M1 vs M2-M4 Macbook Air Fit and Finish

[Mity]

I have two M1 Macbook Airs, a base 8GB model and a 16GB/1TB version, which I bought after realizing how amazing of a device it was compared to even my 2019 Intel MBP! I use my MBA as my personal machine, not for heavy workloads. I love these machines because the keyboards have the perfect amount of travel and the fit and finish is amazing.

I've been wanting to upgrade and every time I've checked out the newer models, I felt disappointed by the fit and finish of these newer units. They feel "rough" instead of smooth like the M1 models. At first, I thought it was just the units sitting on the floor for some time but yesterday evening, I went to the Apple Store and felt the new 13" in the sky blue color and it had the same rough texture. This is NOT the case for the newer Macbook Pros - they feel great in the hand.

Anyone else notice this?

 

[Miss Terri]

Arrghhhh, just what I don't want to hear! I was hoping the M4 might not have this issue (especially since it's being made in a whole different country... seemed like more chance the roughness might not carry over). My good ol' 2015 MBP has a trackpad so silky smooth!

 

[DeepSix]

Smooth is not always better. The biggest issue with MacBooks is how sharp the edges are. I'm constantly getting hand cuts from just resting my palms on it. They are razor sharp.

The weakest part is definitely the keyboards. They are bargain bin quality for quality and feel. So bad that the keys will get shiny like a mirror within hours of typing on it. I've used hundreds of keyboards in my lifetime and the MacBook keyboards is by far the worst.

 

[Mity]

Smooth is not always better. The biggest issue with MacBooks is how sharp the edges are. I'm constantly getting hand cuts from just resting my palms on it. They are razor sharp.

The weakest part is definitely the keyboards. They are bargain bin quality for quality and feel. So bad that the keys will get shiny like a mirror within hours of typing on it. I've used hundreds of keyboards in my lifetime and the MacBook keyboards is by far the worst.

I agree that the edges on the MBP models are incredibly sharp. I don't agree that smoother isn't better because I hate the rough feeling but this is a matter of personal preference.

 

[Miss Terri]

Agree. I presumed Mity was not talking about "the edge." Ever since I finally had to retire my iBook I've been developing my toughened wrist scarring (just by using my MBP's).

What I don't want to be rough is, number one, the trackpad. I want that silky smooth, like my current MBP. And then too, the rest of the body should be smooth too. Not rough like a bad spray paint job.

The edge, I've given up on 😭

 

[Mity]

You should go to the store and feel it for yourself. You may find it acceptable or that I'm wrong about the texture. It's also really light compared to the M1, which is a weird feeling actually.

 

[XboxMySocks]

Arrghhhh, just what I don't want to hear! I was hoping the M4 might not have this issue (especially since it's being made in a whole different country... seemed like more chance the roughness might not carry over). My good ol' 2015 MBP has a trackpad so silky smooth!

The trackpad on the M4 is so smooth, literally it's polished glass.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The trackpad on my M4 MBA is smooth and I don't feel any sharp edges.

 

[Mity]

The trackpad on the M4 is so smooth, literally it's polished glass.

The trackpad on my M4 MBA is smooth and I don't feel any sharp edges.

I don't recall the trackpad being rough on the M4 MBA. I was referring to the body of the laptop. What is that like compared to the old M1 Air or the newer Apple Silicon Macbook Pros?

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't recall the trackpad being rough on the M4 MBA. I was referring to the body of the laptop. What is that like compared to the old M1 Air or the newer Apple Silicon Macbook Pros?

The body isn't glass smooth like the M1. At the same time, it doesn't feel rough to me. It has the same feel as the new MBP, in my opinion. The difference in body texture don't bother me. I am guessing the difference is due to coloring production and finishing process.

 

[DeepSix]

I agree that the edges on the MBP models are incredibly sharp. I don't agree that smoother isn't better because I hate the rough feeling but this is a matter of personal preference.

I feel the palm rests on my 2024 Pro and they are smooth. Ive had laptops that felt smoother but not a big difference. If you want smoother, you can always apply certain products to it to make it smoother. It's an easy fix. The only bad thing is you have to keep reapplying over time.

To me the lid and the entire outer casing feels a lot rougher than the inside. But that doesn't bother me much, it will get smoother over time the more you handle it. The rougher texture adds grip.

 

[XboxMySocks]

I don't recall the trackpad being rough on the M4 MBA. I was referring to the body of the laptop. What is that like compared to the old M1 Air or the newer Apple Silicon Macbook Pros?

I have both sitting in front of me right now, and the M1 is a bit smoother but it's also a nearly 5 year old top case that has had a lot of friction on it... the underside which has always been covered but it's basically the same feeling to me.

 

[XboxMySocks]

I feel the palm rests on my 2024 Pro and they are smooth. Ive had laptops that felt smoother but not a big difference. If you want smoother, you can always apply certain products to it to make it smoother. It's an easy fix. To me the lid and the entire outer casing feels a lot rougher than the inside. But that doesn't bother me much, it will get smoother over time the more you handle it.

