2 hour impressions of MacBook Air M1

[Wizec]

I just took delivery of my new MacBook Air M1. I got the 8 Core GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD model.

I did a quick comparison between it and my MacBook Pro 2018 with a 2.3Ghz i5 CPU, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD.

Screen: MacBook Air M1 is plenty bright, noticeably brighter than the Pro 2018 at the same stop on the brightness slider.
Keyboard: MacBook Air M1 keyboard is worlds better than the Pro. It feels like a completely different and better computer because of it.
Speakers: MacBook Air speakers are really good. They sound "wider" if that's a thing, almost surround sound like? The MacBook Pro has about 15% more low-end bass. I will never notice the difference once I have used the Air for a day or two.
Microphone: I just did a "how now brown cow" recording into the Voice Memos app. The recordings sounded identical to me, except for a touch more bass on the Pro.

WiFi: Testing against a local LibreSpeed test server over 802.11ac, the Air M1 tops out around 507Mpbs and the Pro 2018 tops out around 420Mpbs.
Browser benchmarks:
1. In the fishbowl test (HTML5 Fish Bowl - Internet Explorer Test Drivehttps://testdrive-archive.azurewebsites.net › performance) the Pro 2018 musters about 1,300 fish at 60fps, the Air M1 can only muster 1,000 fish at 60fps.
2. Speedometer 2.0 test, the Air M1 scored 227, the Pro 2018 scored 114.

While running the browser tests, the Pro 2018 got too hot to hold on the bottom of the chassis, while the Air M1 barely got very slightly warm. So far I'm really liking it.

The real test will be once I get Xcode set up and start coding and testing. My 2018 Pro would drain the battery and get too hot for my lap. Between that and the lousy keyboard, I hated using it for anything really, but especially coding.

 

[alien3dx]

I just took delivery of my new MacBook Air M1. I got the 8 Core GPU, 16GB RAM 512GB SSD model.

I did a quick comparison between it and my 2018 MacBook Pro with a 2.3Ghz i5 CPU, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD.

Screen: MacBook Air M1 is plenty bright, noticeably brighter than the 2018 Pro at the same stop on the brightness slider.
Keyboard: MacBook Air M1 keyboard is worlds better than the 2018 Pro. It feels like a completely different and better computer because of it.
Speakers: MacBook Air speakers are really good. They sound "wider" if that's a thing, almost surround sound like? The MacBook Pro has about 15% more low-end bass. I will never notice the difference once I have used the Air for a day or two.
Microphone: I just did a "how now brown cow" recording into the Voice Memos app. The recordings sounded identical to me, except for a touch more bass on the Pro.

WiFi: Testing against a local LibreSpeed test server over 802.11ac, the Air M1 tops out around 507Mpbs and the Pro 2018 tops out around 420Mpbs.
Browser benchmarks:
1. In the fishbowl test (HTML5 Fish Bowl - Internet Explorer Test Drivehttps://testdrive-archive.azurewebsites.net › performance) the Pro 2018 musters about 1,300 fish at 60fps, the Air M1 can only muster 1,000 fish at 60fps.
2. Speedometer 2.0 test, the Air M1 scored 227, the Pro 2018 scored 114.

While running the browser tests, the Pro 2018 got too hot to hold on the bottom of the chassis, while the Air M1 barely got a little warm. So far I'm really liking it.

The real test will be once I get Xcode set up and start coding and testing. My 2018 Pro would drain the battery and get too hot for my lap. Between that and the lousy keyboard, I hated using it for anything really, but especially coding.

i mostly try to code swift ui in my macbook m1, i would said the battery life is quite good and hard to get low. Only on android i type in my imac 2017 since no emulator yet.

 

[spiderman0616]

I have the base model M1 MBA, and I've yet to find a task that makes it break a sweat. I have used some professional apps and games that have made it become ever so slightly warm on the bottom. In fact, during the really cold part of the winter, I would not use it in my lap because the bottom was too COLD. That is the exact opposite of the problem I had with my Intel MacBook which I thought came pretty close to melting my leg hairs off a couple times.

 

[Apple_Robert]

OP, glad to see you like your M1 thus far.

I haven''t experienced any slowdowns, yet with my M1 MBA and I have put it to the test several times. For the price, I can't complain. I am pleased with its performance.

 

[Martyimac]

Just got mine today, 8/256. FAST is the first thing that comes to mind. Have it running a VPN and LibreOffice through Rosetta2. LibreOffice opens much faster than my 2019 5K iMac with 64G ram and Core I9. This is basically going to be my vacation connection, assuming I ever get to leave on vacation ever again, 🤞
So far I am impressed.

