I don't get it

[Mainsail]

I have to say - it's pretty amazing that's working so well for you.
That's an almost unusable amount of RAM for macOS and doing much of anything - for me anyhow - even just for loads of tabs open in Safari

Yeah....I rarely have more than 3 or 4 tabs open in Safari. I usually close them out when I am done. I don't do that because of performance issues......I just hate clutter.

I also have 50GB available of remaining storage on my 128GB SSD.

 

[Viper-FFM]

https://forums.appleinsider.com/discussion/208092/

Sounds good.

Page not found. Can you summarize?

 

[opeepingtomo]

Some of the comments on this thread are hilarious......so much exaggeration.

I have a base 2014 MBA with 4GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. I do all of the traditional Office and iWork stuff......no problem. MacOS runs smooth as butter. Web browsing....same. Mail, Messages, Calendar, Notes, FaceTime run slick as snot. Editing in Photo app...no sweat. iMovie......works great.

Based on GeekBench results, I assume the New MBA will perform better than my 2014 MBA, since it outperformed the 2017 MBA with 8GB RAM. After reading some of the hyperbole in this thread, there must be a huge gap between what the typical consumer does with a laptop and what the typical MR reader does with a laptop.

I agree this laptop should perform
Fine and I honestly would purchase but starting with 128GB SSD.... that is flat a kick in the nads and the annoyance by that makes me not want to spend another 200 to get 256gb.

But I also can see others’ points in that selling a laptop that starts at 1200 that hasn’t been updated in ages should have a bit more spec for the cost if it only starts with 128gb of storage.

 

[lowkey]

I have not been crying about this.
And I need USB-A because all devices I use wherever I go are still USB-A.
If all you need is USB-C then just get an iPad Pro. It’s cheaper and more powerful.

I’ve been living with a MacBook since 2015. One USB-C port. It’s not that hard. Stop crying about it and move on. It’s easy.
[doublepost=1541202751][/doublepost]If it had 256GB SSD it would have to be more expensive. They couldn’t have a 13” MacBook Air for less than a 12”MacBook when the air has a better screen and and better CPU.

The Air is basically a 13” MacBook.

I agree this laptop should perform
Fine and I honestly would purchase but starting with 128GB SSD.... that is flat a kick in the nads and the annoyance by that makes me not want to spend another 200 to get 256gb.

But I also can see others’ points in that selling a laptop that starts at 1200 that hasn’t been updated in ages should have a bit more spec for the cost if it only starts with 128gb of storage.

[doublepost=1541203003][/doublepost]A 1.6 GHz yseries chip with a fan cooling system is more expensive than a 1.2GHz y series chip with no fan.

A 13” Retina display is more than a 12” Retina display.

So tell me again how a 13” MacBook with a 1.6GHz chip should be cheaper than a 12” MacBook with a 1.2 GHz chip??

CPU price is the same or cheaper to the previous processor. Whiskey Lake would have been slightly more expensive and therefore a price increase would be justified. This low performing tablet like PC is just a rip off

 

[Viper-FFM]

I’ve been living with a MacBook since 2015. One USB-C port. It’s not that hard. Stop crying about it and move on. It’s easy.
[doublepost=1541202751][/doublepost]If it had 256GB SSD it would have to be more expensive. They couldn’t have a 13” MacBook Air for less than a 12”MacBook when the air has a better screen and and better CPU.

The Air is basically a 13” MacBook.


[doublepost=1541203003][/doublepost]A 1.6 GHz yseries chip with a fan cooling system is more expensive than a 1.2GHz y series chip with no fan.

A 13” Retina display is more than a 12” Retina display.

So tell me again how a 13” MacBook with a 1.6GHz chip should be cheaper than a 12” MacBook with a 1.2 GHz chip??

The new y series is as expensive as the old one during release. Only cost driver would be the retina display but as it is a 300 nits low quality version, cost difference isn't nearly anywhere what apple charges. 12'' MacBook has seen it's best days and should be sold off cheaper

 

[Big Apple]

Page not found. Can you summarize?

Basically Apple Insider got the new Air and gave their first impressions. I still have the article open on my phone from when I read it earlier so can give you a quick summary:

Much of the first part was just a rehash of what we know already - specs, features and what's in the box etc

They compared the display to that of the pro - said both are solid but MBA not quite as bright. They said it would be more noticeable outside, but not a big deal in a bright room or an office environment. Resolution is the same but no True Tone.

Performance wise, they said they will hold off on a full review until they run comprehensive benchmarks but did run a few Geekbench tests. Average of tests was 4362 single-core and 7858 multi-core (config was 128GB and 8GB RAM) and they compared the results with the 2017 Air and MacBooks. They said to stay tuned as they will have more to come in the next few days.

They also had some photos and a pretty good video which showed the Air in action. Unfortunately, that link doesn't work either right now.

 

[lowkey]

So basically the “everything should be cheaper” argument.

The simple fact is the 13”MB is a more expensive computer than the 12”MB to make.

It therefore retails for more.

