I don't know if absurd is the right word - the two ports are on the one side because the Thunderbolt controller is on that side. To put a port on both sides, they would need two Thunderbolt controllers (right?). Wish they would have made that a priority.
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Apple Announces Redesigned MacBook Air With M2 Chip, Notch, MagSafe, New Colors, and More
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I love everything except the ports on one side and the speakers under the display. Sound quality will be meh and it will be annoying to plug things in next to the charger.
Midnight and 16gb is definitely the move. Just trying to figure out if the extra 2 gpu cores are worth an extra $80. Would hate to order the entry level model only to find out the cooling ducts/fins are set up in a way to make the machine throttle sooner than it’s 10 gpu counterpart. I think I‘m going to spec the 10 core just out of fear, lol.
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I still have my 11 inch 2015 Air, so this will be a significant bump up. Trying to decide between 16 RAM & 24, and gulping about how much a maxed one will cost, but as I tend to keep tech for a long time, on an annual basis it works out ok. But definitely a gulp payment.
I like how during the Event and on the new Air's page, they show it running Final Cut Pro (even if it's in the simplified version of the interface)...
Obviously, Apple must've realized how the M1 MacBook Air runs Final Cut Pro very well, especially when configured with the 8-core graphics and 16 GB of unified memory. After all, I use it a lot on MY M1 Air...
Though I will admit, when using FCP at home I often like to hook my Air up to my CalDigit TS3-Plus dock and run it in clamshell/desktop mode and work with a larger display. But for other instances (like when I'm on the go), I find 1440x900 to be adequate.
And I suspect that like the M1 Air did, the M2 Air is going to attract a LOT of prosumer video editors (that rarely go higher than 1080p, at least) that don't mind a smaller screen and would appreciate the excellent processing power and speed and the more affordable price point. (Of course, one reason I opted for the M1 Air is because I needed a replacement for my late 2009 polycarbonate MacBook to use as my main laptop, and to have a machine that can easily run the latest Mac OS versions, but I also went with the 8-core graphics, 16 GB of unified memory and 512 GB storage because I figured I'd do a lot of digital media work on it, as I currently am.)
Plus, I can also run Adobe Premiere Pro and Cyberlink PowerDirector on the M1 Air very well (though for the time, PowerDirector still requires Rosetta 2).
Obviously, Apple must've realized how the M1 MacBook Air runs Final Cut Pro very well, especially when configured with the 8-core graphics and 16 GB of unified memory. After all, I use it a lot on MY M1 Air...
Though I will admit, when using FCP at home I often like to hook my Air up to my CalDigit TS3-Plus dock and run it in clamshell/desktop mode and work with a larger display. But for other instances (like when I'm on the go), I find 1440x900 to be adequate.
And I suspect that like the M1 Air did, the M2 Air is going to attract a LOT of prosumer video editors (that rarely go higher than 1080p, at least) that don't mind a smaller screen and would appreciate the excellent processing power and speed and the more affordable price point. (Of course, one reason I opted for the M1 Air is because I needed a replacement for my late 2009 polycarbonate MacBook to use as my main laptop, and to have a machine that can easily run the latest Mac OS versions, but I also went with the 8-core graphics, 16 GB of unified memory and 512 GB storage because I figured I'd do a lot of digital media work on it, as I currently am.)
Plus, I can also run Adobe Premiere Pro and Cyberlink PowerDirector on the M1 Air very well (though for the time, PowerDirector still requires Rosetta 2).
There are some nice features there, including the gorgeous design, yet there are some things that are just inadmissible:
- No SD card reader.
- Frigging notch.
- Weird display size that keeps messing with Apple's confusing lineup. Why the heck not just a 14'' screen!
- 200 bucks too expensive.
Just one of those 3? Sure, but some people want all 3, and then perhaps a version of gold. Latest iMacs were disappointing for those people.
The display lid is thicker, just because they wanted it equal across the panel. Lenovo could've done that. Acer could've done that. Oppo or my grandma could've done that. That's the laziness. Especially for the (now formerly) iconic MacBook Air.
Indeed, you are correct. It's product differentiation. Auto makers do it. Even the local pizza shop does it.
Got a source on that, or are you just speculating? I'm guessing the latter.
Form often follows function. This new MBA has a Liquid Retina display and a 1080p webcam. For all you know they needed the extra real estate to house those new components and cool them properly. And even if it was purely cosmetic, who cares? I like it. If you don't like it don't buy it, simple as that. No need to get on a soapbox to tell us how much you hate it.
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Notch and display size are tied together. The 13.6 is just the (very) old 13.3-inch display size, with about 60 additional pixels at the top for the menu bar. Would you have preferred keeping the thick top bezel and having the menu bar encroach on windows, or make it autohide, just to keep the things you happen to be used to?
As for the price, everything is getting more expensive this year, so why not a new, premium piece of technology too? (Apple's costs are rising.)
I pointed out that Apple always included "a black, or gray, or silver".
You pointed out that there is "No black or space grey" choice for the 24" iMac.
Yes, that is right. And there is a silver for the 24" iMac, which fits my original statement. They always make at least one of the boring / corporate office colors. Including a silver 24" iMac. I never suggested they made all three of those colors every time. Just that they always offered a choice for those who are afraid of a little color.
I can’t believe Apple are still using 256B in the base model and charging $200 to upgrade to 512GB. I can pick up a 512GB m.2 for $35, or a 2TB m.2 for $200. $1,399 for the base model with 512GB is just ridiculous in 2022.
Doesn’t matter anyway, I decided a couple of years ago that I’m not buying anything with a damn notch ever again.
Doesn’t matter anyway, I decided a couple of years ago that I’m not buying anything with a damn notch ever again.
SO excited about the midnight color, then I read the product page:
- only tunderbolt 3 & only 2 ports
- no bluetooth 5.2
- no wifi 6e
- one external display
- only starting at 8GB/256GB
- ugly notch
- no face id
- only 0.1 lb lighter
- only 0.3" wider screen
- no 120 hz (stop calling that a pro feature, its not in 2022)
Definitely no go for me, will get a used 14" MBP.
- only tunderbolt 3 & only 2 ports
- no bluetooth 5.2
- no wifi 6e
- one external display
- only starting at 8GB/256GB
- ugly notch
- no face id
- only 0.1 lb lighter
- only 0.3" wider screen
- no 120 hz (stop calling that a pro feature, its not in 2022)
Definitely no go for me, will get a used 14" MBP.
FWIW there will never be FaceID on a Mac laptop until Apple can reduce the thickness of the current array components by 50%, or Apple doubles the lid thickness.
You'll absolutely love the 14" MBP, if my 16" is anything to go by its a great laptop.
So glad I picked up refurbished M1 MacBook Airs for my family last month to replace our 2017 3.1GHz Intel 13" MBP's. Found a seller who sold temporarily sold the 16GB/512GB/8 Core model for $849. DEAL OF THE CENTURY! I read rumors of the notch in this new revision (which I hate) and so jumped at these M1 refurbs. Fantastic machines, can't believe how cool they run (compared to the intel models), long battery life, and fast, fast, fast.
I agree completely
High refresh screens are become quite normal in the PC world and Apple is acting like it's some incredible niche thing, seemingly just to justify higher prices/upsells.. Very frustrating.
Same
I have no issue with a small base size SSD.
My issue is with the outright extortion pricing on the upgrades.