This week, Apple announced the 2020 versions of the MacBook Air and iPad Pro have officially been released. The new MacBook Air is equipped with more powerful processors, better graphics, a scissor-switch keyboard, and more. The new iPad Pro includes full mouse and trackpad support, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) for augmented reality (AR) apps, and more. Here are the best features of the new MacBook Air and the new iPad Pro.
New MacBook Air Features
In a press release, Apple described the new MacBook Air as “the world’s best consumer notebook.”
Better Display
The new MacBook Air is packed with lots of features, and it costs less than its predecessor. It has Retina Display with True Tone technology, which analyzes the color temperature of your environment. Then it automatically adjusts the white point of your display to match the ambient light.
In addition, the screen has a native resolution of 2560-by-1600, over 4 million pixels, and millions of colors. Together, these features will make your screen look great, no matter what you are using it for.
Faster Processors
Apple’s new MacBook Air also has better chip performance, more storage, and increased security. You can get the base models with an Intel dual-core i3 or an Intel quad-core i5 chip. However, you can also upgrade your unit to have a quad-core i7 chip. With an i7 chip, you will get twice the CPU performance and a boost in graphics performance of up to 80%.
Magic Keyboard
Apple did away with the butterfly keyboard for the new MacBook Air and replaced it with the new Magic Keyboard. The Magic Keyboard uses a scissor mechanism that has a 1mm travel distance. This makes the new keyboard feel more stable and more responsive to the touch than previous models. Coupled with the redesigned arrows and backlit keys, Apple’s new Magic Keyboard gives users a better overall typing experience.
More Storage Space
With the new MacBook Air, you also get twice as much SSD storage as the previous model. The base models come with 256GB of SSD storage, but you can upgrade it to have up to 2TB of SSD storage. Apple’s T2 Security Chip also gives you an added layer of security. With it, you can use Touch ID or Apple Pay, without worrying about losing your data.
You can buy the new MacBook Air now, starting at $999 for the base model. You can bring that price up to $2,249 for the fully upgraded version. If you’re a college student or teacher, you can get the base model for as low as $899 as part of Apple’s Educational Pricing.
You can get the new 13-inch MacBook in three colors, including gold, space gray, and silver.
Shop: Apple
You can pre-order the new MacBook Air on Amazon for $50 off now.
New iPad Pro Features
An Apple executive said in a press release that “the new iPad Pro introduces advanced technologies never before available in mobile computing.”
Better Display, Camera, and Speakers
The new iPad Pro comes with a Pro camera system that has a 12MP camera capable of capturing video in 4K. It also has a four-speaker, studio-quality speaker system, which also includes five microphones. Along with the new edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display, the new iPad Pro is perfect for any content creators.
Faster Processors and Better Battery Life
You also get a powerful eight-core A12Z Bionic chip, which Apple claims makes it “more powerful than most PC laptops.” This means you can do demanding tasks, from using high-performance apps to editing 4K videos.
Moreover, this model has 60% faster WiFi connectivity and a battery that can last up to 10 hours.
Trackpad Support
However, the biggest change to the new iPad Pro is the redesigned trackpad support in iPadOS 13.4, which will be released on March 24. This means you can use the Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2, and the Magic Keyboard with the new iPad Pro.
When you use the mouse or trackpad on the new iPad Pro, you will see a circular cursor that changes based on the element that you are hovering over. For example, you can use the cursor to insert text or highlight on-screen options. Just like you would on the new MacBook Air, users can also pair a Bluetooth trackpad or mouse with the iPadOS 13.4 update.
You can get the new iPad with a Magic Keyboard and stand, which folds up to turn your tablet into a laptop with ease. The Magic Keyboard for the new iPad goes for $279 for the 11-inch model and $329 for the 12.9-inch model. However, it won’t be available until May.
If you’re looking for something cheaper, check out our list of the best iPad keyboards here.
Augmented Reality
The new iPad Pro now features cutting-edge LiDAR technology, which is also used in self-driving cars. The LiDAR scanner measures the distance between objects, allowing you to calculate someone’s height or see how new furniture will look in your current space in real-time.
You can now buy the 11-inch version of the new iPad Pro for $799, or the $12-inch version for $999. It comes in two color options: silver and space gray.
Shop: Apple
You can pre-order the new iPad Pro for $50 off on Amazon now.
Did you know you can get an even better deal on the new MacBook Air and iPad Pro when you trade in your old Apple products? Check out our guide on the Apple Trade-In Program here to find out how much you could get for your old iPhone, MacBook, or other Apple products.
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