This week, Apple unveiled three new products: the MacBook Air, iPad Air, and iPad. While these devices largely resemble their predecessors, a subtle yet significant change on the new MacBook Air’s keyboard addresses a long-standing design oversight.
As initially reported by iCulture, Apple has finally rectified a 26-year-old design flaw concerning the mute key. Since the 1999 PowerBook G3 “Lombard,” Apple laptops have consistently featured a speaker icon for the mute function. This design, however, lacked clarity regarding the button’s dual functionality: both muting and unmuting. The new MacBook Air introduces a speaker icon with a strike-through, explicitly conveying its complete purpose. This corresponds to the F10 key on the keyboard.
The mute button on MacBook Air (2025)..The redesigned mute key clearly indicates both mute and unmute functionality.
MacBook Air (2025): Performance and Design Upgrades
Beyond the mute key, the 2025 MacBook Air boasts several key improvements, primarily focused on performance. The new M4 chip takes center stage, offering enhanced processing power and efficiency.
Apple retains the popular 13-inch and 15-inch display options, catering to different user needs. A new “Sky Blue” color option joins the existing Midnight, Starlight, and Silver finishes. The integrated webcam also receives an upgrade to a 12MP Center Stage camera, significantly enhancing video call quality. Moreover, Apple has reduced the starting price for the 13-inch model to $999, down from $1,099 for the previous generation.
A Quarter-Century Design Quirk Resolved
While the reason behind the original design choice remains unclear, Apple’s eventual correction is a testament to their attention to detail, even if it took over two decades. This minor yet significant change adds a touch of refinement to the user experience.
Availability and Pricing
The new Apple products are available for pre-order now and will officially launch on Wednesday, March 12th.
