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Review Apple MacBook Air 13 Mid 2013 MD760D/A Subnotebook

Battery Life Extensions. Traditionally, Apple products have long product cycles and are only upgraded conservatively here and there. Thus, it does not come as a surprise that the MacBook Air 13 is the spitting image of its predecessor. In the following review, we will take a close look at what has changed on the inside.

For the original German review, see here.

Since the launch of the MacBook Air 2008, the only major case update Apple has performed was in 2010. Their unibody case design has been the industry standard for slim, yet sturdy and powerful notebooks for years. Today, Apple is no longer alone in this segment; the MacBook Air has to fight tooth and nail for a position against competitors like the Asus Zenbook series or the Samsung Series 9. Still, Apple is confident of the outer appearance of their product, as the newest installment of the slim notebook is virtually identical (outside) to its predecessor.

On the inside, a breath of fresh air blows: both the CPU and GPU have received updates, thanks to the new Intel Haswell generation. In addition, this slow evolution encompasses such changes as extensive WLAN standard support, faster Flash storage and increased battery life. However, if you were waiting for a better display (Retina), additional connectivity (4G) or a new design, you will have to keep waiting.

Our test was run on the 13-inch MacBook Air. The test model (basic configuration) includes an Intel Core i5 CPU, a 128 GB Solid State Drive and 4 GB RAM. The reader can thus distinguish it from other built-to-order options on the Apple homepage. The Apple store lists our laptop at 1,099 Euros (~$1440) (delivery is free).

Case

The Apple unibody design has been extremely attractive since day 1 of its release in 2008. At the time, such a slim yet sturdy notebook seemed inconceivable and as such, the Apple design was the standard for subnotebooks for a long time. With time, the market has become saturated with laptops which offer similar build quality and today, the Apple subnotebook has to fight hard to find a place among models like: Asus Zenbook Prime UX21AUX31ASamsung Series 9 900X3CDell XPS 13 or Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon.

The 1.35 kg (~3 pounds) MacBook Air 13 fits easily in a B4 envelope. On top of this, it looks great and has a comfortable aluminum surface, while still offering great sturdiness. The base of the model is not easy to bend inwards and its four rubber feet hold it securely on any flat surface. The display cover can be bent inwards slightly, but it is not possible to distort the picture by pressing down on the edges or the middle of the cover.

We did not like the display hinges of our test model. The further the screen is pushed back, the more likely it is to wobble, which leads to unintentional wobbling while moving the laptop. As the hinges cannot restrict this movement, the user will often be annoyed by distracting reflections (glossy display). The sharp hand-rest edge is a flaw as the user will often put his/her hands down in this area, and over time, the edge could start to hurt.

Connectivity

Magsafe 2, power outlet, 2x USB 3.0, Thunderbolt (compatible with DisplayPort) and a card reader are the ports to be found on the sides of the MacBook (near the rear). It may not be extensive but it does offer a solid base. Adapters will allow the user to add on more ports via the Thunderbolt interface. Problems may arise from the placement of the ports, as the gap between them is not very large. It suffices for a normal cable, but large USB sticks or DVB-T receivers will block the neighboring ports while in use. With an external Solid State Drive, we recorded transfer rates of 145 MB/s and 270 MB/s (with Thunderbolt - read). Both values were measured using Mac OS X. A mini DisplayPort or LAN adapter is not to be found in the delivery.

Front: no ports
Front: no ports
Left side: Magsafe, USB 3.0, Audio in/out combi
Left side: Magsafe, USB 3.0, Audio in/out combi
Rear: no ports
Rear: no ports
Right side: Cardreader, USB 3.0, Mini-DisplayPort/ Thunderbolt
Right Side: Cardreader, USB 3.0, Mini-DisplayPort/ Thunderbolt

Communication

Apple advertises the new WLAN standard 802.11ac with a 3x higher speed (in comparison to the 802.11n standard) and promises data transfer rates up to 1.3 Gbit/s. The new AirPort Time Capsule (WLAN base with network storage) and the new AirPort Extreme base operate with three streams; Apple has not specifically mentioned how many the MacBook Air will use. Still, the user can expect an increase in the WLAN speeds. An 802.11ac network was not available for our test, but in our test of the 802.11n network, we did not find any disconnections or significant speed fluctuations. Users who wished for a UMTS-/ LTE modem will be disappointed, as this continues to be an option only for iPads and iPhones.

