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Why are you returning the Air?

  • Screen (dim - washed out - both)

    Votes: 62 63.9%
  • CPU

    Votes: 28 28.9%
  • GPU

    Votes: 15 15.5%
  • Other - Please clarify in post

    Votes: 19 19.6%

  • Total voters
    97
re: Screen

Anyone coming from an old Air will be thrilled
Anyone coming from a rMB or a MBP will be disappointed
Anyone coming from a recent similarly priced Win ultrabook will be disappointed

Maybe next year Apple will see the error of their ways and address the Air's screen...

Is the 12” MB’s screen okay?
 
So, to make my saga even longer... I went back to the Apple Store with the replacement Air and decided to exchange it for yet another 2018 MBA (same configuration as I've had. Luckily they had some in stock as mine was originally a custom order) I figured if this one was dull then my original one must be the anomaly and I'd just replace that one with a Pro and forget it.

But thankfully, the third one is just like the first, a bit deeper and richer in color. I don't have to move the brightness slider all the way to the end, I can go a touch past half way and it's plenty bright. Obviously, it's not the Pro, but this is perfect for me if nothing goes wrong with this one. But I wish I had screenshots to show you how much dimmer/duller and washed out the last one was compared to this one.

They said I have 14 days to make an exchange, so if something is goofy with this one, I'm hoping it will surface in time and that will be it, I'll get a pro and be done with it.
I'm back and this is insane but after three (3) 2018 MacBook Airs I started having issues with #3. This time, it was the keyboard. I would type and nothing was there, then it would repeat keys. At first, I ignored it. Then one afternoon when I was trying to add a contact and I spent almost an hour working on one stinking' contact I lost it. So many of you had said to originally swap it for a MBP, but I was soooo seduced by the beauty of the Air. It sounds just as stupid to me as I type this. Obviously, this model just wasn't ready.

What happened next was the insane part. I called Apple and explained everything and they agreed with me, called my Apple Store and the store was willing to let me bring it back all these months later and exchange it for whatever I wanted. This time, I went with a MBP... I didn't upgrade the RAM, I went with the 256 GB drive and it's been nothing but amazing. This one is so much more computer and as it turns out with the recent price drop it was $325 less than the Air.

Got to say, I've always been an early adopter but this experience may have jaded me a bit. But the customer service from Apple. Holy Buckets, they are simply amazing... or maybe just my store is. Anyway, I have a great notebook, I barely notice the extra bit of weight. The screen is perfect, the keyboard is perfect, it's more powerful than I need. My wifi is screaming fast. All is right with the world, finally.
 
I'm back and this is insane but after three (3) 2018 MacBook Airs I started having issues with #3. This time, it was the keyboard. I would type and nothing was there, then it would repeat keys. At first, I ignored it. Then one afternoon when I was trying to add a contact and I spent almost an hour working on one stinking' contact I lost it. So many of you had said to originally swap it for a MBP, but I was soooo seduced by the beauty of the Air. It sounds just as stupid to me as I type this. Obviously, this model just wasn't ready.

What happened next was the insane part. I called Apple and explained everything and they agreed with me, called my Apple Store and the store was willing to let me bring it back all these months later and exchange it for whatever I wanted. This time, I went with a MBP... I didn't upgrade the RAM, I went with the 256 GB drive and it's been nothing but amazing. This one is so much more computer and as it turns out with the recent price drop it was $325 less than the Air.

Got to say, I've always been an early adopter but this experience may have jaded me a bit. But the customer service from Apple. Holy Buckets, they are simply amazing... or maybe just my store is. Anyway, I have a great notebook, I barely notice the extra bit of weight. The screen is perfect, the keyboard is perfect, it's more powerful than I need. My wifi is screaming fast. All is right with the world, finally.

What do you think of the touchbar?
 
What do you think of the touchbar?
It’s an interesting accessory at this point. I read an article with pointers on how to use it and one suggestion really made sense. It was to type looking down. If you type a lot then you’re not looking at the keyboard and if you don’t look down you miss all the cool things on the Touch Bar. So I’m trying to remember it’s there.

There is an option just to make it always show the function keys but I’m trying to not give up yet.
 
It’s an interesting accessory at this point. I read an article with pointers on how to use it and one suggestion really made sense. It was to type looking down. If you type a lot then you’re not looking at the keyboard and if you don’t look down you miss all the cool things on the Touch Bar. So I’m trying to remember it’s there.

There is an option just to make it always show the function keys but I’m trying to not give up yet.
have you looked into bettertouchtool?
 
I had a 2019 MBA for a few days, really loved the form factor and keybard! BUT!! The screen was washout out a bit (about 20% compared to the base MBP) which is not much more... that is the problem! Any way to increase the contrast of all the colors? suggestions, etc? or will they remain dull compared to the MBP?
 
I had a 2019 MBA for a few days, really loved the form factor and keybard! BUT!! The screen was washout out a bit (about 20% compared to the base MBP) which is not much more... that is the problem! Any way to increase the contrast of all the colors? suggestions, etc? or will they remain dull compared to the MBP?

Bummer. So which 13" did you like best -- Air, base 2TB3 Pro, or 4TB3 Pro? :) Also, how was the battery life in the Air compared to the other two?
 
Bummer. So which 13" did you like best -- Air, base 2TB3 Pro, or 4TB3 Pro? :) Also, how was the battery life in the Air compared to the other two?
13" air? I had the 2019 256gb.... battery life is very similar on Air vs. MBP from what I have seen.... I know I wish the air saturation was a little bit better!
 
Bummer. So which 13" did you like best -- Air, base 2TB3 Pro, or 4TB3 Pro? :) Also, how was the battery life in the Air compared to the other two?
From my experience the Air's battery is better. But I am enjoying the better screen brightness so it's a tradeoff... that is unless you would have had all the other Air issues that I've had. I'm glad I switched to the MBP.
 
