MacBook Air

Apple’s generously made 8GB of RAM standard across all 13″ MacBook Air configurations

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 19, 2016

In addition to updating its twelve-inch MacBook lineup around Intel's latest SkyLake chips, a new Rose Gold finish and other perks, Apple also announced that all configurations of the 13-inch MacBook Air now ship with eight gigabytes of RAM.

“Apple also today made 8GB of memory standard across all configurations of the 13-inch MacBook Air,” reads a line in Apple's press release announcing its notebook refresh.

Apple's two 13-inch MacBook Air models still start at $999 (128GB model) and $1,099 (256GB model) like before so customers now get twice the memory for the same price. The 11-inch Air models continue to ship with 4GB of RAM as a standard option.

Blockhead makes your MacBook charging brick less annoying

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 15, 2016

I love my Mac, but honestly, I hate the AC adapter. The 'wall wart,' as I like to call it, sticks out so far from the wall that it can be incredibly inconvenient for plugging in behind couches and in other tight spaces.

Blockhead, which was only just recently announced, eliminates the annoying protrusion of Apple's AC adapter and is now available from Ten One Design.

Now that the Blockhead is available for purchase, we've been lucky enough to get our hands on one. In this review, we'll walk you through its design and how it looks.

Mountie: a simple way to mount your iOS device side-by-side with your MacBook

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 7, 2016

Whether you're looking to make multitasking easier by having your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad right next to your computer, or you're using some kind of screen-extension software like Duet Display, the Mountie by Ten 1 Design is a great way to use your iOS device side-by-side with your Mac or PC.

The Mountie, which can be had in either Blue or Green flavors on Amazon for just under $25, is an affordable way to keep your iOS device right where you want it – in front of your face – without needing to shell out big bucks on fancy desk stands.

In this review, we'll show you how the Mountie works and give you our general opinion on why you should or shouldn't consider it for your Apple accessory wish list.

Simple tips for safely cleaning your Mac and other Apple devices

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated August 15, 2018

Your Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and/or any other other fancy high-tech devices you have are fun to use, but they'll easily get dirty and collect dust, sneeze splatter, and bacteria from your fingers over time, whether they're used frequently or not.

To combat grime, you can clean your devices every so often, but like anything else, there's a right and a wrong way to do this.

In this piece, we'll share with you some handy tips for cleaning your Mac and other Apple devices safely so you don't accidentally damage them.

Having trouble deciding what Mac to buy? Use Apple’s online comparison tool

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated December 12, 2023

Apple has a wide variety of Macs to choose from, so if you're in the market for a new one, you might need some help deciding which one is going to be right for you. Fortunately, for anyone who needs a quick and reliable way to compare specs, prices, and features of Apple's various Mac models, Apple has an online comparison tool that is perfect for this need.

The importance of your Mac’s battery condition and how to check it

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Apple's portable Mac notebooks like the MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro are all powered by Lithium-Ion batteries, and these batteries don't last forever. They go through cycles as they're charged up and used over and over. After a number of cycles, batteries tend to lose their effectiveness at storing power, and will eventually need to be replaced.

If you have ever wondered just how close you are to needing a battery replacement in your Mac, then you'll be happy to know that macOS is actively monitoring your Mac's battery and can tell you with a quick keyboard shortcut, which we'll be discussing in this short information piece.

OWC launches SSD Upgrades for Mid-2013 and later Mac Notebooks

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated May 23, 2016

Other World Computing (OWC) has announced on Tuesday a major new step forward in upgrading the flash storage of your 2013 or later MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with Retina display.

Now available are the OWC Aura solid state drives (SSD), which come in flavors of 480GB and 1TB. These storage drive upgrades are direct PCI-e drop-ins for any of the supported computers.

Rumor: major MacBook Air redesign due in 2016, new 15″ model in tow

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 5, 2016

Apple's MacBook Air notebook is rumored to receive a thorough redesign next year alongside a brand new fifteen-inch model introduction, according to a report Monday by Economic Daily News.

The thinner, faster machine is thought to be up for an official introduction at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in the summer of 2016.

If true, it will mark the first major facelift of Apple's MacBook Air notebook since its debut eight years ago.

Microsoft targets Apple’s MacBook Air with new laptop/tablet hybrid: $1,499 Surface Book

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 3, 2017

In addition to launching the new $899 Surface Pro 4 with the Surface Pen stylus, Windows giant Microsoft has another highly-popular Apple product in its crosshair: the MacBook Air.

Billed as “the ultimate laptop,“ the Surface Book is another hybrid device from Microsoft. Featuring an accurate, responsive stylus, multi-touch support and a high-resolution 13.5-inch optically bonded screen that detaches easily from the keyboard, the new Surface Book promises to offer best of both worlds.

Twelve South launches portable MacBook stand that folds up like iPad Smart Cover

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 18, 2015

Hot on the heels of unveiling its HiRise charging stand for the Apple Watch, premium accessory maker Twelve South on Wednesday announced another interesting accessory. This one attaches to the bottom of any MacBook and folds up to an instant stand akin to Apple's Smart Cover for iPad.

The BaseLift typing stand, as they're calling it, is a remarkable 3.7 millimeter thin, has a microfiber-layered pad and stays attached to the bottom of your MacBook all the time, so you’ll never forget it.

iFixit tears down, dissects new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

iFixit has released a series of tear downs based on the new laptops Apple introduced at its "Spring Forward" media event on Monday. While we're still waiting for the new MacBook to be examined once it's released, the updated MacBook Pro and MacBook Air that are now available have been opened and dissected.

The confusing Apple notebooks lineup

Sébastien Page ∙ March 10, 2015

There were very few surprises at the event Apple held yesterday to officially launch Apple Watch. Thanks to accurate leaks and rumors from the past several weeks, we were confident Apple was going to unveil a new notebook, which we all called the 12-inch MacBook Air until then. If the actual product announced wasn’t much of a surprise, its name turned out to be what really took me off guard, because I expected a new MacBook Air, not a new MacBook.

It’s all semantics, you might think, but we all know nothing is just semantics with Apple. Everything the company does, every product denomination has a clear purpose. So, the new MacBook.