15" M2 MacBook Air is too heavy

[Tagbert]

I've been using it for two weeks. I think it's a great machine. I wouldn't be asking myself if it's a bit too heavy if they'd named it MacBook rather than MacBook Air. After 13 years of using an Air, the name really doesn't fit.

The problem with that perception is that Air has become Apple’s branding for their consumer line in contrast to the Pro line. Apple tried to tempt people away to a pure “MacBook“ brand in 2015 with the 12” but through a combination of that being a weak offering and the strength of the Air brand, it failed to gain much of a following beyond a niche market.

Even on physical characteristics, the 15” Air is significantly lighter than any previous 15” Mac so there is a case for considering it to be light in a relative sense. And in an historical sense. These Airs are lighter than almost any previous Mac.

It is clearly in the same line as the 13” MacBook Air. It would be silly to call the 13” an Air but not to call the 15” an Air. Once Apple carried the Air branding forward in in the Apple Silicon models it was clear that they had committed to that. That would have been the time to change if they were going to.

 

[kp98077]

This thread is too much! Looking at my work Lenovo 15 rn, things a beast compared to the 15" air., which by no means would I consider it heavy, larger footprint? yes of course... but it truly is a nice machine!

 

[neo_cs193p]

And with that, the one thing I really miss is a backspace key on my M2 Air.

The Mac Delete key is literally PC Backspace, it just has "delete" printed on it instead. You can also get it to act like PC "Delete" when holding down the Fn key.

 

[neo_cs193p]

I think you are misconceiving how apple looks at ‘Air’ models these days… they are no longer the thinnest and lightest version of a device… there is a 0.01lb difference between the iPad Air and iPad Pro 11”. Apples obsession with thin and light ended quite a while ago.

The ‘Air’ moniker in Apples eyes is now a less featured version of a high end product, basically without all the bells and whistles.

The ratio between the surface of the display and the weight of the laptop is the best of any MacBook, ever. It is equal only to the 12" MacBook. Every time I close it and pick it up, it still feels unreal to me that a computer with such a comfortable display weighs this little. So yeah, they can go ahead and call it "Air" all they want.

 

[raythompsontn]

The Mac Delete key is literally PC Backspace, it just has "delete" printed on it instead. You can also get it to act like PC "Delete" when holding down the Fn key.

I was not clear when I originally posted. I miss the true delete key on the PC which functions differently from the Mac delete key. The Mac has a delete key but no backspace key which the Mac has labeled the delete key. Good to know the Mac has an equivalent of the PC delete key. Another funky key combination that is not entirely obvious. I like separate keys for each operation.

On the PC the Delete key just deletes the character to the right of the cursor. Backspace truly backspaces and removes the character. I wonder why Apple did not print Backspace on the key instead of Delete as Backspace truly moves the cursor back.

Because of the lack of a true delete key, the delete key on the Mac cannot be used to delete files and folders as it can be done on the PC. Is that a good or bad method? Take your pick. To delete on Mac a right click is needed, or dragging to the trash, or using the Command key with Delete.

In one case you have to use the FN key to modify the behavior of the Delete key. In another case you have to use the Command key to modify the behavior of the Delete key. Why not use the FN, or Command, key (but not both) to modify the behavior of the Delete key, instead of two different combinations?

Another difference on the PC and Mac is dragging and dropping files between folders. The default on the Mac is to move. Which can be overridden with the Option key.

I do miss the use of the CTL-C, CTL-V commands for copying items. The keyboard on the M2 Air does not lend itself to the use of my left pinky finger to press Control to do those operations. On the Mac I have to use the left thumb. Not as easy in my opinion.

I am certain that some ergonomic propeller head at Mac decided this was best way, in their opinion, to have the keys function. Or it was way to just be different from the PC. And who is to say which is better or correct.

 

[brilliantthings]

The problem with that perception is that Air has become Apple’s branding for their consumer line in contrast to the Pro line. Apple tried to tempt people away to a pure “MacBook“ brand in 2015 with the 12” but through a combination of that being a weak offering and the strength of the Air brand, it failed to gain much of a following beyond a niche market.

Even on physical characteristics, the 15” Air is significantly lighter than any previous 15” Mac so there is a case for considering it to be light in a relative sense. And in an historical sense. These Airs are lighter than almost any previous Mac.

It is clearly in the same line as the 13” MacBook Air. It would be silly to call the 13” an Air but not to call the 15” an Air. Once Apple carried the Air branding forward in in the Apple Silicon models it was clear that they had committed to that. That would have been the time to change if they were going to.

I think about it in terms of absolute weight. Not relative weight or density. The 13” MacBook Air still feels remarkably light for such a powerful computer. The 15” MBA feels an appropriate weight for a modern, lightweight laptop.

 

[6916494]

I was not clear when I originally posted. I miss the true delete key on the PC which functions differently from the Mac delete key. The Mac has a delete key but no backspace key which the Mac has labeled the delete key. Good to know the Mac has an equivalent of the PC delete key. Another funky key combination that is not entirely obvious. I like separate keys for each operation.

