Okay, I thought when you said, "Now I’d consider the wait worth it only if the intel MBA won’t last me the 4 years (what I mean by that is receiving the new big system update every year ...," that you meant you wanted the major yearly OS updates like we get now (for example, macOS 10.13 High Sierra in 2017, macOS 10.14 Mojave in 2018, macOS 10.15 Catalina in 2019).
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Guys. I’m about to pull the trigger on MBA 2020. Go for it or wait for ARM?
- Thread starter Mohamed Kamal
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Okay, I thought when you said, "Now I’d consider the wait worth it only if the intel MBA won’t last me the 4 years (what I mean by that is receiving the new big system update every year ...," that you meant you wanted the major yearly OS updates like we get now (for example, macOS 10.13 High Sierra in 2017, macOS 10.14 Mojave in 2018, macOS 10.15 Catalina in 2019).
I believe 3 years from now, the Macbook Air will still be supported by Apple and macOS.
I haven't tried Windows on a Mac (never had a mac), but I'm sure it would perform just like a similarly spec-ed Windows laptop. Any modern laptop with good enough amount of RAM and fast SSD will perform fine for years to come. Imo the age of the LiIon battery will be the limiting factor on most modern laptops (shorter and shorter battery life as the laptop ages).
Yes this is what I meant.. but what I’m trying to say in the post you quoted is: since updates used to come out every two years, and the first update NOT to support PPC macs was released in 2009, then technically PPC macs were using the most up to date OS for 4 years after the announcement (2005-2009).
It then got security updates until 2011 but that’s not what I’m interested in.
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The MBA is not spec’ed very well but Apple optimization does the trick.. so I kinda wanna know how well it runs on bootcamp.. but I guess it’ll be fine though
This is where I think “everyone” has got it wrong. You can’t just take something that happened more than a decade ago and expect the same this time around. So much has changed in between, non of the dynamics are the same, and you have to consider that the installed base of intel Macs is so much bigger than PPC at the time of transition.
Yes, and, if apple don’t actually release The “new versions of MacOs on intel macbook for years to come” like they said, they would be blatantly lying. Which is very damaging for the company’s image.
Did everyone say the same thing about PowerPC to Intel? I was following that transition too and I don't remember that particularly. I believe them this time, though; I think supporting existing hardware for years has served them well by keeping customers active and happy enough to stay around to buy the next device.
If I were in your situation, it would come down to the severity of that "need" you mentioned. All current MacBooks look like they're in good shape at the moment.
If I were in your situation, it would come down to the severity of that "need" you mentioned. All current MacBooks look like they're in good shape at the moment.
Same. I have the 2017 Air and the machine is great for my use, I would only like to be up-to-date in terms of Touch ID, speakers, and to a lesser degree, the screen. I say a lesser degree since I am running macOS Big Sur beta 1 on this Air and the text readability has improved well enough for me. Really, really good. I was contemplating about an Air 2020 i5, but not now.
The machine does what I need it for. I am going to be waiting for the Apple A-series chipsets. The performance of macOS on Apple's own silicon should be remarkable and I think those machines might even last longer, considering Apple would probably finally have a handle on thermals, and considering how many iOS upgrades the A-series iPhones get, Macs might get even more. Things, on paper, seem to be heading in a good direction so far as hardware is concerned. How well they are able to make software run, remains to be seen. But, they sure have the underpinnings ready, they are polishing the experience. macOS Big Sur is really good on Intel, it should perform better on A-chips.
My experience from the power PC to intel transition was that early in the transition, it's better to have an older generation computer. The reason is that software you use might not be ready for the new processor and/or emulation just doesn't work as well as you'd hope. Moreover, sometimes older programs aren't migrated to the new architecture and it takes time for competitors to rise up and fill the void. But then after about a year to 18 months after the first next-generation machine is released, it's better to have a next-generation machine. This transition might be different because of the possibility that iOS apps will fill a void, but it's hard to tell at this point.
FWIW, I don't plan to replace my machine until 2022.
FWIW, I don't plan to replace my machine until 2022.
I think you are being very reasonable, so I can see your point. No one can say for sure what Apple is planning.
Since the major OS updates came out once every two years at the time, and Apple's OS update cycle was not exactly aligned with the transition, you could make the case that is the reason PowerPC macs only got one major OS update in 2007 after the announcement in 2005. If they were aligned, PowerPC macs may have gotten another update in 2009.
On the other hand, Apple did not update PowerPC macs to the latest OS in 2009 for whatever reason. You could see that one update in 2007 and say, if they released annual major OS updates like they do now, Apple would have given only two major OS updates after the announcement in 2005: one in 2006 and one in 2007.
