This version of the Apple MacBook Air has been replaced and is no longer available. Read our review of the most recent model.
The Apple MacBook Air 11-inch (Mid 2013) ($999 list) is the latest iteration of Apple's ultraportable laptop. It retains all of the features that MacBook Air fans have grown to expect, though there are a few facets that are starting to seem dull and could bear a little improvement. The system's main improvements have to do with the new fourth-generation Intel Core i5 processor and their effect on battery life and 3D performance. Overall, the 11-incher is improved over last year's model, but concurrent improvements to the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (Mid 2013)( at Amazon) ($1,099) make that model more attractive for the majority of users.
Design and Features
The MacBook Air 11-inch( at Amazon) looks and feels exactly like the Apple MacBook Air 11-inch (Mid 2012) ($999) from last year. It's got the same compact exterior dimensions and is within a couple hundredths of a pound in weight. The system weighs in at 2.34 pounds, which is imperceptibly heavier than the two-pound rivals out there like the Microsoft Surface Windows 8 Pro($698.98 at Amazon) ($999) and Sony VAIO Pro 11 (SVP11215PXB)( at Amazon) ($1,550). All the systems above and the Acer Aspire S7-191-6640 (1,299) are among the lightest and smallest systems we recommend for road warrior travellers.
The new MacBook Air 11-inch carries over the same exterior features: comfortable backlit keyboard with a shallow key travel, responsive multi-touch trackpad, webcam above the screen, and an all aluminum construction. The system continues to use the MagSafe 2 connector introduced last year. The system is only 0.68 inches at its thickest point, so it will even fit in a satchel made for full-sized tablets. On the sides you'll find the same two USB 3.0 ports and single Thunderbolt port as before, though now there are two holes for the dual microphones. These are ostensibly for improved voice performance with FaceTime video chats and dictation in the current OS X Mountain Lion, but they're also primed if Apple decides to add Siri to OS X Mavericks in the future. A touch screen isn't available, but unlike on their Windows 8 competitors, touch screens on Macs are superfluous so far, since OS X doesn't utilize many touch friendly elements yet.
Similar Products
Sony VAIO Pro 11 (SVP11215PXB)
Acer Aspire S7-191-6640
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (Mid 2013)
Microsoft Surface Windows 8 Pro
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Retina Display)
Aside from the pair of pinholes for the dual mic setup, the upgrades are all interior. The base MacBook Air now comes with 128GB of Flash storage space, up from last year's 64GB. Apple upgraded WiFi to the new 802.11ac dual band standard, so it will work fine with any new 802.11ac router like Apple's Airport Extreme (A1521)($120.00 at Amazon). Like previous models, the 11-inch MacBook Air lacks a SD card reader. Since we're bringing out the system's few flaws, we should mention that there isn't room for full-size HDMI and Ethernet, both require adapters that you must purchase separately. Likewise, we're a bit bummed that Apple hasn't upgraded the screen from the standard 1,366 by 768 resolution. At least the MacBook Air 13-inch has a higher 1,440 by 900 resolution screen, but systems like the VAIO Pro 11 and Surface Pro have 1,920 by 1,080 full HD 1080p screens. The Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (Retina Display)( at Amazon) shows that Apple has the technology to do this, though it most certainly would boost the system's price. Apple includes a standard one-year warranty on all its MacBook laptops.
Performance
The MacBook Air 11-inch (Mid 2013) comes with a fourth-generation Intel Core i5-4250U processor, 4GB of system memory, and a 128GB of Flash Storage, just like its 13-inch brother. The 4th gen Core i5 processor is built on Intel's new Haswell microarchitecture, which is designed for better 3D performance as well as more battery life. This is borne out by the system's benchmark test scores. The MacBook Air 11-inch is good to very good on the multimedia benchmarks (1:38 Handbrake, 6:12 Photoshop CS6), if a smidge slower than its 2012 counterpart on the Handbrake (1:25) and Photoshop CS6 (6:05) tests. The Sony VAIO Pro 11 is faster than both at the CS6 test, but Handbrake and CineBench, it's a wash. On the 3D tests, the MacBook Air and its Intel HD Graphics 5000 are significantly faster than older laptops with Intel HD Graphics 4000. Heaven is almost but not quite smoothly animated: 22 FPS at medium quality is a lot better than the 11-15 FPS seen on older laptops, but it's still nowhere near 30-60 FPS, which is where things become more interesting on the game grid. Intel HD Graphics 5000 is still pretty basic, but it should be enough for low quality settings on browser-based 3D games.
Like the MacBook Air 13-inch, the new MacBook Air 11-inch has phenomenal battery life. Last year's MacBook Air 11-inch stopped playing our test movie at 4 hours 14 minutes. The new system more than doubles that to 10:42. This bests the thin Windows 8 laptops and tablets by a huge margin (The Sony VAIO Pro 11 lasted 4:21, the Surface Pro 4:58, And the Aspire S7-191-6640 6:58 with external battery pack). The new MacBook Air 13-inch trumps the 11-inch with an additional five hours more (15:33) on the same test, so it more than makes up for the added space and weight. Basically, if you are always using the system on airline tray tables, the 11-inch makes more sense. But if you're willing to carry a bit more in return for a larger more usable screen with five more hours of battery life, consider the Haswell-powered 13-inch MacBook Air.
At $999, the Apple MacBook Air 11-inch (Mid 2013) is an attractive ultraportable. Still, for only $100 more, you can get the 13-inch MacBook Air with almost the same components, but with a larger screen and almost five more hours of battery life. We still recommend the 11-inch model for those who need portability more than any other factor, but the fact of the matter is that the 13-inch model is ultimately a better buy and continues as our Editors' Choice for mainstream ultraportable laptops.
The Apple MacBook Air 11-inch (Mid 2013) is the Haswell updated version of the iconic ultraportable laptop. It lasts over 10 hours running on battery power, so it's a highly recommended choice if you must have the thinnest possible laptop with the most battery life.
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