Maintenance

The typical maintenance flaps, as can be found on other models, are not to be found on the MacBook Air. The battery is non-removable and should only be serviced by an official service partner. Curious adventurers will need a pentalobe screwdriver to gain access to the innards of the MacBook. However, this could lead to the warranty being voided.

Warranty

Apple offers a relatively short warranty period of 1 year. An extension up to 3 years is only possible with the Apple Care Protection Plan (an additional 250 Euros/~$328).

Input Devices

Keyboard / touchpad

Keyboard and touchpad are of very high quality. Typists will be very happy with the clear pressure point, the low noise and the sturdy keyboard base. The keyboard backlight has many levels and ensures good legibility. The Enter key is a little small and the vertical cursor keys are too close for comfort.

The touchpad measures 115 x 75 mm (~4.5 x 3.0 inches) and offers a lot of space for multi-finger gestures. The slide properties are great and the surface recognizes clicks well.

Windows users will require some time to get used to the keyboard, as the layout is quite different. The Windows key, Print, Page Up/Down and a few other keys are nowhere to be found on the Apple keyboard. Configuring individual keys may alleviate some issues, but for best results, the user will have to get used to the changes.

Keyboard with Apple layout
Keyboard with Apple layout
Keyboard backlight
Keyboard backlight
Touchpad
Touchpad

Display

The new 13-inch MacBook Air is equipped with a reflective 16:10 display with a resolution of 1440x900 pixels. Apple does not offer any other displays. In contrast to the typical WXGA resolution of 1366x768 pixels, the user will have some more space vertically and horizontally. Overall, this results in great displaying of the icons, symbols and caption. A larger desktop is available in other models which offer Full HD panels, such as the Asus ZenBook Prime UX31A (matte surface) and fans of touch displays will be happy with the Sony Vaio Pro 13.

276
cd/m²
295
cd/m²
289
cd/m²
273
cd/m²
288
cd/m²
275
cd/m²
264
cd/m²
272
cd/m²
264
cd/m²
Distribution of brightness
LP133WP1-TJA7, APP9CDF tested with X-Rite i1Pro 2
Maximum: 295 cd/m² (Nits) Average: 277.3 cd/m²
Brightness Distribution: 89 %
Center on Battery: 288 cd/m²
Contrast: 655:1 (Black: 0.44 cd/m²)
ΔE Greyscale 8.35 | 0.57-98 Ø5.3
40.28% AdobeRGB 1998 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
58.2% sRGB (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
38.95% Display P3 (Argyll 2.2.0 3D)
Gamma: 2.21

The maximum display brightness we measured was 264 cd/m² (in the bottom corners) and 295 cd/m² (in the upper central region). On average, the user has 277 cd/m² available and the illumination lies at 89%. The brightness can be finely regulated as it offers 15 balanced levels. At the lowest level, the display is off and the next level lights it up at 17 cd/m². At level 8, we found the everyday norm of 147 cd/m², which we also used for WLAN and video tests.

Even indoors, the user will require higher brightness. This is due to the reflections on the glossy panel that are distracting and can make it hard to make out the content. Bright ambient light brings out this effect (especially while the laptop is at low brightness levels). In our test environment, we found the top three brightness levels to be comfortable to use.

Outdoors the effect is stronger. Although the display is quite bright at 277 cd/m², the surroundings are clear in the reflections on the display. The brightness would have to be increased a lot to compensate for this effect. Bright clothes or direct sunlight should be avoided.

The contrast measures 655:1 (very good). Pictures, films and games are displayed with satisfying colors and the black is satisfying. The supported color spectrum covers 55% of the sRGB color space. In addition, the colors (with factory settings) are distorted. After calibration, the color saturation and gray levels are quite good, showing us that the display has hidden potential.

Color accuracy
Color accuracy
Color saturation
Color saturation
Gray levels
Gray levels
Color accuracy - after calibration
Color accuracy - after calibration
Color saturation - after calibration
Color saturation - after calibration
Gray levels - after calibration
Gray levels - after calibration

The viewing angle stability is at a good TN level and offers wide viewing angles. However, it cannot compete with IPS panels. At high vertical viewing angles, the colors invert or fade. The colors are tinted blue or yellow (viewing angle from above/above and to the side). The viewing angle photos show this effect very strongly, whereas in reality, the effect is milder.

