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MacBook Air 2018

If Apple update the MacBook Air (Retina display, thinner bezels) will you buy?

  • Yes it’s what I’ve wanted them to do for years

    Votes: 187 83.9%

  • No the MacBook Air is dead I want something else

    Votes: 36 16.1%
  • Total voters
    223
1.8 GHz Core i7-8510Y Mac on Geekbench: single core 4249, multi-core 8559

https://browser.geekbench.com/v4/cpu/10610056

Capture.PNG


Geekbench author doesn't think it's a fake.

There is also a GFXBench entry for the i7-8510Y from the same date, here:

https://gfxbench.com/device.jsp?ben...Y+CPU+with+UHD+Graphics+617&testgroup=overall
 
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EugW said:
That of course is a meaningless post unless you're in a very brightly lit room.

Just about any laptop including the cheapest no-name brand Windows ones will be bright enough indoors for an average lit room.
Click to expand...
Screen is a non-issue.
 
candorswim said:
Unless they have an actual defective unit, the "issue" is just them being nit-picky. Nothing wrong with that, that's what these forums are for, but from a practical perspective it definitely is a non-issue. It's a completely use-able, high-quality screen.
Click to expand...

Can’t see how you could characterize someone having an issue with a display that is the dimmest and that has less color and contrast than and other display in Apple’s lineup as them being nit-picky. Sure it’s completely “usable”....so was the display on the original Air. Would you say those that had issues with that display were being nit-picky? Some want a display that is more than merely usable....but can certainly understand also how someone could choose to overlook the issues with the display on the new Air and just go with it!
 
Last edited:
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I went to store to check out the screen of the Macbook Air today. Initially when I compared it with the Macbook Pro NTB 2017, it looks washed out. Then I realised I was actually looking at the Macbook Air 2017. I made this mistake because the Air 2018 (Gold) was beside Air 2017 (Silver) which was beside the Macbook Pro. In any case, the Air 2018 looks totally fine. The difference in brightness doesn't seem much.
 
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EugW said:
The effect of the fan:

View attachment 802752

Compare that to the 12” MacBook here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...uns-of-cinebench.2073415/page-2#post-25271927

—-

Yep, the MBA is dim:

View attachment 802753

12” on left, MBA on right.
Click to expand...

That reference to dimness is so deceiving and inaccurate. The MBA is plenty bright and I see no issue.

The complaints only affect those who what to use their MBA outside in direct sun. A non-issue.
[doublepost=1541851446][/doublepost]
EugW said:
Yet many posters and several reviewers have already commented it is an issue for some.
Click to expand...

For 99.9%.
[doublepost=1541851500][/doublepost]
DSTOFEL said:
Can’t see how you could characterize someone having an issue with a display that is the dimmest and that has less color and contrast than and other display in Apple’s lineup as them being nit-picky. Sure it’s completely “usable”....so was the display on the original Air. Would you say those that had issues with that display were being nit-picky? Some want a display that is more than merely usable....but can certainly understand also how someone could choose to overlook the issues with the display on the new Air and just go with it!
Click to expand...

Do you actually have one?
 
ZipZap said:
That reference to dimness is so deceiving and inaccurate. The MBA is plenty bright and I see no issue.

The complaints only affect those who what to use their MBA outside in direct sun. A non-issue.
[doublepost=1541851446][/doublepost]

For 99.9%.
[doublepost=1541851500][/doublepost]

Do you actually have one?
Click to expand...
Whether I have one or not is irrelevant!
 
Falcon80 said:
I went to store to check out the screen of the Macbook Air today. Initially when I compared it with the Macbook Pro NTB 2017, it looks washed out. Then I realised I was actually looking at the Macbook Air 2017. I made this mistake because the Air 2018 (Gold) was beside Air 2017 (Silver) which was beside the Macbook Pro. In any case, the Air 2018 looks totally fine. The difference in brightness doesn't seem much.
Click to expand...
I couldn’t agree more. Get out there and buy one people. You will love it.
 
ZipZap said:
Not true, commenting on brightness when you dont have one is what's actually irrelevant.
Click to expand...
You don’t know whether I have one or not....and regardless, it’s irrelevant! Let me ask you! Tell me:
  • Which modern Mac laptop has the dimmest display in Apple’s current lineup?
 
