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To each their own, I suppose. I have no desire to have my entire computing life in my pocket and with me at all times.
It'd be nice to have the option
With everyone going on, and the amount of times I need to cross the US border and go through TSA, I don't want much of anything on me or my phone/watch.
Could always back up and wipe, then restore after crossing the border I suppose
 
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Dumb question: if the leaked iPad M5 specs show a 35% gpu performance improvement over the m4 (that’s kind of huge imo) why would the expected mac gpu improvement be “slight”?
TThat is the way human perception works. In general, you have to double something before we are able to notice it without resorting to using instruments to measure it.



The best example is the cameras; each shutter speed or f-stop lets in double or half the light of the one next to it. Also, we measure sound loudness with “dB,“ where 24dB is twice as loud as 21dB.

With computers, you usually need to double the RAM before you notice a difference, and CPU speed is about like that too.



Of course, we can measure finer details, but we can't "feel" them.



One reason why a 35% faster CPU does not "'feel" faster is that if you check, you will see that most of the time, the CPU is doing exactly nothing. If it is running at 40%, that means it is idle 60% of the time. And for most people, even 40% utilization is high. So if the GPU were faster, all it does is move the utilization from 40% to, say, 30%, so now it is spending 70% doing nothing. You would not notice.



The faster CPU is only faster on tasks that use 100% of the CPU; those are not common. Look at Activity Meter and see.



A car that can go 200 MPH is only fast when your foot has the accelerator pushed to the floor. If you never do that, the car is not faster.
 
Seems like the main upgrade will be the GPU for gaming or ML. If neither of these appeals, picking up an M4 on offer is probably a good idea.

The GPU boost is a bit of a contradiction because the M4 could already play games like CyberPunk at a solid 30 fps and the rumoured M5 improvements could offer a solid 40 fps (which has frame times half way between 30 and 60 fps, giving a much smoother feel than 30 fps)...but the MacBook Air display can't handle this - 40 fps doesn't evenly divide into 60 Hz for the screen. The MBA would need either VRR down to 40 Hz or a 120 Hz panel (with or without ProMotion): neither of which seems likely.
I’m a little wary of some of the GPU performance improvement numbers, since the Apple’s using benchmarks that cover other features that don’t always translate directly to frame rates in games.
 
I’m a little wary of some of the GPU performance improvement numbers, since the Apple’s using benchmarks that cover other features that don’t always translate directly to frame rates in games.
I'm still running an M2 Air fully maxed out, and wasn't planning on upgrading to the M5 version, but the GPU performance hitting 74,000+ intrigues me if that's accurate. If the GPU is getting that much of a spec bump, the video editing I'm doing now in FCP, will perform better and run even faster with that much extra horsepower. I thought I would have to wait for the M6 air to see a big GPU spec bump, but it doesn't look like we'll have to wait that long. Hopefully that metal score is accurate, I could use that type of power while still using a fanless machine.
 
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Its time to replace my intel MPB now that its not getting Tahoe or later, but I always feel like I jump in on devices before major refreshes. I always kicked myself for not holding off for the M1.

My intent is M5 Air in 2026, really hoping I don't regret it with the 2027 refreshes.
 
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It will be a very minor update with a new M5 chip. Everything else, including the colors will most likely be the same. Think a ProMotion or even an OLED display will be many years away for the Air.
 
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Its time to replace my intel MPB now that its not getting Tahoe or later, but I always feel like I jump in on devices before major refreshes. I always kicked myself for not holding off for the M1.

My intent is M5 Air in 2026, really hoping I don't regret it with the 2027 refreshes.
What Apple has done is train users that they have to update and buy another Mac if they can’t update to the latest OS when their Mac no longer supports the new OS. Apple wants users to believe that it is now considered “Old” to “buy”. It is the name of the game.

“Really” what Apple teaches is not true.

“yes” You can upgrade “if” you want the new OS with its new features, but if you don’t upgrade or buy another new Mac, your Mac will still run good. You have two more years with the current OS that is the last to be updated on your Mac. In this case it is probably macOS Sequoia and you will receive security updates then for two more years.

Even that is also trained by Apple….

“ If “ you don’t go to crazy websites or download questionable apps or files, security is still decent on Mac’s. You could go some more years without issues or threats. I went years using “old” OS”s and seldom (if ever) had an issue. Windows.. “No”, but Mac OS’s…”yes”
 
Given the precedent set by the iPhone “Air", I’m expecting the M5 MacBook Air to be just 1mm thick - including the screen.

Price £/$999.

Compromised battery life, which you can extend with the optional MagSafe battery pack - 7mm thick, price £/$999. 😀
 
I'm still running an M2 Air fully maxed out, and wasn't planning on upgrading to the M5 version, but the GPU performance hitting 74,000+ intrigues me if that's accurate. If the GPU is getting that much of a spec bump, the video editing I'm doing now in FCP, will perform better and run even faster with that much extra horsepower. I thought I would have to wait for the M6 air to see a big GPU spec bump, but it doesn't look like we'll have to wait that long. Hopefully that metal score is accurate, I could use that type of power while still using a fanless machine.

Yeah. I have an M1Pro M´16MBP that is still plenty of fast for LR and the current is more than sufficient for all kind of tasks if you do not really need speed for commercial suff. And thats why I also think the the MB Air is the Mac to Go as size and weight etc are more outweighing RAW speed.

Just fingers crossed that we will get a M5 thats supports 4TB. 13” Air in dark blue with M5 and 24/48 GB ram and 4TB and shut up and take my money. Perfekt for LR.

B
 
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I have been waiting for OLED, but at this point I think I'll just buy the regular MacBook Pro with the new display whenever it comes out.

Not working anymore on my personal computer and it's just for casual browsing and media consumption, so I'd love to see an OLED Air to carry with me on the go, since I don't like iPad OS
 
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Same display as MBP 14+16 or iPad Pro including matte option or no buy.

t's ridiculous and unbelievable that Apple doesn't offer a lightweight device with macOS and common display technology.
 
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Looking more and more like 2027 will be about right to upgrade my M2 Air. Been drooling over the better displays for the pro models but it sounds like the Air may get some decent upgrade so time will tell which I choose. Both appear to be getting a larger upgrade in 2027. That's probably also the year I upgrade my iPhone 16.
 
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Same display as MBP 14+16 or iPad Pro including matte option or no buy.

t's ridiculous and unbelievable that Apple doesn't offer a lightweight device with macOS and common display technology.

120Hz is not (yet) common display, majority of PC brands use 400nit, 1920x1200 displays with 60Hz with no P3 support on their 1000 USD laptops.
 
Same display as MBP 14+16 or iPad Pro including matte option or no buy.

t's ridiculous and unbelievable that Apple doesn't offer a lightweight device with macOS and common display technology.
They wont put these screens on the M5 MBA for sure especially the Tandem OLED, but the current LCD screen with Promotion 120 hz VRR could possibly happen finally. A Quantum Dot layer would be a nice additional bonus.
 
Please Apple, if you want to improve the air's display, go with the mini led that you have on the macbook pro. OLED looks fantastic, but even if there is only a 5% chance the display will either burn in or have color degradation in a few years, I don't want it. If they use OLED, say goodbye to older laptops still being used.
 
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