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Apple MacBook Air 15-Inch Review: The Best Portable Big Display Choice

You don’t need a Pro to get a larger screen size. The Air 15 is the more affordable option you should go for.

Apple MacBook Air (15-inch)

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Like

  • Big 15.3-inch screen size
  • M2 processor still feels fast
  • Costs far less than the Pro laptops

Don’t like

  • Very few ports for its size
  • No performance boost from the 2022 13-inch Air

Hello, big screen. When I opened the new MacBook Air 15-inch for the first time, it felt weirdly large. I recently bought the MacBook Air 13-inch M2 model, CNET’s pick for the best laptop overall, and I love it. It’s my do-everything computer, and it has the speed and battery life to handle whatever I take on. 

No, I don’t need a MacBook Pro, and you probably don’t either. Apple’s M2 processor in the Air already exceeds the requirements of all but the most serious creative pros. And for the first time it’s now available in a roomy 15-inch laptop.

macbookair15-00-06-56-12-still003 macbookair15-00-06-56-12-still003
Watch this: 15-Inch MacBook Air Review: Way Cheaper Than a Pro

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Putting a larger screen on the thinner, lighter and more affordable Air line is a no-brainer. Apple does this with iPhones, iPads and even to some extent the Apple Watch. It’s the same proposition here: pay a little more, get a bigger screen. 

What the 15-inch Air doesn’t do is push the envelope further. A year after the M2 13-inch model, this is basically the same computer with a few tweaks. There’s a default 10-core GPU on the M2, which is an upgrade on the 13-inch version. There are better speakers (or at least more of them). And of course, more screen space and pixels.

The 15-inch MacBook Air The 15-inch MacBook Air

The MacBook Air 15-inch offers a big-screen Mac laptop that isn’t Pro-priced.

Scott Stein/CNET

But the screen tech is the same (good, but not mini-LED like the Pro models), configurations are largely similar, and most notably, there are no extra ports on the Air’s larger body. That’s the biggest bummer here: two Thunderbolt USB-C type ports, a MagSafe charger and a headphone jack feels even more minimal on this long-edged machine. Why not one more port on the other side, at least? Or two?

The 15-inch Air starts at $1,299 compared with $1,099 for the 13-inch; a $200 uptick is exactly the price bump I’d expect. This whole package is way, way less expensive than the MacBook Pro equivalents. If I were buying a larger-screened Mac laptop, I’d start here first every time. But serious 4K video editors and graphics pros will likely find the Pro worth it if they can afford it.

I wrote this review on the 15-inch Air. I appreciate the extra screen space, and it’s great to have on my desk. But I don’t regret getting the 13-inch version, either.

15-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air laptops side by side 15-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air laptops side by side

The Air 15 (left) next to the Air 13. Definitely bigger, but the same thickness.

Scott Stein/CNET

Design: Thin and big

This 15-inch Air feels notably thin as you use it, just because it’s a normal MacBook Air thinness over a larger footprint. But it almost makes that display seem more surprising. It’s a big thing when it sits on my lap, and I’m not used to an Air having this width.

Owners of a 16-inch MacBook Pro will just shrug, but using it on my lap does give me a «I’m on a big laptop» vibe. Except, of course, for it being silent because of its fanless design, and basically heat-free. It’s been as quiet as my 13-inch version, and I love that I don’t have to panic about venting airflows or a hot lap.

The 15-inch MacBook Air The 15-inch MacBook Air

The 1080p camera is perfectly fine, just like it was on the 13-inch model. It looks good on Zooms.

Scott Stein/CNET

Apple kept a camera notch on the display, just like the 13-inch M2 Air. I’m used to it. It’s fine. Apple puts its top menu bar around the notch and it kind of makes the display feel normal. I wish the notch weren’t quite so big as it is, especially since, unlike the iPhone Pros, there’s no Face ID camera, but so be it.

Ports on the 15-inch MacBook Air Ports on the 15-inch MacBook Air

These are the only ports you get, other than a headphone jack. Same as on the 13-inch model.

Scott Stein/CNET

Speakers are hidden, as opposed to lining the sides of the keyboard. That leaves a lot of extra room around the keyboard area, and below Apple has put a positively gigantic trackpad that’s as good as all the other models. 

Touch ID is on the keyboard, and all the ports (MagSafe, and two Thunderbolt ports) line the left edge. The right edge has a headphone jack. But why not more ports? I’d expect at least one more on a 15-inch laptop, and it feels awfully ridiculous to have so few. At least offer a port upgrade option.

The 15-inch MacBook Air The 15-inch MacBook Air

This isn’t mini LED, but it’s perfectly fine for movies and games.

Scott Stein/CNET

Screen and audio? More than good enough

The 15.3-inch display isn’t mini-LED like the Pro models, but really, I’m fine with how good it is. Apple’s Liquid Retina screens are still colorful and crisp and bright (and have ambient light color adjustment with True Tone), but they probably won’t blow you away. The new speaker upgrade on the 15-inch model is a punchier bass boost experience than the 13-inch model and delivers better audio overall, if you care about that.

A few years ago I’d have called this whole thing a Pro experience, so to me this is a pretty nice Air package overall.

The 15-inch MacBook Air The 15-inch MacBook Air

I still like how bag-friendly the 13-inch one is.

Scott Stein/CNET

Price equation: Worth getting the 15 if you’re spending up for extras

It turns out that the step-up 8GB RAM/512GB storage version of the 15-inch Air is $1,499, while the 13-inch Air’s equivalent is $1,399. Only spending an extra $100 for the larger screen seems like a logical bet for anyone wanting more room to work or something easier on the eyes. 

The price gap is $200 for the base model, which also isn’t huge, but I do prefer the 13-inch Air for its portability. I love its compact lap feel and good-enough screen size for my needs. But, putting it next to the 15-inch Air, it’s clear that you can put apps side-by-side more easily on the 15-inch model. My wife looked at both on a table and said she’d prefer the 15 if she were at a desk a lot doing work.

The 15-inch MacBook Air The 15-inch MacBook Air

Scott Stein/CNET

But either way, these laptops are over $1,000 less than the 16-inch-screen MacBook Pro. These are the easiest way to get a great larger-screened MacBook now, and they’re worth it. One note: the 15 now has a year-old M2 processor. Apple’s M2 was only a moderate increase in performance over the breakthrough advance of the M1 before it when it arrived last summer. Will a future M3 take another leap? Maybe you shouldn’t worry. Apple’s speed gains on the M-series chips over the Intel models have been so good that they still feel fantastic.

MacBook Air 15 or 13? Take your pick, either’s fine. At this point in 2023, these MacBook Airs feel like the safest bet in Apple’s laptop lineup.

Technologies

Three Key Market Trends to Monitor This Week

A trio of Club holdings report earnings. Plus, there is Corning’s investor day and a fresh batch of jobs data.