DSTOFEL said:
You don’t know whether I have one or not....and regardless, it’s irrelevant! Let me ask you! Tell me:
  • Which modern Mac laptop has the dimmest display in Apple’s current lineup?
Click to expand...

If that is you point, ok.

But without actually using Ian Air, whether the brightness is an issue or not is not for you to say...right?
 
ZipZap said:
If that is you point, ok.

But without actually using Ian Air, whether the brightness is an issue or not is not for you to say...right?
Click to expand...
We still haven’t established whether I own one or not, used one or not, planning to buy one or not, etc... Let’s assume for the sake of argument that the answer to all of the above is “no”. Sure, it would be okay for me to make the comment I made in the post. I don’t think anyone is seriously disputing that the new Air’s display is dim and lacks color and contrast compared to other modern displays in Apple’s laptop lineup. My point in that post was that I wouldn’t characterize someone having an issue with this as being nit-picky...as I can see for some this could be a legitimate issue. However, as I also said, I can certainly understand how someone could choose to overlook (ie accept) this and go with the 2018 Air. It’s not like it’s a horrible display....just not the brightest and most color rich of the bunch! I mean, all laptop choices are compromises to one extent or another!
 
DSTOFEL said:
Can’t see how you could characterize someone having an issue with a display that is the dimmest and that has less color and contrast than and other display in Apple’s lineup as them being nit-picky. Sure it’s completely “usable”....so was the display on the original Air. Would you say those that had issues with that display were being nit-picky? Some want a display that is more than merely usable....but can certainly understand also how someone could choose to overlook the issues with the display on the new Air and just go with it!
Click to expand...

Apple is selling the Air for $100 less than the Pro so I guess they needed to save $100 somewhere.. That somewhere is obviously the screen....

I think the display will be fine for those coming from an older Air. Anyone use to the much brighter newer Pro models will notice the difference immediately. If the Air is going to be used indoors, I do not see it as an issue but if someone plans on using it outdoors, they might want to take a pass on it....

It's a fine machine but Apple decided to skimp on the display and that's a bummer... I could have lived with the Y processor and the cruddy GPU but draw the line at the subpar display.

Mine was returned yesterday and I picked up a nTB Pro to replace it. Pure bummer because the Air was just about everything I wanted. Lighter, the iconic Air wedge and most importantly touchID without that gimmicky TB......
 
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raqball said:
Apple is selling the Air for $100 less than the Pro so I guess they needed to save $100 somewhere.. That somewhere is obviously the screen....

I think the display will be fine for those coming from an older Air. Anyone use to the much brighter newer Pro models will notice the difference immediately. If the Air is going to be used indoors, I do not see it as an issue but if someone plans on using it outdoors, they might want to take a pass on it....

It's a fine machine but Apple decided to skimp on the display and that's a bummer... I could have lived with the Y processor and the cruddy GPU but draw the line at the subpar display.

Mine was returned yesterday and I picked up a nTB Pro to replace it. Pure bummer because the Air was just about everything I wanted. Lighter, the iconic Air wedge and most importantly touchID without that gimmicky TB......
Click to expand...

How’s the experience with the nTB MacBook Pro thus far compared to the Air?
 
Falcon80 said:
How’s the experience with the nTB MacBook Pro thus far compared to the Air?
Click to expand...

Fantastic...

The Air I had was i5 (really an m5) / 16 / 512 = $1800
The nTB I got is i7 / 16 / 512 = $2000

For $200 more this machine demolishes the Air. I got it at Best Buy as part of their early Black Friday sale for $200 off. The nTB I got is normally $2200 as configured...

The nTB I got is serious overkill for my use but since I had already dropped $1800 on the Air I decided what's another $200..... The nTB, since it's a gen 2 KB is also covered by Apples 4-year KB warranty....

I am happy with it but I really miss touchID from the Air. I am kind of pissed at Apple for skimping on the Air screen. I wish they would have just used the same panels as the Pro but.....
 
raqball said:
Fantastic...

