Does macbook air feel cheap?

[srosk265]

Coming from 2018 pro, looking to upgrade to either an Air or pro m1. Everything I've read, the air will be fine for my needs. Im no power user. But in the past it felt like a cheaper computer. Is it comparable now.. like the screen / keyboard / trackpad?

Tried to check them out in person but that seems impossible these days and want to order one. I just don't want it to end up being a downgrade.

 

[Zazoh]

No. Does not feel cheap or flimsy. I’ve owned previous versions of Air and pro, this has best keyboard in recent years.

For reference the butterfly keyboard in 12” rMB was crap.

 

[srosk265]

No. Does not feel cheap or flimsy. I’ve owned previous versions of Air and pro, this has best keyboard in recent years.

For reference the butterfly keyboard in 12” rMB was crap.

Good to know. Yeah just want to make sure its not a 'downgrade' from total experience. I am not really a huge fan of the touchbar so that's the only thing I will be "missing" it seems like and a little extra battery life but from what I have read, the battery life is nothing to be concerned about with the air.

It is just 250 more for the pro, so not a huge deal in the long run, but it seems excessive for my use and the form factor is probably a little more portable similar to the 12" retina macbook that I loved.

 

[MK500]

It's extremely high quality. The only thing I believe a "Pro" user would ever notice as a downgrade would be the Mic array. It's still extremely good on the Air; but not as good as the newest Pros.

Screen is exceptional. Keyboard exceptional. Build quality exceptional.

 

[MK500]

but it seems excessive for my use and the form factor is probably a little more portable similar to the 12" retina macbook that I loved.

I can afford to buy either. I chose the Air because I find fanless silent operation to be a premium feature for me. Reduced weight and streamlined design again, premium features for me. I also am an old-school keyboard guy, so really like the real function keys. I don't regret my Air purchase in the least. I would choose to pay MORE for the Air if that was the only option.

 

[srosk265]

awesome. really appreciate the insight. I could afford both, just wasn't sure if the pro was really worth it. Probably wouldn't notice the fan noise either way.. but mine has been a little laggy here and there and its basically a free upgrade to an air.. might as well take advantage right?

I use airpods so I don't think I would notice anything with the mic.. so I think I should pull the trigger before shipping dates push back even further

 

[hmscott]

awesome. really appreciate the insight. I could afford both, just wasn't sure if the pro was really worth it. Probably wouldn't notice the fan noise either way.. but mine has been a little laggy here and there and its basically a free upgrade to an air.. might as well take advantage right?

I use airpods so I don't think I would notice anything with the mic.. so I think I should pull the trigger before shipping dates push back even further

It was a tough choice for me too, but I wanted 2TB storage (Total Cost $2521) + have long running builds so I thought I should get a fan in my Macbook for extended sessions. They are so close in weight and size, I don't think either is a better choice over the other except in my particular case - I would have liked to save that $280 difference in price between 16GB/2TB Air vs Pro

Heads up bhphoto.com has Black Friday M1 Mac discount's of $100 on Macbook Pro's and $70/$60 on Mini's, and was supposed to have had $100 off Air's too, but it looks like those are gone, here's what I found from a newsletter (Fujirumors) - I've added current updates and some screenshots:

• Apple Mac mini M1 Chip – save up to $70 ($60)
• 
• Apple 13.3″ MacBook Pro M1 Chip with Retina Display (Late 2020) – save $100
• 
• Apple 13.3″ MacBook Air M1 Chip (Late 2020) – save $100 (I don't see any discounts currently active for Macbook M1 Air's)

Maybe the Macbook Air deals will return over the next day? I haven't followed up on any of the other listed sales, here's the link:
Black Friday Starts Now: Savings on New Apple M1 MacBooks in USA, eBay EU Deals and Much More - Fuji Rumors

 

[matrix07]

It feels premium on both material and build quality. Much better than my previous 2011 Air.

I get a Space Grey one and it feels like a high end laptop on build quality. 😀

 

[srosk265]

It feels premium on both material and build quality. Much better than my previous 2011 Air.

awesome! I ordered it a few min ago. Its kinda unnecessary for me to upgrade since I have an 18 MBP 13" but with the black friday target gift card deals and resale value on my pro, I'll end up with a new computer and extra cash in hand at the end of the day so it was silly not to upgrade

 

[hmscott]

awesome! I ordered it a few min ago. Its kinda unnecessary for me to upgrade since I have an 18 MBP 13" but with the black friday target gift card deals and resale value on my pro, I'll end up with a new computer and extra cash in hand at the end of the day so it was silly not to upgrade

Congratulations

I had sent you referral links to bhphoto's Black Friday sales - they have $100 off M1 Macbook Pro's right now, but my post got held up from being seen due to me being new here:

"This message is awaiting moderator approval, and is invisible to normal visitors."

Oh, well, best to order direct from Apple anyway, that's how I've always done it too

 

[srosk265]

I appreciate it! But I bought about $900 in apple gift cards from target from black friday to lower the cost of the "upgrade" so needed to buy direct

 

[JohnKay]

Coming from a flimsy 15" windows laptop, my Mac Air feels like a tiny little sturdy tank.

 

[happyslayer]

Nope, pretty much every mac feels pretty solid and "not cheap" and especially this new Air. Since there are literally no moving parts except the keyboard keys and the hinges, it just feels like it's a solid piece of metal. Not super heavy or anything. Just solid. Loving it so far, also!

