Is a high powered CPU, and the fastest, most dense storage really that high of a priority for a mobile device? Your target should be portability, and battery life. Not something easily achieved with your list of requirements. Nothing you listed sounds particularly resource intensive.
I work on film and television. My work consist of writing a lot (A LOT) of text and emails and spending a lot of time in Photoshop and Premiere. Sometimes even After Effects. Also, I'm mostly not around power outlets and am carrying the damn thing in my hands around. Air is really where it's the sweet spot for me - considering build and weight. I had several HP pro ones before (two different models), but they didn't really fit the bill. Too heavy and get hot and noisy real fast. Battery life was crap too. I really hate when laptops get noisy and hot due to dust (which I can't avoid and can't bother to clean often/at all). Air, for some weird reason seems to be mostly immune to dust. It's wonderful. Sure, it gets hot and a bit noisy after you push it, but it reverts to normal ops soon enough when you lay off the gas pedal. Not sure if it makes sense, but I presume anyone that manhandles laptop around a lot can relate those being important.
I'd get a new MBA if there were a new one with updated specs and a better screen.
You're just expecting too much out of an ultra lightweight form factor. You can't get the power you request, out of a laptop designed for maximum portability.
But I did with MBA. I can write for a whole day, almost, edit videos and do fast compositing works on it all on the go. I would like an updated model, and there isn't one. If there isn't one by the end of the Autumn, I will get another manufacturer. Just looking for which. Surface Book seems to be the likely candidate.
