Which Mac should you buy?
If you’re reading this article, then the chances are you’re thinking about buying a new Mac computer and may be in need of a little guidance. Fortunately, we’re quite familiar with Apple’s Macs, and we’re happy to help you choose the right Mac for you. This buying guide provides an overview of all the Mac models available, and what each model is best suited for.
MACBOOK AIR
Models for sale were originally released November 2020.
What is it? The MacBook Air is Apple’s affordable line of laptops. It currently offers two 13in models.
Who’s it for? The MacBook Air is ideal for the budget conscious. It’s also for anyone who is always on the go, doesn’t want to be bogged down by a regular-size laptop and needs a computer that’s more versatile than an iPad.
What are the specifications? The two MacBook Air models have Apple’s M1 system on a chip, which features an 8-core CPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 8GB of RAM (upgradeable to 16GB). Apple claims 15 hours of battery life for wireless web and 18 hours Apple TV app movie playback.
The main difference between the models offered is the GPU and storage. The £999 model has a 7-core GPU and a 256GB SSD, while the £1,249 model has an 8-core GPU and a 512GB SSD.
How do I connect stuff? The MacBook Air has only a pair of Thunderbolt/USB 4 connectors. If you want to connect USB-A devices, you need either a USB-C to USB adapter, like Apple’s £19 one, or a USB-C hub that has USB-A ports.
The MacBook Air has built-in Wi-Fi for connecting to a network. It also provides built-in Bluetooth for wirelessly connecting a mouse or other peripherals. If you want to connect to an Ethernet network, you’ll need an adapter.
How fast is it? The MacBook Air is one of the fastest laptops around, full stop. The M1 provides performance that is leaps and bounds faster than what was previously found in the MacBook Air. It’s plenty fast enough for general purpose use. But because it doesn’t have a fan to keep the computer cool, it may throttle down its speed during long processing sessions, such as video editing or compiling code.
