MacBook Air 2020 USER reviews

[twintin]

I've tried again, and same result: video call with 2 other people, 80° average and fans at 8000 rpm. Al CPU usage at 20-23%.

Honestly I'm quite disappointed with this particular thing.

Zoom seems to perform better, haven't tried teams yet.

I have an Air base. With MS Teams the CPU package jumps around somewhere between 60 and 80, but the fan stays at around 2600 RPM.

 

[octoviaa]

Hi!

Did somebody already try to use some apps like "volta" or "voltageshift" to limit TDP?
Seems to be it can be limited by editing MSR values (if its not locked?)

I just got my MBA 2020 i5 16GB RAM.
And I applied the voltageshift with below value:
./voltageshift write 0x610 0x4380c800dd8038

438 0c8 00 dd 8 038

0c8 == 200 dec == (200/8) 25W

038 == 56 dec == (56/8) 7W

basically limiting the turbo to 25W and normal to 7W.

The kext and binary, I download from:
https://sitechprog.blogspot.com/2017/06/voltageshift.html (10.15)

However there is an issue with the latest binary for Catalina, fortunately there is a solution:

Killed error · Issue #34 · sicreative/VoltageShift

Just yesterday i've used this utility without any issue. MacBook Air 13" 2015 (Core i5-5250U), macOS 10.15.1

github.com

I tried watching the 4K video from youtube, with Chrome without any issue (no dropped frame):

.

The keyboard frame near LCD (top middle) is warm to the touch but not hot and I don't hear any fan.

I tried Volta too (trial) it is able to limit the power just fine, but I like the voltageshift as I can separately specify the turbo-power and the normal power (PL1 and PL2).

 

[oilers780]

Can you add AppleCare+ w/ a student discount onto a MBA 2020 over the phone or online?

Can the i7 handle some decent games too? Thanks.

 

[octoviaa]

Can you add AppleCare+ w/ a student discount onto a MBA 2020 over the phone or online?

Can the i7 handle some decent games too? Thanks.

You should be able to add AppleCare, but you can confirm easily by chatting or calling apple they're supper friendly.

As for i7 I think in general it is not worth it to pay extra for i7 because the performance different would be small compared with i5 and as MBA 2020 is limited by the thermal design the different (if any) will be minuscule.

For gaming depend on what kind of game and your expectation (High, Medium, Low setting) in general the idea is don't game on MBA 2020.

You might be better off with MBP 2020.

But for much better suggestion you need to be specific of what kind of 'app' and 'game' you want to play.

 

[deeddawg]

Can you add AppleCare+ w/ a student discount onto a MBA 2020 over the phone or online?

Can the i7 handle some decent games too? Thanks.

I think so, but you may have to download some diagnostics. I would check with Apple for clarification.

Given that the MBA is set up for brief bursty CPU usage and not sustained load, I wouldn’t expect to game on it if the game involves the CPU or GPU to any extent. I don’t game so can’t give any experience

 

[oilers780]

You should be able to add AppleCare, but you can confirm easily by chatting or calling apple they're supper friendly.

As for i7 I think in general it is not worth it to pay extra for i7 because the performance different would be small compared with i5 and as MBA 2020 is limited by the thermal design the different (if any) will be minuscule.

For gaming depend on what kind of game and your expectation (High, Medium, Low setting) in general the idea is don't game on MBA 2020.

You might be better off with MBP 2020.

But for much better suggestion you need to be specific of what kind of 'app' and 'game' you want to play.

The last rep told me they didn't have a student discount on it, yet their site shows it ironically. I may have to try once the store opens up just in case?

For games, I was thinking about Fortnite in medium or low settings. Already placed my order, so going for the i7.

 

[IngerMan]

I seen a review of Fortnite playing on the new 10th Gen 13” MBP In lowest settings and that was not good. So your question will the MBA play Fortnite. Answer absolutely not.

 

[oilers780]

I think so, but you may have to download some diagnostics. I would check with Apple for clarification.

Given that the MBA is set up for brief bursty CPU usage and not sustained load, I wouldn’t expect to game on it if the game involves the CPU or GPU to any extent. I don’t game so can’t give any experience

Like Systems Requirement Lab or Geekbench? I don't think Apple digs into benchmark programs though?
[automerge]1589421551[/automerge]

I seen a review of Fortnite playing on the new 10th Gen 13” MBP In lowest settings and that was not good. So your question will the MBA play Fortnite. Answer absolutely not.

