Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Hands-On With the New $999 MacBook Air

I like the idea of the MBA, but I'm not crazy about the execution. My ideal form factor is closer to the iPad - I bought the iPad Air 3 a year ago, and I love it in combination with the Apple Smart Keyboard and pencil. Now that a cursor is coming to the iPadOS, the hardware is just about where it needs to be for my needs. So why am I looking at the MBA - in a word, it's MacOS. Unfortunately, for what I need, iOS still has pitiful quality apps - MacOS is heads and shoulders better.

What I'd love is the iPad Air (or 11" Pro) form factor and MacOS quality apps made for iOS (i.e. not MacOS apps themselves, just the quality). But we're nowhere near the quality of apps I need on iOS as yet, so like it or not, I have to see what mobile solutions there are for MacOS.

I prize the ease and mobility very highly - which is why I am even looking at the MBA, I like the size, but am not crazy about the weight. I'd like it lighter if possible - instead they've made it heavier... I understand why, what with the keyboard and all, but still. So I'm not crazy about that aspect.

Next, I am not happy with the anemic RAM options... 8GB is really a joke, and I why should pay through the nose? Even though on paper the hardware should result in superior performance to the iPad, in practice it's the opposite - it feels like despite all that hardware, the MBA is pokier than the iPad. Very disappointing for 2020.

I wish it ran cooler with a faster chip and more RAM and more storage in a stock configuration - all in a lighter, thinner package. Maybe one day. YMMV.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SJ Burnett and Dubba
MICHAELSD said:
Not sure, there’s understandably nowhere to try the new MacBook Air in person.

It’s a little ironic that Apple released two new products that are making me consider replacing my 2012 Retina MacBook Pro for the first time in years at a time when consumers aren’t able to test them out before purchase. Even once stores reopen I don’t think consumers will have a desire to use store demos.
Click to expand...

Cannot isolate for months, these procedures are taken and in place to flatten the curve until a long term solution or enough supplies are in place. When stores reopen I am looking to try these out in the store, no point living in fear.
 
MICHAELSD said:
Not sure, there’s understandably nowhere to try the new MacBook Air in person.

It’s a little ironic that Apple released two new products that are making me consider replacing my 2012 Retina MacBook Pro for the first time in years at a time when consumers aren’t able to test them out before purchase. Even once stores reopen I don’t think consumers will have a desire to use store demos.
Click to expand...
I remember trying last year's air at the store and absolutely hated it.
Not sure how much travel was it though.
Can't feel any feedback from the keyboard and that makes it like typing on the tablet. 😩
 
B4U said:
I remember trying last year's air at the store and absolutely hated it.
Not sure how much travel was it though.
Can't feel any feedback from the keyboard and that makes it like typing on the tablet. 😩
Click to expand...

New KB fixes this.
 
MacRumors said:


Alongside new iPad Pros last week, Apple also refreshed the MacBook Air, adding more storage, faster 10th-generation processors, and an updated keyboard. We picked up one of the new machines to take a look at some of the upgrades added in the 2020 update.


Design wise, there are no real external changes to the MacBook Air's body, though to accommodate the new keyboard, it's just a bit thicker. It's 0.63 inches thick at its thickest point, up from 0.61 inches.

It still comes in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold, and it uses the same Retina display that was first introduced in the 2018 MacBook Air redesign. Most of what's new is internal, but there is an all-new Magic Keyboard with scissor switches, which is the same keyboard added to the 16-inch MacBook Pro released last October.

MacBook-Air-Front.jpg

Scissor switches are more reliable than butterfly switches and aren't prone to the same failure due to dust and other small particulates. In fact, scissor switch keyboards were used in MacBooks prior to the 2015 and 2016 MacBook and MacBook Pro refreshes that brought us the butterfly keyboard, so Apple is returning to an old favorite.

