Air returns - Why?

[applesed]

Washed out colors and dark mode don't work well together. I really like the MBA, but I'm going to try something else.

Instead of trying out the 13" MBP TB, I'm going to try out the same-speced 15" MBP (400 more), the text is just too small at the resolution I want with the 13", and although I will be using a 27" 4k monitor quite a bit, I like a good screen and real estate when I'm not. I do still dislike the TB and lack of ESC, but this is the conclusion I've arrived at, at least for trial beyond the 2018 MBA.

 

[lambertjohn]

Where I started was a 2015 rMPB (3.5 pounds) and a 2017 rMB (2 pounds). Managing two laptops was do-able but unnecessary, so I wanted the rMBA to be the one. 2.75 pounds was a good compromise between those two machines.

The rMBA had some compromises I didn't like, especially the display, although it had some other very attractive features. What I need to decide is whether I want to go back to having one laptop that's a MBP. My commute includes a lot of walking and the difference between 3.5 and 2 pounds was very noticeable. Need to see how 3 pounds, which is a different compromise, works for me.

Go to the gym and do some curls and you'll be fine.

 

[newellj]

Going to go the route you guys went; really want to like the MBA but have to first see if I can live with that display, if not, tbMBP like you both now have. I have the 21" LG UltraFine monitor Apple sells, which I use at home so that might help. We'll see...

Best luck. I couldn't live with it. I've owned half a dozen MBA versions and none has stayed around very long. I wanted to love them but the displays were always an issue I couldn't get over. I thought this time Apple had dealt with that, but they figured out how to put a Retina display into the MBA that still isn't up to par with the rest of the lineup. It's nuts...

 

[JPH675]

Thanks.

Ordered an 8 GB RAM MacBook Air last tonight (11/24) from Apple.com paying full retail price, delivery is shown to be 11/29. Chose Apple.com instead of one of the less expensive Apple Authorized Resellers like Adorama or B&H in case I need to return it because I cannot live with that display coming from an early 2015 retina MacBook.

What gives me a glimmer of hope is often I reduce the display brightness about 3 clicks in an effort to save battery life on this 2015 MacBook when away from home, which gives me about 3.5 hours of use now. What remains to be seen is how the colors appear. On the upgrade side, the MacBook Air processor should be a significant improvement.

Really, really want to be satisfied with the MacBook Air but we will see...

 

[lambertjohn]

Thanks.

Ordered an 8 GB RAM MacBook Air last tonight (11/24) from Apple.com paying full retail price, delivery is shown to be 11/29. Chose Apple.com instead of one of the less expensive Apple Authorized Resellers like Adorama or B&H in case I need to return it because I cannot live with that display coming from an early 2015 retina MacBook.

What gives me a glimmer of hope is often I reduce the display brightness about 3 clicks in an effort to save battery life on this 2015 MacBook when away from home, which gives me about 3.5 hours of use now. What remains to be seen is how the colors appear. On the upgrade side, the MacBook Air processor should be a significant improvement.

Really, really want to be satisfied with the MacBook Air but we will see...

Do you live in a city that has a Micro Center? If you do, they've got both models marked down by $200. And if you don't like the thing, they will take it back no questions asked. www.microcenter.com

 

[JPH675]

Do you live in a city that has a Micro Center? If you do, they've got both models marked down by $200. And if you don't like the thing, they will take it back no questions asked. www.microcenter.com

Thanks for that, I'm in Orlando, FL

 

[gnairn23]

I returned mine knowing that there is always going to be a newer better product in the future, therefore I'll never be satisfied with the never ending upgrade cycle that we are all crazily on at the moment.

 

[newellj]

I returned mine knowing that there is always going to be a newer better product in the future, therefore I'll never be satisfied with the never ending upgrade cycle that we are all crazily on at the moment.

That went through my mind, too. With a first year product, there's a greater than normal risk that over the next year or two there will be significant improvements. I don't think that's a deal-breaker, because even with relatively mature tech hardware there is always that risk..but I know what you mean.