+1 to this

 

[Mity]

I feel the palm rests on my 2024 Pro and they are smooth. Ive had laptops that felt smoother but not a big difference. If you want smoother, you can always apply certain products to it to make it smoother. It's an easy fix. The only bad thing is you have to keep reapplying over time.

To me the lid and the entire outer casing feels a lot rougher than the inside. But that doesn't bother me much, it will get smoother over time the more you handle it. The rougher texture adds grip.

I have both sitting in front of me right now, and the M1 is a bit smoother but it's also a nearly 5 year old top case that has had a lot of friction on it... the underside which has always been covered but it's basically the same feeling to me.

I bought a 14" M4 Pro MBP 2 weeks and it feels similar to my M1 MBA, the second one that I bought, which had not really been used like a laptop since it's been in clamshell mode so it's not a wear issue IMO.

 

[DeepSix]

I bought a 14" M4 Pro MBP 2 weeks and it feels similar to my M1 MBA, the second one that I bought, which had not really been used like a laptop since it's been in clamshell mode so it's not a wear issue IMO.

Sandpaper works great. Use at your own risk. 🫣

My M1 pro at work feels the same as my M4 pro.

 

[NeonNights]

I have an M4 Pro MBP 14 and my wife's new Sky Blue MBA 15 feels just as nice. I don't notice any difference in the exterior nor touch pad surface.

What was more surprising was finding little fibers stuck all around display of the MBA 15. Fortunately, they wiped away cleanly with a microfiber and lens cleaner. Still, it should've been caught in QA.

 

[Mity]

Sandpaper works great. Use at your own risk. 🫣

My M1 pro at work feels the same as my M4 pro.

Or...Apple's hardware team can just use the same finish on the Air as they do on the Pro? I hate how they try to cheapen the product. The Air is a great line; it's what everyone that doesn't have heavy works loads should buy. No need to cheapen the look and feel.

 

[Mity]

I have an M4 Pro MBP 14 and my wife's new Sky Blue MBA 15 feels just as nice. I don't notice any difference in the exterior nor touch pad surface.

What was more surprising was finding little fibers stuck all around display of the MBA 15. Fortunately, they wiped away cleanly with a microfiber and lens cleaner. Still, it should've been caught in QA.

View attachment 2492598

It could've been worse, like it being covered in blood:

 

[DeepSix]

Or...Apple's hardware team can just use the same finish on the Air as they do on the Pro? I hate how they try to cheapen the product. The Air is a great line; it's what everyone that doesn't have heavy works loads should buy. No need to cheapen the look and feel.

I'd be more concerned about the very poor quality keyboards that Apple puts in all their macbooks. The keyboards are simply trash and unusable.

If Apple can't put out a quality keyboard in them then give everyone $300 vouchers in every box so that people can buy an external keyboard to make up for it.

 

[Mike Boreham]

I'd be more concerned about the very poor quality keyboards that Apple puts in all their macbooks. The keyboards are simply trash and unusable.

Do you really mean “ALL” MacBooks, or are you referring to universally hated butterfly keyboards of the 2015-2020 era?

I don’t see many complaints about silicon generation keyboards, of which I have owned a few and happy with them.

 

[Mity]

Do you really mean “ALL” MacBooks, or are you referring to universally hated butterfly keyboards of the 2015-2020 era?

I don’t see many complaints about silicon generation keyboards, of which I have owned a few and happy with them.

I also hate the keyboards on the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models. They have very low travel compared to the older Intel gen MacBooks. It feels like I’m typing on a screen.

 

[Mike Boreham]

I also hate the keyboards on the Apple Silicon MacBook Pro models. They have very low travel compared to the older Intel gen MacBooks. It feels like I’m typing on a screen.

I have to say I really find that pretty extraordinary!
For Butterfly keyboards I could understand that comment.
I prefer the silicon keyboards to the ones on my 2010 to 2014 Intel MacBooks.

 

[thadoggfather]

It could've been worse, like it being covered in blood:

I'm really surprised they sent him one like that, super sus.

 

[Howard2k]

I'd be more concerned about the very poor quality keyboards that Apple puts in all their macbooks. The keyboards are simply trash and unusable.

If Apple can't put out a quality keyboard in them then give everyone $300 vouchers in every box so that people can buy an external keyboard to make up for it.

Millions of people use their MacBook keyboards every day.

I’m one. Used MacBooks keyboards daily for years.

 

[Mity]

I have to say I really find that pretty extraordinary!
For Butterfly keyboards I could understand that comment.
I prefer the silicon keyboards to the ones on my 2010 to 2014 Intel MacBooks.

I never had the butterfly model MBP. My previous MBP was a 2019 Intel 16" and that keyboard was okay. But the M1 Macbook Air is IMO the best Apple keyboard I've ever used.