M1 Air good enough for media consumption?

[EugW]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I sold my iPad and picked up a slightly used second hand base model M1 Air for $600 USD which I feel was a great find. It only had 22 charge cycles and was cosmetically perfect.

That's a great price. I was looking for a computer for my kid, and learned that what you paid is about the price range for a 2020 MacBook Air Core i3 model in very good but not necessarily perfect condition. The M1 models in mint condition are usually considerably more expensive.

 

[rulymammoth]

You’ll notice a slight difference especially in how bright the screen can get. But, since your iPad is a 2020 and not the 2021 with the mini LED, the difference will probably be minimal unless you’re super picky. If you were coming from a mini LED iPad, there would be no contest.

Keep in mind too that iPads are better content consumption devices because of the way they can be held too. I’d much rather sit with an iPad on the couch which I can hold whichever way I want than a fixed position device like a laptop.

 

[madat42]

Its fine. It's not HDR, but for general purpose stuff it is totally 100% fine.

Unless you have a fairly high end (4k HDR) TV, its like as good as or better than your home TV (just smaller of course).

If Apple implemented this before Monterey I didn't notice it, but my 2020 M1 MBP (and I'm assuming the MBA) does almost-HDR. Almost, because I'm not sure what to call it, but HDR content is significantly noticeable compared to SDR. Definitely not as bright and as good contrast ratio as the new 2021 MBP XDR displays of course, but colors in HDR content are much richer; light sources, reflections and metal surfaces are detailed/bright.

 

[nusynergy]

Recently got the 7core MBA and love it. Its powerful enough and the screen is great. Speakers are loud and clear if not lacking in bass. You will not go wrong with one.

 

[Pugly]

I've been using an Air as a media device since 2015. To me it's better than an iPad for media. It has a built in stand, keyboard is useful, organize media on it in my own way and access external drives easily. I connect to an 32" external monitor with a single cable, and it effectively becomes an external media player that way.

I'm still in the Mac as "digital hub" framework... and the MacBook Air fulfills that role perfectly. And when you factor in a stand or external keyboard the MacBook Air is as portable as a iPad.