Skip to main content

Apple announces new MacBook Air with improved keyboard, faster performance, and more storage

Apple announces new MacBook Air with improved keyboard, faster performance, and more storage

/

And a refresh of hardware specs

Share this story

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

Image: Apple

Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro is no longer the company’s only laptop with a reliable keyboard. This morning, Apple announced a revamped MacBook Air with an improved scissor-switch keyboard, branded as the “Magic Keyboard” like the Pro, that ditches the controversial butterfly mechanism of the previous-generation model. It has the same 1mm of keyboard travel and inverted-T arrow keys as the 16-inch Pro.

The new Air also offers double the performance, according to Apple, featuring 10th-gen Intel Ice Lake processors (Y-series) up to a 1.2GHz quad-core Core i7. And it delivers 80 percent improved graphics performance, as the Air now features Intel Iris Plus Graphics. It comes with twice the storage as the prior machine — now starting with 256GB. You can configure it all the way up to 2TB.

The 2020 MacBook Air has a base price of $999 (and $899 for education customers). For that price, you’re getting a far better machine than its predecessor, which started at $1,099. This should restore the MacBook Air as the go-to default Mac laptop for anyone who had pause over Apple’s keyboard stumbles.

It doesn’t include the same amazing speakers as the 16-inch MacBook Pro, though Apple says this year’s Air has “advanced stereo speakers for immersive, wide stereo sound for activities like watching Apple TV+ content or playing games in Apple Arcade.” There’s also a three-mic array inside for improved voice capture.

On Friday, MacRumors reported that a credible tipster said new products were inbound this week. Alongside the new Air, Apple also introduced the long-rumored iPad Pro update and a refreshed Mac Mini. On Monday, Apple’s Beats brand unveiled the new Powerbeats, and we’ve already got a full review up.

Apple MacBook Air (2020) /

Shipping March 23rd starting at $999

Pre-order from Apple

Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy.