Is the MacBook Air 2020 any good for programmers?

This question came from our users. And therefore, let’s figure out together what characteristics of the new MacBook Air you should pay attention to find the answer to it.

It is hard to argue with the fact that web development requires a powerful and reliable tool. But if you have recently joined this area and are not yet fully aware of the complexity of the tasks ahead, our tips will help you in the difficult choice of a laptop. At the same time, there is a chance to take a closer look at the new MacBook Air.

Display and keyboard

You should start by taking care of yourself. It should be understood that you have to type hundreds of lines of small code for hours on end, and therefore a high-quality screen and a comfortable keyboard are not a whim, but a necessity. The MacBook Air 2020 has a screen size of 13 inches – and, in our opinion, this is the bare minimum for the tasks ahead of you.

Like the predecessor model, the new version received a 13.3-inch Retina screen with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels and adaptive True Tone technology. Also, the screen has good viewing angles with small deviations in the gaze.

In addition, for long-term work, including at night, the backlight of the keys will be very useful. There is no need to talk about the size of the keys and tactile sensations – these are very subjective parameters, test before buying. But we’re excited about the new Magic Keyboard, which features an improved scissor mechanism with 1mm of key travel for a comfortable and ergonomic typing experience. Directly below the keyboard is a huge, very sensitive trackpad.

Dimensions and weight

These characteristics are also about user comfort. When choosing a working tool, do not forget that you often have to take a laptop with you. And regularly carrying more than 3-5 kg of iron with you is not at all healthy for your back. The MacBook Air 2020 is very compact: its weight is not much more than a kilogram, to be precise – 1.29 kg, length – 30.41 cm, width – 21.41 cm, and thickness – only 1.61 cm.

This ultra-slim laptop has two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack. But the cool thing about the new MacBook Air is that these ports now support 6K external monitors.

Operating system

If you’re dealing with iOS programming, then the MacBook line is the only right choice. In addition, since macOS is based on Unix, Apple’s technology is also perfect for working under Linux servers. A large number of programs for web developers have been created for the Catalina system, this is also not an unimportant fact.

Processor and Memory

Here’s something you can’t save on. The performance of a laptop is greatly affected by its processor. For a programmer, such specifications as the number of cores, the frequency and thermal power of the design, and the size of the cache play a huge role. So, in a custom MacBook Air 2020, engineers placed an Intel Core i5 processor with 4 cores, a clock speed of up to 3.5 GHz, and a cache capacity of up to 6 MB.

As for memory, it’s hard to imagine any programming on a laptop with less than 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of permanent memory. The new Air offers just such opportunities, and we do not recommend going below this threshold.

Another priority is the SSD, which will make booting the operating system, compiling code, launching applications, loading a project, and other operations much faster. The MacBook Air 2020 has 256GB, which again is the bare minimum a laptop should have for programming.

Battery capacity

Did you know that Apple is one of the most honest manufacturers? Especially when it comes to battery life. And the developers claim that the updated MacBook Air can stay in service for up to 11 hours of operation.

Of course, if autonomy is not so important to you and you do not plan to work very often outside your workplace, it is enough that the battery life exceeds 6 hours on battery.

Finally, we note that the latest version of the MacBook Air came out in a well-known aluminum design and three colors at once – gray, silver, and gold.

Test and share your impressions with us.