August 11, 2018
Apple's MacBook Air continues to be incredibly popular for those looking to enter the world of macOS, but this laptop is in desperate need of a refresh due to its ageing internals. Here is everything Express.co.uk wants to see the tech giant upgrade in the MacBook Air.
MacBook Air 2018 release - everything Apple needs to upgrade to please laptop fans
The MacBook Air was unveiled over a decade ago and in that period it has become extremely popular with those looking for an affordable laptop with dependable power and all the benefits of Apple's software.
However, one of the reasons many chose the Air is it’s relatively affordable price.
The MacBook Air's cheapest model comes in at £949 on Apple's website - that will give customers a 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor that can be boosted up to 2.9GHz.
But, if you shop around, you can get this laptop even cheaper with the entry-level MacBook Air currently available for £799 at John Lewis, a price significantly more affordable than through Apple's official channels.
This is a very good deal but it’s worth remembering that Apple's MacBook Air has not seen a major internal or external overhaul since 2015, so the chips inside the computer are from Intel's fifth generation.
This means they are becoming severely out of date - the chip manufacturer has already released its eighth generation of chips known as Kaby Lake.
So, with rumours rife that Apple will soon release a new entry-level portable PC here is Express.co.uk's wish list for a MacBook Air 2018 refresh.
Supercharged internals
The MacBook Air needs its internals replaced with up-to-date chipsets capable of giving users a ton more power.
Intel is expected to release its newest processors, named Whiskey Lake, in a few months time.
Implementing the latest and greatest from the manufacturer would make the MacBook Air incredibly capable and users purchasing the computer would have more confidence knowing the computer is going to have enough power to cope with the growing demands put upon it.
A recent report from the Economic Daily News iterated an upgrade for the MacBook Air was in the pipeline.
However, the publication declared Apple is opting for Intel's current generation chips, Kaby Lake, for the refresh.
Kaby Lake chipsets are available in i5 and i7 models.
They can reach speeds from 1.6GHz to 1.9GHz with Turbo Boost speeds rising to between 3.4GHz and 4.2GHz.
If Apple is deciding to forgo the next generation chips for Kaby Lake, it could suggest a MacBook Air refresh is coming sooner rather than later.

Retina display
The MacBook Air currently sports a 13.3-inch LED screen with a resolution of 1440x900.
While the display is functional for consuming content and browsing the web, it is in desperate need of an update.
The super thin MacBook and top-end MacBook Pro have had what Apple dubs a "Retina" display since 2012.
The Retina screen boasts a resolution of 2560x1600 that makes all content look incredibly crisp.
Such a feature also allows functions such as video and photo editing to be performed to a greater level of detail.
Apple has also recently added True Tone technology to latest laptops which changes to the colour of the display to match the lighting around you.
This makes using the machine for long periods much easier on the eyes.
The MacBook Air would greatly benefit from a brand new screen, especially when Apple's other thin computer, the MacBook, features Retina technology.