Viewing angles of the Apple MacBook Air 13
Viewing angles of the Apple MacBook Air 13

Performance

Apple has equipped the MacBook Air 13 with the Intel Haswell generation, which brings the CPU and GPU to the latest technological standards. It is clear from the Apple homepage, that this move was not to increase performance, but to achieve higher efficiency. Longer battery life is the result, which means the MacBook Air can now last an entire workday. An increase in performance is brought by the storage device, which is now connected via PCIe and can thus provide faster transfer rates.

System information - Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A

Processor

At first glance, the basic MacBook Air does not offer any increase in performance. The 2012 model used an Intel Core i5-3427U CPU, which ran at a base speed of 1.8 GHz. The new Haswell CPU, the Intel Core i5-4250U, runs at 1.3 GHz and can only offer 2.6 GHz (instead of 2.8 GHz) in Turbo mode. The Thermal Design Power has dropped from 17 W to 15 W. This includes the heat loss of the CPU, which in the predecessor amounted to an additional four W.

Despite the extensive power saving features, the benchmark results are still good and lie at the level of the 2012 MacBook Air 13 with Intel Core i5-3427U CPU. The Cinebench R10 32-bit score is 5% less, but the 64-bit version is 5% higher. These differences are minor and will not be noticeable in everyday performance.

According to Intel, the maximum clock speed is 2.6 GHz, but this is hard to reach even while running single-core tasks. Our tools only recorded this speed momentarily during the SuperPi processing. Most tasks will run at 2.3 GHz.

Audio conversion - iTunes
Audio conversion - iTunes
Video conversion - MediaEspress
Video conversion - MediaEspress
Cinebench R10 Shading 32Bit
6446
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 32Bit
7659
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single 32Bit
3692
Cinebench R10 Shading 64Bit
7376 Points
Cinebench R10 Rendering Multiple CPUs 64Bit
10076 Points
Cinebench R10 Rendering Single CPUs 64Bit
4861 Points
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 64Bit
16.81 fps
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 64Bit
2.5 Points
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 64Bit
1.13 Points
Help

As usual, the results in Mac OS X Mountain Lion are slightly better (depending on the benchmark) than in Windows 7. In Cinebench R10 32-bit, the laptops scores 4,234 and 8,552 points whereas in Windows, the same benchmark ends with 3,692 and 7,659 points. We measured an increased performance while converting MP3 to AAC in iTunes. In Windows, we could only achieve 38.6x speed but in Mac OS X, the laptop could reach 61.3x speed. A list of the benchmarks we ran can be found in the table below.

During the stress test, which we ran on Windows 7, FurMark and Prime95 dropped the CPU clock speed to 800-900 MHz within seconds. The power consumption drops from 42 W to 32.7 W and fluctuates around 37.1 W. In the benchmarks, which we ran afterwards, this did not adversely affect performance. On battery, we could not measure any drop in performance.

Benchmark Windows 7 64 bit MacOS X Mountain Lion Windows 7 64 bit (Battery) MacOS X Mountain Lion (Battery)
Geekbench (Overall) 5669 pts 6015 pts 5259 pts 6020
itunes MP3 zu AAC 38,6 x 61,3 x 39,0 x 61,1 x
Cinebench R10 OpenGL (32bit) 6446 pts 6171 pts 7058 pts 6139 pts
Cinebench R10 CPU Single (32 bit) 3692 pts 4234 pts 3682 pts 4229 pts
Cinebench R10 CPU Multi (32 bit) 7659 pts 8552 pts 7794 pts 8603 pts
Cinebench R11.5 OpenGL 16,81 fps 22,07 fps 17,35 fps 22,42 fps
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Single 1,13 pts 1,07 pts 1,13 pts 1,11 pts
Cinebench R11.5 CPU Multi 2,50 pts 2,14 pts 2,49 pts 2,41 pts
Heaven 3.0 DX 11 12,1 fps --- 12,1 fps ---
Heaven 3.0 OpenGL 12,1 fps 11,9 fps 12,1 fps Break

System Performance

The benchmark results from PC Mark Vantage and PC Mark 7 are nigh identical (in comparison to the predecessor). The RAM operates in dual-channel mode, the storage device is fast enough and the CPU and GPU offer sufficient performance for everyday tasks. We could not find any major weaknesses.

Geekbench runs in Mac OS as well as Windows. In this benchmark, various CPU and memory tests were performed. In Windows, we reached an overall score of 5,669 points and in Mac OS X, we have 6,015 points. The predecessor scores slightly higher (6,209 points) in Mac OS X.

