MacBook Air 2020 USER reviews

[octoviaa]

Well yeah, you're software decoding a VP9 codec video. That means it's all CPU. On a system seemingly aimed at brief bursty CPU utilization rather than substantial sustained CPU loading.



I suspect that blocking airflow over the CPU heatsink isn't going to accomplish the goal. And potentially would impact warranty on any related parts if you didn't clean it out thoroughly.

But give it a try and report back.

I don't touch the CPU so it's temperature hasn't been a concern - the bottom case temp is what matters to me.

BTW - thanks to codec "wars" between Apple and Google, plenty of videos on youtube will be in VP9 codec that Apple doesn't allow hardware decode on - so it's all in CPU, and thus you're using the MBA for a sustained CPU load -- I'd suggest either installing the h264ify chrome extension to force h264 video, or try Safari. Or if you insist on sustained CPU loading, probably better to switch to a MBP.

Yes unfortunately, it is sad that APPLE didn't support VP9 acceleration as I think the intel G7 GPU in MBA can support it.
I tried the h264ify but last time I use it, it doesn't support 2K / 4K playback on youtube.
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2020 Air Heatsink Modification Thread

Yesterday, while adding the copper shim, I was wondering if it would be possible to somehow connect the heatsink to the backplate and dissipate some additional heat this way. Of course this might make the it very uncomfortable to hold the MBA on the lap under load, but I still wanted to try...

forums.macrumors.com

@rba1989 thank you.
If I read your graph correctly adding the pad will help even without the shim.

 

[deeddawg]

Yes unfortunately, it is sad that APPLE didn't support VP9 acceleration as I think the intel G7 GPU in MBA can support it.
I tried the h264ify but last time I use it, it doesn't support 2K / 4K playback on youtube.

Yep - Apple doesn't enable the VP9 hardware. Google won't give you 2K/4K playback in H.264 or H.265.

They're both playing the game. *shrug*

At this present time, if you need to watch VP9 encoded 4K video, you're going to need a computer that's aimed at sustained substantial CPU load.

That would be a MBP, not a MBA. Don't try to hammer nails with a screwdriver.

 

[Halilxyz]

football manager 2020 rated my macbook air’s 3d graphic as 5 star (i5,8gb ram), however when i start the match heat goes to 75-80 celcius, fans very loudly more than 8000 rpm. Very upset this is the only game i play more than 10 years. Anyone played this game with pro? Fans run loudly also?

 

[twintin]

football manager 2020 rated my macbook air’s 3d graphic as 5 star (i5,8gb ram), however when i start the match heat goes to 75-80 celcius, fans very loudly more than 8000 rpm. Very upset this is the only game i play more than 10 years. Anyone played this game with pro? Fans run loudly also?

My i3 base only runs the fan at around 2600 RPM at 80C. Not sure why your i5 fan runs like 3.5 times faster than the one in my i3.

 

[Halilxyz]

In my daily regular use, fans never run (mail, photos, netflix, YouTube, spotify, safari), heat around 45-55 celsius.
Fans run only when I play football manager, very loudly while 3d match scenes. heat reach up to 80c

 

[twintin]

In my daily regular use, fans never run (mail, photos, netflix, YouTube, spotify, safari), heat around 45-55 celsius.
Fans run only when I play football manager, very loudly while 3d match scenes. heat reach up to 80c

I know, but the question is why your Air runs 8000 RPM at 80C while mine only runs 2600 RPM at same temperature ? Are you 100% sure the CPU temp is not above 80C (maybe closer to 100C) ? How long does it take for your fan to ramp up to 8000 (on mine it takes around 15 min at before the fan goes from 0 to 2600 at 65C-80C CPU temp) ?

 

[Halilxyz]

I know, but the question is why your Air runs 8000 RPM at 80C while mine only runs 2600 RPM at same temperature ? Are you 100% sure the CPU temp is not above 80C (maybe closer to 100C) ? How long does it take for your fan to ramp up to 8000 (on mine it takes around 15 min at before the fan goes from 0 to 2600 at 65C-80C CPU temp) ?