The new keyboard feels nice with its 1mm travel, but the keys are a bit softer, quieter, and mushier, so for some, it's not going to be as satisfying of a typing experience as the butterfly keyboard, but most people will appreciate the change and the reliability improvements.

keyboard-comp.jpg

There are inverted T arrow keys to make it easier to find them by feel, plus the keys have the same backlighting as the 16-inch MacBook Pro model. Next to the function keys, there's a Touch ID fingerprint sensor for unlocking the Mac with a finger.

The MacBook Air still features just two Thunderbolt 3 ports, but 6K displays are now supported, so it works with Apple's Pro Display XDR if you feel like getting a $5,000 display to go with your $999 machine.

The rest of the changes to the MacBook Air are internal. It uses Intel's 10th-generation chips, maxing out at a quad-core Core i7 option that Apple says doubles CPU performance compared to the previous-generation MacBook Air models.

That Core i7 chip is a high-end upgrade, though, and the base model that we have on hand features a 1.1GHz dual-core 10th-generation Core i3 processor, and performance gains are a lot more modest.

MacBook-Air-Top.jpg

GPU performance with the Intel Iris Plus Graphics is up to 80 percent faster than GPU performance with the previous Intel UHD Graphics 617, which is a bigger jump for the base model.

Apple also boosted the storage, so the MacBook Air now supports up to 2TB storage space and the base model comes with 256GB of storage instead of 128GB of storage, which is a great deal given the new lower $999 starting price. Entry-level machines still come with 8GB RAM, though, and the 16GB upgrade is $200.

With the price drop, storage upgrade, GPU refresh, and new chips, the 2020 MacBook Air is a great entry-level machine ideal for people who need something for office work, web browsing, content consumption, light photo editing, and similar tasks that don't require the power of the MacBook Pro.

For most consumers, the entry-level 2020 MacBook Air is more than adequate, and for a few hundred dollars, it can be futureproofed with some boosted CPU speed and additional RAM.

What do you think of the 2020 MacBook Air refresh? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: Hands-On With the New $999 MacBook Air
Click to expand...
Apple has created their version of Google's new Chromebook. Great for light to medium tasks, good keyboard and display, light on internal storage. At 2x the price of said Chromebook, it's not ridiculously expensive for what you get, but the foolish lack of upgradability makes light of Apple's supposed focus on sustainability.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SJ Burnett
code-m said:
Where do posters come up with this nonsense about not being able to edit 4K videos on a MBA? Seriously it can be done, if you are editing 4K videos or clips for YouTube (many users) this machine will do the job fine even editing large hi-res image files. Just stop this misinformation nobody working in a professional setting production studio is considering an Ultrabook to edit main 4K videos, for even these clip edits it will be fine.

MR posters act and advise that people here working in production houses are looking at the MBA to do all their feature length 4K edits or editing even a few timelines of 4K video will blow this MBA into flames. Get real it will be fine it may just run hot due to Apple’s poor thermal design choice but whatever that is Apple’s problem.

FYI I have edited 4K clips and large photoshop files on previous gen MBA with no problems the overreaction on these forums is comical.
[automerge]1585266836[/automerge]


Sadly I was looking at these 2020 MBA until I read the portion of the poor thermal design, oh well here is hoping Apple comes to their senses sooner rather than later.
Click to expand...
So it can edit 4K video but it'll burst into flames and run hot... Makes sense. So let me change my original advice. Buy the MacBook Air if you're doing general computing tasks. If editing 4K video and don't mind a hot flaming laptop it's also a good choice. If you prefer your laptop isn't on fire while editing 4K then go with the MacBook Pro. I'm so glad we have knowledgeable people on the MR forums to help us little people out :)
[automerge]1585313088[/automerge]
Jury said:
When Apple can't get the MBAir bezel to look symmetrical and soldered NVMe and RAM means you are going to pay a hefty price for replacement. GREEDY EVIL HORRIBLE EMPLOYEES AT APPLE!
Click to expand...
Those greedy evil Apple employees... I hear they're still getting paid even when they're not going to work!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kebabselector
russell_314 said:
So it can edit 4K video but it'll burst into flames and run hot... Makes sense. So let me change my original advice. Buy the MacBook Air if you're doing general computing tasks. If editing 4K video and don't mind a hot flaming laptop it's also a good choice. If you prefer your laptop isn't on fire while editing 4K then go with the MacBook Pro. I'm so glad we have knowledgeable people on the MR forums to help us little people out :)
Click to expand...

