Or we talking about the cloth keyboard cover?
Because it's like draping a napkin. Not really a big deal in the bigger scheme of things if it helps protect the screen.
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15" MacBook Air First Impressions
- Thread starter IJBrekke
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Because it's like draping a napkin. Not really a big deal in the bigger scheme of things if it helps protect the screen.
In my 11 years with Macs, i only had expected problems with the screen.
When i skipped cleaning my keyboard, it would leave the marks on a screen. So wiping the keyboard always makes the screen better, because dirt raises the keyboard and it touches the screen.
Also i would see a lot of imprints when my laptop was along with many books in a backpack. Usually laptop pocket would prevent this or packing without books.
In normal use, never had issues with screen. It doesn’t really need much protection unless used like described above.
I can understand that, but the screensaver is that little bit of extra insurance for anyone with the slightest paranoia with their items.
My favorite thing I've noticed from the screensaver isn't really on the screen. It's that I don't see the oil marks anymore on my keyboard. I used to of course wipe down the keyboard every now & then to get rid of the smudges, but now I don't have to. I just open the laptop and they aren't ever there.
Of all the accessories for a mac, the screensaver is probably one of the more affordable ones, so I've appreciated it.
RadTech ScreenSavrz were born during a time when laptop keyboards were more prone to hitting the display while closed and leaving key marks on the panel, especially while the laptop was tucked in a bag with possible pressure applied to the lid. It was a 2-in-1 product designed to cover the keyboard (protecting the screen) using a custom fit microfiber cloth, and also having a cloth always on hand (tucked away) to wipe down the display when needed.
I wouldn't over analyze things - there isn't a need to cover the keyboard every time you close your MacBook, but a barrier between keys (oily or not) and a closed display with a cloth that's cut to a thinness made for your Mac so that the cover closes perfectly is a good option for a cleaning cloth. It's just a nice-to-have these days, especially for us Midnight owners who may wipe down our MacBooks more often.
It's custom fit to just sit over the keyboard as a perfect place to store a good quality microfiber wiping/cleaning cloth and always have it with you, tucked in the MacBook (without interfering with the display closure) versus on the side and or in a bag. And if you throw your MacBook in a slim and somewhat tight bag, perhaps it will provide keyboard to display protection even with today's modern MacBooks if pressure is applied.
I wouldn't over analyze things - there isn't a need to cover the keyboard every time you close your MacBook, but a barrier between keys (oily or not) and a closed display with a cloth that's cut to a thinness made for your Mac so that the cover closes perfectly is a good option for a cleaning cloth. It's just a nice-to-have these days, especially for us Midnight owners who may wipe down our MacBooks more often.
It's custom fit to just sit over the keyboard as a perfect place to store a good quality microfiber wiping/cleaning cloth and always have it with you, tucked in the MacBook (without interfering with the display closure) versus on the side and or in a bag. And if you throw your MacBook in a slim and somewhat tight bag, perhaps it will provide keyboard to display protection even with today's modern MacBooks if pressure is applied.
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I have an interest in the RadTech ScreenSavrz as I have always seen key cap/grease marks on other people's laptop screens. My question is, how do you store the cloth when using the laptop? Is there not an equal risk that you place the cloth on a surface that picks up dust/particles that then press on the screen? My OCD tendencies would trigger and I feel I would need to store the cloth in something protective to avoid this.
The new ones are pretty thin - I still have my mid-2014 MBP 13" with its RadTech and it's thicker, less papery feel. I still bought it for my m2 15" MBA, but there is a difference. Because of how thin it is, you could easy bring a zip lock bag that is only used for the cloth and when you take it off the computer, you put it in there, seal it and set it aside somewhere. Take it out of the ziploc bag when you are storing your computer or closing it for a long time, reseal the ziplock after pushing all the air out and keep it folded in your computer bag. That's one option.
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I've been using them for decades, never had an issue with the display scratching from any kind of residual residue on the cloth. I also have a habit of giving it a couple of quick rapid shakes before and after use - perhaps that does the trick.
I also periodically do more thorough cleanings of my MacBooks and devices where they are wiped down completely with slightly dampened microfiber cloths, then dried with a dried microfiber cloth, then the display is wiped again pristine with a super dense optical cleaning cloth (made for eyeglasses). I keep that cloth in a protective plastic sealed bag (that it came in). These are my go-to for that (they're individually wrapped and can be stored in said wrapping in-between uses).
Quick side note - the thickness of the ScreenSavrz will depend on the MacBook model, and newer MacBooks have less space between the display and the keyboard, so the cloths are much thinner. Back in the day they were much thicker as there was space to accommodate that thickness. Anything thicker for today's MacBooks would prevent the magnetic latches in the lid from properly engaging, or may make them dislodge while stored in a bag. The thinness of each one is by design.
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This has been my first weekend with the new 15 inch MacBook Air and coming from an older 2019 13 inch MacBook Air this new 15 inch MacBook Air is such a refreshing change. I beginning to really appreciate the differences between the two machines and the speed and power of Apple Silicon. Just quickly, I chose the Starlight colour in the following configuration:
Just to get a sense of the SSD speed difference I ran a Blackmagic Speed test and these were the results between the two:
2019 13 inch Macbook Air
2023 15 inch Macbook Air
Effectively the write speed is just over 3 times faster and the read speed is more than two times faster. I know many will say you should just go for the base 14 inch MacBook Pro with its:
Although, I’m not probably stating anything new, I just wanted to share my first impressions of this new device to anyone thinking of purchasing the 15 inch MacBook Air.
