Update, December 24, 2020 [5:56 PM NPT]: Apple’s new M1-based MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13-inch is now available for pre-booking in Nepal. The MacBook Air starts at a price of NPR 159,500 with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, while the 512GB goes for NPR 203,000. As for the M1-powered MacBook Pro 13-inch, you’ll have to shell out NPR 205,000 for the 8GB/256GB variant and NPR 240,000 for the 512GB model.
Both models are now available for pre-order via Oliz Store, with sales expected to begin from early next year.
For more information regarding both ARM-based laptops, you can check our original article below.
Original, November 11, 2020 [7:26 PM]: Apple launches the first-ever MacBook Air and MacBook Pro 13-inch with an ARM-based M1 processor. The new ARM-based CPUs are particularly designed for Macs and ready to power the 2020 MacBook Air and Pro.
The MacBook Air 2020 is already up for order on the official Apple website for a price starting at $999 (base variant) with sales starting 17th November, whilst the earlier MacBook Air launched in March 2020 seems to be discontinued. The base variant comes with a seven-core GPU and an 8GB/256GB memory configuration.
Similarly, the one with eight cores GPU is available in two memory variants — 8GB/512GB priced at $1,249 and 16GB/2TB priced at $2,049. If you add $299.99 and $199.99 respectively, Apple will ship preinstalled Final Cut Pro X and Logic Pro X. And like the previous model, the new MacBook Air comes in gold, silver, and space gray colors.
Unlike previous MacBook devices that carried Intel processors, Apple is finally using the M1 processor in its newer iterations. The new chip is touted to feature four high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, both dedicated to balancing out power and longevity. It’s even said to offer the best in world performance per watt of any CPU, allow instant wake speeds, hence ensuring quick boot.
Well, the new MacBook is not any different than the descendant. The weight and dimensions number 2.8 pounds and 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.16-0.63-inches, which are the same weight and dimensions respectively.
- Display: 13.3-inch Retina IPS display; True Tone technology; P3 Wide Color gamut; 400 nits — 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution; 16:10 aspect ratio
- CPU: Apple M1 chip (5nm)
- Memory: 8/16GB; up to 2TB NVMe storage
- OS: macOS Big Sur
- Ports: 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Connectivity: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0
- Battery: 49.9Whr LiPo Battey; 30W USB-C power adapter
- Colors: Space Grey, Silver, and Gold
Meanwhile, Apple acclaim the new ones to be faster in comparison to 98 percent of PC laptops sold in 2019 and 3.5 times faster with up to 5 times the faster graphics performance, 9 times faster machine learning workloads, and 2 times faster SSD performance than the previous MacBook Air.
We are also looking at the longest battery life ever on a MacBook Air with 15 hours of wireless web browsing and 18 hours of video playback to a charge in comparison to previous Intel-powered MacBook Air. Also, the new Air doesn’t have a fan inside it.
The 2020 edition has a 13.3-inch Retina display with 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution and supports P3 wide color gamut and 400 nits brightness. It comes with a backlit Magic Keyboard and memory configuration that maxes out to 16GB RAM and 2TB storage. It uses Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and Touch ID while two USB-C ports and a headphone jack. The USB-C ports support charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3, and USB 3.1 Gen 2.
All thanks to a new image signal processor in the M1 chip, the 720p camera is said to come with an enhanced noise reduction, dynamic range, auto white balance, and face detection.
Apple has been using Intel chips since 2006 while the transition to a new processor is expected to take anywhere around 2 years.
- Display: 13.3-inch Retina IPS display; True Tone technology; P3 Wide Color gamut; 500 nits — 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution; 16:10 aspect ratio
- CPU: Apple M1 chip (5nm)
- Memory: 8/16GB; up to 2TB NVMe storage
- OS: macOS Big Sur
- Ports: 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Connectivity: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0
- Battery: 58.2Whr LiPo Battey; 61W USB-C power adapter
- Colors: Space Grey, Silver, and Gold
Again, the new ARM-based processor is said to deliver enhanced battery life and efficiency compared to the Intel ones while run iOS and iPadOS applications natively on macOS. The company has already updated its programs including Pages, Numbers, and Keynote for macOS apps.
Back in June, Apple showcased the likes of Lightroom and Photoshop running seamlessly over its new silicon. Lightroom is scheduled to be released in December while Photoshop in Q1 2021.
And the macOS Big Sur will come with Rosetta 2, an emulator to translate any x86 applications yet to be updated for the ARM processor.
Regarding the MacBook Pro 13-inch with M1 processor, it’s pretty much similar to the MacBook Air, except it still has an active cooling system to dissipate heat since it can churn out a bit more raw power than the Air model. It also brings a studio-quality mic onboard, while Apple is claiming a similar battery life of 20 hours on one charge.
Apple MacBook Air and MacBook Pro M1 Price in Nepal
| Apple MacBook M1 Model | Price in Nepal (NPR) |
| MacBook Air (8GB/256GB) | 159,500 |
| MacBook Air (8GB/512GB) | 203,000 |
| MacBook Pro M1 13-inch (8GB/256GB) | 205,000 |
| MacBook Pro M1 13-inch (8GB/512GB) | 240,000 |