Actually i played again 1 hour fm demo with low specs, fans runs quietly now, around 3000-5000 rpm

 

[twintin]

Actually i played again 1 hour fm demo with low specs, fans runs quietly now, around 3000-5000 rpm

As a side note, at 100C the Air i3 the fan seem to run around 3600 RPM. Looks like the i3 is indeed a quieter machine, if that matters to you.

 

[geta]

How Logic Pro and Ableton Live running on i5-16GB-512GB ?

 

[twintin]

How Logic Pro and Ableton Live running on i5-16GB-512GB ?

For Logic Pro

2020 Air vs 2020 13 Pro (base) for logic Pro X ?

Hi, first post here. I want to replace my 2012 I5 Mac Mini and my 2019 iPad with either a 2020 i5 Air or the new 13 Base model Pro. I use my iPad for web browsing and watching Youtube videos and the Mini for Pages and Logic Pro X. Well I don‘t use much vst‘s in Logic. It‘s more like a tape...

forums.macrumors.com

2020 i5, 2015 i7 MBA benchmarks and comparisons using Logic Pro X

I just bought a new MBA (i5/16GB/256). I ran some tests in Logic and Cinebench to compare it with my old Air, and thought some here might be interested in what I found. With the talk of throttling, and cooling limitations I wanted to see how it compares to the old Airs. If this new Air isn't...

forums.macrumors.com

My new MacBook Air i7 (2020) for Logic and Final Cut Pro, and false "Overheating" alarms

I received last week my new Air with an i7, 16GB Ram and 256GB SSD, my demands are moderate but I do use Logic and Final Cut almost daily along with typical web tasks and light photo editing. My previous MacBook was a 2013 Air with an i7 and 8GB Ram, which is holding up well considering its...

forums.macrumors.com

Logic Pro X on MBA 20 (or any other recent one)

Has anyone tried logic on one of the new MBAs yet? Can’t find anything online anywhere, and I’m really interested to see how it performs - ideally with the first i5 step and 8/16gb ram. I know it will perform better depending on how it’s being used, but just after a general idea.

forums.macrumors.com

 

[octoviaa]

How Logic Pro and Ableton Live running on i5-16GB-512GB ?

Based on my experience, if you want to run it 'cool' then MBA is only suitable for very light work load e.g. browsing and typing where most of the time the CPU very much idle. If you don't mind getting 70-80C degree CPU then yes MBA might be able to handle it. But personally I recommend you look at the MBP 2020 10th Gen, the price jump is not that big I think around 200USD but you'll get a better screen, a system designed to handle more sustained load, you'll definitely be happier. Trust me 200USD over 3-5 years is not that 'much' the convenience you get for adding the 200USD itself it pretty much worth it over the course of 3-5 years.

 

[dewalt]

for those with 8GB ram, but with the i5, how's the performance? I'm debating whether to get the 8gb or the 16gb version. It wont be used for anything intensive - it's replacing a 2009 13" MBP, which sufficed for the most part.

 

[Halilxyz]

I’m returning my macbook air i5, fan runs loudly even with apple arcade games, this was my first mac

 

[ssayan]

I gotta know, do any of you have a squeaky escape key?

It's bugging the hell out of me.

 

[thadoggfather]

My ESC key (love that it’s no longer that skinny rectangle on my NTB) is squeaky clean of squeaky ness

 

[adrianlondon]

for those with 8GB ram, but with the i5, how's the performance? I'm debating whether to get the 8gb or the 16gb version. It wont be used for anything intensive - it's replacing a 2009 13" MBP, which sufficed for the most part.

Replaced a late-2013 15" MBP with the i5/8/256 MBA. Happy with it.

Watching videos would often cause the MBP to get too hot to rest on my lap. The MBA doesn't get as hot. Sure, it's because the cooling system isn't connected to the base and hence it no doubt throttles the CPU instead, but I prefer that. For my usage, the fans only come on when I'm working the system hard - typically involving backing up a lot of files to an external drive (using rsync) whilst doing other stuff. Day to day - having many programmes/windows open but (obviously) only working on one at a time, the fans don't come on and there's no lag.

For example, a spreadsheet is open, Mail is permanently open, Music is playing something, and I'm surfing (using Firefox) with a few tabs open and .,. no fans.

I didn't need more than 8GB in my old Pro and I don't need more than 8 on the Air. I probably don't even need the i5 but it was a cheap upgrade from the i3 so I got it.

