The Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023): A Big Screen MacBook Air for Everyone?
Apple’s MacBook Air range has long been a favorite among users, known for its sleek design, portability, and affordability. But, the 2023 MacBook Air 15, with its 15.3-inch screen, marks a significant departure from the traditional "Air" concept. While it maintains the slim and lightweight form factor and impressive battery life, this new model feels more like a big-screen MacBook Pro, blurring the lines between these once distinct product lines.
This review dives deep into the new Apple MacBook Air 15, examining its design, features, performance, and battery life. We explore whether it truly delivers the big-screen experience promised and if it’s the perfect choice for those looking for a powerful yet affordable laptop.
Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023) price in India and variants
The Apple MacBook Air 15 starts at Rs. 1,34,900 in India. This base model comes with the M2 processor (8-core CPU and 10-core GPU), 8GB of unified memory, and 256GB of SSD storage. Buyers can choose between a 35W dual USB Type-C power adapter or a 70W power adapter with a single USB Type-C port, at no extra cost. Color options include Midnight, Starlight, Space Grey, and Silver.
My review unit, sent by Apple, came in the Midnight color with 16GB of unified memory, 512GB of SSD storage, and the 35W dual USB Type-C power adapter, priced at Rs. 1,74,900 in India. You can upgrade to up to 24GB of unified memory and 2TB of SSD storage, with the top-end configuration priced at Rs. 2,54,900. Remember, memory and storage are not upgradeable, so choose the variant that will suit your needs even in the future.
Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023) design
Keeping in line with the design direction of the 2022 13-inch M2-powered MacBook Air, this new model features a flatter, more slab-like form factor that resembles the current-generation MacBook Pro laptops. The larger 15-inch size intensifies this resemblance, placing it conceptually between the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro variants.
However, the slimness that defines the Air range remains intact in the 15-inch MacBook Air. It is visibly slimmer and lighter than the Pro range, with a claimed thickness of 11.5mm. Apple proudly calls it the world’s thinnest 15-inch laptop. Despite the slimness, the large screen size makes it a bit unwieldy for a one-handed grip.
The slim screen borders and display notch, accommodating the 1080p camera, are common features across the current-generation MacBook range. While the notch may take some getting used to, macOS is cleverly optimized to ensure it doesn’t obstruct app usage.
The Midnight color variant is the darkest offering, and it’s worth noting it is a coating on top of the natural aluminium. This means that regular use could lead to some discoloration, especially around the edges. The finish also attracts dust and fingerprints, requiring frequent cleaning.
The MacBook Air 15 boasts the same pixel density as its smaller 13.6-inch M2 counterpart – approximately 224ppi – offering clarity and sharpness despite the larger screen size. The 15-inch laptop features a 2880×1864 pixel resolution and a peak brightness of 500 nits.
Visually, the 15-inch Air mirrors its 13-inch variant in many aspects. The absence of "MacBook Air" branding and the "tall" aspect ratio of the screen, maximizing space for the keyboard and trackpad, remain consistent. There’s a six-speaker system (an upgrade from the four speakers in the 13-inch MacBook Air), positioned near the hinge. It also retains the minimalist base with four exposed screws and a fanless design for silent operation even under heavy workloads.
Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023) specifications and software
While the M2 SoC was introduced in 2022, it remains a powerful and relevant choice for Apple’s flagship products. Apple emphasizes its significant performance leap over previous Intel-based laptops, claiming it’s more than capable of handling daily workloads and even offering support for demanding tasks like video editing.
Like the 2022 MacBook Air, the 15-inch version uses the Apple M2 with the same specifications, hardware, and software support. This includes an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 100GB/s memory bandwidth, and support for up to 24GB of unified memory and 2TB of storage. Other notable features include support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, and a slightly larger battery compared to the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air, promising similar battery life.
On the software front, the MacBook Air 15 comes pre-installed with macOS Ventura, running on version 13.4.1 during this review. Key features of Ventura include messaging improvements, Stage Manager, Continuity Camera, allowing you to use your iPhone as a camera for your MacBook, and an overall refined user interface compared to previous macOS versions. The device will receive the macOS Sonoma update in due time.
Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023) performance and battery life
Having used a MacBook Air (2017) as my daily driver, I was excited to try out the MacBook Air 15 as my primary work machine for this review. My workflow involves browsing the internet (with multiple browsers and tabs open), writing numerous words daily, and using basic apps like Slack and Telegram. Occasionally, I need to edit images, record voiceovers, or participate in VoIP calls, all of which the MacBook Air 15 is equipped to handle. Even with a more intense workflow incorporating video editing or data crunching, this laptop should comfortably handle the load. While 8GB of unified memory is sufficient for most tasks, consider investing in 16GB or 24GB for future-proofing.
The limited connectivity options, with only two Thunderbolt/USB Type-C ports, require adapters for specific use cases, such as connecting to projectors or displays, or a multi-port adapter for older USB Type-A devices. My cloud-based workflow minimized the impact of these limitations.
The MacBook Air 15 consistently maintained a robust Wi-Fi connection even in areas where my other devices struggled, allowing for smooth work even far from the router – a significant improvement over my older MacBook Air in the same conditions.