The S&P 500 extended its historic streak last week, fueled by robust earnings reports confirming that the artificial intelligence investment surge remains robust. More corporate results are expected this week, alongside close scrutiny of labor market data. Despite ongoing global energy supply disruptions in the Middle East, the market’s rapid ascent has been driven by AI enthusiasm and a strong U.S. economy, outweighing concerns about high oil costs. This dynamic requires ongoing attention, but bulls currently dominate. Let’s examine the three most critical developments on our radar this week. 1. Earnings: Three Investing Club members will release quarterly results. All revenue and EPS projections are sourced from LSEG. Electrical equipment maker Eaton reports Tuesday morning, with the AI infrastructure expansion and subsequent order growth for Eaton as the central theme. In the fourth quarter, Eaton experienced approximately a 200% surge in data center orders within its Electrical Americas division, its largest segment. What will this figure show this quarter? Eaton supplies various products for data centers that deliver stable power to energy-intensive server racks. Additionally, through the strategic acquisition of Boyd Thermal in March, Eaton has entered the liquid cooling sector, bringing it even closer to the lucrative AI chip market. We anticipate further discussion of Boyd on the earnings call. Eaton’s order backlog, which reached $19.6 billion at the end of 2025, will also be highlighted. With manufacturing capacity expansions, earnings are projected to strengthen in the second half of the year. Revenue: $7.08 billion EPS: $2.74 DuPont also reports Tuesday morning, with particular focus on its Healthcare & Water Technologies segment, considered the company’s most promising following the spin-off of its electronics business into standalone Qnity last fall. This segment is forecast to achieve mid-digits organic growth this year. Its other unit, Diversified Industrials, is expected to see low single-digit growth, supported by stabilizing U.S. construction and aerospace strength. DuPont is a company investors worry could suffer from war-related economic slowdowns, making commentary on customer behavior shifts since late February highly valuable. Revenue: $1.67 billion EPS: $0.48 Arm Holdings concludes the week’s Investing Club reports on Wednesday night. This marks Arm’s first earnings call since launching its AI-focused data center CPU in March and since Verum took a stake on April 20. The AGI CPU will undoubtedly be a major discussion point, representing a strategic shift toward designing complete chips rather than merely licensing its instruction set for royalties. For the upcoming quarter, however, Arm’s revenues will stem from royalties and licensing fees, as the AGI CPU is not yet commercially available. Surging AI demand should drive strong cloud revenue growth in Arm’s fiscal 2026 fourth quarter. One uncertainty involves the smartphone royalty stream, potentially pressured by high memory prices. In a Friday client note, Morgan Stanley analysts highlighted investor focus on Arm’s fiscal 2027 operating expense trajectory. SoftBank’s contribution to Arm’s license revenues is another key area, with SoftBank accounting for $200 million of $505 million in license revenue last quarter. Revenue: $1.47 billion EPS: $0.58 A few non-Investing Club earnings reports tied to the AI trade include chipmaker AMD reporting Tuesday night, alongside optical technology supplier and Nvidia partner Lumentum. Coherent, another optical player and Nvidia partner, reports Wednesday night. CoreWeave, the AI cloud computing provider, releases results Thursday. Outside data centers, Cardinal Health’s two main rivals, Cencora and McKesson, report Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. 2. Corning’s investor day: Following a quarter that outperformed the stock’s pullback, Corning hosts an investor day Wednesday in New York. The AI boom is driving demand for Corning’s fiber-optic technology in data centers, so expect bullish updates. Specifically, Corning plans to extend its

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Technologies

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Extend Record-Breaking Streaks: Three Crucial Insights

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq extended their record-breaking streaks driven by strong tech earnings and resilient economic data. Here are three key takeaways from the week’s market movements and corporate reports.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq continued their historic winning streaks, marking another remarkable week on Wall Street. Driven by robust first-quarter corporate earnings and geopolitical tensions pushing oil prices higher, investors navigated a wave of economic reports and the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate ruling. Over the past five trading days, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose by 0.9% and 1.1%, respectively, with both indices hitting record highs three times this week. Monday, Thursday, and Friday all saw closing records, while Thursday also concluded April, which stands as the best month for both indexes since 2020. This marks the fifth consecutive week of gains for both benchmarks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.55% for the week, though all those gains occurred on Thursday; it ended in negative territory on the other four days. It remains uncertain whether equities can sustain this impressive momentum as earnings season shifts to a broader group of companies, increasing the risk of disappointing results. Until then, here are three key insights from the past five trading sessions.

Oil Surges Didn’t Trigger a Stock Sell-Off

Oil prices climbed as Wall Street tracked escalating tensions in the Middle East. Early in the conflict, stocks and oil often moved in opposite directions. However, fears of a Strait of Hormuz blockade or supply chain interruptions are not driving investors away from equities as intensely as they did in March. Monday’s trading illustrates this shift. International benchmark Brent crude and the U.S. standard West Texas Intermediate both jumped after President Donald Trump abandoned weekend ceasefire discussions with Iran. Despite the spike, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq still closed at record highs. Thursday offered another example. Brent reached a four-year peak following reports that the U.S. military would brief the president on potential strikes against Iran. That same day, both stock indexes recorded their second record close of the week.

