In the past, Apple could have launched its new 15-inch MacBook Air in the smoothest way possible if not for the interference from Intel’s chips. Interestingly, did you know that Intel’s chips once thwarted Apple’s plans for its 15-inch MacBook Air? We know what you’re thinking. Isn’t Apple able to release this MacBook Air successfully? Yes, but interference from Intel’s chips was there and needed to be overcome. Continue reading for the news story.
Intel’s chips thwarting Apple’s plan for its 15-inch MacBook Air
During Apple’s WWDC 2023 event earlier last month, the Cupertino-based technology company was able to launch its newest 15-inch MacBook Air. And not just this, but this more sizable laptop has also been praised well by users, particularly applauding its performance and battery life.
But, in one of the latest news released about this, it is saying that Apple could have unveiled its 15-inch MacBook Air sooner – if not for the interference from Intel’s chips.
Product marketing executives from Apple, Laura Metz and Thomas Tan, revealed that they had wanted to make this laptop for years, but chips from Intel prevented them from doing so. These chips were just too power-hungry to fit in the like of this MacBook Air, which is thinner and lighter. This meant Apple would have had to make major compromises with performance or battery life should it wish to offer a larger MacBook Air.
“When we set out, we wanted to make a 15-inch MacBook Air,” Metz told news outlets. “But when you think of what the designs looked like previously, it just didn’t work. It just did not say ‘Air’ to us.”
Overcoming the challenges
However, Apple was able to regain back its stance from this challenge thanks to Apple Silicon. Apple Silicon refers to a series of systems on a chip and systems in package processors Apple designed. This is the basis of its Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, Apple Watches, and even its Vision Pro devices, among many others.
These custom chips from Apple are much more efficient than Intels, enabling the former to launch its 15-inch MacBook Air with the same light and thin design as the 13-inch version at the same time.
“It was only with Apple Silicon where we were able to have all the right components to bring that larger display along with the battery life and performance that users would expect from a MacBook Air,” Metz said.
This is also a feat for the enterprise customers of Apple who have long been wishing there would be a bigger version of the MacBook Air. Its usage of Apple Silicon is a good sign the company is listening to its customers’ pleas and giving them the devices they want.
