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15" MacBook Air First Impressions

I

IJBrekke

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 24, 2009
700
879
Long Beach, CA
Offering some first impressions of the 15" Air after about 24 hours of usage:
  • The size is almost identical to the 15" MBP from 2016-2018. Technically they are slightly different, but in usage they feel the same. For someone that loves this size, it's an ideal fit.
  • The default scaling is again in line with the 15" MBP at 1710x1107 (old 1680x1050 plus the notch). This is notable because this new Air is often cross-shopped against the current 14" MBP, but the 14" scaling mirrors the 13" models. Very different workspaces, and man do I prefer this over the smaller machines.
  • As someone that has struggled with eye fatigue on all M-based processors, this is unfortunately more of the same. For anyone hoping this issue has been alleviated, it has not.
  • When picking it up by the bottom corner when open, the bottom panel does have a slight "give" to it. No creaking, but my other Mac laptops didn't have this feeling. I don't think it will be a problem and understand it based on the thin profile, but the rigidity seems to be slightly less than other models.
  • The M2 Air is a known commodity at this point, so the 15" doesn't offer any further surprises. It's a great laptop for what it does.
  • I ordered the midnight color to try and came in totally un-biased one way or another. After 24 hours...yeah, this is silly. It looks filthy. How can one appreciate the beautiful tone when it looks like someone handled your laptop while eating potato chips? Super not interested.
Overall, it's the exact laptop I have been hoping for to replace the 15" MBP, except for the eye fatigue issue (not solvable) and the midnight finish (solvable). I am going to keep test driving to determine if my eyes can adjust or not over time. Hope these thoughts help potential shoppers!
 
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Thanks for taking the time to share your early impressions. The eye fatigue/strain is a concern to me and it is what stopped me from pre-ordering. I'm leaning towards an M2 13" for portability and will visit a store to check both Air sizes out in person, but I'm aware this still has eye strain for some. Damn it Apple, what are you doing with your displays?
 
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Update: some size comparison pictures against the 15" MBP
 

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Great write-up!

IJBrekke said:
The size is almost identical to the 15" MBP from 2016-2018. Technically they are slightly different, but in usage they feel the same. For someone that loves this size, it's an ideal fit.
Click to expand...

The weight is dramatically less, though, isn’t it? Or, did they already streamline the MBP by 2016? Some of the earlier MBPs weighed 5.5 pounds vs. the 3.3 of this model!
 
heh glad the starlight doesn't have that issue with taking prints. I try my best to take care of my machine but my MacBook is my work computer and I end up slaving over it. All of mine have just picked up garbage as a result.

I was trying to see if I could notice that give you were talking about and either my hand is in the wrong spot or its just not something that bothers me. I find the machine balanced well when open, which is good because there are times I need to carry it around and show my on screen information to co-workers

What do you mean by eye fatigue? One draw for me with the 15'' was that I'd be able to have all of the things I needed visible at base resolution. Now my 13'' I had to increase the visible resolution which made everything smaller and a bit harder to read. Haven't had that issue with my 15'' (although it's also my Sunday right now so tomorrow is day 1 for my new computer at work, heh)

IMG_0686.jpg


Here is my M1 13'' MBA alongside my M2 15'' MBA. Quite a size difference! I do foresee a scenario in which my 15'' will be larger than I'd like to carry with me. 90% of my time is spent in my office at work where I have a massive desk and ample room for whatever I need to do. I do have to travel from time to time however and when I am visiting another work location, I don't always have a lot of free space.
 
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IJBrekke said:
Offering some first impressions of the 15" Air after about 24 hours of usage:
  • The size is almost identical to the 15" MBP from 2016-2018. Technically they are slightly different, but in usage they feel the same. For someone that loves this size, it's an ideal fit.
  • The default scaling is again in line with the 15" MBP at 1710x1107 (old 1680x1050 plus the notch). This is notable because this new Air is often cross-shopped against the current 14" MBP, but the 14" scaling mirrors the 13" models. Very different workspaces, and man do I prefer this over the smaller machines.
  • As someone that has struggled with eye fatigue on all M-based processors, this is unfortunately more of the same. For anyone hoping this issue has been alleviated, it has not.
  • When picking it up by the bottom corner when open, the bottom panel does have a slight "give" to it. No creaking, but my other Mac laptops didn't have this feeling. I don't think it will be a problem and understand it based on the thin profile, but the rigidity seems to be slightly less than other models.
  • The M2 Air is a known commodity at this point, so the 15" doesn't offer any further surprises. It's a great laptop for what it does.
  • I ordered the midnight color to try and came in totally un-biased one way or another. After 24 hours...yeah, this is silly. It looks filthy. How can one appreciate the beautiful tone when it looks like someone handled your laptop while eating potato chips? Super not interested.
Overall, it's the exact laptop I have been hoping for to replace the 15" MBP, except for the eye fatigue issue (not solvable) and the midnight finish (solvable). I am going to keep test driving to determine if my eyes can adjust or not over time. Hope these thoughts help potential shoppers!
Click to expand...
When buying M2 MBA 13 inch, I ordered space gray exactly due to the exterior considerations. Very happy with Space gray. If I upgrade to 15 inch, maybe in 1-2 years, it will be space gray only.
 