Could you please link me the video? I would like to see how much stuttering and frame drops the game has on the i5 10th gen the 13" MBP has. Thanks.

 

[IngerMan]

@oilers780 Note: This is the 2020 Gen 10 13” MBP which we all know has more sustained CPU & GPU performance vs 2020 MBA, so if the MBP struggles playing Fortnite, the MBA will struggle more.

if you want to game on a MBP 13” or MBA 13”, You need a external GPU. Check out Sonnet Puck. I have a Vega 56 eGPU Setup on my Mac mini. I can game, I could use it for laptops if I wanted to. But I would rather game on my 38” monitor setup Mac mini vs 13”

 

[oilers780]

@oilers780 Note: This is the 2020 Gen 10 13” MBP which we all know has more sustained CPU & GPU performance vs 2020 MBA, so if the MBP struggles playing Fortnite, the MBA will struggle more.

if you want to game on a MBP 13” or MBA 13”, You need a external GPU. Check out Sonnet Puck. I have a Vega 56 eGPU Setup on my Mac mini. I can game, I could use it for laptops if I wanted to. But I would rather game on my 38” monitor setup Mac mini vs 13”

Thanks. I'll have to see the video on the MBA too to see which games the reviewer suggests to play on the lighter end. I'll also take a look at Sonnet Puck. I appreciate the suggestion.

For me, I didn't want a PC because my intent isn't to game much at all, I don't like PC software as much as OS X, and I am locked into the Apple ecosystem.

 

[octoviaa]

Thanks. I'll have to see the video on the MBA too to see which games the reviewer suggests to play on the lighter end. I'll also take a look at Sonnet Puck. I appreciate the suggestion.

For me, I didn't want a PC because my intent isn't to game much at all, I don't like PC software as much as OS X, and I am locked into the Apple ecosystem.

eGPU won't help with your limited CPU thermal head-room.
Even if the CPU is powerful enough, are you comfortable running the CPU at 100C for long period of time (during gaming)?

 

[deeddawg]

Like Systems Requirement Lab or Geekbench? I don't think Apple digs into benchmark programs though?

You'll have to ask Apple. Doubt it's something third party.

 

[IngerMan]

eGPU won't help with your limited CPU thermal head-room.
Even if the CPU is powerful enough, are you comfortable running the CPU at 100C for long period of time (during gaming)?

Yes you are correct, I see that it makes no sense with the MBA after some research. I did see one incident on 2019 13" MBP with favorable results. I seen enough

 

[triangletechie]

I just picked up the i5/8/512 Space Gray from Best Buy. My current machine is a 2018 MBP w/TB $1799 model. I've had it for 15 months of daily use with 0 issues. I wanted a second laptop and decided to try the new Air.

I also briefly owned the 2018 Air when it first came out and found it frustratingly sluggish while doing anything on it, either by web browsing or simply opening up a document. It was extremely slow.

The first thing I noticed with the new Air is how incredibly more snappy it is compared to the original 2018 model. Pages, apps, etc load instantly. The quad core does make a huge difference.

I won't be doing anything major on the Air outside of general use of streaming, browsing, Office. I will probably try it next week on my company's zoom call and see if I can hear the fan like others have mentioned.

Compared to the 2018 model, this is a massive improvement for me. As long as I don't notice any kind of severe lag or it getting super hot, this should be a nice laptop that will last me for years. It's early, but I'm very impressed so far.

Regarding the keyboard, I enjoy typing on the butterfly keyboard. The magic keyboard is also very easy and comfortable to type on. I'm also happy with the screen and speaker quality.

 

[hey_augie]

Long time reader - First time poster

Upgraded from a very old but pretty maxed out 2010 (early) 15" MBP that was just dying and also suffered from the known GPU issue however was way out of the coverage when it started happening.

I learned a lot over the last decade - for example I am not a pro user who is about to become the worlds next great video editor 😆

I didn't only want an iPad and think the iPad Pro is a few generations away from being able to be ones only device. I am not willing to give up a normalized file system just yet.