The keyboard, naturally larger and more spacious than its 13-inch counterpart, was a delight to type on. The larger trackpad facilitated intuitive navigation and scrolling. The display was bright and responsive with adaptive brightness, although manual adjustments were sometimes needed to counteract occasional overly dim settings.
The six-speaker system performed well for watching videos and provided clear sound for VoIP calls. While the camera is adequate for basic tasks like video calls, the "continuity camera" feature in macOS Ventura significantly improves the experience if you have a compatible iPhone.
While both the MacBook Air 15 and the 13-inch M2 model claim identical performance, benchmark scores revealed slight differences. The 15-inch laptop scored slightly better on most tests, likely due to the 16GB of unified memory in my review unit compared to the 8GB in the 13-inch variant.
Casual games from Apple Arcade ran without issues on the MacBook Air 15, and the Steam version of the city-building survival game Frostpunk ran smoothly. While the MacBook Air isn’t designed for gaming, it can handle casual gaming sessions effectively.
Benchmark Scores: MacBook Air 15 (M2) vs. MacBook Air 13 (M2)
| Test | Category | MacBook Air 15 (M2) | MacBook Air 13 (M2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackmagic Disk Speed Test (higher is better) | |||
| 5GB Read | Read | 2921.9MB/s | 2,703.7MB/s |
| 5GB Write | Write | 3398.6MB/s | 2,405.7MB/s |
| 1GB Read | Read | 2934.1MB/s | 2,824.3MB/s |
| 1GB Write | Write | 4066.8MB/s | 3,032.7MB/s |
| Cinebench R23 (higher is better) | |||
| Single-core | Single-core | 1,600 pts | 1,584 pts |
| Multi-core | Multi-core | 7,993 pts | 8,242 pts |
| Geekbench 6 (higher is better) | |||
| CPU (Apple silicon) – Single-core | Single-core | 2,577 pts | 2,422 pts |
| CPU (Apple silicon) – Multi-core | Multi-core | 9,973 pts | 8,871 pts |
| Compute – Metal | Metal | 45,825 pts | 45,184 pts |
| Compute – OpenCL | OpenCL | 27,941 pts | 27,822 pts |
| Browser benchmarks (higher is better) | |||
| WebXprt 4 | WebXprt 4 | 242 pts | 201 pts |
| Basemark Web 3.0 | Basemark 3.0 | 1,626.8 pts | 1,179.2 pts |
| Jetstream 2 | Jetstream 2 | 235.4 pts | 222.8 pts |
| Final Cut Pro (lower is better) | |||
| ProRes 4K (422 HQ) (28.3GB file) to 1080p (H.264) | Final Cut | 56 sec | 54 sec |
| ProRes 4K (422 HQ) (28.3GB file) to 4K (H.264) | Final Cut | 3 min 1 sec | 3 min 1 sec |
The battery in the MacBook Air 15 is only slightly larger than the 13-inch variant, ensuring similar battery life while powering the bigger screen. I could typically get through a full nine-hour workday on a single charge with some battery left but found this heavily dependent on ambient temperature. In an air-conditioned office, I consistently achieved this figure, while the duration dropped significantly in a non-air-conditioned home environment. With the arrival of the monsoon season and cooler temperatures in Mumbai, battery life improved somewhat. Overall, I could consistently expect at least seven hours of battery life on a single charge, although gaming and frequent speaker usage could affect this.
Standby battery drain is minimal and unnoticeable when going from the end of one workday to the start of the next. Charging with the 35W adapter is relatively quick, achieving 35 percent from 10 percent in half an hour and 64 percent in one hour using the included MagSafe cable. This rate can slow down if a second cable is connected to the adapter for charging another device. Alternatively, the single-port 70W charging adapter can be used for faster charging.
Verdict
When the MacBook Air 15 was first unveiled at WWDC 2023, its positioning in the lineup felt a bit unclear. The Air series has always been compact, easy to handle, and convenient to carry. A 15.3-inch screen, however, doesn’t necessarily fit this profile.
The key is that Apple’s MacBook range lacked a big-screen option at an affordable price. The only available choice was the 16-inch MacBook Pro, priced starting at Rs. 2,49,900, which might be overkill for typical use cases. The MacBook Air 15 efficiently bridges this gap by offering a balance of screen size, capabilities, and price. It starts to make more sense when viewed not as an "Air" but as the long-awaited big-screen MacBook for everyday users.
Despite being slightly unwieldy to carry with the lid open, the slimness and lightweight design remain beneficial for portability. While my typical workload doesn’t necessitate a larger screen, I appreciated the enhanced viewing experience for web browsing, particularly with multiple tabs open. Users involved in photo sorting and editing, presentations, spreadsheets, or tasks involving extensive text or data will undoubtedly find the larger screen beneficial. The M2 SoC effectively handles most everyday tasks.
If a large screen isn’t a priority, the MacBook Air (M2, 2022) remains a powerful option, offering the same level of performance as its bigger sibling in a smaller and more affordable package, starting at Rs. 20,000 less than the 15-inch variant for identical specifications.
Ultimately, the Apple MacBook Air 15 (M2, 2023) offers a compelling proposition for users seeking a powerful, big-screen MacBook without breaking the bank. However, if you prioritize portability and a more traditional Air experience, the 13-inch model may be a better fit for your needs.