From my experience the Air's battery is better. But I am enjoying the better screen brightness so it's a tradeoff... that is unless you would have had all the other Air issues that I've had. I'm glad I switched to the MBP.

I'm about to do the opposite because I didn't like the touch bar or the keyboard (base MBP keyboard is noisier than the 4TB3 MBP). So I'm thinking I'll give the cheaper MBA (8/256) a shot and if that doesn't work I may have to consider getting off macOS. Normally I would max the machine and try and keep it for long, but now I want to get something cheap and then wait for the redesign.

Were your MBAs 2018 or 2019?
 
I'm about to do the opposite because I didn't like the touch bar or the keyboard (base MBP keyboard is noisier than the 4TB3 MBP). So I'm thinking I'll give the cheaper MBA (8/256) a shot and if that doesn't work I may have to consider getting off macOS. Normally I would max the machine and try and keep it for long, but now I want to get something cheap and then wait for the redesign.

Were your MBAs 2018 or 2019?
Mine was the 2018 MBA. As far as the 2019 MBP keyboard, I find it reasonably quiet I couldn’t leave the Apple eco system. This Air stuff is a blip on the screen to me when I consider what it’s like in the “Windows” universe. I’ve had to go back to Windows for work many times. I just find Mac OS simpler and more logical to use. But that’s me.
 
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I'm about to do the opposite because I didn't like the touch bar or the keyboard (base MBP keyboard is noisier than the 4TB3 MBP). So I'm thinking I'll give the cheaper MBA (8/256) a shot and if that doesn't work I may have to consider getting off macOS. Normally I would max the machine and try and keep it for long, but now I want to get something cheap and then wait for the redesign.

Were your MBAs 2018 or 2019?
You’ll enjoy the air. It’s tempting. And the keyboard is much clicker (2019 version anyway) the only downside was the lack of colors. But guess we get used to that.
 
Mine was the 2018 MBA. As far as the 2019 MBP keyboard, I find it reasonably quiet I couldn’t leave the Apple eco system. This Air stuff is a blip on the screen to me when I consider what it’s like in the “Windows” universe. I’ve had to go back to Windows for work many times. I just find Mac OS simpler and more logical to use. But that’s me.

I feel the same way about macOS too--more intuitive to use and I feel like it's easier to get around plus I use the unix shell a lot. So I'm hoping the Air will work out. I guess I will know in a few days.

Did you look at the 2019 MBA screen? Both the keyboard and the screen have improvements since the 2018.
 
I feel the same way about macOS too--more intuitive to use and I feel like it's easier to get around plus I use the unix shell a lot. So I'm hoping the Air will work out. I guess I will know in a few days.

Did you look at the 2019 MBA screen? Both the keyboard and the screen have improvements since the 2018.
I had 3 different Airs... the 2nd had a really washed out screen. I gave up after 3 Airs with different issues. I guess I felt I couldn’t count on the model. Each was upgraded to 16GB ram and 500 GB SSD because I’ve always kept my notebooks for at least 5 years. I just couldn’t try another Air.

My husband has our oldest Air. When he’s ready, he’ll get this 2019 MBP and I’ll decide if I want another Pro, this time bigger drive probably or give the Air another go if the 2019s prove to be more trouble free. I’ll keep an eye on what everyone’s experiences are like. So be sure and tell us what you get and how it works out for you.
 
I picked up my machine today -- a silver MBA 8/256. So far so good. In terms of power, it seems to be adequate for my needs. Display seems OK too, although I must admit I don't regard myself an expert in this area. I run with both true tone and auto brightness disabled. I am really enjoying having physical function keys. I really hope Apple continues to retain them even if only in the Air.

Machine has a build date of 8/12 and the battery came at 84% charged. So far it seems to be sipping battery. It also runs much cooler than the 2TB3 MBP. The keyboard feels on par with the 2TB3 MBP and a bit noisier than the 4TB3 MBP.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I will like it. I'm tired of doing returns -- have returned a 4TB3 MBP and a 2TB3 MBP -- and I do want a machine with macOS.
 
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I picked up my machine today -- a silver MBA 8/256. So far so good. In terms of power, it seems to be adequate for my needs. Display seems OK too, although I must admit I don't regard myself an expert in this area. I run with both true tone and auto brightness disabled. I am really enjoying having physical function keys. I really hope Apple continues to retain them even if only in the Air.

Machine has a build date of 8/12 and the battery came at 84% charged. So far it seems to be sipping battery. It also runs much cooler than the 2TB3 MBP. The keyboard feels on par with the 2TB3 MBP and a bit noisier than the 4TB3 MBP.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I will like it. I'm tired of doing returns -- have returned a 4TB3 MBP and a 2TB3 MBP -- and I do want a machine with macOS.
haha nice, yes they are nice machines! you had a 13" MBP before? I am often torn as well... definitely love the MBA keyboard!! and the screen seems slightly larger even though it's not.... for the money can't beat it... I figure until a 14" comes out, this is a great solution. Did you get a good deal??
[doublepost=1567781911][/doublepost]Anyone seeing any deals on the 2019 MBA in 256 (better than $1199)? I am certainly not..... :/
 
haha nice, yes they are nice machines! you had a 13" MBP before? I am often torn as well... definitely love the MBA keyboard!! and the screen seems slightly larger even though it's not.... for the money can't beat it... I figure until a 14" comes out, this is a great solution. Did you get a good deal??
[doublepost=1567781911][/doublepost]Anyone seeing any deals on the 2019 MBA in 256 (better than $1199)? I am certainly not..... :/

I bought from Apple because I had a gift card from trading in my 2017 MBP that I needed to use.
 
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