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I've been saying that for a while, and it might just happen. Rename it the MacBook SE and drop in some new internals every couple of years as the sub $1K model. For example next year when the M3 MBA's come out, drop a M2 in the older form factor and keep it at $999 or even $899.
Totally agree with you and Apple needs to realize something too, not many people are going after these over premium MacBook Pro's as before and market is so saturated. On top of just how powerful the M1 Air is for just about everyday tasks, its a mass consumer product that Apple should keep.
 
No one wants 8/256 models. But is sure is a good way to make the price point look good.
I’m sure Apple would disagree with this. I bet my life savings that it’s the top selling configuration. Most people when they go buy a computer just buy the one that’s on the counter. I have friends that are using Windows laptops with 4GB of RAM.

My mom has the M1 version and she absolutely loves it. Of course she doesn’t edit 4K video or have her own YouTube channel.
 
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It "handles" them, but with continual swapping.
And nobody cares about that as long as there's no performance impact. Before you mention SSD lifespan actually check what they're rated for.

What is shocking about the M1 MacBook Air is how, after three years, it’s still better than the vast majority of mainstream laptops.
Sure, but if you actually compare apples to apples, it's not exactly so. Most Windows laptops come with at least a two year manufacturer's warranty if not three and at the very least double the storage capacity is standard nowadays. They might not come with double the memory, but often enough allow for expansion. Once you factor in the cost for all that on the Air, it's gotten really expensive.

The base model Air has great performance without battery impact and has extremely good battery life. So I am not saying other laptops are better than the Air, not at all. But each have their pros and cons, I don't see the Air as the clear winner here.
 
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And nobody cares about that as long as there's no performance impact. Before you mention SSD lifespan actually check what they're rated for.

This is a tech nerd thing with the obsession over swap. Most computer users don’t even know what swap is.


Sure, but if you actually compare apples to apples, it's not exactly so. Most Windows laptops come with at least a two year manufacturer's warranty if not three and at the very least double the storage capacity is standard nowadays. They might not come with double the memory, but often enough allow for expansion. Once you factor in the cost for all that on the Air, it's gotten really expensive.

The base model Air has great performance without battery impact and has extremely good battery life. So I am not saying other laptops are better than the Air, not at all. But each have their pros and cons, I don't see the Air as the clear winner here.

The problem with most of those warranties is getting them to do anything. I had an issue with Razr and it took me three months of back and forth emails to get them to replace a product. Even when they did, they replaced it with a lesser one because they didn’t have that particular model in stock. I’m not saying all brands are like this, but I haven’t seen a company with customer support thats even in the same realm as Apple. If something goes wrong with my MacBook, I can either call them and get pretty close to immediate customer support or drive to the Apple store. That has saved me on more than one occasion.


The only reason I would advise someone to get a Windows laptop over a MacBook is if they needed it for gaming or an application that wouldn’t run on macOS. If budget was the issue, I would recommend a Chromebook. The battery life on them is really good as well.
 
I’m sure Apple would disagree with this. I bet my life savings that it’s the top selling configuration. Most people when they go buy a computer just buy the one that’s on the counter. I have friends that are using Windows laptops with 4GB of RAM.

My mom has the M1 version and she absolutely loves it. Of course she doesn’t edit 4K video or have her own YouTube channel.
Other then the elderly that i'm sure is not the largest audience or a good example of the average/most common customer. Most people or a good portion upgrade at the Apple Store with memory and or storage. Those first time buyers who dont upgrade storage most likely do the next time around. 256GB of Storage in 2023 is not an acceptable amount.
 
Other then the elderly that i'm sure is not the largest audience or a good example of the average/most common customer. Most people or a good portion upgrade at the Apple Store with memory and or storage. Those first time buyers who dont upgrade storage most likely do the next time around. 256GB of Storage in 2023 is not an acceptable amount.
It’s not just the elderly that buy a base model computer. It’s people that are not on these forms that don’t think about how big their swap file is on a daily basis. Basically people that are not tech nerds and don’t have a specific need for a higher end computer.

