MacBook Air as media consumption/couch device?

[jm31828]

I have an old 2017 iMac 27" that I use for photo editing, and of course have an iPhone 13 Mini as my other Apple device- that is the one that gets used on a daily basis for reading news, surfing the web, browsing social media.

I was considering picking up a MacBook Air M1 to use as a bridge device since it's on sale right now for $799- it's so much faster than my old iMac so I could use it for photo editing, and being mobile I could use it in other parts of the house instead of having to do this work in the room where the iMac is located. Same goes for dabbling in video editing.

With this being relatively small/lightweight, and yet having a bigger screen than my phone- I was thinking it could then double as my browsing/social media device instead of my tiny phone- especially for longer sessions where I might be sitting on the couch for an hour reading news before going to bed.

Alternatively, I was considering an iPad Air 5th generation as that bridge device- the plus being that it's cheaper ($499), seems to be a bit more friendly for that kind of thing as it is lighter and smaller- and I could try doing photo editing on it as well- though knowing there would be some hoops to jump through doing that work on this device, as far as getting files onto it, and not being able to use the same app I use on my Mac for this work (Luminar Ai, since there is no iPad version).

What are your thoughts- do any of you use your MBA partly as your "couch" device for browsing the web/social media/watching videos? Or do most of you use an iPad or your phone for that, and the MBA is mostly for actual work?

 

[1BadManVan]

Im sitting on the couch as we speak with ym m2 air typing this. I find my MacBook Air to me a fantastic couch device. No fans so dont have to worry about blocking any vents, light weight and never gets warm for my tasks. I have an iPad Pro as well and find this to be the better couch device for me personally.

 

[MBAir2010]

Today I photo edited 10 captures using  Photo program
while using other tasks including playing music
and taking crystal clear phone calls on the M1 MacBook Air.
which is the first device and last device I use all day long.

Compared to my other MacBooks, the M1 is more comfortable and can do anything I need.
including hand braking a 4GB movie to 500MB in 20 minutes or less.

I never had a spinning ball or felt the MacBook was heavy,
which rest on a aluminum laptop stand most of the time.

I very happy with the M1_MBA and this device is really all I need, If I did not have to draw.

 

[jm31828]

Im sitting on the couch as we speak with ym m2 air typing this. I find my MacBook Air to me a fantastic couch device. No fans so dont have to worry about blocking any vents, light weight and never gets warm for my tasks. I have an iPad Pro as well and find this to be the better couch device for me personally.

Thanks for sharing! Do you find this to be the better couch device because the iPad is awkward to hold given the size and slight weight, or is it just more natural to have something that rests on the lap?

 

[jm31828]

Today I photo edited 10 captures using  Photo program
while using other tasks including playing music
and taking crystal clear phone calls on the M1 MacBook Air.
which is the first device and last device I use all day long.

Compared to my other MacBooks, the M1 is more comfortable and can do anything I need.
including hand braking a 4GB movie to 500MB in 20 minutes or less.

I never had a spinning ball or felt the MacBook was heavy,
which rest on a aluminum laptop stand most of the time.

I very happy with the M1_MBA and this device is really all I need, If I did not have to draw.

That's fantastic!

 

[1BadManVan]

Thanks for sharing! Do you find this to be the better couch device because the iPad is awkward to hold given the size and slight weight, or is it just more natural to have something that rests on the lap?

I find the MacBook easier to use on the couch vs the iPad. Need to be more careful balancing the iPad if you don’t want to sit there and constantly hold it.

 

[Sowelu]

Both the M1 and M2 MacBook Airs are perfect for media consumption on a lap, pillow, and just about anywhere. They are fast, thin and light Macs that never get hot to the touch (barely even gets warm unless you push it). I've been on my M2 Air now for the last hour and it's cold to the touch.

I love my 12.9" and 11" iPad Pros, but yes, they can be awkward to hold in that setting (long term). I prefer to use them in bed before going to sleep.

Also, the M2 Air has the best keyboard I've ever used on a Mac. Many have said they're all the same (on Apple silicon MacBooks), but to me, it's noticeably springier and bouncier with great feedback versus my other MacBooks.