 

[LostAggie]

That went through my mind, too. With a first year product, there's a greater than normal risk that over the next year or two there will be significant improvements. I don't think that's a deal-breaker, because even with relatively mature tech hardware there is always that risk..but I know what you mean.

I think that was sarcasm, at least I hope so...

 

[applesed]

Washed out colors and dark mode don't work well together. I really like the MBA, but I'm going to try something else.

Instead of trying out the 13" MBP TB, I'm going to try out the same-speced 15" MBP (400 more), the text is just too small at the resolution I want with the 13", and although I will be using a 27" 4k monitor quite a bit, I like a good screen and real estate when I'm not. I do still dislike the TB and lack of ESC, but this is the conclusion I've arrived at, at least for trial beyond the 2018 MBA.

Ok the crackling sound issue with the MBP has me squeamish, and reminds me of why I shot for the new MBA to begin with. Let apple figure out all the problems with keyboard, TB, T2 bugs, etc., but have a MacOs laptop that is not as major an investment. tough decisions.

I'm coming from 2016 MBP and yes, screen is a little bit dim but not bad! It´s okay, and I think its better that screen is not too light like oled - my eyes say thanks! I just tested to change screen options. If u choose "Rec. ITU-R BT.709-5" - its like my old MBP - more lighter and more deeper colors… Love my MBA!

I tried this and it seems to have helped.

 

[GtrDude]

The fan is annoying.
It runs at almost boiling point from about 3-4 minutes after you turn it on.
It's a frying pan.
I'm sticking to my 2014 whose fan never comes on.
Actually it's come on once, that's when I was installing Pro Tools....lol

 

[dagored]

The fan is annoying.
It runs at almost boiling point from about 3-4 minutes after you turn it on.
It's a frying pan.
I'm sticking to my 2014 whose fan never comes on.
Actually it's come on once, that's when I was installing Pro Tools....lol

There is something wrong with you machine, I can load Affinity Photo and Publisher and the fan rarely comes on and when it does, it runs very quietly for maybe 30 seconds.

 

[LostAggie]

There is something wrong with you machine, I can load Affinity Photo and Publisher and the fan rarely comes on and when it does, it runs very quietly for maybe 30 seconds.

Yes that sounds like something is wrong. My machine has only gotten hot once and that was when I was completely re-setting it up.

 

[applesed]

if i have netflix running in one chrome window, and i load a page in another chrome window, sometimes the the video (not the audio) of netflix stutters/slows momentarily. is that normal?

 

[GtrDude]

Yes that sounds like something is wrong. My machine has only gotten hot once and that was when I was completely re-setting it up.

There is something wrong with you machine, I can load Affinity Photo and Publisher and the fan rarely comes on and when it does, it runs very quietly for maybe 30 seconds.

Here is someone who agrees with what I'm saying.

Go to 12:16

 

[applesed]

Here is someone who agrees with what I'm saying.

Go to 12:16

Nice link, he forgot to mention the Air has the 3rd gen keyboard in his concluding remarks.

So remaining decision is: nTB 2nd gen kb Pro or TB/nESC key 3rd gen kb?

You basically have to pick what's more important to you: 1) the keyboard or 2) the screen but with a) keyboard w/ useless touchscreen function row / lacking ESC or b) faulty 2nd gen keyboard.

 

[Ma2k5]

Looking at a few reviews (including notebookcheck/Laptopmag), the battery life difference between the new Air and the 2017 nTB seems to be under an hour (in some reviews, the nTB is maybe even 20 minutes higher).

Given that it has a more powerful CPU and a 500 nit screen, how comes? It has a 54W battery instead of a 50W, but I don't know? The nTB has better speakers too if I recall.

Not that I recommend the nTB due to the old gen CPU and keyboard, but is TouchID/T2 chip that much of a drain?

