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First impressions of MacBook Air

A

Adelphos33

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Mar 13, 2012
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I received a new MacBook Air last week (i5, 16GB RAM, 512 GB storage). I know many are waiting for ARM, but I actually wanted the last generation of Intel Macs so that things can get ironed out with software over the next few years.

First impressions - the thing is super well built, lighter than my old 2015 MBP, brighter, faster. USB-C ports simplify things so much. I noticed some heat the first day, but not so mucH since. Looking forward to pushing this with external displays and such in the future. Keyboard is outstanding - better than the 2015 style, and a MUCH better feel than the old shallow keys they had on the prior generations. I am glad I could avoid the touch bar by retaining traditional function keys. Overall this machine seems really good for the money and should serve most people well for a long time.
 
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the keyboard is a breath of fresh air

butterfly is ok in short bursts, but not prolonged use imo it lends itself to finger fatigue

also, they aren't built to last.
 
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After a week of use,

1) I absolute love the keyboard
2) The screen is beautiful
3) performance is snappy with no fan issues

The only issue is that I have three days to return it and buy a MacBook Air silicon if I want to. I don’t think I will (I don’t see any benefit for my use purpose and maybe some downsides over the next couple of years), but I will consider it.
 
prism said:
I guess after what was presented you will be returning your Intel Mac.
Click to expand...

In all honesty I don't know. I am really liking this machine, and I don't know if the new one will be much better in real world use. I don't ind using Intel for the next few years. It's kind of cool having the last Intel MacBook Air...

Tomorrow is my deadline for returning it. I have some heavy Zoom testing tomorrow afternoon, I will decide after that.
 
maerz001 said:
U should rename the thread title to „Last impressions of Macbook Air“:)
Click to expand...
I for one am very pleased with my Intel MBA 2020 running Big Sur. So far a noticeably better experience than Catalina! Also I will wait for M2 before considering joining the new generation.
 
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Only in the last 24-48 hours or so, I have started looking into a reasonably priced MBA or MBP.
Alas, I wanted to use my Apple Card, but, Apple are now only offering the newer MBA.

Like someone else stated, I would have liked to have tried the 'older' MBA, versus the one about to be released.
Honestly, I do not need it for anything major, mainly around the living room, or in my office (to respond to iMessage/FaceTime, while I work on my Windows desktop).

I have an iPad Pro, and seriously just considering that Magic keyboard. Maybe simply having that in my Office, will suffice...
 
teecuptech said:
Only in the last 24-48 hours or so, I have started looking into a reasonably priced MBA or MBP.
Alas, I wanted to use my Apple Card, but, Apple are now only offering the newer MBA.

Like someone else stated, I would have liked to have tried the 'older' MBA, versus the one about to be released.
Honestly, I do not need it for anything major, mainly around the living room, or in my office (to respond to iMessage/FaceTime, while I work on my Windows desktop).

I have an iPad Pro, and seriously just considering that Magic keyboard. Maybe simply having that in my Office, will suffice...
Click to expand...
Get one from apples refurbished store. Or if u want to buy new u will find better deals in other shops still selling the intel model
 
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teecuptech said:
Ugh, honestly...
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It sounds like for you use case I’d get the new MacBook Air. It doesn’t sound like the new architecture will affect any of the things you’ll be using it for and you’ll get a much faster machine that should last much longer.
 
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prism said:
I for one am very pleased with my Intel MBA 2020 running Big Sur. So far a noticeably better experience than Catalina! Also I will wait for M2 before considering joining the new generation.
Click to expand...

I will download Big Sur today before I decide on return.

Honestly two years with this Intel machine, followed by an upgrade to a M2 or newer version in a couple of years when the dust settles, may not be a bad idea.
 
Adelphos33 said:
I will download Big Sur today before I decide on return.

Honestly two years with this Intel machine, followed by an upgrade to a M2 or newer version in a couple of years when the dust settles, may not be a bad idea.
Click to expand...
I would agree, somewhat. But, if the cost between the two are relatively close, then, to ME, the newer unit would be the more practical choice.