Refined design
The current design of the MacBook Air was introduced in 2010 and it still looks relatively modern.
But Apple is persisting with pushing the boundaries of design in all other product areas - the iPhone X is radically reducing bezels in favour of an all-screen design and the newly released MacBook Pro's refine a design that looks incredibly sleek.
When the MacBook Air showed off its brand new look ten years ago it revolutionised what people thought a capable and thin laptop could be.
Apple needs to perform the same feat with a redesign of its hugely popular computer to justify why it has "Air" in its title.
Since 2010 the world has greatly embraced USB-C as a new format for charging and connectivity.
The port needs to make its way to the MacBook Air to future-proof the laptop and make it compatible with a score of new accessories that will surely adopt the port.
A Force Touch trackpad is a handy feature that is now present in all new MacBook Pro models.
The feature allows the user to use any part of the computer's trackpad to click and paves the way for some nifty new functions.
Similar to 3D Touch on the iPhone, pressing harder on the trackpad can act as a new way to interact with apps.
Pressing down with a video player open can make scrubbing faster for instance.
MacBook Air 2018 release - everything Apple needs to upgrade to please laptop fans
Passcodes are a thing of the past
For years macOS forced users to type in a password manually to unlock their computer.
But the introduction of the Apple Watch gave users a new way to authenticate themselves, eliminating the need for keyboard interaction.
And the introduction of the Touch Bar for the MacBook Pro added a Touch ID sensor, greatly lowering the barriers of entry for users.
The MacBook Air would greatly benefit from such a feature and while asking the computer to receive an entire Touch Bar could be unrealistic, simply adding a fingerprint sensor would be a great addition.
MacBook Air 2018 release - everything Apple needs to upgrade to please laptop fans
Maintaining the price point that made it so popular
For the MacBook Air to truly please laptop fans it needs to keep its affordable price tag in addition to receiving the new features mentioned above.
This would allow the laptop to cement its position as Apple's cheapest laptop while coming with specifications and functions that are extremely appealing.
This would also allow the computer to differentiate itself from the thinner and lighter MacBook.
Apple's more modern laptop sells for £1,249 if you want the lowest-specced model.
This model comes with a 1.2GHz dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core m3 processor, 256GB of SSD storage and 8GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 memory.
However, a more capable version of the computer can be purchased for £1,549 and comes with a 1.3GHz dual-core 7th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 512GB of SSD storage and 8GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 memory.
Apple could discuss the future of the MacBook Air at a hardware event later this year.
The company will hold a keynote in the next few months to discuss the future of the iPhone line.
It is possible the Apple Watch and iPads will be discussed too.
Latest News
Top news around the world
Academy Awards

‘Oppenheimer’ Reigns at Oscars With Seven Wins, Including Best Picture and Director

Get the latest news about the 2024 Oscars, including nominations, winners, predictions and red carpet fashion at 96th Academy Awards

Around the World

Celebrity News

> Latest News in Media

Media
SkyPixel 9th Annual Photo & Video Contest Winners Announced
Mar 19, 2024
Competition Receives a Record Number of Submissions that Highlight the Power of Innovation SHENZHEN, China, March 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SkyPixel, one of the world's most popular online communities for aerial photography and videography, today announces the winners of the SkyPixel 9th Annual Photo & Video Contest. Co-organized with DJI, this year's competition attracted over 130,000 submissions – a 100% increase from the previous year. The contest welcomed submissions from across the creator community, which includes professionals, aerial enthusiasts, and creative newcomers, showcasing their personal histories through the art of visual innovation. A Contest Shaped by You The SkyPixel Annual Photo & Video Contest is a testament to the power of innovation led imagery, honoring stories that shape the art of image capture both on solid ground and amidst the clouds. SkyPixel has cultivated a community-driven platform that reflects the dreams and aspirations of creators worldwide, and the annual competition has been a conduit for people who love image creation to express themselves as it authentically reflects the desires and aspirations of creators worldwide. Industry-Leading Judges The 9th Annual Photo & Video Contest was assessed by a Judging Panel of incredible professionals in the industry. In photography, seasoned experts include Wen Huang, a World Press Photo judge and Senior Editor, and Anne Farrar, Assistant Photography Chief Editor at National Geographic, Nan Li, the Photo Director of Southern Weekly, and Daniel Kordan, a renowned landscape photographer. In the video category, the judges include Michael Fitzmaurice, the Aerial Director of Photography of "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," and Xiaoshi Zhao, known for his award-winning work on "Forever Enthralled." Bing Xi, a prominent figure in the Chinese TVC industry, and celebrated filmmaker Brandon Li round out the panel. After careful deliberation, the panel proudly presents the final winners for the year. 9th Annual Best Work Prize – Video: "Haines Alaska Through the Eyes of Luke Bredar" by Luke Bredar This year's video judging panel, which includes award-winning Cinematographers and Directors of Photography, chose Luke Bredar's video, "Haines Alaska Through the Eyes of Luke Bredar." This short film mixes heart-pounding action shots of a skier racing down a snowy mountaintop landscapes with breathtaking shots of Alaska's mountainous, winter terrain. Luke Bredar details the thought process behind the short film, "The motivation behind creating this video was to evoke themes of otherworldliness, objective risk, the interplay between risk and the essence of human spirit, solitude, impermanence, self-sufficiency, and the journey of incomplete wandering intertwined with heartbreak." This short film is an epic story made in collaboration with Matchstick Productions. Bredar explains how he pursues a better visual presentation through his creative process "I think to myself. How would my child self want to see this filmed? And I almost always get a clear vision in response. There are a myriad of challenges shooting aerial cinematography in mountain environments, but they are all ...Full story available on Benzinga.com
READ MORE
Watch It
Olivia Munn Reveals Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Double Mastectomy Procedure | E! News
March 13, 2024
kUaEV1Kd3S0
Travis Kelce Shares Details From His Trip to Singapore With Taylor Swift | E! News
March 13, 2024
3YXi-Dgf4eg
Kate Middleton VIRAL Photo: Agency Addresses Photoshop Claims | E! News
March 13, 2024
S4VkO0TpkCY
Da'Vine Joy Randolph Plays 'Smash or Pass' With Iconic Moments From Her Career
March 13, 2024
vkPdJEF2BX4
Jean Smart Wears a Hotel Bathrobe to Present an Award to Hannah Einbinder l Power of Comedy SxSW
March 12, 2024
Bw7uVEYQev4
Lenny Kravitz Walk of Fame Ceremony
March 12, 2024
MlWq8BcnwhE
Dak Prescott Extortion Plot & Steph Curry for President? | TMZ Sports Full Ep - 3/12/24
March 13, 2024
jHFsrjs7OFY
A Japanese space rocket blew up after takeoff Tuesday, turning the sky into a fireball of smoke.
March 13, 2024
YkfJ3Qg8B7c
#KimKardashian and #BiancaCensori hung out at #KanyeWest's listening party Tuesday night!
March 13, 2024
EfwLLq6bx9k
‘Pioneer Woman’ Ree Drummond denies using Ozempic to lose 60 pounds
March 13, 2024
Omfjk1AlZ3A
Chrissy Teigen reveals her ‘boob lift scars’ in daring dress at Jay-Z & Beyoncé’s Oscars 2024 party
March 13, 2024
VxZ2qXAlpmU
Zoë Kravitz pokes fun at dad Lenny Kravitz's style during Hollywood Walk of Fame speech
March 13, 2024
j3-lcFu_1sQ
TV Schedule
Late Night Show
Watch the latest shows of U.S. top comedians

