Technologies

The Case for a 15-Inch MacBook Air

Commentary: Apple doesn’t currently offer a 15-inch laptop, and hasn’t had a different MacBook Air size since 2016.

Apple’s iconic MacBook Air laptop is only available with a 13-inch screen, for now.

A steady stream of rumors points to a new 15-inch MacBook Air debuting at Apple’s upcoming WWDC conference keynote on June 5. The latest not-quite-confirmation comes from Bloomberg’s noted Apple prognosticator, Mark Gurman, who previously said the new 15-inch Air will join WatchOS 10, iOS 17, MacOS 15 and Apple’s long-awaited mixed-reality headset, and more recently tweeted that he expects «several new Macs» at the event.

In addition to the rumored 15-inch Air, that could mean an updated Mac Studio desktop, updates to the current 13-inch Air and Pro models, or even the long-promised Mac Pro desktop, which is Apple’s only remaining Intel-powered computer.

I’m expecting three major focus areas next week: 1) several new Macs, 2) the mixed-reality headset, 3) the new OSs. With all of the new hardware and software, I expect the keynote to be one of Apple’s longest ever and easily exceed two hours.

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 31, 2023

This would not be the first time Apple has offered a MacBook Air in a different screen size. From 2010 to 2016, the company offered an 11-inch MacBook Air, which we reviewed several times during its six-year lifespan.

Apple MacBook Air (11-inch, 2013) — The 11-inch MacBook Air.

Read more: Best MacBook for 2023

Following that, Apple released the 12-inch MacBook (minus the «Air»). That small system ended up being one of my favorite laptops of all time, but it has sadly also been discontinued.

Further, Apple’s long-standing 15-inch MacBook Pro vanished in 2019, replaced by new 14-inch and 16-inch versions, leaving Apple without a 15-inch laptop, which is still one of the most common screen sizes for Windows laptops.

Apple Macbook 12-inch 2017 — The 12-inch MacBook.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Throughout all this, the 13-inch Air has remained a standard, although the exact screen dimensions shifted a bit between the 16:10 aspect ratio of the M1 Air and the slightly larger 3:2 aspect ratio of the newer M2 MacBook Air.

But there’s an excellent case to be made for a 15-inch version of the MacBook Air. The 13-inch MacBook Air remains my default choice as the single most universally useful laptop for most people. But a 13-inch screen, no matter how good, isn’t necessarily big enough to be your all-day, everyday laptop. Especially if, like me, you have a set of aging eyes, bigger screens are becoming more important.

Apple MacBook Air M2 $1,199 at Best Buy

The problem is that the least-expensive 14-inch MacBook Pro is $1,999. The least-expensive 16-inch MacBook Pro is $2,499. That’s a big jump from the $1,199 13-inch MacBook Air.

31-apple-macbook-pro-15-inch-2018 — A 15-inch MacBook Pro from 2018.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The idea of jumping into a larger 15-inch screen for a MacBook Air, using the same M2 chip as the 13-inch Air is an appealing one, especially if it adds only a modest premium to the price. Personally, I’d say around $1,300 to $1,400 would be a reasonable starting price, if you assume it would have specs similar to those of the 13-inch M2 Air.

Watch this: Why Apple Needs a 15-inch MacBook Air

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This is far from the first time we’ve talked about this. A quick Google search revealed that I wrote about the potential appeal of a 15-inch MacBook Air way back in 2012. According to a poll we ran in 2012, a 15-inch Air was the winner among CNET readers for the most-anticipated laptop of 2012.

We were clearly jumping the gun back then, but a mere decade later, it may finally be time to give the MacBook Air a supersized option.

The best laptops in every category

Technologies

Don’t Know What to Watch? Samsung TVs Add AI Assistant Copilot to Help

The friendly Copilot avatar is now available to help answer those burning entertainment questions.

What’s an uplifting rom-com to watch on a rainy day? What are the most popular new horror movies? Is there a Taylor Swift documentary yet? What’s the latest Marvel movie I can watch for free? Don’t strain yourself thinking. Just ask your TV.

Microsoft’s AI assistant Copilot is now available on certain Samsung TVs and monitors, helping viewers select which shows or movies to watch, where to catch up on past episodes and even how to learn more about the actors.

Copilot will be integrated into the 2025 Samsung lineup in the US and select other markets and eventually expanded to more models and regions.

«Copilot on Samsung TVs and monitors brings AI out of your pocket and into the heart of your home,» said David Washington, Microsoft’s partner general manager of AI, in a press release. «It’s there when you and your family want to discover something to watch together, get answers to your questions, plan your weekend, or simply hang out.»

