Apple launched a bigger 15-inch MacBook Air at WWDC 2023. This new MacBook is practically just an enlarged version of the 13-inch M2 MacBook Air, with a bigger battery and two more speakers.

But what matters for this launch is its presentation geared towards Windows users balking at the 13-inch MacBook Air's small screen. So, we'll go into detail about the 15-inch MacBook Air and see what it offers over Windows laptops.

What Is the 15-Inch MacBook Air?

The 15-inch MacBook Air is the larger version of Apple's entry-level laptop. It features almost the same specifications as the 13-inch MacBook Air, except for the larger screen, bigger battery, and two extra speakers.

But what makes the 15-inch MacBook Air special is that it's targeted toward Windows users. Kate Bergeron, Apple VP of Product Design, even mentioned it during the WWDC 2023 Keynote:

Well, 15-inch PC laptops are full of trade-offs between performance, display resolution, battery life, and design. When compared to the best-selling 15-inch PC laptop with a Core i7 processor, MacBook Air is up to twice as fast. And its display is twice the resolution and 25% brighter. Even with better performance and a better display, you still get up to 50% more battery life than on a PC.

So, are all these qualities unique to MacBooks? And will they make Windows users hop on the Apple bandwagon?

What Does the 15-Inch MacBook Air Have Over Windows Laptops?

As mentioned in the WWDC keynote, the 15-inch MacBook Air offers excellent performance, a higher display resolution, long battery life, and sound design. But do they really matter to Windows users?

Unmatched Battery Life

One of the biggest reasons a Windows user will switch to an Apple-silicon-powered MacBook is battery life. It's the primary reason I have an M1 MacBook Air as my backup and travel device alongside my Windows gaming laptop.

Although Windows laptops are often advertised to have nine-hour battery life or greater, those numbers are for minimal use—like using it for just surfing the web at the lowest possible screen brightness setting.

But when you use it in most working scenarios, with multiple open apps, music playing in the background, and the screen brightness set to max, the battery life falls to four hours or less. And if you have a powerful gaming laptop, as I do, expect the battery to last just around two hours.

On the other hand, Apple advertises the MacBook Air to last up to 18 hours under ideal conditions. And interestingly enough, Apple silicon MacBooks have proved to last nearly as long as advertised under typical real-world use. So, Windows laptops are no match for the MacBook Air in terms of battery life.

Excellent Hardware

Aside from the MacBook's class-leading battery life, you also get a more powerful processor. Granted that you cannot upgrade its RAM or SSD, one of the biggest disadvantages of buying a MacBook, people rarely upgrade their laptops anyway.

So, for $1,299, you get a reasonably powerful chip comparable to an Intel Core i7-12700H performance, according to NanoReview's benchmarks. But more than the numbers, you also get macOS specifically designed to run on Apple silicon. This means you'll get a smoother experience, as the software is guaranteed to run smoothly on Apple's hardware.

And that's one of the reasons why MacBooks perform just the same on battery power as they do when plugged in, unlike Windows laptops, which offer throttled performance when unplugged.

Excellent Design and Build

Apple is known for its outstanding industrial design, and you get that trademark premium feel with the MacBook Air. Although this is Apple's most affordable laptop line, the company does not skimp on material and build.

The MacBook has an all-metal case, a premium keyboard, and a glass trackpad. And, if you take care of it, it can last comfortably for several years.

Works Seamlessly With iPhones

Another bonus of switching to a MacBook is that you'll get better interoperability with an iPhone. Since the iPhone has cornered nearly 50% of the smartphone market in the US, this is even more reason why the 15-inch MacBook Air will be a hit among many users.

Although you can use the Intel Unison app to sync your iPhone to a Windows PC, it still has several limitations—none of which you'll find when you're on a Mac.

Will the 15-Inch MacBook Air Make Windows Users Switch?

Aside from the cost, one of the biggest reasons that kept Windows users from switching to Mac was the MacBook Air's small screen size. It was my biggest consideration before I purchased my 13-inch MacBook Air, and I remedied this by buying a 15-inch portable monitor.

But now that the 15-inch MacBook Air is in town, this barrier holding back Windows users is gone, as they can do many things with the extra screen real estate. Because of this, you can expect the MacBook Air to retain its title as the best-selling laptop in the years to come.