More performance should be provided by a stronger CPU or more RAM. The MacBook Air is not suited for pure CPU calculations or intensive 3D tasks.

Geekbench 2 - 32 Bit - Total Score (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
6015 Points
Apple MacBook Air 11 inch 2013-06 MD711D/A
6063 Points +1%
Asus PU500CA-XO002X
5451 Points -9%
Samsung 730U3E-S04DE
5374 Points -11%
Acer Aspire V5-122P-61454G50NSS
1876 Points -69%

Legend

 
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A Intel Core i5-4250U, Intel HD Graphics 5000, Apple SSD SM0128F
 
Apple MacBook Air 11 inch 2013-06 MD711D/A Intel Core i5-4250U, Intel HD Graphics 5000, Apple SSD SM0128F
 
Asus PU500CA-XO002X Intel Core i5-3317U, Intel HD Graphics 4000, Hitachi HTS545050A7380 + Kingston SMSM150S324G 24 GB SSD Cache
 
Samsung 730U3E-S04DE Intel Core i5-3337U, AMD Radeon HD 8570M, Samsung SSD PM841 MZMTD256HAGM
 
Acer Aspire V5-122P-61454G50NSS AMD A6-1450, AMD Radeon HD 8250, Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000LPVX
5.9
Windows 7 Experience Index
Processor
Calculations per second
6.9
Memory (RAM)
Memory operations per second
5.9
Graphics
Desktop performance for Windows Aero
5.9
Gaming graphics
3D business and gaming graphics
6.7
Primary hard disk
Disk data transfer rate
7.9
PCMark Vantage Result
12096 points
PCMark 7 Score
4308 points
Help

Storage Devices

Samsung: M.2 SSD Samsung XP941
Samsung: M.2 SSD Samsung XP941

Apple promises an up to 45% faster storage in the new MacBook Air. In the 2012 model, a Toshiba SSD was used, but in our test model we find a Samsung SSD, which is no longer connected via mSATA (6G, 600 MByte/s), but rather utilizes the PCIe interface for speeds up to 1,440 MB/s (according to Samsung). This is possibly the SATA Express SSD XP941. Our test model did not bear an identifying inscription.

The M.2 Solid State Drive cannot achieve the theoretical transfer speeds, but it can offer around 700 MB/s (sequential read), which is far above the performance of a SATA 6G SSD. In comparison to the previous Toshiba drive, we recorded an impressive increase of 11 - 47% in two areas. However, this performance drops slightly while reading small files (4k) or simultaneously writing small files (4k-64). In everyday use, the user will barely notice an increase in speed if s/he previously used an SSD. However, the short access times and high transfer speeds leave traditional HDDs in the dust.

The user will not have a lot of storage space in the basic configuration: 128 GB. However, Apple offers build-to-order options with 256 or 512 GB drives. It is worth noting that the increase in price is by no means minor.

AS SSD
Seq Write (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
428.5 MB/s
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A
238.1 MB/s -44%
Seq Read (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
689 MB/s
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A
466.5 MB/s -32%
4K-64 Write (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
136.1 MB/s
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A
174.6 MB/s +28%
4K-64 Read (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
191.1 MB/s
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A
124.2 MB/s -35%
4K Write (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
29.03 MB/s
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A
25.82 MB/s -11%
4K Read (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
13.46 MB/s
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A
15.15 MB/s +13%
Access Time Write (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
0.127 ms *
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A
0.305 ms * -140%
Access Time Read (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
0.176 ms *
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A
0.234 ms * -33%
Copy Game MB/s (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
240.1 MB/s
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A
138.2 MB/s -42%
Copy Program MB/s (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
174.5 MB/s
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A
120.8 MB/s -31%
Copy ISO MB/s (sort by value)
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A
293.1 MB/s
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A
155.4 MB/s -47%

Legend

 
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A Intel Core i5-4250U, Intel HD Graphics 5000, Apple SSD SM0128F
 
Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2012-06 MD231LL/A Intel Core i5-3427U, Intel HD Graphics 4000, Apple SSD TS128E (Toshiba)

* ... smaller is better

Apple SSD SM0128F
Transfer Rate Minimum: 337.7 MB/s
Transfer Rate Maximum: 346.9 MB/s
Transfer Rate Average: 343.9 MB/s
Access Time: 0.2 ms
Burst Rate: 95.1 MB/s
CPU Usage: 1 %

Graphics Card

Although the Intel Core i5-4250U CPU of our test model is actually an Ultra Low Voltage processor, it has the Intel HD 5000 (GT3) IGP integrated. This chip ranks high in Intel’s IGP graphics ranking and offers more performance than its siblings of the GT1 and GT2 level. The Intel HD 5000 IGP operates at a base clock speed of 200 MHz, which can increase up to 850 MHz depending on the task. Of course, the speed also depends on the load on the CPU. The CPU and IGP share the 15 W TDP, which is the limiting factor.