 

[jiholl]

Replaced a late-2013 15" MBP with the i5/8/256 MBA. Happy with it.

Watching videos would often cause the MBP to get too hot to rest on my lap. The MBA doesn't get as hot. Sure, it's because the cooling system isn't connected to the base and hence it no doubt throttles the CPU instead, but I prefer that. For my usage, the fans only come on when I'm working the system hard - typically involving backing up a lot of files to an external drive (using rsync) whilst doing other stuff. Day to day - having many programmes/windows open but (obviously) only working on one at a time, the fans don't come on and there's no lag.

For example, a spreadsheet is open, Mail is permanently open, Music is playing something, and I'm surfing (using Firefox) with a few tabs open and .,. no fans.

I didn't need more than 8GB in my old Pro and I don't need more than 8 on the Air. I probably don't even need the i5 but it was a cheap upgrade from the i3 so I got it.

How has your experience been screen size wise...going from 15-13....I also have late 2013 MBP 15 and was considering same change? Thanks

 

[adrianlondon]

How has your experience been screen size wise...going from 15-13....I also have late 2013 MBP 15 and was considering same change? Thanks

Surprisingly good. My original plan was to buy the 16" Pro as a replacement to my old Pro once I accidentally cracked the screen a few months ago. While trying to justify the cost, I was using the laptop connected via HDMI to my TV. Then when the Air came out I realised that I didn't need anything super powerful, and that with the over-$1000 I would save, I could buy a decent monitor and a Samsung T5 for more storage. And still have close to $1000 in savings!

Air arrived, Samsung arrived, all the monitors I wanted were out of stock, so I used the Air as it is. I've upped the resolution to 1680x1050 and it shows pretty much the same as my old 15" did. As the laptop is smaller, the screen is closer to me anyway so it now looks the same I'm no longer bothering to buy an external monitor. I've always loved MacOS's "spaces" and use those regularly.

 

[triangletechie]

I've had my Air (i5/8/512) for a week and really like it. I was able to get the fan to kick on by using it with a Zoom meeting, which is normal based on many similar posts. When it first came on, I could clearly hear it but it did seem to calm down as the call went on. The bottom was warm but not hot and then it quickly cut off a couple minutes after the call ended. If that's how aggressive the fan can get then I'm fine with that.

It's back on sale at Bestbuy.com for $1249.99.

 

[anpaman]

Does MacBook Air 2020 with i3 and 8 GB ram would run smoothly on chrome opened 20 tabs ?

Thank

 

[kukheart]

Mine is coming in on Wednesday. Quick question, I know it’s 2 Thunderbolt ports obviously. What are the options for external Bluetooth mouse? Seems like I’m just more productive using those for work.

 

[LFC2020]

Does MacBook Air 2020 with i3 and 8 GB ram would run smoothly on chrome opened 20 tabs ?

Thank

Chrome 20 tabs 😳😱
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Mine is coming in on Wednesday. Quick question, I know it’s 2 Thunderbolt ports obviously. What are the options for external Bluetooth mouse? Seems like I’m just more productive using those for work.

Get yourself a Apple Magic Mouse 2, pair it via bluetooth, can’t go wrong 👌

 

[throAU]

Mine is coming in on Wednesday. Quick question, I know it’s 2 Thunderbolt ports obviously. What are the options for external Bluetooth mouse? Seems like I’m just more productive using those for work.

any Bluetooth mouse will work

I’m using a ms surface mouse as it can pair with 3 different devices via a switch on it. So I use with iPad as well.

 

[kukheart]

any Bluetooth mouse will work

I’m using a ms surface mouse as it can pair with 3 different devices via a switch on it. So I use with iPad as well.

I was mainly curious b/c a lot of those come with the sensor into the USB port or is that old tech? Thx

 

[throAU]

I was mainly curious b/c a lot of those come with the sensor into the USB port or is that old tech? Thx

A lot of those aren't bluetooth, they're some proprietary wireless (e.g., a lot of the Logitech stuff). Because so many PC vendors ship crap bluetooth drivers, bluetooth doesn't work on a lot of older PCs.

Don't assume any wireless mouse = bluetooth - look for the bluetooth logo on the box.