The Air I had was i5 (really an m5) / 16 / 512 = $1800
The nTB I got is i7 / 16 / 512 = $2000

For $200 more this machine demolishes the Air. I got it at Best Buy as part of their early Black Friday sale for $200 off. The nTB I got is normally $2200 as configured...

The nTB I got is serious overkill for my use but since I had already dropped $1800 on the Air I decided what's another $200..... The nTB, since it's a gen 2 KB is also covered by Apples 4-year KB warranty....

I am happy with it but I really miss touchID from the Air. I am kind of pissed at Apple for skimping on the Air screen. I wish they would have just used the same panels as the Pro but.....
Click to expand...

Cool. I am not too concerned with Touch ID because my Apple Watch is a very convenient way to unlock the MAcBook.
 
Falcon80 said:
Cool. I am not too concerned with Touch ID because my Apple Watch is a very convenient way to unlock the MAcBook.
Click to expand...

I am hopeful that maybe next year they'll address the subpar screen they decided to use on the Air... I am sure they'll get plenty of complaints and feedback on it. If they do, I'll revisit it then... I was pumped for the Air as it was just about everything I wanted. I can deal with somethings not being perfect but a screen is not one of them...
 
raqball said:
I am hopeful that maybe next year they'll address the subpar screen they decided to use on the Air... I am sure they'll get plenty of complaints and feedback on it. If they do, I'll revisit it then... I was pumped for the Air as it was just about everything I wanted. I can deal with somethings not being perfect but a screen is not one of them...
Click to expand...
I'm guessing most people will just accept it, and Apple is counting on this.

I've been always been surprised at how many people loved the non-Retina MacBook Air, esp. considering the MacBook has been Retina for 3 years already. And that was the 13". With 11" Air, it was even worse because it had lousy viewing angles, but people loved that one too.
 
raqball said:
I am hopeful that maybe next year they'll address the subpar screen they decided to use on the Air... I am sure they'll get plenty of complaints and feedback on it. If they do, I'll revisit it then... I was pumped for the Air as it was just about everything I wanted. I can deal with somethings not being perfect but a screen is not one of them...
Click to expand...

Isn’t the screen the same as the 12” MacBook?
 
Dave245 said:
Isn’t the screen the same as the 12” MacBook?
Click to expand...
There is a post in this thread with a photo of the 12 inch MacBook and 2018 Air side by side....and it appears the 12 inch MB is much brighter. I just stopped by Apple and compared the 2018 Air and the 13 MBP....and the Air does appear “washed out”....not nearly as vibrant as the display on the MBP. I was able to reserve one of the Air’s at MicroCenter yesterday for the $200 off deal (256GB, 8GB for $1,199). Now I just need to decide if I want to go through with the purchase!
 
Dave245 said:
Isn’t the screen the same as the 12” MacBook?
Click to expand...

DSTOFEL said:
There is a post in this thread with a photo of the 12 inch MacBook and 2018 Air side by side....and it appears the 12 inch MB is much brighter. I just stopped by Apple and compared the 2018 Air and the 13 MBP....and the Air does appear “washed out”....not nearly as vibrant as the display on the MBP. I was able to reserve one of the Air’s at MicroCenter yesterday for the $200 off deal (256GB, 8GB for $1,199). Now I just need to decide if I want to go through with the purchase!
Click to expand...
When I was at the Apple store yesterday I did compare the Air to the others on display. The Air, hands down, has the worse display of the 3. The Pro was best, followed by the 12", then the Air....

Washed out looking is a good description as is dim.. The Air's screen is both of those.... It's really a massive bummer as I really, really, really wanted the Air....
 
raqball said:
When I was at the Apple store yesterday I did compare the Air to the others on display. The Air, hands down, has the worse display of the 3. The Pro was best, followed by the 12", then the Air....

Washed out looking is a good description as is dim.. The Air's screen is both of those.... It's really a massive bummer as I really, really, really wanted the Air....
Click to expand...

That’s not good, looks like I’ll picking up a 13” MacBook Pro with Touch Bar instead, I really wanted the Air to be great, Especially with the battery life being around 12-13 hours. Not sure what it’s like on the Pro’s.
 
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