Also, the notch looks even more ridiculously oversized and much more of a brand statement than a technical necessity on the smaller display.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Does anyone else feel like the M1 MBA is now an even better deal?
- Thread starter thadoggfather
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I was looking at the new MBPs for the 2nd or 3rd time yesterday. For the first time, I noticed the notch. I had honestly forgetting about it, it wasn't something I had consciously gone to look at, and suddenly there it was. My response was "Oh yeah, forgot about that. Meh".
I just picked up a 8/512 M1 for $1099 at Best Buy. pretty good deal!
Trying to find a decent small laptop for kiddo. I know she prefers windows. I prefer Mac as I can keep it covered (applecare) and get back nearly half the value later. Plus performance and all that.
She plays a few indie games mostly (undertale, hades, hearts and shapes or something like that, those kind on steam) and Minecraft and some mods. I did look and most of her steam games seem to be mac compatible. Other than that it’s google classroom, YouTube, discord, chrome.
Razer 14 seems expensive. Though I looked at 1799 one at Best Buy. But could also get mbp 14 around that. Hoping mba can suit her.
She plays a few indie games mostly (undertale, hades, hearts and shapes or something like that, those kind on steam) and Minecraft and some mods. I did look and most of her steam games seem to be mac compatible. Other than that it’s google classroom, YouTube, discord, chrome.
Razer 14 seems expensive. Though I looked at 1799 one at Best Buy. But could also get mbp 14 around that. Hoping mba can suit her.
I’m a huge Apple Mac fan and I have been since the introduction of the Mac in the 80’s. If someone wants my advice, I usually steer them towards a Mac if it is suitable. But if your kid prefers Windows, you should get them a Windows computer. Trying to force your preferences seems like a bad idea. Windows is still pretty inelegant in my opinion but is perfectly usable and for some uses better than a Mac. You should get them what they want.
Similarly I've been a life-long Mac user as well since it's inception. Since then, I've tried to steer my siblings to use Macs, but they resisted, up until about 5-7 years ago. It was only after they ran into PC virus issues, that I finally managed to convince each of brothers and sister and now they are all Mac and mostly iPhone users.
That said, I usually try to understand their use case. Do all their kids friends use PCs? Is the user going to use the laptop in a PC workplace? Regardless, in the end, both platforms have become so similar (with basic operations), that often it comes down to price. On that end, the PC's are still the cheaper option.
I picked up MBA 8GB/256 from Costco for $799 for my wife to replace her 2015 MBP 15". Used Chase Visa to pay for it and I will be getting another 10% off, plus 2% Costco Executive cash back. It looks like I will be able to sale the 2015 MBP for more what we ended up paying for the new MBA M1. Great machine/price for her needs.
My oldest grandson got a Win laptop the first year he needed one for school. After two years, he passed it on to his younger brother and asked for a MBP which he says he likes a lot more. He does have a gaming computer as well so the MBP is just for his school work.
With everyone rushing to the new 14 and 16” notebooks, one can find some incredible deals on used Airs. I bought an M1 air with 16Gb, 1TB with AppleCare+ for $1100. It was only a few months old and had 8 charges cycles on the battery. Pristine condition.
I just noticed that my closest Apple Store is now showing availability of most MacBook Air configurations for in-store pickup. Base configurations are almost all in stock for immediate pickup and orders for more RAM or storage can now be placed for store pickup rather than home delivery only. Most will be available before Christmas.
This wasn't the case a week or two ago, at least not when I purchased my 16GB/1TB Air. At that time it was either buy one of the models in stock, or order for home delivery.
I'm guessing that this is an indication that production of these models is catching up to demand.
This wasn't the case a week or two ago, at least not when I purchased my 16GB/1TB Air. At that time it was either buy one of the models in stock, or order for home delivery.
I'm guessing that this is an indication that production of these models is catching up to demand.
Ended up getting 15yr old the 14 base. Learned Best Buy was taking 20% off and jumped on it. https://slickdeals.net/f/15489421-s...odel-1620-free-shipping?src=SiteSearchV2Algo1
Looked at a razer 14 vs mbp 14 video comparison. Just hard to pull trigger on the razer.
Looked at a razer 14 vs mbp 14 video comparison. Just hard to pull trigger on the razer.
I think it is good value. Let's hope that the boy finds gaming on Mac acceptable and has all apps which he may need.
I had bought a 8/512 refurb back in June with the intent of using it is as temporary solution until the new MBP came out.
But now that the new 14” MBP is out, I realized two things: that thing is way too thick and heavy and I’ve already come to LOVE the weight and size of my MBA. Also, I actually don’t need anything more powerful than an M1-powered machine. The MBA has been such a joy to use. The most “pro” thing I ever use it for is Lightroom which it handles flawlessly.
So now I’ve snatched another refurb but with 16/1TB since it looks like I’m sticking with the MBA as a permanent thing. I considered holding off until the new MBAs come out but who knows how far into 2022 that will be, plus I absolutely love the elegant and classic look of the space gray MBA. I am not too keen on the “fun” and colorful redesign that’s heavily rumored for the M2 MBA.
But now that the new 14” MBP is out, I realized two things: that thing is way too thick and heavy and I’ve already come to LOVE the weight and size of my MBA. Also, I actually don’t need anything more powerful than an M1-powered machine. The MBA has been such a joy to use. The most “pro” thing I ever use it for is Lightroom which it handles flawlessly.
So now I’ve snatched another refurb but with 16/1TB since it looks like I’m sticking with the MBA as a permanent thing. I considered holding off until the new MBAs come out but who knows how far into 2022 that will be, plus I absolutely love the elegant and classic look of the space gray MBA. I am not too keen on the “fun” and colorful redesign that’s heavily rumored for the M2 MBA.
I'm with you 1000% on the color schemes. Stupid idea. My real question is how long Apple keeps churning this out before they realize it's a polarizing and unnecessary gimmick. Even the touch bar had SOME functionality.
If I had to guess, the whole bright colour schemes is a way to better differentiate the two product lines. Positioning only 'pros' who are worthy of owning dark colour products.
The only silver lining is that there might be a 'silver' MBA model which isn't quite space gray, but it's acceptable.
Additionally, there a rumoured low end MBP, which will likely be an M2 but slower than M1 Pro or Pro Max.
It should be available in space grey but obviously not in the MBA slimmer form factor.
Yeah, I imagine that's what will happen next. Gray/black will exclusively be a pro color. But if the M1 iMac is any indication, I also think the only neutral option will be silver. But if the silver M2-MBA will have a white keyboard and white bezels, that still won't appeal to me.
Personally, I think the current gen MBA, as well as the 13" MBP, remain the best design. I realize many appreciate the improvements in the 14" MBP but I feel it's a step backwards in terms of design and aesthetics. This is why I just went ahead and got another MBA but with enough RAM and storage to last me for a few years. It's not looking like I'm going be tempted by any of the upcoming notebooks.
I was just thinking about that... Although I'm very happy with my M1 MBA IF....there's an entry-level MBP with no touch bar (yea???) and available in normal colors (e.g., space grey or silver)... I might upgrade then. No need to but I'm mildly curious.
They will certainly alienate a lot of us who lean more towards conservative or "professional" colors but, at the same time, a shhht ton of people will absolutely eat this up when new colorful MacBooks are released. It'll be like 1999 all over again, with people wanting the new flashy notebooks that immediately stand out in a sea of black and silver.
But, if rumors are true, it looks like they don't plan to abandon the entry-level MBP so maybe they'll release a space-gray version of this new MacBook design, but with some extra features that differentiate it enough to make it pro? Maybe LED display or ProMotion. We shall see.