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M2 in the sun, what’s it like?
- Thread starter erasr
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I’d recommend a laptop with active cooling. If you’re going to use it in the sun. Such as the 13” MBP. I don’t know if the current gen MBP also has a brighter screen like the last Gen vs MBA.
When I'm out typing, I strut my stuff, yeah I'm so way out.
It's fast as kite and people might stop to check it out.
Let me work on an M2 in the sun
Let me work on, M2 I know you're the one.
(With appologies to the Violent Femmes)
It's fast as kite and people might stop to check it out.
Let me work on an M2 in the sun
Let me work on, M2 I know you're the one.
(With appologies to the Violent Femmes)
It kind of depends on on what you are doing, how hot it is, and whether you can deal with a 10-20% performance drop for your heavier tasks.
If you are doing basic web, writing, etc tasks, the MBA will likely not heat up. Normally the kinds of things that cause an MBA to hit its limits and throttle are rendering large video streams, 3D modeling, and graphically intensive games. Even then it doesn’t hurt the MBA and you might not notice. Performance continues, it just slows down any around 10-20%. Throttling is not inherently bad behavior. It is just how the computer deals with extra heat loads. In the days of Intel CPUs, the laptops would throttle doing very basic processes and run their fans all the time. The Apple Silicon chips are much less likely to get that hot.
Of course if it is 90F/32C in the sun, then almost anything will get hot. It’s going to be hard for us to predict if that extra heat load will cause an MBA to throttle in those cases for you. The question for you is, how much of an impact would a small reduction in performance be under those circumstances and are they common enough that it would make a difference for you.
Your other option would be to get the 13” MBP or go up to the 14” MBP.
I've used mine in 90 degree shade in south Florida and it definitely feels warm in my lap. I don't think it's a good idea since it will degrade battery life.
Bad idea to use *any* MacBook in direct sunlight for extended periods.
If you are going to use it in the sun a lot, regardless of the heat, you may have trouble with screen brightness. While the MBA screen is good and bright as far as laptop LCD screens go, it will get washed out in bright sunlight. The 14” MBP with it’s miniLED screen is about twice a bright. That is something to consider if this is a regular thing for you.
Last week I was working on my laptop at my work (nursing home).
I was making reports on the end of my shift and sat on the balcony, some sunlight fell on the bottom part.
The sun and combination of just warm air outside made the fans of my 2020 M1 Pro blow like there was no tomorrow.
If I had a MacBook without fans I think it would throttle or even shut down because of the heat.
I was making reports on the end of my shift and sat on the balcony, some sunlight fell on the bottom part.
The sun and combination of just warm air outside made the fans of my 2020 M1 Pro blow like there was no tomorrow.
If I had a MacBook without fans I think it would throttle or even shut down because of the heat.
The MBP is only brighter when working with HDR, for all other usage both machines have the same peak brightness of 500 Nits
Unless you use Vivid, which is a great little app.
Yeah it’s very occasional. I’m in the U.K. so hot days are few and far between (although this summer is quite unique to be fair!). It’s just nice to sit out the back and do an hour’s work here and there.
It’s such a portable laptop that I can imagine taking it abroad and whipping it out at a hotel outdoor area, although likely in shade in that scenario.
Few and far between, like I say, just curious because my 2017 MBP does go wild after 30 mins but reassuring to have fans.
Sticking with my Air order, will test in 2 weeks I guess!
It’s such a portable laptop that I can imagine taking it abroad and whipping it out at a hotel outdoor area, although likely in shade in that scenario.
Few and far between, like I say, just curious because my 2017 MBP does go wild after 30 mins but reassuring to have fans.
Sticking with my Air order, will test in 2 weeks I guess!
I'm test driving the 14 right now outside in the sun (80 degrees or so) and it's very good. I'm curious how the m2 Mba stacks up in terms of working outside. I prefer the battery life and portability of the M2 but don't want a massive downgrade on the screen.
Just keep in mind that even on the M2 MacBook Air, running the screen at full brightness will have a significant impact on battery life.