The IGP scores well in the graphic benchmarks. In OpenGL Shading with Cinebench R10 (32-bit) we measure a score double that of the predecessor (Windows 7: 6,446 points, Mac OS X: 6,171 points). The Heaven 2.1 result is also higher than the predecessor: 13.1 fps to an average of 10 fps. The IGP continues its great streak in the 3D Marks `06, Vantage and 11 benchmarks (all in Windows). In 3D Mark Vantage, the score was 70% higher: 1,131 to 661 points. The Cinebench R11.5 result proved to be the exception to the rule: in Windows, our IGP could barely reach the performance of the Intel HD Graphics 4000 (17.35 vs. 17.09 fps). Mac OS X performs better with the benchmark: 22.07 fps.

As shown before by the CPU, the IGP has slightly fluctuating clock speeds at full load (GPU-Z). At the start, the IGP runs at 850 MHz but then falls down to 600 - 650 MHz. However, this did not seem to affect the performance in benchmarks we ran afterwards.

Overall, the graphics section has enjoyed a significant performance increase. However, our IGP cannot compete with a dedicated middle-class GPU.

Intel’s Quick Sync Video is a handy feature in Windows. This Hardware-Decoder/Encoder accelerates video conversions by sharing the load between the IGP and the CPU instead of utilizing pure CPU processing. The table in the Processor section reveals how big this effect is. A welcome side effect is the lower CPU load, which allows the user to use the system for other tasks simultaneously.

3DMark 06 Standard Score
6087 points
3DMark Vantage P Result
4499 points
3DMark 11 Performance
1131 points
3DMark Ice Storm Standard Score
34004 points
3DMark Cloud Gate Standard Score
4702 points
3DMark Fire Strike Score
808 points
Help

Gaming Performance

The gaming performance of the Intel Core i5-4250U with integrated Intel HD Graphics 5000 often suffices for medium settings and native resolution. New games like Tomb Raider or Bioshock Infinite require lower settings to run fluidly.

In Mac OS, we tested World of Warcraft, Diablo III and Starcraft II. As we lacked benchmark tools that would run with Mac OS, we can only provide a subjective rating of the performance. Overall, all three games ran fluidly at medium settings. Similarly, in Windows 7, there is still some breathing room to raise the resolution to the native 1440x900 pixels.

low med. high ultra
World of Warcraft (2005) 162 78 31 9
Anno 1404 (2009) 122 18
StarCraft 2 (2010) 126 38 24 10
Total War: Shogun 2 (2011) 88.8
Diablo III (2012) 54 42 32 13
Torchlight 2 (2012) 83 46 28
Hitman: Absolution (2012) 22.3 15.7 7.3
Tomb Raider (2013) 52.5 28.6 17.4 9.5
BioShock Infinite (2013) 38.3 22.5 18.2 7.7

Emissions

System Noise

The MacBook Air is a quiet notebook, whether in Mac OS or in Windows. In many scenarios, it is silent. While playing the Full HD video "Big Buck Bunny" or converting videos with iTunes to an iPad compatible format, there is no fan activity. The fan becomes audible when more demanding tasks are run. These include playing games and big file conversions. In this scenario, the fan turns up slowly and steadily to 36.6 dB(A). The maximum noise emission measures 45.1 dB(A) and is only possible to reach with high load for longer periods of time.

Noise Level

Idle
28.7 / 28.7 / 28.7 dB(A)
HDD
28.7 dB(A)
Load
36.6 / 45.1 dB(A)
  red to green bar
 
 
30 dB
silent
40 dB(A)
audible
50 dB(A)
loud
 
min: dark, med: mid, max: light   PCE-322A (15 cm distance)

Temperatures

After being turned on, the cool surface temperature of the MacBook quickly rises to a comfortable level. After 2 hours, it can reach up to 42 °C (107.6 °F) above the keyboard. The fan is not noticeable and the emissions find their way out through the aluminum case. The user can place the MacBook on his lap and the hand-rest regions are comfortably warm.