The new y series is as expensive as the old one during release. Only cost driver would be the retina display but as it is a 300 nits low quality version, cost difference isn't nearly anywhere what apple charges. 12'' MacBook has seen it's best days and should be sold off cheaper

 

[RegularGuy09]

Basically Apple Insider got the new Air and gave their first impressions. I still have the article open on my phone from when I read it earlier so can give you a quick summary:

Much of the first part was just a rehash of what we know already - specs, features and what's in the box etc

They compared the display to that of the pro - said both are solid but MBA not quite as bright. They said it would be more noticeable outside, but not a big deal in a bright room or an office environment. Resolution is the same but no True Tone.

Performance wise, they said they will hold off on a full review until they run comprehensive benchmarks but did run a few Geekbench tests. Average of tests was 4362 single-core and 7858 multi-core (config was 128GB and 8GB RAM) and they compared the results with the 2017 Air and MacBooks. They said to stay tuned as they will have more to come in the next few days.

They also had some photos and a pretty good video which showed the Air in action. Unfortunately, that link doesn't work either right now.

Also that this Air runs waaaay cooler than the 2017 Air.

 

[Retsiem]

I’ve been living with a MacBook since 2015. One USB-C port. It’s not that hard. Stop crying about it and move on.

I did. I haven’t bought one of their usb-c laptops and I won’t.
By the time I need to upgrade macOS and iOS will’ve merged and I can just get an iPad.

 

[lowkey]

With USB-C 🙂

 

[Kimcha]

As it stand right now its just a nice looking machine for watching Youtube. But lets wait for Cinebench scores

Man you need to get some perspective...

I’m using a 2017 TB-MBP with the 3.1Ghz cpu. It has a single core score of 4208 and multi-core of 8831.

It means that this MBA is 1% faster in single-core and only 11% slower in multi core performance than last year’s PRO machine.

For most users single-core performance is what really counts in day to day use.

For multi-core...

I am regularly running windows vms with high-cpu using analytics software on it and it’s doing just fine. It’s very rare that I am pushing the limits of this machine.

Of course the cooling won’t be as good as my machine and the MBA won’t be able to sustain those loads, but to say that it’s only good for YouTube is absurd.

I’m sure even light vm work and video editing (with longer export times) will be totally fine on it.

It will be good for 99% of things average users want.

If you need more, then you are doing pro-workflows and for that you need a pro machine. It’s that simple.

The only performance concern I have with the MBA is the weak GPU. Apple says it can run 2x 4K and 1x 5k displays, but I am skeptical if it can do that fluently.
[doublepost=1541259627][/doublepost]And just to add to my previous post:

I generally love my MBP, but one of the areas where it REALLY falls short is battery life. I usually get only 4-7h with my usage.

So if the new air really delivers significantly better battery life, then the SMALL compromise in performance is well worth it for the average person.

It wouldn’t be suitable for me, because I regularly need all the extra power I can get. But I think it will be perfect for my gf and many other people.

 

[Retsiem]

I have to say - it's pretty amazing that's working so well for you.
That's an almost unusable amount of RAM for macOS and doing much of anything - for me anyhow - even just for loads of tabs open in Safari

macOS still runs on 2gigs of RAM and people have been claiming that 4gigs are "unusable" for over half a decade now.
The reality is that MBAs with 4gigs still run perfectly fine for many tasks.

 

[blairh]

I dunno. I can feel the difference between a 4 ounce steak and an 8 ounce one. To me there’s a difference.

What a ridiculous comparison. Two items you eat versus two that you carry.

 

[Ma2k5]

macOS still runs on 2gigs of RAM and people have been claiming that 4gigs are "unusable" for over half a decade now.
The reality is that MBAs with 4gigs still run perfectly fine for many tasks.

I think the notion of “perfectly fine” and “smooth as butter” are very much subjective terms. What seems obviously smooth or fine for you, probably is unacceptable for others.

One of the best examples is how hideous I find my wife’s laptop to use, like you couldn’t pay me to use that monstrosity - but for her, she probably doesn’t see what all the fuss is all about.

 

[Mainsail]

I think the notion of “perfectly fine” and “smooth as butter” are very much subjective terms. What seems obviously smooth or fine for you, probably is unacceptable for others.

One of the best examples is how hideous I find my wife’s laptop to use, like you couldn’t pay me to use that monstrosity - but for her, she probably doesn’t see what all the fuss is all about.

You are probably right. It's subjective. I have owned my base 2014 MBA for 4 1/2 years, and it has performed flawlessly for me. I don't do complex video editing....just occasional editing in the Photo app and simple iMovies. Otherwise, I do the usual stuff: Mail, Messages, iWorks, Notes, Safari, Calendar, etc.. If I bought a new MBA, I would use it for the same kind of stuff, and I doubt there would be any performance issues from my perspective.

Frankly, at this time, I don't have a strong need to update, since my current MBA is doing everything I want to do. So, if I update now, it will just be because I want something new....a treat....which is ok too. 🙂

 

[Mattsasa]

What's the point of the new MacBook Air 2018?