(certain video playback may be longer on the new Air due to T2 HVEC, these tests were done primarily browsing and other light tasks in addition to video playback I imagine).

 

[MBAir2010]

seems to me apple made a great product defectable to boost macbook pro sales, which some repliers here are going to do.

 

[Nychot]

I returned mine knowing that there is always going to be a newer better product in the future, therefore I'll never be satisfied with the never ending upgrade cycle that we are all crazily on at the moment.

and i guess you're still driving that '47 ford

 

[trip1ex]

It has a lesser screen, no face id, and runs hot and noisy with fans all so next year's ARM MBA really really shines.

 

[Ma2k5]

Washed out colors and dark mode don't work well together. I really like the MBA, but I'm going to try something else.

Instead of trying out the 13" MBP TB, I'm going to try out the same-speced 15" MBP (400 more), the text is just too small at the resolution I want with the 13", and although I will be using a 27" 4k monitor quite a bit, I like a good screen and real estate when I'm not. I do still dislike the TB and lack of ESC, but this is the conclusion I've arrived at, at least for trial beyond the 2018 MBA.

I had the same thought process as well - didn't want to go to the 13" TB due to far worse battery life.
[doublepost=1543337104][/doublepost]

It has a lesser screen, no face id, and runs hot and noisy with fans all so next year's ARM MBA really really shines.

Doubt that will occur, but feel free to believe!

 

[Aurora823]

I just watched a new review on Youtube about the 2018 MacBook Air (where the reviewer talked a lot about the dimness and how she had to have it basically at max brightness which kills the battery quick) but looking at the form factor again I miss it :/ I seriously hope they resolve the brightness issues. Such a real bummer the more and more I think about it. I hope enough people have complained or returned their new Airs that it triggers Apple to resolve this. Because then in my opinion the MacBook Air 2018 would be perfect
[doublepost=1543337773][/doublepost]

I had the same thought process as well - didn't want to go to the 13" TB due to far worse battery life.
[doublepost=1543337104][/doublepost]

Doubt that will occur, but feel free to believe!

I'd be happy if they just made the screen less dim

 

[Ma2k5]

I just watched a new review on Youtube about the 2018 MacBook Air (where the reviewer talked a lot about the dimness and how she had to have it basically at max brightness which kills the battery quick) but looking at the form factor again I miss it :/ I seriously hope they resolve the brightness issues. Such a real bummer the more and more I think about it. I hope enough people have complained or returned their new Airs that it triggers Apple to resolve this. Because then in my opinion the MacBook Air 2018 would be perfect
[doublepost=1543337773][/doublepost]

I'd be happy if they just made the screen less dim

Well they haven't fixed butterfly keys after 3 generations, nor have they fixed the T2 kernal panic issue yet. Think the dim screen issue is likely to not be resolved. I would say I didn't notice a dim screen to the point where I'd use max brightness (which was blinding). I however use it indoors. Could maybe be different panel manufacturers depending on region? Who knows....

 

[sudaltsov]

And they totally dropped the ball with the camera. Success story

 

[nutmac]

I just watched a new review on Youtube about the 2018 MacBook Air (where the reviewer talked a lot about the dimness and how she had to have it basically at max brightness which kills the battery quick) but looking at the form factor again I miss it :/ I seriously hope they resolve the brightness issues. Such a real bummer the more and more I think about it. I hope enough people have complained or returned their new Airs that it triggers Apple to resolve this. Because then in my opinion the MacBook Air 2018 would be perfect

Just curious. Do you use Mac outdoor that often?

For indoor use, 120 nits is a recommended brightness setting. My 2018 MBA registers 308 nits peak and I hit 120 nits at 5 clicks below the maximum brightness setting. (I have calibrated the display using i1Display.)

Yes, when using MBA directly under the Sun, I wish for more brightness. But I have to crank down the brightness once I move under the tree for some shades (and I frankly prefer not to be baking under the Sun).