Sarcasm lost, editing 4K video on a MBA will not result it bursting into flames. It may get hot just like any laptop including the MBP 13” with poor thermal design by Apple but you know running around with a “pro” labeled laptop means you must be doing “pro” work. :rolleyes:

Yes, I have edited 4K clips and videos on a non-retina MBA and my laptop still works like a champ. Stop the nonsense overreaction. In 2000 I created, edited and rendered a 3 min 3D clip 720p resolution created on a PowerBook G3 with 512MB RAM and a 8GB HDD. It took a week to create and a week to render but that was all done on a laptop less powerful than today’s MBA and it was a 3D project. Since then I have edited 4K clips and videos on MBA with no problem. Preach your speculation elsewhere.
 
Could you test the i3 one with the XDR-display? It would be very interesting to see if it can be used smoothly with that high resolution :)
 
sideshowuniqueuser said:
If you like the new on that much, then instead of waiting for the old one to die, why don't you get the new one and sell the old one while it's still working?
Click to expand...
Because I got 3 maxed out 2013s for $150 each when a local school was selling their old computers and buying new ones, an absolute steal. Plus, they still work beautifully even on Catalina (2 are still on Mojave due to one of the kid's school apps being only 32-bit).
 
  • Like
Reactions: sideshowuniqueuser
They're nice updates (finally).
But it's too heavy.

Waiting for a lightweight (arm powered?) convertible MacBook with pen support.
 
QuarterSwede said:
Because I got 3 maxed out 2013s for $150 each when a local school was selling their old computers and buying new ones, an absolute steal. Plus, they still work beautifully even on Catalina (2 are still on Mojave due to one of the kid's school apps being only 32-bit).
Click to expand...
Nice score! You should be able to sell them for way more than $150 though!
 
The new Air looks like a lovely upgrade to my 2014 Air. However my old 11" Air was kitted out with 8Gb RAM, i& and 512gb SSD, and that makes it still a pleasant machine in use.
Hence I hope my old Air keeps working until the ARM powered laptops arrive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: limesmoothie and russell_314
MacRumors said:


Alongside new iPad Pros last week, Apple also refreshed the MacBook Air, adding more storage, faster 10th-generation processors, and an updated keyboard. We picked up one of the new machines to take a look at some of the upgrades added in the 2020 update.


Design wise, there are no real external changes to the MacBook Air's body, though to accommodate the new keyboard, it's just a bit thicker. It's 0.63 inches thick at its thickest point, up from 0.61 inches.

It still comes in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold, and it uses the same Retina display that was first introduced in the 2018 MacBook Air redesign. Most of what's new is internal, but there is an all-new Magic Keyboard with scissor switches, which is the same keyboard added to the 16-inch MacBook Pro released last October.

MacBook-Air-Front.jpg

Scissor switches are more reliable than butterfly switches and aren't prone to the same failure due to dust and other small particulates. In fact, scissor switch keyboards were used in MacBooks prior to the 2015 and 2016 MacBook and MacBook Pro refreshes that brought us the butterfly keyboard, so Apple is returning to an old favorite.

The new keyboard feels nice with its 1mm travel, but the keys are a bit softer, quieter, and mushier, so for some, it's not going to be as satisfying of a typing experience as the butterfly keyboard, but most people will appreciate the change and the reliability improvements.

keyboard-comp.jpg

There are inverted T arrow keys to make it easier to find them by feel, plus the keys have the same backlighting as the 16-inch MacBook Pro model. Next to the function keys, there's a Touch ID fingerprint sensor for unlocking the Mac with a finger.