 

[JamieLannister]

I bought the MBA 2020 intel model. I loved it so much. BUT the performance was just not great. Heat was an issue and without a fan, it throttled when using chrome and some YouTube videos.

this was before Big Sur and before the M1. I returned it and went with a 2020 intel 2.0ghz 16Gram, 512 storage and I also loved it. Compared with the MBPro, the air is not as good in terms of screen brightness and even the touchID wasn't as 'good' - and the speakers definitely was not as good. Camera of course was worse on both units.

BUT the M1 mini I have now is so good, I am looking to get the MBAir 8GB, 512GB storage. It is such a classic notebook (M1) - I believe it should be everyone's go to daily driver for everything. apple really did develop the 1st real compelling laptop that is just awesome overall.

 

[kp98077]

I just didn’t want the extra BULK on the pro when it’s not needed !!

 

[James_C]

Good choice, the Air in my opinion has another advantage over the Pro with the wedge shaped design makes it a better typing experience as I find it easier on the wrists.

 

[Nozuka]

Coming from 2018 pro, looking to upgrade to either an Air or pro m1. Everything I've read, the air will be fine for my needs. Im no power user. But in the past it felt like a cheaper computer. Is it comparable now.. like the screen / keyboard / trackpad?

Tried to check them out in person but that seems impossible these days and want to order one. I just don't want it to end up being a downgrade.

I made the same switch and have not noted any downgrade so far.

What i really enjoy is how cool this machine stays and that you never have any fan noise.
My 2018 could get a bit too warm on the lap sometimes. (4k video, updates, twitch streaming etc)

 

[srosk265]

I made the same switch and have not noted any downgrade so far.

What i really enjoy is how cool this machine stays and that you never have any fan noise.
My 2018 could get a bit too warm on the lap sometimes. (4k video, updates, twitch streaming etc)

Awesome glad to hear such great things about it! Can’t wait for it to come in a couple weeks. Nothing like a very low cost upgrade that’ll hopefully last a good while

 

[acidfast7_redux]

no, not at all. premium 100%.

similar to MB/Audi in class.

 

[Steelhead1957]

Good choice, the Air in my opinion has another advantage over the Pro with the wedge shaped design makes it a better typing experience as I find it easier on the wrists.

The MacBook Air M1 IMHO, is a classic laptop in almost every way! Since it is my daily driver that I use at work and at home, it was an easy choice for me. If the pro had the same wedge shape and ease of typing I would’ve possibly gone pro regardless of the cost. Having no fan cranking up is also great.
As a Sidenote, I live in Florida, and sit outside in the sun, and there is no issue achieving the brightness required. In fact it was only after using it awhile that I realized that I did not have to adjust brightness.
(8GB/512GB)

 

[cambookpro]

awesome! I ordered it a few min ago. Its kinda unnecessary for me to upgrade since I have an 18 MBP 13" but with the black friday target gift card deals and resale value on my pro, I'll end up with a new computer and extra cash in hand at the end of the day so it was silly not to upgrade

Thinking of doing the same - going from a 13" 2018 to a M1 Air should almost be cost-neutral (I also have a BlackMagic eGPU I'll sell). Was going to wait for the "M1X" 14" Pro, but if it is a big change I'll sell the Air for hopefully fairly minimal loss, and enjoy the benefits of the M1 in the meantime.

 

[srosk265]

Thinking of doing the same - going from a 13" 2018 to a M1 Air should almost be cost-neutral (I also have a BlackMagic eGPU I'll sell). Was going to wait for the "M1X" 14" Pro, but if it is a big change I'll sell the Air for hopefully fairly minimal loss, and enjoy the benefits of the M1 in the meantime.

not sure if target or bestbuy are still doing the gift card promo, because with that and resale value I might end up with an extra $100 in cash (used edu discount)

 

[0906742]

Coming from 2018 pro, looking to upgrade to either an Air or pro m1. Everything I've read, the air will be fine for my needs. Im no power user. But in the past it felt like a cheaper computer. Is it comparable now.. like the screen / keyboard / trackpad?

Tried to check them out in person but that seems impossible these days and want to order one. I just don't want it to end up being a downgrade.

Well I'm not sure if something has changed recently in 2020 M1 Pro vs Air model but I have had myself both 13.3" Air 2018 and Pro 2019 and they should have pretty much the same structure still today besides Magic Keyboard. My experience with quality feel was quite opposite - Air actually felt much more solid. Simply hitting keyboard keys or pressing trackpad was huge difference, in Air is was solid and quiet but in Pro it was echoed with hollow "cheap" sound, especially trackpad sounded much noisier, also keyboard was very loud in certain locations in Pro.

But there was considerable difference between displays and this was where Pro was much better, but in the day Air did not even have True Tone and P3 panel, so it was expected to see a huge difference in there.

Not sure how display panels in M1 models compare, since specs today say there is only difference in max. brightness which does not matter to me because I never run in at 100% anyway, but I'm afraid panel is worse quality in Air. My worst fear is that panels not approved for Pro finds their way in Air, I hope it is not so but from what I've seen M1 Air demo models at local shop my first impression was that panel was not very even, there was some noticeable unevenness which is usually quite rare in demo models, so I'm waiting in fear what my Air I ordered will look like.

 

[MPclk2006]

Coming from 2018 pro, looking to upgrade to either an Air or pro m1. Everything I've read, the air will be fine for my needs. Im no power user. But in the past it felt like a cheaper computer. Is it comparable now.. like the screen / keyboard / trackpad?

Tried to check them out in person but that seems impossible these days and want to order one. I just don't want it to end up being a downgrade.

My wife has an Air and I have a pro from 2017....aside from the body style difference they both feel and look the same as far as quality build and everything.

 

[Macrumorsss]

I can tell you i came from a macbook pro and this feels anything but cheap. The best thing to do would be to try it out for yourself.