The new MacBook Air 2020 doesn't look much different from its predecessor, but it comes with a host of welcome upgrades that make Apple's new notebook a very attractive option for anyone considering a new notebook purchase. Gone is the dreaded butterfly keyboard, and the new MacBook Air now offers up to twice the performance and twice the storage.

On paper, the new MacBook Air looks good enough to make our best laptops list. However, even at the reduced price of $999, we have some concerns. Here are some reasons why you should buy the new MacBook Air and why you should hold off.

Finally, a good keyboard

After years of frustration with the MacBook Air's butterfly keyboard, Apple has included a redesigned scissor mechanism from the acclaimed 16-inch MacBook Pro in the MacBook Air. No more key snags or accidental double presses that have plagued the Air's layout in the past, and 1 mm of key travel provides a more solid key feel.

Combined with the scissor mechanism, Apple states that the keycap design has been refined. In addition, the arrow keys are arranged in an inverted T-shape, making them easier to find sensibly. All of this makes for a more reliable and comfortable typing experience. And it's about time.

10th Generation Intel Core Speedups

MacBook Airs no longer need to stick with 8th generation Intel Core processors. The latest models are equipped with 10th generation Intel Core i3 CPUs, and the Air can even be equipped with quad-core Core i7 chips. On the graphics side, Intel Iris Plus graphics make video editing and game play more comfortable.

Double the storage

The last MacBook Air started with 128GB of storage, but ultra-portable Windows laptops in the same price range have offered 256GB for years. Apple seems to have gotten the message with the new MacBook Air, which starts with 256GB of fast flash storage; the Air has a maximum of 2TB, up from the previous model's maximum of 1TB. (Curiously, the 13-inch MacBook Pro still starts at 128GB, but that's another story.)

Price Drops

Not a huge discount, but we'll take it. The new MacBook Air starts at $999, $100 less than the $1099 model Apple announced in July. Additionally, students can get a MacBook Air for $899, which is quite a bargain.

The entry-level MacBook Air has a Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, while the $1,299 model has a Core i5 chip, the same amount of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

Long battery life

The MacBook Air is capable of 11 hours of wireless web surfing. We have not yet conducted our own web surfing battery tests, but in general we have found that lab results are very close to Apple's claims.

Limited Ports

A $1,000 laptop would want at least two Thunderbolt ports for connecting peripherals. But that's all the MacBook Air has. Dell's XPS 13, for example, has two Thunderbolt ports, a USB-C port, and a microSD card reader; the HP Envy 13 has two USB 3.1 ports and one USB 3.1 port.

Core i5 would be better at $999

While we appreciate the jump to 10th generation Core processors in the new MacBook Air, $999 for a Core i3 chip seems a bit cheap. Perhaps this is a way to further differentiate the MacBook Air from the MacBook Pro, but the fact remains that you can get a 10th generation Core i5 or even a Core i7 for the same price as a MacBook Air.

The webcam is still 720p

You still won't get an upgraded webcam from Apple in 2020. I would much rather see a full HD 1080p webcam than the low-resolution 720p camera on this MacBook Air. A crisper webcam would be especially welcome now that millions of people are working from home more than ever before and dialing into video calls.

If you want an ultra-portable laptop with a rugged design, a great typing experience, and an easy-to-use and relatively secure macOS operating system, the new MacBook Air should satisfy. We wish Apple had included more ports and a Core i5 chip at this price, but overall, the MacBook Air's multiple upgrades make it very likely to be one of the best laptops of the year.