After a full load phase of more than 2 hours, the surface temperatures rise up to 46.6 °C (115.88 °F) above the keyboard and on the bottom. Use on the lap is no longer comfortable, but the hand-rest regions stay at 37.4 °C (99.32 °F) which is comfortable.

Max. Load
 45.9 °C
115 F
46.6 °C
116 F
37.7 °C
100 F
 
 39.2 °C
103 F
41.4 °C
107 F
36.8 °C
98 F
 
 37.4 °C
99 F
34.3 °C
94 F
35.7 °C
96 F
 
Maximum: 46.6 °C = 116 F
Average: 39.4 °C = 103 F
39.1 °C
102 F
43.1 °C
110 F
46.6 °C
116 F
36.9 °C
98 F
40 °C
104 F
40.1 °C
104 F
36 °C
97 F
37.1 °C
99 F
37.5 °C
100 F
Maximum: 46.6 °C = 116 F
Average: 39.6 °C = 103 F
Power Supply (max.)  56.3 °C = 133 F | Room Temperature 22 °C = 72 F | Fennel Firt 550
(-) The average temperature for the upper side under maximal load is 39.4 °C / 103 F, compared to the average of 30.7 °C / 87 F for the devices in the class Subnotebook.
(-) The maximum temperature on the upper side is 46.6 °C / 116 F, compared to the average of 35.9 °C / 97 F, ranging from 21.4 to 59 °C for the class Subnotebook.
(-) The bottom heats up to a maximum of 46.6 °C / 116 F, compared to the average of 39.4 °C / 103 F
(±) In idle usage, the average temperature for the upper side is 37 °C / 99 F, compared to the device average of 30.7 °C / 87 F.
(±) The palmrests and touchpad can get very hot to the touch with a maximum of 37.4 °C / 99.3 F.
(-) The average temperature of the palmrest area of similar devices was 28.3 °C / 82.9 F (-9.1 °C / -16.4 F).

Speakers

The small stereo speakers provide good, clear sound, which lacks bass and middles. The volume can be regulated in 16 levels, which is nice, but the maximum volume could have been louder. External speakers can be connected via USB, Bluetooth or the 3.5 mm jack. A separate microphone jack is not available as it is integrated into the combi audio jack.

Energy Management

Power Consumption

The power consumption heavily relies on the OS used. In general, Mac OS X runs much more efficiently, thus consuming less power. Windows 7 requires a minimum of 5.1 W (brightness level 1, WLAN off) and OS X requires 2.8 W at similar settings. In other tests, the gap between the two grew smaller but the Mac OS could always save one or two Watts more than its Windows counterpart.

In full load scenarios, we measured fluctuating values. This is due to the fluctuating speeds of the CPU and IGP, which are limited by their maximum TDP. At full load, we have maximum consumption of 36.9 - 40.7 W and up to 42 W.

The power adapter offers 45 W and thus does not have much breathing room given the maximum consumption of 42 W. However, we did not notice any power adapter throttling.

Power Consumption
Off / Standbydarklight 0.1 / 0.2 Watt
Idledarkmidlight 5.1 / 10.8 / 12.1 Watt
Load midlight 36.9 / 47.1 Watt
 color bar
Key: min: dark, med: mid, max: light        Voltcraft VC 940
Currently we use the Metrahit Energy, a professional single phase power quality and energy measurement digital multimeter, for our measurements. Find out more about it here. All of our test methods can be found here.

Battery Life

The battery life was measured using Battery Eater in Windows and similar settings in Mac OS X. In addition, we ran a few more tests so as to paint a more accurate picture for the reader. The Lithium-Polymer battery of the MacBook Air has a capacity of 50 Wh and cannot be removed from the case.

In the Battery Eater Reader’s test (minimum brightness, wireless off), we reached a run time of 13:28 hours. In Mac OS X, with similar settings, the notebook ran 19 hours. However, the display is barely legible at 17 cd/m². The practical WLAN test (brightness of 147 cd/m², wireless on, power-saver mode, script running an infinite loop) Windows 7 ran for 10:23 hours and Mac OS X ran for 11:28 hours.