256 GB not acceptable? That’s funny because I barely have over 100 GB on my MacBook Air so even as a self-proclaimed tech nerd, it would’ve been perfectly acceptable for me. I’ll admit I bought 512 GB but that’s just my choice not based on need. I also waste money on other stuff. I don’t have an unlimited budget but my spending decisions are not frugal at all.

Perhaps what you meant to say is 256 GB is not acceptable for your use. That very well could be true. When I tell people is look at your current storage, use then double it.

Then there’s always a scenario where the person is not concerned about cost at all. Even if they spent a few thousand dollars extra that is completely wasted it wouldn’t bother them. For that person I say just get the maxed out model and you won’t have to think about your use case or figure out how much storage you need.
 
It’s not just the elderly that buy a base model computer. It’s people that are not on these forms that don’t think about how big their swap file is on a daily basis. Basically people that are not tech nerds and don’t have a specific need for a higher end computer.

256 GB not acceptable? That’s funny because I barely have over 100 GB on my MacBook Air so even as a self-proclaimed tech nerd, it would’ve been perfectly acceptable for me. I’ll admit I bought 512 GB but that’s just my choice not based on need. I also waste money on other stuff. I don’t have an unlimited budget but my spending decisions are not frugal at all.

Perhaps what you meant to say is 256 GB is not acceptable for your use. That very well could be true. When I tell people is look at your current storage, use then double it.

Then there’s always a scenario where the person is not concerned about cost at all. Even if they spent a few thousand dollars extra that is completely wasted it wouldn’t bother them. For that person I say just get the maxed out model and you won’t have to think about your use case or figure out how much storage you need.
I’ll agree to disagree. My last few MBP’s were all over 512 storage I’m not talking about memory mainly storage. Your comment on those who know nothing about swap, are the ones who usually upgrade btw. those people who do that understand like you and myself buy what they need.
 
The only reason I would advise someone to get a Windows laptop over a MacBook is if they needed it for gaming or an application that wouldn’t run on macOS.
Primarily. But budget can be another issue. A lot of people think of mainstream laptops as somewhat disposable items to use for about five years then replace it. Many don’t often think of buying something better that is more likely to last longer and thus cost them less in the long run.

Also, as stated upthread, most people are intent on buying what is at hand and available. Few mainstream consumers seriously consider ordering something spec’d. And I suspect Apple knows that and counts on it. Want more then a base M1 MBA?—go for the M2 Air or stretch for the 13 or 14 Pro. Simple. Few other than tech nerds are going to want a custom order unit.
 
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It "handles" them, but with continual swapping. Check Activity Monitor and you'll see.
So what? I’ve had the macbook for over 2 years now, and terminal is showing 12.2 TB written.

So at this rate, this SSD would die in like… 50 years? Probably even more.

Please.

Maybe it’s important that I add that I use edge which has much better memory management than Safari with its sleeping tabs feature.

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I’ve been on MacRumors for five years now and it’s impossible not to notice how myopic some around here can be. They tend to see and judge everything through their own narrow lens rather than in context of a broader perspective.

Apple isn’t giving them exactly what want for a giveaway price so the company has certainly lost its way and is doomed to failure.

At the MBA’s price point as well as all other MBs above it—yes, it should have 16GB and 512GB standard. This despite the fact that for the vast majority of intended users the base MBs deliver more than sufficient performance for their needs.
Apple have always been more expensive and over the years they have made it more difficult to update their machines.l But that is the way Apple work, if you don't like, then don't buy Apple.
this Mac mini M2 pro is my first Mac, in fact my first Apple product and I must admit, paying £1,300 for a machine that can not be updated internally did make me wonder if i was doing the right thing. I was waiting for the M2 before i buying one anyway. £1,300 is morer than I have ever spent on a computer.
I doubt very much if I will buy another Apple product, certainly got very little interest in a iPhone and have no need for a laptop, if I did then I would look at one of the Apple products.
 
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