Apple’s migration to its ARM-based chipsets was one of the most anticipated moves for MacBook devices. Apple has finally put the rumours to rest by launching the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The new ARM-based processors promise to bring significant performance improvements. It gives Apple end-to-end control over its software and hardware which means new devices will receive more OS updates and they’ll run as smooth as iOS devices.
The M1 is Apple’s 8-core CPU that has four high-efficiency cores along with four high-performance cores. Apple claims the new CPU make the new devices 2.8 times faster than the older Intel-based MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The M1 chipset also comes with an 8-core GPU that promises 5 times more graphics performance than the last year’s Intel Iris Pro integrated graphics. Apple says the new laptops can now smoothly handle heavy 3D modeling projects.
The M1 also makes AI apps that use Neural Engine up to 11 times faster, making the new laptops quicker at features like face recognition and object detection. The M1 CPU on the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air is identical, except with a key difference in its cooling system. The Air uses a passive cooling system, that allows the laptop to be slim while the Pro model uses an active cooling system which includes a fan to dissipate heat more efficiently and deliver high-tier performance.
The new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro are going to ship with Apple’s latest MacOS Big Sur. The new OS delivers a spacious design aimed at making navigating easier and giving more controls to users. The update brings an all-new Control Center that gives quick access to Do Not Disturb feature, keyboard brightness, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings, right from the menu bar. Apple claims the new M1 chipset allows the OS to be significantly quicker, delivering a smoother user experience. The Big Sur also improves privacy by giving users more control over their data. Apple has introduced Rosetta 2 that allows the new MacBook laptops to run older Intel-based apps. The new OS also comes with an updated Mac Catalyst feature that now lets you seamlessly run iOS apps on the MacBook devices.
The new MacBook Air and Pro continues to feature the same aluminum construction as their Intel-based predecessors. The Air retains its slim and lightweight wedge-shaped design while the Pro model has a more uniform slab-looking design. Both devices come with the T2 Touch ID sensor, that lets you unlock the device, as well as purchase apps and make payments. The MacBook Pro houses Apple’s Touch Bar, so you can easily access emojis in Messages, and favourite Tabs in Safari. You can also use the touch bar to control the volume, screen’s brightness, scroll through images, and even through video timelines while using Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro.
The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro also house the same 13.3-inch Retina display with an IPS panel. The display has premium features such as True Tone, and P3 Wide Color that help it to render very accurate colours. Retina Display’s vivid colours and 100 per cent sRGB support make the MacBook Air and Pro ideal choice for colour accurate work. Both displays feature a 2560 x 1600 resolution. The MacBook Pro’s display can reach 500 nits of brightness compared to the 400 nits of the MacBook Air. Both displays are significantly bright but the Pro’s extra 100 nits of brightness can be very useful if you use your MacBook outdoors.
Both MacBooks come with Apple’s Magic Keyboard that uses a Scissor Key mechanism. The keys provide 1mm of key travel for a more stable and comfortable typing experience. The keys are also backlit, which makes typing in the dark easier. Apple has made some minor tweaks to the keyboard layout of the new MacBook Air. The function keys now include Do not Disturb, Spotlight search, Dictation and even an emoji option. Both models sport the same spacious Force Touch trackpad that uses Apple’s Haptic Engine to provide tactile feedback. Trackpad’s large size makes scrolling through spreadsheets easy, and it is also very useful while using photo and video editing tools.
The MacBook Pro and MacBook Air come with a 720p FaceTime HD camera. Apple says the new M1 CPU improves picture quality and the video calling experience with its superior noise reduction. Both models use a three-mic array with support for directional beamforming, and Apple says the mics on the Pro model supports studio-quality recording. The MacBook Air and Pro also features stereo speaker setup with Dolby Atmos support.
The new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro come with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, that can be used to charge the devices, transfer data at high speeds and you can even use them to connect a 6K external monitor. The new devices now come with Wi-Fi 6, which is a major improvement over the older Intel-based MacBook devices. Wi-Fi 6 improves data transfer speeds, provides better performance in crowded areas like offices or malls, and it also helps to improve the battery life of the devices. Both devices also support Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting peripherals, and they also come with a 3.5mm auxiliary jack for headphones.
Prices for the new MacBook Air starts from Rs. 92,900* while the Pro model starts from Rs. 1,22,900*. These prices are identical to last year’s MacBook line up, which means you aren’t paying extra for the added performance. The new devices will be soon available for pre-order at you nearest Reliance Digital store and you can also book it online from www.reliancedigital.in.
Note – Prices are subject to change. Please refer to the product catalogue for more details, pricing and availability.