Is it really much different than the MacBook? It just has an additional USB-C port and TouchID.

It's not enough different to justify its existence when the MacBook's are already so thin.

All I was hoping for this MacBook air, was basically the exact same thing as a MacBook except making the USB-C thunderbolt capable.

I got what I wanted plus a few other bonuses.

• Faster CPU
• Faster GPU
• Slightly larger screen
• More Battery life
• 1 Extra USB C port
• Touch ID

I would have bought the machine even without all of these, but I am very pleased with all of these additions.

But it's not an Air, it's a bigger MacBook, that's all.

The new 2018 MacBook Air is essentially nothing more than a 13" MacBook.

I agree with both of these above posts.

And a slightly larger MacBook is the perfect laptop to many.

Who cares whether they all it Air or MB or whatever

I would get the Air if it also had USB A, discrete graphics, 512GB, 16 GB ram at the same dimensions and similar weight, all for $1500. That would be the perfect laptop for me. I hope it will happen next year.

This sounds a lot like the MateBook X Pro

I completely don't understand the new Air. It's only $100 less than a nTB MBP. Why the **** would anyone not spend $100 more for the Pro, especially considering how gimped the CPU in the new Air is.

You would be nuts to get the Air.

Even if this 2018 MacBook Air costed the same or MORE expensive than the MacBook Pro. I would still choose the Air over the Pro.

 

[lowkey]

What a ridiculous comparison. Two items you eat versus two that you carry.

Which one is heavier?

 

[clarencek]

I don’t understand the confusion.

Thin, light, good battery life:
12” MacBook
13” MacBook Air

Pro Specs, heavier, thicker, less portable
13” MacBook Pro
15” MacBook Pro

All they’ve done with the Air is give us a 13” version of the MacBook. If you want more power at the expense of weight and thickness for $100 more get a 13” MBP.

 

[lowkey]

^i know. And for some here it’s way too hard to understand😛

 

[stratokaster]

Average of tests was 4362 single-core and 7858 multi-core (config was 128GB and 8GB RAM) and they compared the results with the 2017 Air and MacBooks.

That's 18% faster in single-core and 11% faster in multicore than my 2016 13" nTB MBP. Seems to be quite a beast considering its extremely limited thermal envelope.

Edit: my old 2012 quad-core MBP 15" (base model) only gets about 3100 in single-core and 9900 in mult-core, for what it's worth.

 

[Viper-FFM]

So... Monday and still no Cinebench results?

 

[blairh]

Which one is heavier?

You are making no sense. You are comparing two cuts of meat that you eat to two items you physically carry. Again, like I said before, with the MBA or MBP in your bag you will not notice the difference between the weight of both.

 

[Retsiem]

You are probably right. It's subjective. I have owned my base 2014 MBA for 4 1/2 years, and it has performed flawlessly for me. I don't do complex video editing....just occasional editing in the Photo app and simple iMovies. Otherwise, I do the usual stuff: Mail, Messages, iWorks, Notes, Safari, Calendar, etc.. If I bought a new MBA, I would use it for the same kind of stuff, and I doubt there would be any performance issues from my perspective.

Frankly, at this time, I don't have a strong need to update, since my current MBA is doing everything I want to do. So, if I update now, it will just be because I want something new....a treat....which is ok too. 🙂

Let’s please not get into the whole RAM debate again ... this has been discussed to death on these forums.
Depending on what you do a 4gig MBA will run as smooth as a maxed out 2018 mbp.
It just all depends on what you do with it exactly. Just get the amount of RAM you need for what you do and be happy.

 

[lowkey]

You are making no sense. You are comparing two cuts of meat that you eat to two items you physically carry. Again, like I said before, with the MBA or MBP in your bag you will not notice the difference between the weight of both.

You’re not making sense. I know from experience that my MacBook weighs less than my partners MacBook Pro. When I put them of the scale there is a difference. When I hold them in my hand there is a difference. When I put them in my bag that difference doesn’t suddenly disappear. In all locations the MBP is heavier.

The MBP is heavier than the MBA. It’s a simple fact you can’t comprehend. It’s why many people will choose the MBA over the MBP.

 

[blairh]

You’re not making sense. I know from experience that my MacBook weighs less than my partners MacBook Pro. When I put them of the scale there is a difference. When I hold them in my hand there is a difference. When I put them in my bag that difference doesn’t suddenly disappear. In all locations the MBP is heavier.

The MB weighs a pound less than a MBP. Of course you notice the difference! You won't notice when the difference is only .25 lbs. How do you not comprehend this?!?!
[doublepost=1541456088][/doublepost]

I don’t understand the confusion.

Thin, light, good battery life:
12” MacBook
13” MacBook Air

Pro Specs, heavier, thicker, less portable
13” MacBook Pro
15” MacBook Pro

All they’ve done with the Air is give us a 13” version of the MacBook. If you want more power at the expense of weight and thickness for $100 more get a 13” MBP.

The MBA and 13" MBP are equally portable. .25 lbs will not make a difference.