Anyhow ordered the i5/16gb/256gb model and so far love it. The form factor is great and the battery life for me has been wonderful. I think I've charged it twice in a week. I got the computer for day to day personal use - mail, cal, music/spotify, organize photos, streaming, and word processing. The heat and fan noise hasn't been an issue for me with a very consumer workflow. I went i5 + 16gb as I plan to use this as my primary home machine for the next 5 years or more and wanted to future proof a bit.

EDIT ADDITION: Oh I love the keyboard and trackpad - best in the business.

tl:dr - IMO it is a great consumer level machine with the ability to push a bit if needed.

 

[kukheart]

Long time reader - First time poster


Anyhow ordered the i5/16gb/256gb model and so far love it. The form factor is great and the battery life for me has been wonderful. I think I've charged it twice in a week. I got the computer for day to day personal use - mail, cal, music/spotify, organize photos, streaming, and word processing. The heat and fan noise hasn't been an issue for me with a very consumer workflow. I went i5 + 16gb as I plan to use this as my primary home machine for the next 5 years or more and wanted to future proof a bit.

EDIT ADDITION: Oh I love the keyboard and trackpad - best in the business.

tl:dr - IMO it is a great consumer level machine with the ability to push a bit if needed.

Awesome, that's the same config I am getting, shipment says it it suppose to come in at the end of the month. My one question, do you use a bluetooth mouse? I want to buy one but not really in the mood to drop down $80 for the apple magic mouse. Thanks

 

[hey_augie]

Awesome, that's the same config I am getting, shipment says it it suppose to come in at the end of the month. My one question, do you use a bluetooth mouse? I want to buy one but not really in the mood to drop down $80 for the apple magic mouse. Thanks

I do not use a mouse with it at all - I love the trackpad. In fact I'd consider the magic track pad once I have the space to switch back to a desktop someday. NYC apartments don't really lend themselves to room for that.

 

[Scarpad]

I ordered mine and have to wait 2 weeks or so, I got the i5 with 16gb and 512. education discount. glad you like yours! what webcam are you using? I really do wish they would increase the webcam, even the one on the 2015 pro I have is garbage.

It’s a $20 camera Chinese cheapie and it blows away the air’s sad to say. I just received the new Microsoft Surface Go 2 and it’s 1080p camera is so much better

 

[deeddawg]

It’s a $20 camera Chinese cheapie and it blows away the air’s sad to say. I just received the new Microsoft Surface Go 2 and it’s 1080p camera is so much better

FWIW - webcam complaints are common to all Macbook / Air / Pro models for as long as I can remember. This isn't just a MBA thing.

 

[resaka]

I just received my 2020 i5 MBA and I'm absolutely in love with it. I've participated in a zoom call, listened to music, done web browsing and all my typical ******** - no fan noise and only slight warmth. I'm happy with my choice.

 

[oilers780]

Enjoying my MBA 2020 i7. The screen isn't as bright as the Pro's, but the speakers are so much better. Rather take that trade off because max brightness is plenty good.

 

[triangletechie]

The 2020 model is such a massive improvement over the original 2018 release. 2 years ago, $1299 got you a crappy dual core processor, underwhelming screen and 256 SSD. You get much more bang for the buck today.

 

[oilers780]

Are any fellow MacRumors users taking extra steps to protect their Air 2020s? When I got my old 2015 MBP, I got a keyboard mat, a plastic clam shell protector. I didn't do anything to protect the screen. Eventually, I stopped using the mat and the clam shell protector.

 

[Ryguy18]

Going on two weeks with my base spec MBA. Satisfied with it so far for casual browsing and media consumption. Civ6 runs fine on medium settings and the constant fan isn't noticeable (IMO- Results may vary!) To manage the heat I have an XL sized foam mousepad that I use for a MBA base when lap playing.

 

[hey_augie]

Are any fellow MacRumors users taking extra steps to protect their Air 2020s? When I got my old 2015 MBP, I got a keyboard mat, a plastic clam shell protector. I didn't do anything to protect the screen. Eventually, I stopped using the mat and the clam shell protector.

I have been debating this. One one hand the machine is so slick and nice looking I would hate to cover it.... but also I want it to last for years.

Similar thought on do i put nice vinyl stickers on it or not - considering it is a purely personal machine.