Here’s how it works. Find Copilot in the Samsung Daily-Plus apps menu and click on it. Then press the mic button on your Samsung remote control and ask a question. You can make a very specific query about what to watch, or ask non-TV-related inquiries such as, «What’s the weather going to be this weekend? Who are the (insert your favorite sports team) playing tonight? When does Daylight Saving Time start?»

The Copilot avatar, an anthropomorphic beige blob, will tell you its answer and show you an image to go with it.

Is it useful?

CNET TV expert Ty Pendlebury is taking a wait-and-see approach about the feature.

«Both LG and Samsung announced support for Microsoft Copilot at CES, but whether people actually find having the AI on their TV useful is the big question,» Pendlebury said.

In his review of the LG C5 OLED, Pendlebury did not find Copilot to be as useful as it could be.

«Like any assistant, it’s a little finicky; for example, a search for Severance took me to a 2007 horror movie, while saying ‘Play Severance’ brought up the Apple TV show first,» Pendleton wrote.

For now, Copilot will be integrated onto these 2025 Samsung TVs and monitors in the US and other select markets, at no cost:

Micro RGB
Neo QLED
OLED
The Frame Pro
The Frame
M7, M8, and M9 Smart Monitors

Technologies

Google Has a New Device Protection Program: Here’s What to Know About Pixel Care Plus

You might worry less about cracks and spills involving your Google Pixel and Android devices — but that peace of mind will cost you.

Thinking about getting the new Google Pixel 10? Google has a new way to protect your new device at a monthly rate with a newly renovated device protection program, Pixel Care Plus, that replaces Google Preferred Care.

Pixel Care Plus covers damage from accidents, such as water spills or screen cracks. It also offers unlimited free screen repairs and battery replacements. Additionally, the program covers loss and theft protection with a separate plan. But before you gear up to register your smartphone or smartwatch, or if you’re worried about what this means for your Google Preferred Care coverage, here’s what to know.

How does Pixel Care Plus work?

According to Google, if your screen is cracked, you must file a claim online first. Once approved, you can get it fixed in person at a Google store or repair center listed on UBreakIFix. Google says Pixel phones’ front and back glass can be replaced, but the inner screens on Google’s foldable phones can’t be replaced.

Battery replacement coverage is only available for batteries holding less than 80% of the device’s charge. The program only applies to new devices purchased within 60 days.

If you have Pixel Care Plus, your device can be fixed at a repair location with Google-authorized parts. Google also promises free next-day shipping after your repair or replacement claim is approved.

How much is Pixel Care Plus?

There’s a cost. Pixel Care Plus has two plans: Pixel Care Plus, starting at $5 a month for the Google Pixel Watch 4, and Pixel Care Plus with Loss and Theft, starting at $6 a month for the same smartwatch. The monthly cost may vary depending on your device. You can pay for either plan monthly or buy two years of support. Both plans can be canceled at any time.

What’s the difference between Pixel Care Plus and Pixel Care Plus Loss and Theft?

The difference is evident from the names of the plans. Both Pixel Care Plus and Pixel Care Plus Loss and Theft cover unlimited screen and battery replacements. Pixel Care Plus Loss and Theft also covers your device if it’s lost or stolen. Pixel Care Plus Loss and Theft limits two loss or theft claims over one year. There’s no limit for claims due to mechanical issues.

What Google Preferred Care subscribers need to know

If you’re already enrolled in Google Preferred Care plan, you will automatically be moved into Google’s new device protection plan in the coming months.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Aug. 29 #544

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Aug. 29, No. 544.

Looking for the most recent Strands answer? Click here for our daily Strands hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle is a bit of a puzzler, with a lot of short answers to find. If you need hints and answers, read on.

I go into depth about the rules for Strands in this story.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections and Mini Crossword answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: NYT Connections Turns 1: These Are the 5 Toughest Puzzles So Far

Hint for today’s Strands puzzle

Today’s Strands theme is: A long time in the making.

If that doesn’t help you, here’s a clue: You see these in national parks.

Clue words to unlock in-game hints

Your goal is to find hidden words that fit the puzzle’s theme. If you’re stuck, find any words you can. Every time you find three words of four letters or more, Strands will reveal one of the theme words. These are the words I used to get those hints but any words of four or more letters that you find will work:

HARE, CORE, CHOP, CHAR, ROCK, BOCK, TOCK, MALL, FALL, TALL, ROLE, ROLES

Answers for today’s Strands puzzle

These are the answers that tie into the theme. The goal of the puzzle is to find them all, including the spangram, a theme word that reaches from one side of the puzzle to the other. When you have all of them (I originally thought there were always eight but learned that the number can vary), every letter on the board will be used. Here are the nonspangram answers: