MacBook Air with M1 chip: some questions

[PEVO]

Just saw the event. The MacBook Air looks really great with the new M1 chip, but I have some questions for you.

1. In terms of performance it seems equal to MacBook Pro with M1 chip. They have the same chip, but the Pro is heavier and it has the fan. Probably the Air it’s a better option. What do you think?

2. The new models with M1 start with 8 GB of RAM. Considering that on an iPad Pro with the “same” Apple Silicon” we have 4-6 GB of RAM and it works really well, it should be enought to have 8 GB or it will be better to upgrade to 16 GB?

3. In terms of benchmark (for example Geekbench) where it will be placed this MacBook Air? Above the last iPad Pro for sure, but compared how much better it will be?

I know that many answers should emerge in the next few days, but I just want to know what do you think about it.

 

[Phil A.]

One difference according to the store app is the air has a 7 core GPU whereas the pro has 8: could be a typo though I guess

The important thing to remember about memory is that the iPad suspends apps that are in the background and can reuse the memory. Mac OS doesn’t so it won’t be as memory efficient as iPad OS

 

[Falhófnir]

One difference according to the store app is the air has a 7 core GPU whereas the pro has 8: could be a typo though I guess

View attachment 1658469
The important thing to remember about memory is that the iPad suspends apps that are in the background and can reuse the memory. Mac OS doesn’t so it won’t be as memory efficient as iPad OS

The Air has a choice of 7 or 8 core GPU, looks like a lower binned part for the $999 model (one core disabled).

 

[Ocnetgeek]

One difference according to the store app is the air has a 7 core GPU whereas the pro has 8: could be a typo though I guess

View attachment 1658469
The important thing to remember about memory is that the iPad suspends apps that are in the background and can reuse the memory. Mac OS doesn’t so it won’t be as memory efficient as iPad OS

Also noticed in the store that it's only the base model that has the 7 core GPU. if you select the 512 Gb Storage it says that is the same 8 Core GU. The differences that I saw when looking at Pro versus Air are Display Brightness, Microphones, Speakers, and Cooling.

 

[Phil A.]

The Air has a choice of 7 or 8 core GPU, looks like a lower binned part for the $999 model (one core disabled).

Thanks, I missed that. Looks like it’s £49 for that extra core (taking off the £200 for the extra SSD)
I guess they could also be running the 7 core at a lower clock speed but they don’t mention clock speed at all anywhere I can see

 

[iObama]

Just saw the event. The MacBook Air looks really great with the new M1 chip, but I have some questions for you.

1. In terms of performance it seems equal to MacBook Pro with M1 chip. They have the same chip, but the Pro is heavier and it has the fan. Probably the Air it’s a better option. What do you think?

2. The new models with M1 start with 8 GB of RAM. Considering that on an iPad Pro with the “same” Apple Silicon” we have 4-6 GB of RAM and it works really well, it should be enought to have 8 GB or it will be better to upgrade to 16 GB?

3. In terms of benchmark (for example Geekbench) where it will be placed this MacBook Air? Above the last iPad Pro for sure, but compared how much better it will be?

I know that many answers should emerge in the next few days, but I just want to know what do you think about it.

I will definitely be holding off before purchasing more Airs for the school district I work in. Airs were fantastic when school was in session and Chrome/Zoom weren't constantly open. The fans rev up to ~8000rpm almost instantly and stay there, as well as the processor hovering at or right underneath 100*C.

While I am cautiously optimistic about thermals with these new chips, the fact that they removed what little cooling they did have scares me.

For any sustained load on the processor (video editing, hosting multi-hour Zoom webinars with screen sharing, etc.) I would go for the Pro unless the Air reviews blow us away -- pun intended.

 

[Ocnetgeek]

I will definitely be holding off before purchasing more Airs for the school district I work in. Airs were fantastic when school was in session and Chrome/Zoom weren't constantly open. The fans rev up to ~8000rpm almost instantly and stay there, as well as the processor hovering at or right underneath 100*C.

While I am cautiously optimistic about thermals with these new chips, the fact that they removed what little cooling they did have scares me.

For any sustained load on the processor (video editing, hosting multi-hour Zoom webinars with screen sharing, etc.) I would go for the Pro unless the Air reviews blow us away -- pun intended.

I am optimistic. I have done multi hour FaceTime calls with no issue on an older iPad. These chips should be able to handle that. Waiting for next week to see

 

[KPOM]

Also noticed in the store that it's only the base model that has the 7 core GPU. if you select the 512 Gb Storage it says that is the same 8 Core GU. The differences that I saw when looking at Pro versus Air are Display Brightness, Microphones, Speakers, and Cooling.

You can also configure the 7-core model to 512GB and save $50 compared to the 8-core model.