Of course, this is merely my opinion...
 
Honestly, the 256gb starting price point instead of the 128gb along with the bigger battery life, 5nm cpu architecture alone is worth it for the M1. The lower power requirements means lower heat overall.

If i was him and still stuck between these two Id return it since its his last day, then wait a week for reviews to either buy the new one, or simply rebuy the intel one if thats what he wants. At least then he still has a choice, after today that choice is no longer there and if you do want the M1 you will regret missing your return date. I plan to get two 16gb versions of the m1 macbook airs for myself and my wife because of the battery life and since were both using our 2012 macbook pro's that we bought in college I figured its time for an big upgrade to the 8core M1 models.
 
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Adelphos33 said:
I received a new MacBook Air last week (i5, 16GB RAM, 512 GB storage). I know many are waiting for ARM, but I actually wanted the last generation of Intel Macs so that things can get ironed out with software over the next few years.

First impressions - the thing is super well built, lighter than my old 2015 MBP, brighter, faster. USB-C ports simplify things so much. I noticed some heat the first day, but not so mucH since. Looking forward to pushing this with external displays and such in the future. Keyboard is outstanding - better than the 2015 style, and a MUCH better feel than the old shallow keys they had on the prior generations. I am glad I could avoid the touch bar by retaining traditional function keys. Overall this machine seems really good for the money and should serve most people well for a long time.
Click to expand...

I’m all for buying intel macs this year. I got a 16 i9 base. But I’d return MacBook Air in a heartbeat. M1 could be a software mess for awhile but the performance gains? You can’t ignore that.
 
I “started” a return today, which really gives me 14 more days to return it. I will test extensively to see if I want to
 
Adelphos33 said:
I “started” a return today, which really gives me 14 more days to return it. I will test extensively to see if I want to
Click to expand...
That’s a wise choice to return and get the m1. Who wouldn’t want a machine that runs multiple times faster, is quieter and has much better battery life? also another major change overlooked is the screen in the m1 is much better. It now covers the p3 colour gamut just like the MacBook Pro. Much better if you are into photography or even watching movies or viewing photos.

Only real reason left is if you need to run windows software
 
thunng8 said:
That’s a wise choice to return and get the m1. Who wouldn’t want a machine that runs multiple times faster, is quieter and has much better battery life? also another major change overlooked is the screen in the m1 is much better. It now covers the p3 colour gamut just like the MacBook Pro. Much better if you are into photography or even watching movies or viewing photos.

Only real reason left is if you need to run windows software
Click to expand...
Screen is much better? Better, yes, but much better would also include the additional 100 nits and even that is stretching it IMHO.
 
prism said:
Screen is much better? Better, yes, but much better would also include the additional 100 nits and even that is stretching it IMHO.
Click to expand...
For people working with video and photos, yes having the p3 gamut in the m1 air qualifies it as being ”much better”
 
I just bought a 2020 i3 Mac Air. They were on sale for $920. I've tried hooking it up to an external display with no fan noise or overheating which i was happy with. I've read in a few reviews that for some reason the i3 doesn't have the same heat and fan issues the i5 & i7 have.
 
Brighton Billy said:
I just bought a 2020 i3 Mac Air. They were on sale for $920. I've tried hooking it up to an external display with no fan noise or overheating which i was happy with. I've read in a few reviews that for some reason the i3 doesn't have the same heat and fan issues the i5 & i7 have.
Click to expand...
Why would you buy the old one now? The m1 is vastly superior in every way. And you didn’t save much at all either.
 
thunng8 said:
Why would you buy the old one now? The m1 is vastly superior in every way. And you didn’t save much at all either.
Click to expand...

Oh really ? Where did you use the new one ?

I use the laptop for media consumption and browsing and it works great. If the reviews show massive improvements i can always exchange it.
 
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