Earlier today we saw some teardown photos of the new MacBook Air and now we have some benchmarks for Apple’s latest ultra thin notebooks, and it seems like the new models with the latest Intel processors have some minor speed improvements over the previous versions.
With Haswell, Intel’s focus was on reducing power usage. Rather than improve performance by 25%, Intel improved performance by 10% while consuming 25% less power.
Apple then went a step further. Apple reduced power usage even more by selecting processors with lower frequencies. In the low-end Air, the frequency has been reduced to 1.3 GHz from 1.7 GHz, while in the high-end Air, the frequency has been reduced to 1.7 GHz from 2.0 GHz.
Performance and Speed Improvements
Whilst the new MacBook Air has some speed improvements over last year’s model, the big improvements come in the form of battery life, which is now up to 12 hours for the 13-inch model. The benchmarks indicate that the new MacBook Air models, equipped with Intel’s Haswell processors, show a modest 10% increase in performance. This might not seem like a significant leap, but it is important to consider the context in which these improvements were made.
The Haswell architecture was designed with power efficiency in mind. By focusing on reducing power consumption rather than just boosting performance, Intel has managed to create a processor that is not only faster but also more energy-efficient. This is a crucial factor for ultra-thin notebooks like the MacBook Air, where battery life is a key selling point.
Battery Life Enhancements
The most notable improvement in the new MacBook Air models is the extended battery life. Apple has managed to achieve this by selecting processors with lower frequencies, which consume less power. For instance, the low-end MacBook Air now features a 1.3 GHz processor, down from 1.7 GHz in the previous model. Similarly, the high-end model’s processor frequency has been reduced from 2.0 GHz to 1.7 GHz.
These changes have resulted in a significant increase in battery life. The 13-inch MacBook Air now boasts up to 12 hours of battery life, compared to the 7 hours offered by the previous model. This is a substantial improvement and makes the new MacBook Air an even more attractive option for users who need a portable device that can last all day without needing to be recharged.
In addition to the improved battery life, the new MacBook Air models also feature faster flash storage, which contributes to the overall performance boost. The new flash storage is up to 45% faster than the previous generation, making tasks like booting up the system and launching applications noticeably quicker.
Another area where the new MacBook Air models excel is in graphics performance. The Haswell processors come with Intel’s HD Graphics 5000, which offers up to 40% better graphics performance compared to the previous generation. This makes the new MacBook Air more capable of handling graphic-intensive tasks, such as photo and video editing, as well as casual gaming.
Overall, the new MacBook Air models offer a well-rounded package of improvements. While the speed enhancements may be modest, the significant gains in battery life, faster flash storage, and improved graphics performance make these new models a compelling choice for anyone in the market for a lightweight, portable notebook.
Source MacRumors
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