Thanks for listening and reading…
- 16GB of RAM
- 512GB Storage
Just to get a sense of the SSD speed difference I ran a Blackmagic Speed test and these were the results between the two:
2019 13 inch Macbook Air
2023 15 inch Macbook Air
Effectively the write speed is just over 3 times faster and the read speed is more than two times faster. I know many will say you should just go for the base 14 inch MacBook Pro with its:
- Mini LED screen
- Promotion, and
- More ports [Thunderbolt 4, SDXC card reader, and HDMI port]
Although, I’m not probably stating anything new, I just wanted to share my first impressions of this new device to anyone thinking of purchasing the 15 inch MacBook Air.
Thanks for listening and reading…
The 13 served me well. But wow....once you go 15, there's no going back. 
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Great report. Well expressed and informative!
I have a 2019 Air, too, and have been looking at the 15", so it's directly relevant.
Those speed comparisons are quite striking. How do you find the speed differences in real-world, day-to-day tasks?
Did a little in-person checking the other day. I was amazed at how comfortable and lightweight the 15" felt at the store. The 14" MBP felt dense and "heavy" in comparison. (No need for any of those "get to a gym" snarky, dismissive comments. I lift weights, work out, but elegance, comfort, handling, and design matter to me in a laptop. It's why so many still yearn for an Apple Silcion 12"+ MBA at 2 pounds -- an ideal commuter, coffee shop, classroom, airline travel laptop.)
The 15" display was noticeably larger. Little difference in quality under the store lights or for the few routine tasks I did on them.
While I'd like an SD slot and the USB-C on both sides that the 14" had, and realize that it is faster, once you're at M2 speeds vs. Intel, the extra speed matters little for many regular uses and, particularly, most of mine.
Not trying to start another of those 15" vs. 14" threads (or flame wars); just concurring with Leon's positive observations about the 15". In fact, I spend most of my time on a 2015 13" MBA and the 15" is similar in size and weight, so the transition should be pretty seamless. Losing the camera card slot, but gaining massive advantages.
Reminds me of buying laptops in the old days, when people would try to roast you for being "weak" because you wanted a 4.5lb PowerBook instead of, say, a 7lb Toshiba. Just because you can carry a heavier laptop doesn't mean you want to. You'll still notice the difference on your shoulder or back when you're running through an airport or walking across campus. The 15-inch Air seems great if you're more interested in a portable big-screen laptop than performance at all costs.
Forgot to add.... the builtin speakers are AWESOME (coming from 2015 macbook air).
I do too.
My iPhone, iPad Pro and Apple Watch are all Space Grey.
I have the Logitech MX Keys Mini and MX Master 3 in Graphite which is a very close colour match to space grey. - I also have a Magic Trackpad (Gen 2) in SG to match them.
So naturally, I ordered a SG MBA 15!
Very nice! Could you please post a few more comparison photos with these 2 laptops?
Hi @Saturn007, the 15 inch M2 MBA as you would expect is quite snappy in comparison to the intel MBA. No complaints on the speed front.
Regarding day to day tasks I still need more time with the MBA 15. Last weekend most of my time was spent getting the MBA 15 setup.
If you own a samsung T7 touch SSD external drive it is quite a task to get the Samsung software running on Apple Silicon. But achievable.
What is the issue with Samsung T7 drives?
I am awaiting receipt of an MBA 15 and have 2x T7 Touch drives to use with it.
You need to follow the process in this youtube video to get the samsung software working.
How To Fix Samsung SSD Not Detected Mac Air
YouTube · TomsTechReviews
10 Jan 2023
Amazing photos, guys! I'd love to see someone post pics of their 15-ich in silver
This right here. I went to BestBuy yesterday to have a hands on look at the new MacBook Airs.
They also had a 14" MBPro on the display. I'm looking to replace a 4th gen IPP 12.9 that just doesn't work for my needs.
For the money and my needs, this 15 inch Air will work best. I'm going to order one Monday when our state has their back to school tax holiday.
Does anyone have an issue with their Air occasionally stuttering/lagging just for the briefest of seconds at random times? I've noticed it a few times in the last couple of days when I've gone to enter text in a messaging app or something.
I've got a 16GB machine and memory pressure is high green to low yellow with 1-2GB of swap in use. macOS is up to date. It is connected to an Apple Studio Display, but I've not seen this behaviour with a MBP so I'm just not sure if there's something in the setup or my workflow which is causing this.
I've got a 16GB machine and memory pressure is high green to low yellow with 1-2GB of swap in use. macOS is up to date. It is connected to an Apple Studio Display, but I've not seen this behaviour with a MBP so I'm just not sure if there's something in the setup or my workflow which is causing this.
I've had the issue with the one I sent back, doing that and not being snappy enough to load emails and text like the pro for example (same config)
Not sure if I've noticed anything - I noticed something but not sure if it was Mac or iPad. Ive not noticed anything recently. But I think this is 99% a software issue. Either something you installed or maybe MacOS needs a tweak for 15".
I just saw your post on the other thread about this.
Strangely, it looks like the networking has stopped working twice today - I've gone to do something and although the wireless connection is still up, web pages and mail clients totally time out.
Its happened just there so I grabbed my MBP which is fine, but on the Air I get the "Safari can't open the page" error.
Edit: Just using both machines back to back there, I really prefer the feel of the keyboard and the extra palm rest on the 15" Air. It also feels much more natural on my lap for typing.
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