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Does anyone else feel like the M1 MBA is now an even better deal?

I'm pleased to have seen this thread.
I've always used the Pro models but don't need the power to pro tasks all that often these days. I had been waiting to see the 14" MBP and honestly the MBA is looking more and more appealing.
A large part of me feels like a chump pulling the trigger on a year old system when I can buy the brand new 14" with the same spec for less than £400 more but I'm currently using a late 2011 13" MBP so feel like the MBA will be a huge enough leap in performance and is a known entity without any issues which appeals a lot!

LeeW said:
Just this week I picked up the M1 MBA 256GB/16GB for a killer price of £799 in the UK. Awesome deal. People say it's old and the end of the cycle. I say, yes it is the end of the cycle but it's the best available and battle-tested. Your start of cycle MBP M1 Pro/Max? I will wait and see what the complaints are :)
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Wow, nice job scoring it at that price! Was this new?! I completely agree with what you're saying about the MBPs being at the start of the cycle, it could take a long time for issues to start getting discovered.
 
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jeff127 said:
Wow, nice job scoring it at that price! Was this new?!
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Yes, new and sealed. Had it for a couple of days now. Honestly can't complain, the performance is excellent. For the right price, it really is a great machine. The 13" MBP other than base-level pricing is no longer an attractive purchase when compared against the new 14".
 
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LeeW said:
Yes, new and sealed. Had it for a couple of days now. Honestly can't complain, the performance is excellent. For the right price, it really is a great machine. The 13" MBP other than base-level pricing is no longer an attractive purchase when compared against the new 14".
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Yep I agree with all of that. If where you bought it from has any more at that price I'd very much appreciate you sharing the details!
 
JPack said:
Cook said Apple will support Intel "for years to come." But anyone who isn't fooled by marketing talk knew that meant two years followed by security updates only.
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Thats certainly possible. However, Apple and all the other developers can't just walk away from an installed base of millions of Intel macs. How many corporations may have refreshed to new Intel 16" MBPs just prior to or even since the M1 announcement? I am sure it is many thousands of units. I feel pretty confident that both OS and software will continue to support and work well on these for more than 2 years from when M1 was announced.
 
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Hunter5117 said:
Thats certainly possible. However, Apple and all the other developers can't just walk away from an installed base of millions of Intel macs. How many corporations may have refreshed to new Intel 16" MBPs just prior to or even since the M1 announcement? I am sure it is many thousands of units. I feel pretty confident that both OS and software will continue to support and work well on these for more than 2 years from when M1 was announced.
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Intel-based systems will continue to work, just no new macOS features introduced for them. Similar to iOS 12 for iPhone 6, security updates are still released now and then.
 
IMO, the M1 Air is the best value in a computer Apple has ever offered. It’s more powerful than most of the public needs, and you can get it for under $900. Considering the price of the 14” Pro model, the M1 Air is even more appealing.
 
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tis I totally agree, price, compact size, fanless, battery life, everything works just great and processor wise is perfect for 99% of users, me included.
The only one concern I had before buying was the 400nit screen, but even using it outside it's more than ample.
Pick one up now before the black keys and bezels go.
 
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I've retired my trusty old MBA 11 2013 and Mac Mini Server (2012?) at the same time and ordered a M1 (8/7 with 16G RAM, 256SSD) Air. I tried going through the same exercise last year with the last Intel Air, but decided to revive my MBA 11 and wait out the uncertainty of Apple Silicone launch. Ended up giving the Intel Air to a niece who is just entering high school.

With Monterey no longer supporting my MBA 11, and Mini Server still on Catalina, hopefully this gets me into this decade ;)

Both the MBA 11 and the Mini were awesome machines tho, and have served me greatly over almost 10 years.
Can't wait to receive the M1 Air... I know that the M2 will have great features, but I wanted the tired and tested, last of the old school air.
 
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I got the 16gb/1Tb version. I bought 4 of them, one for each member of my family and I can honestly say this is the best computer I've ever used. It ticks all the boxes for me and I love it to death. It has no negatives as far as I'm concerned.
 
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Norco said:
I went to the Apple Store to check out the new 14" and 16" MB Pros. I walked away appreciating the Air even more. I don't have a Pro use case. I just want a larger screen, but not badly enough to pay a lot more for a much heavier machine.
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This exactly!
 
kiwi45 said:
Just ordered a refurb maxed out model...
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Based on the performance of the new Macbook pros, many are and will be impressed. It of course comes with a price. Think many could max out with a refurb buy a MagSafe adaptor and Hub. It's an incredible price per performance value for most people who don't live and breathe with video editing, high level gaming, etc.
 
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JPack said:
Intel-based systems will continue to work, just no new macOS features introduced for them.
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Very few features are processor specific. The vast majority of OS feature upgrades will serve both platforms for the next few years. Apple can't just abandon a huge user base and expect everyone to upgrade over night.
 
thadoggfather said:
I do. $899 and a year of usage, really great 'kit'

Was a YUGE upgrade from my quad core i5 early 2020 Air that preceded it.

Good holdover too if you're awaiting that alleged 2022 Air re-design M2-ish or M1.5 that will certainly command at least a $400-500 premium.
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And a good holdover, if you're worried - as am I - that the rumored 2022 Air redesign and inevitable price hike will make the Air-line **** again ?
 
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Spinning Fan said:
I've retired my trusty old MBA 11 2013 and Mac Mini Server (2012?) at the same time and ordered a M1 (8/7 with 16G RAM, 256SSD) Air. I tried going through the same exercise last year with the last Intel Air, but decided to revive my MBA 11 and wait out the uncertainty of Apple Silicone launch. Ended up giving the Intel Air to a niece who is just entering high school.

With Monterey no longer supporting my MBA 11, and Mini Server still on Catalina, hopefully this gets me into this decade ;)

Both the MBA 11 and the Mini were awesome machines tho, and have served me greatly over almost 10 years.
Can't wait to receive the M1 Air... I know that the M2 will have great features, but I wanted the tired and tested, last of the old school air.
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My 2011 mini i7 server is still trucking along as my Plex server. As long as it keeps getting security updates I'll keep it going as long as I can.
 
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JPack said:
Cook said Apple will support Intel "for years to come." But anyone who isn't fooled by marketing talk knew that meant two years followed by security updates only.
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Apple will still be selling Intel Macs in 2022. They aren't going to stop supporting new Macs with OS updates before the AppleCare+ 3 year warranty expires. My guess is that the last OS to support Intel Macs will be released in 2025. That means new OS support until Fall of 2026.
 
jdb8167 said:
Apple will still be selling Intel Macs in 2022. They aren't going to stop supporting new Macs with OS updates before the AppleCare+ 3 year warranty expires. My guess is that the last OS to support Intel Macs will be released in 2025. That means new OS support until Fall of 2026.
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Depends on what is meant by updates. Catalina, Big Sur, and iOS 14 continue to receive security updates even though Monterey and iOS 15 have launched. Apple can decide to drop new OS features for Intel-based systems and keep them on Monterey while providing security updates only.
 
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JPack said:
Depends on what is meant by updates. Catalina, Big Sur, and iOS 14 continue to receive security updates even though Monterey and iOS 15 have launched. Apple can decide to drop new OS features for Intel-based systems and keep them on Monterey while providing security updates only.
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Full OS updates perhaps without some of the M1 features. Especially features that need the Neural Engine.
 
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