MacBook Air Reviews Roundup: 'Best Computer for Most People' Again After 2018 Refresh

[Val-kyrie]

In respect of processors, btw, I found this very illuminating:

https://www.engadget.com/2018/10/31/macbook-air-intel-processor-cooling/

I would like to see what would happen if more OEMS took this approach to design--putting 5W CPUs in a chassis designed for 15W, putting 15W CPUs in a chassis designed for 28W CPUs, putting 28W CPUs in a chassis designed for 45W CPUs....You get the idea.

I would bet performance might increase because the CPUs could run at a higher frequency for much longer before throttling down.

This is a very surprising move for Apple. Instead of shrinking the internal space as much as possible, they preserved space (i.e. recycling the nTB chassis) and used it intelligently--for cooling and better (CPU) performance. I am still concerned about the MBAs anemic iGPU.

 

[antonis]

Bad news I’m afraid, the 3rd gen suffers the same issues - you can find the 3rd gen butterfly keyboard thread in the MBP sub forum and see videos of double press issues/sticky keys.

If this is true and extends as much as the previous models, this is indeed bad news.

 

[Ma2k5]

If this is true and extends as much as the previous models, this is indeed bad news.

https://char.gd/blog/2017/why-i-left-mac-for-windows-apple-has-given-up

This is likely me very soon. Three years on and still a compromsied keyboard? They clearly don’t care.

 

[antonis]

https://char.gd/blog/2017/why-i-left-mac-for-windows-apple-has-given-up

This is likely me very soon. Three years on and still a compromsied keyboard? They clearly don’t care.

Yeah, same boat. However I'm trying to avoid that as I don't want to switch my workflow to another OS at the moment.

Funny thing is that apple has being denying that the new keyboard membrane was there in order to solve the sticky keys issue. If the issue is still there, it looks like they were telling the truth after all...

 

[Ma2k5]

Yeah, same boat. However I'm trying to avoid that as I don't want to switch my workflow to another OS at the moment.

Funny thing is that apple has being denying that the new keyboard membrane was there in order to solve the sticky keys issue. If the issue is still there, it looks like they were telling the truth after all...

The patent Apple filed for back in 2016 proves it was to stop dust etc getting in. Which is fine, if it actually resolved the issue, but obviously it hasn't....

 

[RaoulDuke42]

Why do Apple and reviewers say this has 4x the screen resolution of the previous model?

This irks me as well. If it was truly “four times” the resolution it would have the same rez as the 15”MBP- in a smaller screen no less, so noticeably higher dpi than the 15. Not bloody effing likely.

 

[Anijake]

I have a question, when someone like iJustine gets a new MacBook Air like in her video is she getting it free to keep or has to return it or does she buy it maybe at a discount?

 

[Kimcha]

I have a question, when someone like iJustine gets a new MacBook Air like in her video is she getting it free to keep or has to return it or does she buy it maybe at a discount?

She gets it for free with the intention that she tells all her viewers how pretty it is. And if she falls out of line and is too critical then obviously apple wont give her any more free stuff in the future.

So you have to be very critical of any reviews that come out before the product is actually on sale.

 

[AnonMac50]

This irks me as well. If it was truly “four times” the resolution it would have the same rez as the 15”MBP- in a smaller screen no less, so noticeably higher dpi than the 15. Not bloody effing likely.

Exactly, I was very excited for a bit when they mentioned it. That excitement completely disappeared when I checked the Apple website to confirm.

 

[Kimcha]

First in-depth review is out​

Notebookcheck has started testing the MBA. The test is not finished yet, but they are adding to the article as they go along. Display and CPU tests are out, but the battery test is still outstanding.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-2018-i5-256-GB-Laptop-Review.357481.0.html

Performance-wise it doesn't look too good.

 

[raqball]

I'll give my 2 cents on the Air after having it a few days...

My config: 16gb RAM - 512gb SSD - Silver

The good:

-touchID without the crappy TB
-Weight
-Smaller trackpad -v- Pro
-Retina display -v- old Air
-Sound
-SSD speed

The okay:

-Keyboard - Feels and sounds the same as gen 2. Hopefully its more durable
-Ports - Wish it had SD reader
-CPU and GPU performance

The meh:

-Price - But it's Apple so the Apple Tax is about right I suppose
-Screen brightness - 300 nits is not optimal and kind of dim in my opinion especially if intended use is outdoors in direct bright sunlight

Overall I like it. It's a fine machine that like everything else Apple, is overpriced -v- the competition... The screen is fine, crisp and clear with the only real issue being brightness levels.

I've not heard the fan yet and performance is good thus far. I do not push my machines and this will not be a machine for power users. Home users and students will be pleased with it...

Sound is good, the trackpad is smaller than the Pro and fantastic. The KB still sounds clicky, clicky and I do not notice it being any quieter at all... Hopefully the KB is more durable though.

Can't comment on battery yet as the machine has only been out for 2 days now...

My .02

 

[bigchrisfgb]

I’m thinking of the new Air to replace my 2014 MBP which has a fan issue.
I don’t do much with my MBP then web browsing, and the occasional iWork stuff. I haven’t played Football Manager for a few years, but was wondering if it would be capable of playing it if I wanted to go back to it?

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I’m thinking of the new Air to replace my 2014 MBP which has a fan issue.
I don’t do much with my MBP then web browsing, and the occasional iWork stuff. I haven’t played Football Manager for a few years, but was wondering if it would be capable of playing it if I wanted to go back to it?

If you haven’t played FM for years, then take a look at FM mobile for iPad and iPhone. That’s a lot like playing CM/FM of yesteryears...