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Apple just announced a brand-new MacBook Air

Apple event October 2018
Apple
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Apple announced a new model of its lightweight MacBook Air laptop on Tuesday during its event in Brooklyn, New York.

One of the most welcome new features of the new MacBook Air is a 13.3-inch Retina display that's sharper, with better color and narrower bezels, than the more traditional, lower-resolution display on the previous MacBook Air.

Read more: Follow along with us on our Apple liveblog

MacBook Air Retina Display 2018
Apple

The new MacBook Air also comes with Touch ID for fingerprint unlocking, much like the recent MacBook Pro models. It has Apple's T2 security chip for enhanced security.

Apple added its third-generation Butterfly keyboard, with individual key highlights, to the new laptop. Below the keyboard is a Force Touch trackpad that Apple says is 20% larger than the one on the previous MacBook Air.

MacBook Air Keyboard 2018
Apple

Audio has also been improved on the new MacBook Air. Apple says it's 25% louder and has twice the bass and wider stereo sound than older models.

When it comes to connecting your devices, the new MacBook Air has two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports, much like Apple's recent MacBook Pro lineup. There's also a headphone jack.

MacBook Air Ports 2018
Apple

Powering the MacBook Air is Intel's eighth-generation dual-core chip that can be accompanied by up to 16 GB of RAM. The SSD storage inside the new MacBook Air is also 60% faster than the previous model, according to Apple, and has a capacity of up to 1.5 terabytes (1,500 GB).

Battery-wise, the new MacBook Air can play iTunes movies for up to 13 hours, Apple said.

Apple new MacBook Air with retina display
Apple

The overall shape, size, and weight of the new MacBook Air got a refresh too. Apple says it takes up 17% less volume than the previous model and is 10% thinner, weighing in at 2.75 pounds. The new MacBook Air's external enclosure is 100% recycled aluminum.

The new MacBook Air will be available in three colors: silver, space gray, and rose gold.

MacBook Air family 2018
Apple

The new MacBook Air starts at $1,199. It can be preordered starting Tuesday and will be available to buy on November 7.

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Antonio Villas-Boas was a consumer tech expert with over a decade of experience testing and reviewing smartphones, tablets, computers, smartwatches, and phone carriers.ExperienceAntonio joined the Business Insider team in 2015 as a tech reporter on the news desk and moved to the service journalism team in 2020. During his time as Business Insider’s senior tech reporter, Antonio developed industry-leading battery-life tests for smartphones and tablets, and covered and reviewed hundreds (if not thousands) of products from major brands like Apple, Google, Samsung, and OnePlus since as far back as Samsung’s Galaxy S6, the original Apple Watch, and the very first Google Pixel. This decade-plus of experience has given him tremendous insights into what consumer tech truly stands the test of time and what will be irrelevant in just a few years' time (RIP The Pebble).Antonio is also an experienced deal hunter, surfacing the best discounts on phones, laptops, and smartwatches for readers during sale events like Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. Previously, Antonio was a consumer-electronics analyst at PCMag and ran his own blog. Why you can trust AntonioAntonio approaches all his reviews not only as a tech expert but as a consumer himself. He reads every word of fine print in the phone carrier plans he reviews, and is deeply skeptical of deals that promise you the latest iPhone model for free. (Spoiler: it might be “free,” but you could be stuck with it for three years.)He largely recommends less expensive and small-scale fixes to upgrade your existing tech before considering buying the latest and flashiest in new tech. Antonio believes his role as the go-to “tech guy” for his family and friends extends to his readers as well; he only recommends products that have stood up to the testing process.Scripps News, NewsNation, Fox 5 DC, NBC LX, and Rich DeMuro’s “Rich On Tech” radio show have requested his commentary and expertise. ExpertiseHis expertise includes:
  • Phones, including the iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy models
  • Phone accessories, including charging cables, phone cases, and protection plans
  • Smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Pixel Watch
  • Mobile carrier plans, including major carriers and MVNOs
  • Tablets, including iPads and Galaxy Tabs
  • Laptops and computers, including MacBooks and Windows models
  • Computer accessories, including mice, keyboards, and monitors
EducationAntonio graduated from Colgate University in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in history.Outside of workBesides testing tech products, Antonio is also a full time dad to two young kids. His ideal day would be spent on a lake in the Adirondacks.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test tech and electronics.