 

[coolbreeze2]

I think OP and the the responses in this thread have convinced me to buy an M1 Air rather than the new M1 iPad Pro!

 

[jdb8167]

I think OP and the the responses in this thread have convinced me to buy an M1 Air rather than the new M1 iPad Pro!

I wish I could wholeheartedly recommend the M1 iPad Pro. But Apple is going to have to step up with something that uses the M1 horsepower on the iPad Pro to make it worthwhile. I have the 2020 iPad Pro and nothing I use comes close to using the power of the A12Z. The M1 has just about twice the performance but I can't imagine what it is for unless Apple wants to allow MacOS applications to run. They apparently don't want that: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/04/22/apple-joswiak-no-merging-ipad-mac/

Speccing out a 16GB/1TB MacBook Air is $1649.00. The equivalent 16GB/1TB 12.9" iPad Pro + Magic Keyboard is $2148.00. This discrepancy doesn't make a lot of sense given the lack of high-end software for iPadOS. I love the iPad but unless Apple steps up to solve this, I won't be upgrading my 2020 iPad Pro.

 

[alien3dx]

I wish I could wholeheartedly recommend the M1 iPad Pro. But Apple is going to have to step up with something that uses the M1 horsepower on the iPad Pro to make it worthwhile. I have the 2020 iPad Pro and nothing I use comes close to using the power of the A12Z. The M1 has just about twice the performance but I can't imagine what it is for unless Apple wants to allow MacOS applications to run. They apparently don't want that: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/04/22/apple-joswiak-no-merging-ipad-mac/

Speccing out a 16GB/1TB MacBook Air is $1649.00. The equivalent 16GB/1TB 12.9" iPad Pro + Magic Keyboard is $2148.00. This discrepancy doesn't make a lot of sense given the lack of high-end software for iPadOS. I love the iPad but unless Apple steps up to solve this, I won't be upgrading my 2020 iPad Pro.

not upgrading ipad mini 2019 either. each have their job todo.

 

[spiderman0616]

I wish I could wholeheartedly recommend the M1 iPad Pro. But Apple is going to have to step up with something that uses the M1 horsepower on the iPad Pro to make it worthwhile. I have the 2020 iPad Pro and nothing I use comes close to using the power of the A12Z. The M1 has just about twice the performance but I can't imagine what it is for unless Apple wants to allow MacOS applications to run. They apparently don't want that: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/04/22/apple-joswiak-no-merging-ipad-mac/

Speccing out a 16GB/1TB MacBook Air is $1649.00. The equivalent 16GB/1TB 12.9" iPad Pro + Magic Keyboard is $2148.00. This discrepancy doesn't make a lot of sense given the lack of high-end software for iPadOS. I love the iPad but unless Apple steps up to solve this, I won't be upgrading my 2020 iPad Pro.

Yep—if you were already feeling hamstrung by the OS itself, that will not change with the new model other than the usual yearly feature updates and quality of life improvements. This year I think the iPad is finally going to get those Mac caliber pro apps we’ve all been wanting for so long. I can’t think of anything else all that extra horsepower could be for.

Not saying that’s a bad thing at all. People have their preferences, and the Mac doesn’t have to lose in order for the iPad to win. Buy the device you need right now, and get working. The OS functionality is going to be a matter of personal taste and workflow.

My problem is that every few years the OS gets too far behind and I have to retreat back to the Mac full time. With the M1 I’m starting to wonder if it will be permanent this time. It makes my Mac feel like it’s running on rocket fuel.

 

[leftyMac]

i mostly try to code swift ui in my macbook m1, i would said the battery life is quite good and hard to get low. Only on android i type in my imac 2017 since no emulator yet.

are you using MBP or MBA? how is the compiling time in xcode? do you feel like it's a significant performance upgrade compared to an intel MBP?

 

[alien3dx]

are you using MBP or MBA? how is the compiling time in xcode? do you feel like it's a significant performance upgrade compared to an intel MBP?

macbook air base.Not sure compiling time but open simulator quite fast compare to imac 2017. Significant not. No android emulator,homebrew struggle, crash because no network connection

 

[Wizec]

So, after almost a week, I have to say that the keyboard upgrade from the old janky keyboards is one of the best parts of the new laptop.

Performance-wise, it is zippy; I notice that apps launch a bit faster than on my Pro 2018. The chassis is always cool to the touch. I actually prefer the smaller trackpad, the Pro trackpads are almost comically large.

The slanted keyboard really is easier on my wrists as well.

Lastly, a surprise "upgrade" - you can open a MacBook Air with one hand! The bottom layer is cut away, rather than just beveled in like on the Pro, so it opens easily.