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for guys i think weight is not really a big issue. But with that much of screen, I think it can be more efficiently used with a dock station.
 
IJBrekke said:
Offering some first impressions of the 15" Air after about 24 hours of usage:
  • The size is almost identical to the 15" MBP from 2016-2018. Technically they are slightly different, but in usage they feel the same. For someone that loves this size, it's an ideal fit.
  • The default scaling is again in line with the 15" MBP at 1710x1107 (old 1680x1050 plus the notch). This is notable because this new Air is often cross-shopped against the current 14" MBP, but the 14" scaling mirrors the 13" models. Very different workspaces, and man do I prefer this over the smaller machines.
  • As someone that has struggled with eye fatigue on all M-based processors, this is unfortunately more of the same. For anyone hoping this issue has been alleviated, it has not.
  • When picking it up by the bottom corner when open, the bottom panel does have a slight "give" to it. No creaking, but my other Mac laptops didn't have this feeling. I don't think it will be a problem and understand it based on the thin profile, but the rigidity seems to be slightly less than other models.
  • The M2 Air is a known commodity at this point, so the 15" doesn't offer any further surprises. It's a great laptop for what it does.
  • I ordered the midnight color to try and came in totally un-biased one way or another. After 24 hours...yeah, this is silly. It looks filthy. How can one appreciate the beautiful tone when it looks like someone handled your laptop while eating potato chips? Super not interested.
Overall, it's the exact laptop I have been hoping for to replace the 15" MBP, except for the eye fatigue issue (not solvable) and the midnight finish (solvable). I am going to keep test driving to determine if my eyes can adjust or not over time. Hope these thoughts help potential shoppers!
Click to expand...
Did you have eye sore with the 13" M2 as well? It's pwm free, so it should be easier on your eyes
 
Saturn007 said:
Great write-up!



The weight is dramatically less, though, isn’t it? Or, did they already streamline the MBP by 2016? Some of the earlier MBPs weighed 5.5 pounds vs. the 3.3 of this model!
Click to expand...
Thanks! Yes, the weight loss is noticeable, but not as dramatic as you’re thinking. The 15” MBP that I have (2017) is almost exactly 4 lbs.
 
IJBrekke said:
Offering some first impressions of the 15" Air after about 24 hours of usage:
  • The size is almost identical to the 15" MBP from 2016-2018. Technically they are slightly different, but in usage they feel the same. For someone that loves this size, it's an ideal fit.
  • The default scaling is again in line with the 15" MBP at 1710x1107 (old 1680x1050 plus the notch). This is notable because this new Air is often cross-shopped against the current 14" MBP, but the 14" scaling mirrors the 13" models. Very different workspaces, and man do I prefer this over the smaller machines.
  • As someone that has struggled with eye fatigue on all M-based processors, this is unfortunately more of the same. For anyone hoping this issue has been alleviated, it has not.
  • When picking it up by the bottom corner when open, the bottom panel does have a slight "give" to it. No creaking, but my other Mac laptops didn't have this feeling. I don't think it will be a problem and understand it based on the thin profile, but the rigidity seems to be slightly less than other models.
  • The M2 Air is a known commodity at this point, so the 15" doesn't offer any further surprises. It's a great laptop for what it does.
  • I ordered the midnight color to try and came in totally un-biased one way or another. After 24 hours...yeah, this is silly. It looks filthy. How can one appreciate the beautiful tone when it looks like someone handled your laptop while eating potato chips? Super not interested.
Overall, it's the exact laptop I have been hoping for to replace the 15" MBP, except for the eye fatigue issue (not solvable) and the midnight finish (solvable). I am going to keep test driving to determine if my eyes can adjust or not over time. Hope these thoughts help potential shoppers!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback, I feel like I've missed something...could you please explain what the eye-fatigue issue is with M-base processors?
 
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Algus said:
What do you mean by eye fatigue? One draw for me with the 15'' was that I'd be able to have all of the things I needed visible at base resolution. Now my 13'' I had to increase the visible resolution which made everything smaller and a bit harder to read. Haven't had that issue with my 15'' (although it's also my Sunday right now so tomorrow is day 1 for my new computer at work, heh)
Click to expand...