Sports

Latest sport results, news, videos, interviews and comments
Latest Events
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Atletico Madrid - Barcelona
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester United - Liverpool
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Inter Milan - Napoli
17
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Borussia Dortmund - Eintracht Frankfurt
17
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Chelsea - Leicester City
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Roma - Sassuolo
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Verona - AC Milan
17
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Genoa
17
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
SC Freiburg - Bayer Leverkusen
17
Mar
USA: Major League Soccer
Atlanta United - Orlando City
17
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
West Ham United - Aston Villa
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Rayo Vallecano - Real Betis
17
Mar
ENGLAND: Championship
Leeds - Millwall
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Las Palmas - Almeria
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Villarreal - Valencia
17
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Sevilla - Celta Vigo
16
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Darmstadt - Bayern Munich
16
Mar
ENGLAND: FA Cup
Manchester City - Newcastle United
16
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Fulham - Tottenham Hotspur
16
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Osasuna - Real Madrid
13
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Atletico Madrid - Inter Milan
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Barcelona - Napoli
12
Mar
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 1/8 Final
Arsenal - Porto
11
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Chelsea - Newcastle United
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Liverpool - Manchester City
10
Mar
SPAIN: La Liga
Real Madrid - Celta Vigo
10
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Aston Villa - Tottenham Hotspur
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus - Atalanta
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Fiorentina - Roma
10
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
AC Milan - Empoli
09
Mar
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Werder Bremen - Borussia Dortmund
09
Mar
ENGLAND: Premier League
Arsenal - Brentford
09
Mar
ITALY: Serie A
Bologna - Inter Milan
Find us on Instagram
at @feedimo to stay up to date with the latest.
Featured Video You Might Like
zWJ3MxW_HWA L1eLanNeZKg i1XRgbyUtOo -g9Qziqbif8 0vmRhiLHE2U JFCZUoa6MYE UfN5PCF5EUo 2PV55f3-UAg W3y9zuI_F64 -7qCxIccihU pQ9gcOoH9R8 g5MRDEXRk4k
Copyright © 2020 Feedimo. All Rights Reserved.