There is good room for discussion. Apple and other software companies will probably keep a close eye on how fast the ARM macs get adopted before making their decisions.
Yes.. no one can tell now anyway. And then there’s the issue of third party app support as well.
Hi Mohamed. I've just pulled the trigger on a new MBA (last night infact...) It'll be my first ever Mac. Your post caught my eye because that's been my dilemma too, but in the end, I thought sod it....if I get 4 or 5yrs out of it, that's reasonable for tech gear in my eyes, as things move so fast. I'm changing now because my current Windows lappy is 5yrs old.
When the ARM architecture has had time to bed-in, and have any possible (probable???) teething probs ironed out, ...AND I actually like the Mac-way, I'd then look to upgrade to a new ARM-based MBP and replace our Windows Desktop PC in 2-3yrs time.
When the ARM architecture has had time to bed-in, and have any possible (probable???) teething probs ironed out, ...AND I actually like the Mac-way, I'd then look to upgrade to a new ARM-based MBP and replace our Windows Desktop PC in 2-3yrs time.
Be smart about It. Find a great deal (amazon, student whatever). Look after it. Keep the packaging. Use it. Enjoy it. When time comes to sell it on, you can recoup at least 60-70 percent
I will probably do the same thing to be honest. When is your new MBA arriving? Congrats, I hope you enjoy it!
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Yeah, I’m generally a very good user, and I’ll sell it if I get a chance, however I’m not really counting on that because who knows what the resale value will be like in the future.
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It’s just risk/reward at this point. On one hand, ARM might have issues, but on the other, intel may lose support.
Do you trust apple enough to produce a great product first gen? Do you trust apple enough to hold true to their support promise? Which risk are you willing to take?
For some people though, there still are the options of iPad pro or a windows machine, just not for me!
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Please update us with your review once you recieve it!
Which usb c hub brand is best? How about these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0719PZQ6Y/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A36AUUSWLRD95D&psc=1
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Well it's come, and I'm very impressed with things generally, very steep learning curve after 25yrs of only Windows PC's 
One thing I've found, the wifi transfer from my NAS drive is pitifully slow. I'm trying to do some digging as to why, but not getting much at the minute. I tried to copy a 4gb mp4 movie off my NAS and it took about 3 or 4 mins. It wouldn't copy at all when trying to drop it into a USB thumb drive in my Mac (I guess it's a security setting somewhere but haven't looked into that yet!)
One thing I've found, the wifi transfer from my NAS drive is pitifully slow. I'm trying to do some digging as to why, but not getting much at the minute. I tried to copy a 4gb mp4 movie off my NAS and it took about 3 or 4 mins. It wouldn't copy at all when trying to drop it into a USB thumb drive in my Mac (I guess it's a security setting somewhere but haven't looked into that yet!)
If you don't need one now and aren't utilising back to school, just wait 6 months and then see which fits in better.
Intel will still be best way to go for the next 2-3 years as will take devs some time to port things etc, but if you just do basic stuff it's not going to make much difference which you go for.
But personally, may as well wait and see then since you don't need one ASAP.
i believe apple said during it's presentation that they will support intel macs for the coming future. they also said they got some "great" intel macs are in the pipeline for the next 2 years. so you should be fine buying an air right now. i bought mine in may and i love it every single day
I can’t really help you with that because I’m a PC guy just like you, but I hope you can resolve the issue. how do you find MacOs compared to windows!Well it's come, and I'm very impressed with things generally, very steep learning curve after 25yrs of only Windows PC's
One thing I've found, the wifi transfer from my NAS drive is pitifully slow. I'm trying to do some digging as to why, but not getting much at the minute. I tried to copy a 4gb mp4 movie off my NAS and it took about 3 or 4 mins. It wouldn't copy at all when trying to drop it into a USB thumb drive in my Mac (I guess it's a security setting somewhere but haven't looked into that yet!)
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Well, my problem is not liking the new hardware or not, if I could buy the new hardware now I definitely will, but my problem is pretty much the price, because we don’t know when the new MBA will come out (next one is rumored to be pro).
So will waiting Almost 8-9 months or even a year for the new MBA be worth it?
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I hope you enjoy the hell out of it
Different....just like anything new I suppose. I haven't looked at the issue yet really, I'm still stumbling around the OS in general. I need to find some 'basics' videos for Macs, but as I usually do, I'm going in like bull in a china shop...lol!!
Cheers. The not being able to write to the USB was a bit of a daft one - it suddenly dawned on me as to why...it was the wrong file system...doh!