 

[supertiffany]

I will definitely be holding off before purchasing more Airs for the school district I work in. Airs were fantastic when school was in session and Chrome/Zoom weren't constantly open. The fans rev up to ~8000rpm almost instantly and stay there, as well as the processor hovering at or right underneath 100*C.

While I am cautiously optimistic about thermals with these new chips, the fact that they removed what little cooling they did have scares me.

For any sustained load on the processor (video editing, hosting multi-hour Zoom webinars with screen sharing, etc.) I would go for the Pro unless the Air reviews blow us away -- pun intended.

the fan or cooling in the old air isnt even working or functioning, so having the fan in the air is still useless, unless they rearranged the fan.

 

[satchmo]

I am optimistic. I have done multi hour FaceTime calls with no issue on an older iPad. These chips should be able to handle that. Waiting for next week to see

To that point, I wonder how the M1 in these MBA's compare to the A14 and A12z in the iPad Air/Pros.

 

[Romac]

I was all set on a 16gb/512 m1 and didn't even notice the extra GPU core when I initially ordered. I've since canceled and am reconsidering now whether it's worth it to me. At the price point the extra $ for the additional GPU isn't a deal breaker, but if theres no real use for it why spend it? I was pleased with the event overall but I'm a little annoyed by the generic charts and statements and no real clock speeds or benches announced so we have something tangible to compare it to.

 

[Lucifer666]

One thing that I don’t like. You have one side with two USB ports and the other side has a headphone jack. This isn’t what I want. I would imagine most people would want a USB port on each side so you can have charging and cabling options.

Still, plenty better than the MacBook 12“ with one port. But come on.

 

[Lucifer666]

I was all set on a 16gb/512 m1 and didn't even notice the extra GPU core when I initially ordered. I've since canceled and am reconsidering now whether it's worth it to me. At the price point the extra $ for the additional GPU isn't a deal breaker, but if theres no real use for it why spend it? I was pleased with the event overall but I'm a little annoyed by the generic charts and statements and no real clock speeds or benches announced so we have something tangible to compare it to.

I think if anything is going to be fairly negligible, it’s going to be this. 7 vs 8. It’s kind of odd actually. (No pun intended)

 

[QCassidy352]

I was all set on a 16gb/512 m1 and didn't even notice the extra GPU core when I initially ordered. I've since canceled and am reconsidering now whether it's worth it to me. At the price point the extra $ for the additional GPU isn't a deal breaker, but if theres no real use for it why spend it? I was pleased with the event overall but I'm a little annoyed by the generic charts and statements and no real clock speeds or benches announced so we have something tangible to compare it to.

Yeah pretty interesting how the comparisons were only to the outgoing models, or generic “PCs.” I‘m very interested to see how the M1 macs compare to the higher-end intel macs still for sale (high end 13” and 16” MBP).

 

[Romac]

Yeah pretty interesting how the comparisons were only to the outgoing models, or generic “PCs.” I‘m very interested to see how the M1 macs compare to the higher-end intel macs still for sale (high end 13” and 16” MBP).

I definitely would've preferred that. I know we can look at it two ways, one it's ultra thin and silent and lasts forever on battery - but Apple are kind of the ones touting the performance gains and the 4k editing etc. Even benchmarks are pretty generic/synthetic numbers compared to real world use, but I'd still like to see those numbers. I'd like to see what am I getting compared to a similarly equipped intel mac (not just 'last generation without quantifying the specs), or how it looks compared to a dell xps etc that's well equipped, or a comparable Ryzen windows laptop.

Touting that it was faster than 98% of PC's sold in the last year doesn't mean as much if 95% of those were i3 intel $300 HPs or something - and likely a considerable percentage of them are those low end laptops.

 

[PEVO]

Do you know when it ends the embargo for this products reviews?

 

[Mike Boreham]

I think if anything is going to be fairly negligible, it’s going to be this. 7 vs 8. It’s kind of odd actually. (No pun intended)

Very odd! So Apple really are going to supply two versions of 512GB M1 Air, one with 7 and one with 8 cores? I ordered a 7 core 512GB without realising this. Won't really matter to me but very surprising.

EDIT This was bugging me so I have reordered an 8 core machine. Delivery only slipped a day. I am sure I would never have noticed, but my OCD would.

 

[johannnn]

2. The new models with M1 start with 8 GB of RAM. Considering that on an iPad Pro with the “same” Apple Silicon” we have 4-6 GB of RAM and it works really well, it should be enought to have 8 GB or it will be better to upgrade to 16 GB?

iPadOS is running 1 app at a time. Or two if you're pushing it.
macOS can run hundreds of apps at a time. Some people have a dozens small utilities in their menu bar. And 100 Chrome tabs. And Spotify. And Office 365. Etc Etc. This setting is COMPLETELY different to how iPadOS runs.

