my fingertips – and what the 15-inch MacBook Air offers in M2 is, for me and I’m sure many others, an ideal match.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
But let’s get to the numbers: as one assessment I’ve run Geekbench tests and the 15-inch MacBook Air has chalked up (you guessed it) the very same results as the equivalent M2 13-inch model (1880 single-core score, around 8000+ for multi-core, and 30,000+ for Metal’s compute benchmark). So there’s around 12% more real-world power than the earlier M1 models.
But numbers aren’t the be-all end-all, as performance really comes down to real-world use. I’ve found the M2 is near instant in its ability to load large files, being perfectly capable in 4K video editing with multiple streams, but also quietly adept with handling dozens upon dozens of browser tabs without issue in the background (this being my usual scenario).
As I’ve said before now: I’ve found M2 is more consistent than M1, avoiding any undue stutters or freezes that had snuck into earlier generation Apple silicon products. That shows the progress of time and payoff in effort: Apple’s march forward with its own process (it’sceased selling Intel Macs now) is now paying dividends.
MacBook Air 15 review: Battery life & charger
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
When Apple introduced the notched screen design to MacBook Air, it also added MagSafe charging into the mix. The olderM1 MacBook Airhas two USB-C ports, you see, but as you’ll sometimes want to use one for charging that’s less practical than the newer arrangement of one MagSafe for charging, leaving two USB-C/Thunderbolt 4 sockets available for use at all times.
Not that I’ve really needed to worry about leaving the 15-inch MacBook Pro plugged in. After migrating from 13-inch over to 15-inch, I ensured the laptop was fully charged and, on day one at work, set about a usual day, benchmarks and all included, and after a 9-hour session still had 35% battery remaining. No concessions to Wi-Fi, screen brightness, playing music, or anything like that.
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
This is a MacBook that will happily run for 14 hours of standard use with word processing apps and browsers running full steam, meaning it’s ideal for a long-haul flight minus power (if your economy seat has a big enough tray table, anyway).
Because we like to test multiple test scenarios here at T3, my video-based battery drain test totted up almost 15 hours on a 2160p YouTube video, including sound output, which I set running over the weekend. Not quite the 18 hours Apple quotes, but that’s likely related to Wi-Fi demands – if you turn the brightness down then that could be just about achievable.
Sure, crank things up to the max, hit the 4K editing hard, and you’re going to get nothing like that kind of longevity without needing to reach for a power socket to save you. But as an on-the-go and versatile machine, this 15-inch MacBook’s battery life is pretty astounding. I’m impressed.
MacBook Air 15-inch 2023 review: Verdict
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
(Image credit: Future / Mike Lowe)
When Apple announced the 15-inch MacBook Air during its WWDC 2023 conference the Cupertino companyassigned just four minutes and 13 seconds to its reveal. Given that showcase ran for almost two hours and six minutes, you could be under the impression that the new, larger-scale Air wasn’t all that important (sure,Vision Pro did rule the show).
Yet here I am, a working week into using the latest MacBook, and I want to wax lyrical about it for far more than just a few minutes – because the 15-inch MacBook Air has already become the Mac I never knew I wanted. Bigger really is better in this instance.
The 15-inch model’s prospect is simple really: it’s a MacBook Air, embodying everything slim, light and portable about that, only it’s got a bigger screen (and bigger sound as an added bonus). There are no significant compromises in opting for the 15.3-inch screen, except it’ll cost you a bit more cash and, inevitably, add some extra mass.
Also consider
I’m going to keep this in the Mac family, where your options are reasonably simple: if you want a cheaper MacBook and don’t need more power, then dial back the clock and pick up the13-inch M1 Air(which has no notch) for a still great experience. Think the 15-inch is going to be a little bothersome for carting about? Then opt for the13-inch M2 modelinstead. Or, should you be wanting more power, then theMacBook Pro in 14- or 16-inchformats are where to head – although they arefarpricier. There’s also the13-inch Pro, but that’s a bit of an odd one out, given its Touch Bar inclusion, but it is cheaper than the 15-inch Air.
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air M1 2020, Apple MacBook Air M2 2022, Apple Macbook Air 15.3-inch M2 2023, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023, Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 2023 and Apple Macbook Pro 13 2022 dealsApple Macbook Air (M1 2020)$844.95$769ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Air M2 2022$999$749ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Air 15-inch M2 (2023)$1,099ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)$2,499$1,649.95ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,699$2,149.95ViewSee all pricesApple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)$1,299$1,114.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air M1 2020, Apple MacBook Air M2 2022, Apple Macbook Air 15.3-inch M2 2023, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023, Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 2023 and Apple Macbook Pro 13 2022 dealsApple Macbook Air (M1 2020)$844.95$769ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Air M2 2022$999$749ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Air 15-inch M2 (2023)$1,099ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)$2,499$1,649.95ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,699$2,149.95ViewSee all pricesApple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)$1,299$1,114.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Apple Macbook Air M1 2020, Apple MacBook Air M2 2022, Apple Macbook Air 15.3-inch M2 2023, Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023, Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 2023 and Apple Macbook Pro 13 2022 dealsApple Macbook Air (M1 2020)$844.95$769ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Air M2 2022$999$749ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Air 15-inch M2 (2023)$1,099ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)$2,499$1,649.95ViewSee all pricesApple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,699$2,149.95ViewSee all pricesApple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)$1,299$1,114.95ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020)$844.95$769ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020)$844.95$769ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020)
Apple Macbook Air (M1 2020)
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Apple MacBook Air M2 2022$999$749ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Air M2 2022$999$749ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Air M2 2022
Apple MacBook Air M2 2022
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Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M2 (2023)$1,099ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M2 (2023)$1,099ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M2 (2023)
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M2 (2023)
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)$2,499$1,649.95ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)$2,499$1,649.95ViewSee all prices
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2023)
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Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)$2,699$2,149.95ViewSee all prices
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Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)
Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch M2 Pro (2023)
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Apple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)$1,299$1,114.95ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)$1,299$1,114.95ViewSee all prices
Apple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)
Apple Macbook Pro 13 (2022)
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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