Love-hate 🍏 relationship said:
Did you have eye sore with the 13" M2 as well? It's pwm free, so it should be easier on your eyes
Click to expand...

I had to return or sell both the 14” MBP and the M2 13” Air because of eye fatigue in using the screens. They have a harshness to them that makes it difficult to focus on over long periods of time. Some people have equated it to the feeling of looking into a flashlight, or a pinching feeling behind your eyeballs. It’s exhausting.

The issue is well-documented on this forum with some searching. It appears to have started with the m-based processors. No one is absolutely certain what it is - PWM, dithering, refresh rates, etc. Going back to my 2017 is instant relief, zero issues.

And yes, I have tried every fix offered under the sun for the problem, spent way too many hours researching solutions the first go-around. Ordering this new 15” was based in hope that they may have subtly addressed it, but it’s the same as the 13” was. I’m continuing to see if I can adjust to it.

Edit: if you don’t experience any fatigue with these screens, definitely don’t overthink it. It’s just one of those “yes, I have that” or “what the hell are you talking about?” situations.
 
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IJBrekke said:
I had to return or sell both the 14” MBP and the M2 13” Air because of eye fatigue in using the screens. They have a harshness to them that makes it difficult to focus on over long periods of time. Some people have equated it to the feeling of looking into a flashlight, or a pinching feeling behind your eyeballs. It’s exhausting.

The issue is well-documented on this forum with some searching. It appears to have started with the m-based processors. No one is absolutely certain what it is - PWM, dithering, refresh rates, etc. Going back to my 2017 is instant relief, zero issues.

And yes, I have tried every fix offered under the sun for the problem, spent way too many hours researching solutions the first go-around. Ordering this new 15” was based in hope that they may have subtly addressed it, but it’s the same as the 13” was. I’m continuing to see if I can adjust to it.

Edit: if you don’t experience any fatigue with these screens, definitely don’t overthink it. It’s just one of those “yes, I have that” or “what the hell are you talking about?” situations.
Click to expand...
you should use old CRT tubes. I recommend Sony Trinitron
CRT.png
 
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The new Air feels so last year to me. One year old “model”, just with a bigger screen. I’m not impressed. Also the non promotion makes my head hurt slightly every time I fast scroll. I compared it next to the pro 14 in the shop and the scrolling was so peaceful for my brain. Huge difference between the two Macs.
I still run Intel, so I hope I’m not getting eye strain, when I upgrade to the m models.
I use glasses of yellow, orange and at night red filter, that could be an idea for the problem.
 
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IJBrekke said:
I had to return or sell both the 14” MBP and the M2 13” Air because of eye fatigue in using the screens. They have a harshness to them that makes it difficult to focus on over long periods of time. Some people have equated it to the feeling of looking into a flashlight, or a pinching feeling behind your eyeballs. It’s exhausting.

The issue is well-documented on this forum with some searching. It appears to have started with the m-based processors. No one is absolutely certain what it is - PWM, dithering, refresh rates, etc. Going back to my 2017 is instant relief, zero issues.

And yes, I have tried every fix offered under the sun for the problem, spent way too many hours researching solutions the first go-around. Ordering this new 15” was based in hope that they may have subtly addressed it, but it’s the same as the 13” was. I’m continuing to see if I can adjust to it.

Edit: if you don’t experience any fatigue with these screens, definitely don’t overthink it. It’s just one of those “yes, I have that” or “what the hell are you talking about?” situations.
Click to expand...
Wow, that's the first time I hear about that eyestrain issue on MacBooks.
I heard about PWM giving people headaches on (I think) iPhones, though.

Either way, I'm sorry you're experiencing that. My eyes are quite sensitive to light but I've not noticed anything on any of my devices [proceeds to knock on wood], so I can at least empathize.
I hope you'll sort it out/adjust to it.
 
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I know people like to go naked with laptop cases/covers, but…

You can easily ceramic coat the lid or old school carnauba wax, and it will almost completely eliminate those fingerprints.

Google and read up on ceramic coats.

My PlayStation no longer has dust build up, my g/f’s leather/ patent leather shoes are more scuff-free.

Besides, my car interior/exterior: paint, hard plastics etc.

It’s a wow thing. I use Adams brand personally, but there are a 1/2 dozen great brands out there.

I know it sounds odd, but read up and ponder yourself. Don’t put it on any displays though 🫨.

I just coated all my solar panels 🥰
 
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zidarko said:
Eye fatigue: Go see an optometrist/optician and get a pair of glasses.

I had the same problem and a pair of glasses took care of it.
Click to expand...
Always good to ask an eye doc! However, nothing will help if you don’t let your eyes rest and recover at regular intervals.

We all need to practice the good eye hygiene irregardless if we were glasses are not.
 
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