With that being said, I ordered the 8GB default configuration yesterday. The first reason is price, the 16GB upgrade is too expensive imo. The second reason is that SSDs are so insanely fast nowadays, I don't think it's very noticeable anymore when it starts using the SSD as RAM.

 

[PEVO]

iPadOS is running 1 app at a time. Or two if you're pushing it.
macOS can run hundreds of apps at a time. Some people have a dozens small utilities in their menu bar. And 100 Chrome tabs. And Spotify. And Office 365. Etc Etc. This setting is COMPLETELY different to how iPadOS runs.

With that being said, I ordered the 8GB default configuration yesterday. The first reason is price, the 16GB upgrade is too expensive imo. The second reason is that SSDs are so insanely fast nowadays, I don't think it's very noticeable anymore when it starts using the SSD as RAM.

I didn’t know that MacBooks can use SSD as RAM. Obviously the RAM it always be faster than SSD, now that is integrated in the SoC even more, probably. I’m really interested on how much power have this MacBook Air, because I’m looking to sell my iPad Pro (2018) and buy this one.

 

[maerz001]

I didn’t know that MacBooks can use SSD as RAM. Obviously the RAM it always be faster than SSD, now that is integrated in the SoC even more, probably. I’m really interested on how much power have this MacBook Air, because I’m looking to sell my iPad Pro (2018) and buy this one.

Main storage usage as RAM is as old as the invention of PCs. Before it was the HDD and was painful slow and now its just slow.

 

[johannnn]

I didn’t know that MacBooks can use SSD as RAM. Obviously the RAM it always be faster than SSD, now that is integrated in the SoC even more, probably. I’m really interested on how much power have this MacBook Air, because I’m looking to sell my iPad Pro (2018) and buy this one.

This is what a computer does when it runs out of RAM. It starts using your hard drive as RAM. Back when you had a spinning disk, your computer would become dog slow (since the spinning drive is so much slower than RAM). Although the MBA SSD speeds aren't as fast as MBP SSD speeds, they're still +1GB for both read and write. So it's not gonna be super noticeable when your computer runs out of RAM.

 

[Bazza1]

One thing that I don’t like. You have one side with two USB ports and the other side has a headphone jack. This isn’t what I want. I would imagine most people would want a USB port on each side so you can have charging and cabling options.

Still, plenty better than the MacBook 12“ with one port. But come on.

The selection of peripheral ports (and MagSafe) is one of the reasons I purchased a 2017 Air just a couple of months before the 'new' 2018 Airs came out. Especially in a mobile situation, you don't always have the accessibility to Wi-Fi enabled peripherals, nor do you want an adapter dongle hanging off one side of your Mac.
As long as I'll be able to use / acquire software that will run on it (and assuming no major hardware issues), I expect I'll be happily using it for several more years to come. Apple, as ever, seems to remove useful features - form over function.

 

[ilikewhey]

iPadOS is running 1 app at a time. Or two if you're pushing it.
macOS can run hundreds of apps at a time. Some people have a dozens small utilities in their menu bar. And 100 Chrome tabs. And Spotify. And Office 365. Etc Etc. This setting is COMPLETELY different to how iPadOS runs.

With that being said, I ordered the 8GB default configuration yesterday. The first reason is price, the 16GB upgrade is too expensive imo. The second reason is that SSDs are so insanely fast nowadays, I don't think it's very noticeable anymore when it starts using the SSD as RAM.

Ssd is faster than hdd but it’s still slow compare to ram, Mac ssd clocks in around 2.5gb/s while ram hitting 3-4gb/s. Adding in the latencies of paging between ram to ssd and back you will notice some lag

 

[TomC2]

Another 8 GB vs 16 GB question here...this is one for the hardcore techies

On my current Intel MacBook, I have 8 GB and it's just fine for what I do. If I open Activity Monitor, the memory pressure is always, always in the green for actual use. I have to deliberately open every heavy-duty app on the machine with large documents to get the memory pressure into the yellow. So I was going to order the 8 GB with the new M1. But then I realized...

The ARM architecture is reduced instruction set (RISC), Intel x86 is complex instruction set (CISC). As techies know, RISC needs multiple simple instructions to accomplish what one complex instruction will do on a CISC. (The tradeoff being that RISC generally runs faster.) I've heard that this means that RISC code generally requires more RAM. I realize that resources and documents won't take more space, and those often eat the most space, but it seems to me that maybe you'll need a little more memory with the new chips because of the longer code.

Can anyone who knows the ARM and x86 architectures estimate what the difference will be in RAM demands? 5%? 15%? 50% Thoughts?

 

[PEVO]

This benchmark seems promising

Apple Silicon M1 Chip in MacBook Air Outperforms High-End 16-Inch MacBook Pro

Apple introduced the first MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini with M1 Apple Silicon chips yesterday, and as of today, the first benchmark of the...

www.macrumors.com