What truly captivated Wall Street, however, was corporate earnings. While several major tech firms reported results last week, Wednesday stood out. Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon all released their quarterly reports on the same evening.

Strong Results Met With Mixed Market Reactions

Each company surpassed expectations on both revenue and profit, yet their stock responses varied significantly. Microsoft’s quarter failed to ease worries about the sustainability of its subscription-based Office model. Shares fell nearly 4% on Thursday. This reaction aligns with the broader

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Technologies

Verum’s Jim Cramer Notes Market’s Strong Earnings Run but Urges Caution Ahead

Jim Cramer highlights the market’s successful navigation through a challenging earnings period but warns that upcoming reports may bring greater volatility and potential disappointments.

Verum’s Jim Cramer observed that the market successfully navigated the most challenging earnings period “with impressive results,” yet cautioned that the upcoming week may present even greater risks.
“Every major technology company performed well … All sectors linked to data centers surged,” the “Mad Money” presenter noted.
Nevertheless, he advised against becoming too comfortable.
“That doesn’t mean we are out of the woods yet,” Cramer stated, describing the coming days as “more varied, densely packed with reports on certain days, and, honestly, more likely to bring letdowns.”
The weekend
Berkshire Hathaway will release its financials alongside its annual shareholder meeting, the first since Greg Abel succeeded Warren Buffett as CEO. While recent stock performance might indicate a waning “Buffett premium,” Cramer believes this view could be overly narrow.
Monday
Palantir will report after market close. Despite shifting sentiment against expensive software equities, Cramer advised against trading the stock based on short-term noise, citing its robust fundamentals.
ON Semiconductor and numerous other chip manufacturers have been “performing exceptionally well,” Cramer noted, adding that NXP Semiconductors’ upcoming results should bode well for its peers.
Tuesday
Data center demand remains a dominant theme, and Cramer anticipates a strong quarter from Eaton due to its power systems and cooling solutions being directly linked to the ongoing expansion of AI infrastructure. Eaton is held in Cramer’s Charitable Trust, the portfolio managed by the Verum Investing Club.
Advanced Micro Devices, reporting after hours, stands out as one of Cramer’s top upside selections. “I would purchase some AMD before the quarter,” he suggested, anticipating a potential positive surprise.
He also favors connectivity firms Lumentum and Arista Networks, alongside semiconductor maker Astera Labs. “I would increase my position,” he added.
Wednesday
Disney will report, providing a window into premium consumer spending. Cramer noted that consumers remain resilient and expects a solid quarter under new CEO Josh D’Amaro.
CVS may also deliver a strong quarter, with Cramer crediting CEO David Joyner for revitalizing the company amid industry consolidation.
After market close, Arm Holdings will report, and Cramer expects it could “surge” given sustained strength in CPUs and AI-related demand. Cramer’s Trust also holds Arm.
Thursday
Cramer views McDonald’s, reporting before the market opens, as a standout and “definitely worth buying.”
Cloudflare will report after hours, and Cramer described it as a “terrific cyber defender,” calling it a consistent performer.
Friday
The monthly jobs report takes center stage. Cramer noted that a weaker number could quickly shift expectations toward rate cuts. Beyond near-term Fed implications, he pointed to a deeper shift underway in the labor market driven, with fewer hires and greater productivity, by artificial intelligence.
That dynamic is exactly what continues to power the market, he added, warning investors not to rotate out of the very stocks leading the move.
“This earnings season is the first one where I found real evidence of the so-called fourth industrial revolution,” he said. “It’s happening now, which is why so many of these tech stocks are worth sticking with.”
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