I think Spotlight, Music and Photos have finally quieted down with their downloads and indexing, so I will be able to get a sense of actual battery life this next week.

 

[xaqt93]

I ended up getting the M1 Pro...just the base model of the pro, and I honestly could not be happier. I have never had the Touch Bar before but I love it. I am pretty sure Apple is going to ditch the Touch Bar in the next model, but I really think it has a place...at least for me. Maybe Apple just needs to redesign it? I dont know. Anyway, when it comes to the M1, I love this thing, and the keyboard is simply amazing. Honestly, this is my favorite computer that I have ever owned from Apple. I upgraded from the 2016 MacBook Pro (no Touch Bar) and in my mind, it was worth it.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

It makes me wonder what Apple will do with the next MacBook Air.
They could easily adopt the new M1 iMac design with a white bezel and fun colours, but in terms of functionality it's hard to see where they'll go from here.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I am pretty sure Apple is going to ditch the Touch Bar in the next model

Yeah, this is confirmed by the leaked schematics from a few days ago. I'd recommend looking at the images - it appears the chassis even has rounded edges, like the fine white plastic MacBook.

 

[Wizec]

I think the Touch Bar is a highly subjective thing. I had it on my Pro for 2 years, but I don't miss it at all on the Air M1. It's actually kinda nice to just have buttons again with constant, expected functionality.

 

[Spudlicious]

not upgrading ipad mini 2019 either. each have their job todo.

Yes! The Mini 5 AKA 2019 is my hero device. It's my Kindle reader, it's my check email, news, forums, see-how-old-people-on-telly-are and answer any question while viewing (with an SD dongle) last night's wildlife camera results and ordering stuff on Amazon and Ocado device, all in the unquestionably perfect size for a tablet. If only it had Face ID, I'm forever deleting and setting up finger prints yet have to type in the passcode umpteen times per day.

 

[Spudlicious]

It makes me wonder what Apple will do with the next MacBook Air.
They could easily adopt the new M1 iMac design with a white bezel and fun colours, but in terms of functionality it's hard to see where they'll go from here.

White bezels are surely a crime against humanity and an affront to aesthetic taste?
The problem with improving the Air's functionality is that Apple have to maintain differentiation with the Pro, assuming the two product lines are to continue.

 

[ADGrant]

I wish I could wholeheartedly recommend the M1 iPad Pro. But Apple is going to have to step up with something that uses the M1 horsepower on the iPad Pro to make it worthwhile. I have the 2020 iPad Pro and nothing I use comes close to using the power of the A12Z. The M1 has just about twice the performance but I can't imagine what it is for unless Apple wants to allow MacOS applications to run. They apparently don't want that: https://www.macrumors.com/2021/04/22/apple-joswiak-no-merging-ipad-mac/

Speccing out a 16GB/1TB MacBook Air is $1649.00. The equivalent 16GB/1TB 12.9" iPad Pro + Magic Keyboard is $2148.00. This discrepancy doesn't make a lot of sense given the lack of high-end software for iPadOS. I love the iPad but unless Apple steps up to solve this, I won't be upgrading my 2020 iPad Pro.

I don't understand why anyone with a 2020 12.9" iPad Pro would upgrade anytime soon. I am still using a 2015 iPad Pro and that would be worth upgrading.

The additional cost of the iPad Pro over the MBA is justified if you need/want the additional features it provides such as the micro led touchscreen or 5G modem. Its also justified if you want to run iOS software that won't run on the MBA or won't run well.

I think for most people though, 1TB of storage is overkill on an iPad.

 

[jdb8167]

I don't understand why anyone with a 2020 12.9" iPad Pro would upgrade anytime soon. I am still using a 2015 iPad Pro and that would be worth upgrading.

The additional cost of the iPad Pro over the MBA is justified if you need/want the additional features it provides such as the micro led touchscreen or 5G modem. Its also justified if you want to run iOS software that won't run on the MBA or won't run well.

I think for most people though, 1TB of storage is overkill on an iPad.

Well I have a 2020 11" iPad Pro so I would be updating to the 12.9" mostly for the M1 and the XDR display. I'm waiting until WWDC to see if there are any interesting developments. If not, then I will wait for the next one and hope that the XDR display makes its way to the 11".

 

[alien3dx]

It makes me wonder what Apple will do with the next MacBook Air.
They could easily adopt the new M1 iMac design with a white bezel and fun colours, but in terms of functionality it's hard to see where they'll go from here.

it's a big mess up.. m1 is good .But seem now they have big mess ipad getting 16GB ram and macbook m1 get 16GB ram. What apps will be in the app store ? The problem of apple macos lack of apps. The upcomming everywhere m1 mean apps from mobile will come to macos.