The MacBook Air 2019 was a reasonable laptop choice for a while, but in 2020 is no cheaper and has been eclipsed by a new 2020 model, complete with Magic Keyboard
There are updates, and then there are updates; and the new MacBook Air for 2019 is more iPhone XS than Mac Pro 2019. Not all that much has changed since the previous generation – which isn’t necessarily a problem, because (like the XS) it’s still an excellent device, but it’s unlikely to tempt many one-year upgraders.
Note that the MacBook Air 2020 is here and we’ve updated this review to reflect this. Read on to find out whether you should still buy this older model. Spoiler: Although it can sometimes be a bargain to buy an older generation, this is not one of those situations.
Design & Build
The MacBook Air is a true Goldilocks of form factors. The 13in screen and full-size keyboard feel big enough to work on pretty comfortably – the trackpad is enormous, too, as we’ll discuss in a moment – but it’s contained within a chassis that’s slim (4.1mm at the thinnest point) and portable (1.25kg). The MacBook Pro is comparatively bulky, and the (now discontinued) 12in MacBook can feel cramped, but this is just right.
The Air comes in silver, gold and Space Grey. The latter is particularly smart, but we’re also fond of the gold finish which we tested. As is standard on Apple products, we’re talking about a bronzey, reddish-gold that’s easy on the eye.
Now, this will be of interest only to those contemplating an upgrade from a recent MacBook model, but it’s worth noting that all of the above is the same as the 2018 model. In classic Air fashion, the lines are sleek and minimalist and the lid opens with exactly the right amount of pressure, but Apple hasn’t updated the design at all – except for the keyboard, which we’ll talk about next.
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