While rumors had been circulating for some time, it was quite surprising to see the MacBook Air grow in screen size diagonally. The new 15-inch MacBook Air, introduced at WWDC 2023 alongside iOS 17, Vision Pro, and other operating systems, is a rather special computer. Apple’s ultralight now features a large display.
To discuss the matter, two Apple executives sat down with Tom’s Guide, where Mark Spoonauer interviewed Kate Bergeron, Vice President of Hardware Engineering at Apple, and Laura Metz from the Mac Product Marketing team. The interview reveals several details about the design decisions behind the 15-inch MacBook Air and provides a glimpse into some of the secrets behind this machine.
Much more than stretching the screen size
According to Metz, Apple’s decision to launch a 15-inch MacBook Air was driven by the popularity of 15-inch laptops in the PC market. While many users may not need the superior performance of a MacBook Pro, they do appreciate a larger screen. The transition to Apple silicon provided the company with an opportunity to meet this demand.
As for the specific size, the choice of a 15.3-inch screen size was a result of collaboration between the design and manufacturing teams, explains Bergeron. They chose the largest size possible that still allowed for optimal performance and durability. They wanted to be within the 15-inch range and were able to achieve that extra .3 inches. This extra size also allows the new 15-inch MacBook Air to have a larger trackpad and a six-channel speaker system, compared to the four-channel system in the 13-inch model.
Apple’s design team also faced the challenge of keeping the 15-inch MacBook Air as thin as its 13-inch counterpart. According to Bergeron, the manufacturing process was not as simple as stretching the 13-inch chassis to 15 inches. Significant engineering effort was required to ensure that the LCD screen maintained its structural integrity at the larger size, with the panel adhesive playing a role in this.
In comparison to the 13-inch model, the 15-inch MacBook Air also offers some distinct advantages. The two additional speakers provide an enhanced audio experience, taking advantage of the larger chassis surface area. The design team also had to balance the inclusion of a larger battery and a larger trackpad, along with the increased power consumption of the screen, while ensuring that the 15-inch MacBook Air maintained the series’ reputation for impressive battery life.
According to Bergeron, this battery life was made possible not only through hardware optimization but also software optimization. The optimization centered around Apple silicon, which reduces power consumption during periods of user inactivity. It delivers maximum performance when the computer is in use and maximum efficiency when it is idle, which is crucial for a device of this kind.
In the interview, the topic of ports is also discussed. Given the larger size, Spoonauer asks if more connectivity could have been added. To this, Metz responds that the company’s intention is to provide a choice of screen sizes while keeping the rest of the experience consistent. It’s a way to simplify the product lineup and offer two clear options.
In the same vein, Apple has also avoided following other laptop manufacturers who have experimented with materials like magnesium alloys to reduce weight. According to Bergeron, the recycled aluminum used by Apple has advantages in terms of aesthetic finish, thermal conductivity, and durability. With good design, it can keep the new 15-inch MacBook Air among the lightest on the market without any compromises in its manufacturing.
Although the new 15-inch MacBook Air may seem like simply an enlarged version of the 13-inch model, Spoonauer’s interview reveals the engineering effort required to maintain the most appreciated qualities of the Air series while adapting to a larger screen size. It’s something we often don’t think about, but it results in a laptop that offers a large display, impressive battery life, and solid performance, all in an exceptionally thin and light machine.
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