Battery Eater Reader's Test
Battery Eater Reader's Test
Battery Eater WLAN-Test
Battery Eater WLAN-Test
Battery Eater Classic Test
Battery Eater Classic Test
Battery Life Idle (17 cd/m²) Internet (147 cd/m²) Video (iTunes, 1080p, 147 cd/m²) Video (iTunes, 1080p, max brightness)
Mac OS X Mountain Lion 1152 min 688 min 476 min 441 min
Windows 7 HP 64 bit 808 min 623 min 432 min 378 min

To measure the video playback run time, we ran Big Buck Bunny in every test for 2 hours in an infinite loop and then calculated the rest capacity of the battery. In both Windows and OS X, we used iTunes 11, as with other programs, file formats and settings it is possible to either achieve a longer or shorter battery life. In addition, the battery can deplete at different rates depending on the charge remaining. As such, the reader should consider the values noted in the table as an indication of the possible battery life. Depending on the settings and OS, we measured a run time of 6 - 8 hours.

The full load scenario of the Battery Eater Classic (maximum brightness, high performance mode, all modules on) could only be run on Windows 7 as we could not find a similar test for Mac OS X. After 1:42 hours, the battery was empty. In everyday use, this may be applicable when playing games or converting large files.

Battery Runtime
Idle (without WLAN, min brightness)
13h 28min
WiFi Surfing
10h 23min
Load (maximum brightness)
1h 42min

Verdict

Apple MacBook Air 2013
Apple MacBook Air 2013

The MacBook Air 13 excites users with its slim and attractive unibody case. The workmanship is almost flawless and the noise emissions are barely noticeable (for the majority of the time).

The new model supports the WLAN-Standard 802.11ac, has a faster Solid State Drive and can offer a much longer battery life thanks to the new Intel Haswell ULV CPU. The CPU processing power has stayed at a similar level but the GPU power has increased.

The user is limited by the reflective display, the lack of maintenance flaps and the somewhat high temperatures at load. A 4G/LTE version, which would be very helpful for mobile use, is not available, just like there is no option for a matte display.

The warranty period is short for this price range (1 year) and the necessary adapters for Thunderbolt/Mini-DisplayPort interfaces are not included in the delivery. However, the price has been lowered by 100 Euros (~$131/in comparison to the predecessor) which means the new Apple MacBook Air is in better shape to face off against its many competitors from Asus, Samsung & Co.

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In Review: Apple MacBook Air 2013
In Review: Apple MacBook Air 2013

Specifications

Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A (MacBook Air Series)
Processor
Intel Core i5-4250U 2 x 1.3 - 2.6 GHz, Haswell
Graphics adapter
Intel HD Graphics 5000, Core: 850 MHz, Memory: 800 MHz, shared memory, 9.18.10.3165
Memory
4 GB 
, LPDDR3 1600 MHz, Dual-Channel, onboard
Display
13.30 inch 16:10, 1440 x 900 pixel, LP133WP1-TJA7, APP9CDF, TN LED, glossy: yes
Storage
Apple SSD SM0128F, 128 GB 
Soundcard
HD Audio
Connections
2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 1 Thunderbolt, 1 DisplayPort, Audio Connections: 1 combined audio in/out, Card Reader: SDXC, Sensors: Brightness
Networking
Broadcom 802.11ac (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/), Bluetooth 4.0
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 17 x 325 x 227 ( = 0.67 x 12.8 x 8.94 in)
Battery
50 Wh Lithium-Polymer, Battery is non-removable
Operating System
Apple Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
Camera
Webcam: FaceTime HD Camera 720p
Additional features
Speakers: Cirrus Logic, Keyboard: Apple Keyboard, 79 ISO-keys, Keyboard Light: yes, iLife
Weight
1.35 kg ( = 47.62 oz / 2.98 pounds), Power Supply: 200 g ( = 7.05 oz / 0.44 pounds)
Price
1100 Euro

 