On the PC the Delete key just deletes the character to the right of the cursor. Backspace truly backspaces and removes the character. I wonder why Apple did not print Backspace on the key instead of Delete as Backspace truly moves the cursor back.

Because of the lack of a true delete key, the delete key on the Mac cannot be used to delete files and folders as it can be done on the PC. Is that a good or bad method? Take your pick. To delete on Mac a right click is needed, or dragging to the trash, or using the Command key with Delete.

In one case you have to use the FN key to modify the behavior of the Delete key. In another case you have to use the Command key to modify the behavior of the Delete key. Why not use the FN, or Command, key (but not both) to modify the behavior of the Delete key, instead of two different combinations?

Another difference on the PC and Mac is dragging and dropping files between folders. The default on the Mac is to move. Which can be overridden with the Option key.

I do miss the use of the CTL-C, CTL-V commands for copying items. The keyboard on the M2 Air does not lend itself to the use of my left pinky finger to press Control to do those operations. On the Mac I have to use the left thumb. Not as easy in my opinion.

I am certain that some ergonomic propeller head at Mac decided this was best way, in their opinion, to have the keys function. Or it was way to just be different from the PC. And who is to say which is better or correct.

Apple invented the keyboard shortcuts (Cmd-...) long before Microsoft had its shot at it. The Apple Lisa introduced these in 1983: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Apple_A6MB101_keyboard_top.jpg.

A few years later in 1987 they added the Ctrl-key. Apple did not introduce it because of the PC – Windows did not really exist in 1987 –, but because programmers and system adminstrators wanted to be able to use decent shortcuts for terminal commands.

So Cmd-shortcuts were always for end user application menu commands, while Ctrl-shortcuts are for pro users, see https://github.com/0nn0/terminal-mac-cheatsheet.

 

[raythompsontn]

Apple invented the keyboard shortcuts (Cmd-...) long before Microsoft had its shot at it.

I was using keyboard shortcuts in 1980 in computer terminals, long before 1983. The bank I worked at had an IBM PC in 1982 with a full size keyboard. My team developed software on the PC to access applications on the mainframe. We created shortcuts for many common tasks. To state Apple invented shortcuts is not correct. Apple may have made shortcuts mainstream, but Apple certainly did not invent shortcuts.

 

[happyslayer]

In the last couple years I had the 14" M1 Pro but sold it to a friend that does more "Pro" things with it and got the 13" M2 Air base model. It worked quite well for what I do--which isn't very intensive, mostly web and email and Office type apps. I used it for a while until the 15" was announced. I purchased it--also the base mode--from Apple and used them both off and on for a week. For me, the screen size was the big deciding factor. Everything else was pretty much the same experience, but that new 15" screen is very nice. So I traded the 13" back to Apple and kept the 15". Very happy about my decision still.

 

[raythompsontn]

So I traded the 13" back to Apple and kept the 15". Very happy about my decision still.

And that says it all. In spite of others saying get this model, get this configuration, more memory, more storage, Pro vs Air, 8 Gig vs 16 Gig, etc. The underlying decision is the buyer's and if the buyer is happy, the opinions of others doesn't matter. Enjoy your purchase.

 

[6916494]

I was using keyboard shortcuts in 1980 in computer terminals, long before 1983. The bank I worked at had an IBM PC in 1982 with a full size keyboard. My team developed software on the PC to access applications on the mainframe. We created shortcuts for many common tasks. To state Apple invented shortcuts is not correct. Apple may have made shortcuts mainstream, but Apple certainly did not invent shortcuts.

I should have worded it better, so that it would have been clear, that I meant Windows shortcuts in comparison to MacOS shortcut (which is what raythompsontn had addressed). And of course you are right: shortcuts existed long before that. They go back to the invention of the Shift-key on the typewriters in the late 19th century.

 

[MacMandy]

That's an interesting metric but it discounts the differences in display quality and resolution. For instance, you get more pixels per kg on the Pro models (total resolution/kg). Most of the weight difference between Air and Pro lines is attributed to the fans and cooling system, or lack thereof. They are all great laptops and therein lies the problem. It's like trying to pick a favorite shoe, purse, food, book, movie, ice cream flavor, or child (kidding, of course!)...just too many excellent options. Just like our favorites change over time, so will our choice in MacBooks.

MBP 14 = 3.71M pixels/kg

MBP 16 = 3.59M pixels/kg

MBA 15 = 3.56M pixels/kg

M2 MBA 13 = 3.44M pixels/kg

Of course. It’s only showing the weight to screen size ratio. There are lots of other differences between the airs and pros including fans, screen type, speakers etc, but they all add weight.

 

[neo_cs193p]

Of course. It’s only showing the weight to screen size ratio. There are lots of other differences between the airs and pros including fans, screen type, speakers etc, but they all add weight.

