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WiFi 6 for Intel based computers is only available in Tigerlake (11th gen) which only got released a few weeks ago, so no wonder it wasn't included in earlier updates for Macs this year ...
What are you talking about?

Intel's WiFi 6 series was released early last year, and you've never been required to use an Intel WiFi chip to begin with. Apple's current systems use a Murata chip.

Intel WiFi chips don't even need to run on an Intel motherboard and CPU. There are AMD Ryzen systems that come with Intel WiFI and Intel Ethernet.
 
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Replacing a 2018 256GB MacBook Air Gold with 2020 512GB M1 MacBook Air Gold. Excited for the much welcomed speed and graphics boost from M1. The design is already really nice as, but we are all ready for the slimmest bezels they can build and a high quality FaceTime camera. The wait continues for those things, but Apple delivered big time on Apple Silicon today. M1 is very impressive and beyond my expectations!
 
Damn. I just ordered the new Air and assumed the moon was the new brightness key. Brightness and volume are my most used function keys. Hopefully the keyboard brightness keys can be reconfigured to be used as screen brightness keys because I barely ever adjust keyboard brightness.

Nevermind. I misread. It's the keyboard brightness keys that have been changed, not the screen brightness. In which case, I don't care.
 
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What are you talking about?

Intel's WiFi 6 series was released early last year, and you've never been required to use an Intel WiFi chip to begin with. Apple's current systems use a Murata chip.

Intel WiFi chips don't even need to run on an Intel motherboard and CPU. There are AMD Ryzen systems that come with Intel WiFI and Intel Ethernet.
I should have said “integrated” my fault... and to my knowledge, MacBooks have been using that, murats chips in the iPhone...
 
I think those who play games (even occasionally) will get annoyed that CONTROL key is not in the corner...
 
I feel like almost every time Apple meddles with the keyboard, they end up making it worse. The 2012-2015 MBP keyboard was great. The new one is finally good again but still has the touchbar, and now they've meddled with the function keys again. They just can't help themselves.
Personally I think this new function keys are better.
 
The TouchBar hate is absurd. It just adds functionality and takes nothing away except the tactile experience, which we are all clearly used to (see your phone). You all sound like grandpas complaining about new fangled technology. These comments, I only use my TouchBar for this or that. Well we’re you only using those buttons prior to TouchBar? Because all of the function keys are still there, plus word prediction, emojis, macros, app integration, etc. I must be crazy because everyone seems to hate it, but all I see are additions and no negatives. OK, maybe don’t touchify the Esc key, but that’s the only small negative. I’ve never personally had it be non-responsive but I’ve heard that complaint a lot and I suppose I get that.
 
i realize i have a hot take on this, but i use my touch bar all the time and i love it. I can set up macros and customize it. it's great.
I do too. I love the Touch Bar. Has really improved my workflow. MR is an Apple hate site and they think everybody on the outside world agrees with them when they hate something Apple does or when they just hate Apple period. They are so wrong on so many counts. If the TB was such crap then developers wouldn't even waste their time including it when coding their apps. I have over 30 non-Apple apps that are all coded for with the TB in mind, including an emulator that plays old game console games from the 80's.
 
The Touch Bar is worthless, and worse: it’s annoying. Some higher-up‘s brainstorm at Apple and probably everyone is afraid to tell them it’s over. Sort of like what’s in the news the last couple of days. Almost as bad and worthless. Ok, maybe not THAT worthless. Nevermind :)
 
The TouchBar hate is absurd. It just adds functionality and takes nothing away except the tactile experience, which we are all clearly used to (see your phone). You all sound like grandpas complaining about new fangled technology. These comments, I only use my TouchBar for this or that. Well we’re you only using those buttons prior to TouchBar? Because all of the function keys are still there, plus word prediction, emojis, macros, app integration, etc. I must be crazy because everyone seems to hate it, but all I see are additions and no negatives. OK, maybe don’t touchify the Esc key, but that’s the only small negative. I’ve never personally had it be non-responsive but I’ve heard that complaint a lot and I suppose I get that.
The tactile experience is the biggest benefit of physical keys. That's like saying a broken-down car is just as good as a working one because only removes the ability to drive.

I regularly use the volume, brightness, and play/skip keys without interrupting what I'm doing because I know where they are and I can feel when I've pressed them. On a phone, it doesn't matter because you're already looking at the display, but if you constantly have to look down from your screen to fiddle with your keyboard, it's just a hassle.
 
So what’s the benefit for the MBP over the Air? Performance and screen resolution looks exactly the same. Is the touch bar really worth the extra cash?
It's a reasonable question. For $300 you get
- 8/7 faster GPU
- 25% brighter screen
- 20/18 larger battery
- somewhat better speakers
- rather better microphones
- extra port for just power (I think... It's not exactly clear but looks like MBA has 2 general USB 4 ports, MBP has those two AND a charging only USB-C port)
- larger power adapter in the box (to judge from the iPhone hysteria, this is the single most important difference!)

Is it worth it? If you're on a budget, probably not. If you can afford it, and keep the machine say 3 years, it's ~20c a day for a somewhat nicer machine. I'd pay (except I'm waiting for the larger MBP), but everyone has different priorities.
 
No! The touch bar is worth absolutely nothing, it's just plain annoying. Often wish my MacBook Pro had regular keys...
I have not used a Mac with the Touch Bar, but it looks useful. Have you tried a third party utility to customize it?
 
- extra port for just power (I think... It's not exactly clear but looks like MBA has 2 general USB 4 ports, MBP has those two AND a charging only USB-C port)
Both the Air and the Pro each only have 2 USB C TB4 ports (for both data and power) and a headphone jack.
 
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It's a reasonable question. For $300 you get
- 8/7 faster GPU
- 25% brighter screen
- 20/18 larger battery
- somewhat better speakers
- rather better microphones
- extra port for just power (I think... It's not exactly clear but looks like MBA has 2 general USB 4 ports, MBP has those two AND a charging only USB-C port)
- larger power adapter in the box (to judge from the iPhone hysteria, this is the single most important difference!)

Is it worth it? If you're on a budget, probably not. If you can afford it, and keep the machine say 3 years, it's ~20c a day for a somewhat nicer machine. I'd pay (except I'm waiting for the larger MBP), but everyone has different priorities.
Thanks for the great breakdown.

I would say that the question bouncing around in my head is: Is the slightly brighter screen and slightly better sustained performance under load worth a fan. Fan noise is the bane of my existence since moving to Chromebooks and Ipad Pros years ago. Love the silence. Hmm. I think the Air is more appealing to me, but still leaves me wanting slightly.

Was anyone else here watching the event with bated breath waiting for the word ‘Promotion’? That 120hz refresh rate would have instantly made this a buy for me. I love it on the Pro since my last 10.5pro and current 11pro. Its a game changer and I can’t wait until a MacBook can have it.
 
Both the Air and the Pro each only have 2 USB C TB4 ports.
Look at

Scroll to the very bottom.
Explain to me what the difference you see there means:
 

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I’ve never understood the point of the Fn key. We have so many other modifier keys used to change the behaviour of normal keys. Why can’t the difference between F1 and Brightness Down be shift or control or command or alt?
 
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