The MacBook Air - eye candy since 2008.
The MacBook Air - eye candy since 2008.
The B4 envelope is often associated with this slim Apple notebook.
The B4 envelope is often associated with this slim Apple notebook.
The case properties and surface impression are very good.
The case properties and surface impression are very good.
The display is blessed with many good properties.
The display is blessed with many good properties.
However, the viewing angle stability is not as good as an IPS panel...
However, the viewing angle stability is not as good as an IPS panel...
... and the surface reflects strongly.
... and the surface reflects strongly.
A resolution of 1,400 x 900 pixels offers a good compromise between the display surface and caption size.
A resolution of 1,400 x 900 pixels offers a good compromise between the display surface and caption size.
Fingerprints and dust are hard to find on the aluminium surface.
Fingerprints and dust are hard to find on the aluminium surface.
Very attractive - the slim silhouette.
Very attractive - the slim silhouette.
The opening angle of the display is very limited and the hinges can not hold the display firmly in position (when the angle is very wide).
The opening angle of the display is very limited and the hinges can not hold the display firmly in position (when the angle is very wide).
Even at high brightness, the surroundings are reflected clearly on the panel.
Even at high brightness, the surroundings are reflected clearly on the panel.
At low load, low noise emissions. Even while playing a Full HD video, the fan does not turn on.
At low load, low noise emissions. Even while playing a Full HD video, the fan does not turn on.
Wide USB sticks can block the neighboring ports.
Wide USB sticks can block the neighboring ports.
Seamless integration of all parts.
Seamless integration of all parts.
Memory cards can not be fully pushed into the notebook.
Memory cards can not be fully pushed into the notebook.
720p resolution is offered by the Facetime camera.
720p resolution is offered by the Facetime camera.
Thunderbolt offered up to 270 MB/s with an external SSD. Seagates GoFlex hard disk was limited to 90 MB/s.
Thunderbolt offered up to 270 MB/s with an external SSD. Seagates GoFlex hard disk was limited to 90 MB/s.
A DisplayPort adapter is not included in delivery. Accessories from third-party manufacturers are often cheaper than the ones offered by Apple.
A DisplayPort adapter is not included in delivery. Accessories from third-party manufacturers are often cheaper than the ones offered by Apple.
Normal USB cables can be used without problems simultaneously with other cables.
Normal USB cables can be used without problems simultaneously with other cables.
The power adapter offers 45 W.
The power adapter offers 45 W.
USB 3.0 has a max transfer rate (in test) of 145 MB/s.
USB 3.0 has a max transfer rate (in test) of 145 MB/s.
A pentalobe screw can open up the flap on the bottom. This hides the system components and the battery.
A pentalobe screw can open up the flap on the bottom. This hides the system components and the battery.

Similar Devices

Devices from a different Manufacturer and/or with a different CPU

Devices with the same GPU

Asus ASUSPRO BU201LA Subnotebook Review
HD Graphics 5000, Core i7 4650U, 12.50", 1.3 kg
Review Update HP EliteBook Folio 1040 G1 (F2R72UT) Ultrabook
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Review Update Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Touch 20A7-002DGE Ultrabook
HD Graphics 5000, Core i7 4550U, 14.00", 1.4 kg
Review Apple MacBook Air 11 inch Mid 2013 1.7 GHz 256 GB Subnotebook
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Review Apple MacBook Air 11 Mid 2013 i5 1.3 GHz 128 GB
HD Graphics 5000, Core i5 4250U, 11.60", 1.082 kg

Devices with Same Screen Size and/or Weight

Links

Price Comparison

Pros

+Great workmanship
+Light and slim
+Very good backlit keyboard
+Silent at low load
+Good system performance
+Fast storage devices
+Very good battery life
+Thunderbolt offers extensive upgrade possibilities
+Port posiitioning
 

Cons

-Case edge is quite sharp in certain areas
-No mobile broadband module available
-Wobbly display in slanted position
-Non-removable battery
-No internal upgrade options
-Reflective display
-No display port adapter in delivery
-Small gaps between ports
-At load, very loud
-Short guarantee period

Shortcut

What we like

Although the design is already 5 years old (or older), it still excites customers with its slim unibody case. The long battery life and good keyboard ensure comfortable use.

What we miss

A matte display, an integrated mobile broadband module (4G/LTE) and hinges which support the display better (at wide angles).

What surprises us

The competition required so much time to create laptops which could compete with the MacBook Air. Only now can we say that the alternatives are very attractive and offer some advantages over Apple's notebook.

The competition

Asus Zenbook Prime UX31A with matte display or touch display, Dell XPS 13, Samsung Series 9 900X3C, Sony Vaio Pro 13, MacBook Pro 13 Retina.

Rating

Apple MacBook Air 13 inch 2013 MD760D/A - 06/24/2013 v3(old)
Tobias Winkler

Chassis
90%
Keyboard
89%
Pointing Device
95%
Connectivity
58%
Weight
93%
Battery
92%
Display
81%
Games Performance
76%
Application Performance
95%
Temperature
76%
Noise
90%
Add Points
85%
Average
85%
87%
Subnotebook - Weighted Average
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > Reviews > Archive of our own reviews > Review Apple MacBook Air 13 Mid 2013 MD760D/A Subnotebook
Tobias Winkler, 2013-07-17 (Update: 2018-05-15)