The MacBook Air still features just two Thunderbolt 3 ports, but 6K displays are now supported, so it works with Apple's Pro Display XDR if you feel like getting a $5,000 display to go with your $999 machine.

The rest of the changes to the MacBook Air are internal. It uses Intel's 10th-generation chips, maxing out at a quad-core Core i7 option that Apple says doubles CPU performance compared to the previous-generation MacBook Air models.

That Core i7 chip is a high-end upgrade, though, and the base model that we have on hand features a 1.1GHz dual-core 10th-generation Core i3 processor, and performance gains are a lot more modest.

MacBook-Air-Top.jpg

GPU performance with the Intel Iris Plus Graphics is up to 80 percent faster than GPU performance with the previous Intel UHD Graphics 617, which is a bigger jump for the base model.

Apple also boosted the storage, so the MacBook Air now supports up to 2TB storage space and the base model comes with 256GB of storage instead of 128GB of storage, which is a great deal given the new lower $999 starting price. Entry-level machines still come with 8GB RAM, though, and the 16GB upgrade is $200.

With the price drop, storage upgrade, GPU refresh, and new chips, the 2020 MacBook Air is a great entry-level machine ideal for people who need something for office work, web browsing, content consumption, light photo editing, and similar tasks that don't require the power of the MacBook Pro.

For most consumers, the entry-level 2020 MacBook Air is more than adequate, and for a few hundred dollars, it can be futureproofed with some boosted CPU speed and additional RAM.

What do you think of the 2020 MacBook Air refresh? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: Hands-On With the New $999 MacBook Air
Click to expand...
I'm puzzled, my 2013 model says it has a 1.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 - new says 1.1 i3. So unless intel has changed its numbering, that is going backwards. Also - I am happy with my screen (can you not do Retina and make it cheaper and lighter) and I laugh going back to scissors (mine feels like more than 1mm travel - specs I see don't define)
 
code-m said:
iPad Pro
Click to expand...

With a real OS an therefore a real computer.
Not a pretend computer..

But sure, if they want to put a real OS on the 12.9 iPad. That would work too.
Although keyboard and trackpad would still be the quite bad cover..
No.. Real convertible is better.
 
Last edited:
AliMacbookAir2013 said:
I'm puzzled, my 2013 model says it has a 1.3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5 - new says 1.1 i3. So unless intel has changed its numbering, that is going backwards. Also - I am happy with my screen (can you not do Retina and make it cheaper and lighter) and I laugh going back to scissors (mine feels like more than 1mm travel - specs I see don't define)
Click to expand...
You can't always go by GHz or a model numbering system. The i3 will do any basic computing need just fine. If you need more power they now have all the way up to i7 available. The Air even in that configuration is still for light computing work. Just because it says i7 doesn't mean it's the same type of i7 in other computers. Intel uses their product lines for different processors... For example my gaming laptop has an "i7" but not even close to the same processor
 
QuarterSwede said:
Yeah, but then I’d have to buy one with a lot less ports. I use the SD card reader all the time to load OSs on my SBCs, etc. I don’t want to be stuck in dongle hell, especially since the kids would likely lose them.
Click to expand...
Yeah, fair call. Sometimes I wish a committee of actual genuine MBP users were in charge of MBP design, and MBA users were in charge of MBA design, instead of all of it being run by a guy who thinks no-one should need anything more than an iPad, grrr.
 
Jury said:
That's ridiculous, those are supposed to be the standard configuration at that price a long time ago.
Click to expand...

Who cares what you think it should be, fact is it wasn’t and for that price to get that kind of storage and a great keyboard again is good value. It’s even better for students who can get it at 899
 
  • Like
Reactions: russell_314
The Game 161 said:
Who cares what you think it should be, fact is it wasn’t and for that price to get that kind of storage and a great keyboard again is good value. It’s even better for students who can get it at 899
Click to expand...

Just to say it took Apple that long to get something right.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back