It's actually screen pixels to weight ratio. Screen size doesn't have much to do with it, because the MBA and the MBP have different pixel densities. The smaller 14" MBP screen has more pixels than the bigger 15" Air.

I agree with your other points.

 

[MacMandy]

It's actually screen pixels to weight ratio. Screen size doesn't have much to do with it, because the MBA and the MBP have different pixel densities. The smaller 14" MBP screen has more pixels than the bigger 15" Air.

I agree with your other points.

I feel differently I’m afraid. Screen size is a major factor for me. I have a MacBook Pro as well so I know the screens have different ppi and tech but I’m just using the physical screen size and weight as a basic indicator. The air is also thinner and easier to type on for me. Ergonomics can make a huge difference to some.

 

[neo_cs193p]

I feel differently I’m afraid. Screen size is a major factor for me. I have a MacBook Pro as well so I know the screens have different ppi and tech but I’m just using the physical screen size and weight as a basic indicator. The air is also thinner and easier to type on for me. Ergonomics can make a huge difference to some.

Perfectly agree with what you are saying here. I also went for a 15" Air and love it.

But I was pointing out something else: NeonNights used a pixels/weight metric for comparison, which is different from screen_size/weight.

 

[mysticmanix]

I was not clear when I originally posted. I miss the true delete key on the PC which functions differently from the Mac delete key. The Mac has a delete key but no backspace key which the Mac has labeled the delete key. Good to know the Mac has an equivalent of the PC delete key. Another funky key combination that is not entirely obvious. I like separate keys for each operation.

On the PC the Delete key just deletes the character to the right of the cursor. Backspace truly backspaces and removes the character. I wonder why Apple did not print Backspace on the key instead of Delete as Backspace truly moves the cursor back.

Because of the lack of a true delete key, the delete key on the Mac cannot be used to delete files and folders as it can be done on the PC. Is that a good or bad method? Take your pick. To delete on Mac a right click is needed, or dragging to the trash, or using the Command key with Delete.

In one case you have to use the FN key to modify the behavior of the Delete key. In another case you have to use the Command key to modify the behavior of the Delete key. Why not use the FN, or Command, key (but not both) to modify the behavior of the Delete key, instead of two different combinations?

Another difference on the PC and Mac is dragging and dropping files between folders. The default on the Mac is to move. Which can be overridden with the Option key.

I do miss the use of the CTL-C, CTL-V commands for copying items. The keyboard on the M2 Air does not lend itself to the use of my left pinky finger to press Control to do those operations. On the Mac I have to use the left thumb. Not as easy in my opinion.

I am certain that some ergonomic propeller head at Mac decided this was best way, in their opinion, to have the keys function. Or it was way to just be different from the PC. And who is to say which is better or correct.

I also came from Windows. You can use Karabiner elements on Macos to re-map keys and bind them to whatever you want. I don't ever find myself using the Fn key, so I've changed the Fn key to be Cmd (you can do this in macos native keyboard settings acutally) which is essentially the Control key in Windows. Then you get to use the normal ergonomic position of Control C and Control V, Control A, Control R, etc. I have no idea how people use Cmd+ plus whatever key, it's indeed an ergonomic nightmare.

 

[unWoke_inLA]

I bought the 16" MBP 6 months ago and it was wayyyyyyyyyy too heavy. It felt like bricks on my stomach when I sat on the couch with it. The MBA is the right weight and even better with my glitty case. It was actually too light alone but now with the case its the perfect weight. Thanks Apple!

 

[kp98077]

I bought the 16" MBP 6 months ago and it was wayyyyyyyyyy too heavy. It felt like bricks on my stomach when I sat on the couch with it. The MBA is the right weight and even better with my glitty case. It was actually too light alone but now with the case its the perfect weight. Thanks Apple!

wow that's a cool case! Is it leather? I am waiting my "new" 15, had to send my original one back due to backlight and yellow issues.. ugh

 

[unWoke_inLA]

wow that's a cool case! Is it leather? I am waiting my "new" 15, had to send my original one back due to backlight and yellow issues.. ugh

It's really the only 15' Case avail right now, the are the cheap plastic ones on Amazon but those will having my laptop slide right off my lap crashing onto the floor. This one has grip because of the leather. It's actually handmade kinda like an Etsy product so as long as it last a long time I'm happy with it. It looks much better in person too. See their website.

 

[applesed]

I also came from Windows. You can use Karabiner elements on Macos to re-map keys and bind them to whatever you want. I don't ever find myself using the Fn key, so I've changed the Fn key to be Cmd (you can do this in macos native keyboard settings acutally) which is essentially the Control key in Windows. Then you get to use the normal ergonomic position of Control C and Control V, Control A, Control R, etc. I have no idea how people use Cmd+ plus whatever key, it's indeed an ergonomic nightmare.

That’s funny, I feel the oppposite. Command is closer to C and V and it’s just much less work for me.