Hello all,
Writing a small review about my experience so far with the new MBA. I hope this can shed some light on some questions new buyers like myself have (had). Space grey.
I want to start by explaining where I come from in terms of computers. I had a 2015 MacBook Pro Retina. I sold that last week and used the proceeds to buy this MacBook Air. I own a roughly $3000 desktop computer with a 4K gaming screen which I built which I use for intensive gaming. My 2015 MBP worked great, but I love technology and just fell in love with the MBA when I saw it and wanted to buy it. The reason I talk about my desktop computer is to give you a sense of what I will be using the MBA for.
My first struggle was deciding between the 8GB RAM and 16GB ram MBA. I read every post very carefully on this forum about it. A great point was simply to point out, if you have to ask yourself and have an internal debate on whether you need 16GB or 8GB, well you don't need 16GB. My gaming PC does have 16GB which I knew from the BAT I would absolutely need for 4K gaming. But for the MBA, it was just a warm fuzzy feeling I wanted about knowing I had 16GB. In reality, my usage does absolutely not need 16GB of ram. My usage on this MBA IS SPECIFICALLY: Youtube, Netflix, Microsoft Word (1 time per 2947493749 years), checking e-mails, reading articles, reading the news. I have no other usage for this laptop. Anything power hungry, my desktop will take the reins. All this to say, I chose the 8GB ram model and haven't looked back. I used the extra money from not upgrading ram for a USB 3.0 converter, a new 3.0 32GB USB, and I still have over 180$ left. (Canada)
It boiled down to knowing I had a very strong desktop and realizing what I wanted the MBA for. I believe if you have other needs then the ones listed above, maybe look elsewhere or upgrade some specs. I also chose the base SSD of 128GB, again I do have a 32GB 3.0 USB for some extra documents or pictures, but my main PC has a 1TB SSD and I don't need the MBA for that.
Everyone keeps saying, buy the non Touch Bar MacBook Pro instead. Well, I don't need the power of a pro, and all this talk about a $100 price difference, well not in Canada. MBA is $1499 vs $1729 for the NTB.
In terms of battery life, I watched a 1.25 hour Netflix show and lost 9% battery life. Since starting to write this small review, I lost none. I read an article of someone who had the fan always on issue. Well I can confirm, after watching a Netflix show for over an hour, my MBA was cool to the touch snd the fan is collection dust as it hasn't moved an inch.
I also LOVE the touchID wow. Cant explain how quick it is and how amazing it has been to not enter my password when logging in +. Keyboard? In LOVE. I had the 2015 MBP and what a difference. Heard some complaining about the "clacking sound", not for me I enjoy the sound very much. I might seem like a fanboy and it I do agree. The MBA is quite beautiful, thin, elegant, beautiful everything.
Oh and this whole screen brightness issue? LOL.... I'm at about 68% brightness, at 100% my eyes hurt in my room. Im the type of person who doesn't enjoy a screen brightness burning my eye balls. My 4K PC screen is so bright it can light up my whole room and I dim that QUICK when I bought it. Granted, I won't be sitting by a tree in the summer sipping on coffee and writing an article, that's just not me. But for users who are like me and stay home or coffee shops ETC the brightness is an ABSOLUTE non issue. "Once you see a MBP R screen you can look at an AIR" Come on. I had a MBP Retina for 3 years and it does not bother me what so ever, the screen is gorgeous.
I can appreciate some people who do video editing and picture editing and I can't truly comment on if you would like this computer or screen. I can direct my review to the everyday user who has been thinking of making the switch and this review is for you. 2017 NTBMBPRO VS MBA for everyday use? Not even a competition for me especially not for 229$. That's like what a MBA + a used iPad? or + 2 weeks of groceries? or +carrying case USB adapters a night out with your girl? Anyways, you get my drift.
If you have any questions drop a reply and I will try to get back to you!
TL;DR: For the everyday user MBA is amazing. Bye
Writing a small review about my experience so far with the new MBA. I hope this can shed some light on some questions new buyers like myself have (had). Space grey.
I want to start by explaining where I come from in terms of computers. I had a 2015 MacBook Pro Retina. I sold that last week and used the proceeds to buy this MacBook Air. I own a roughly $3000 desktop computer with a 4K gaming screen which I built which I use for intensive gaming. My 2015 MBP worked great, but I love technology and just fell in love with the MBA when I saw it and wanted to buy it. The reason I talk about my desktop computer is to give you a sense of what I will be using the MBA for.
My first struggle was deciding between the 8GB RAM and 16GB ram MBA. I read every post very carefully on this forum about it. A great point was simply to point out, if you have to ask yourself and have an internal debate on whether you need 16GB or 8GB, well you don't need 16GB. My gaming PC does have 16GB which I knew from the BAT I would absolutely need for 4K gaming. But for the MBA, it was just a warm fuzzy feeling I wanted about knowing I had 16GB. In reality, my usage does absolutely not need 16GB of ram. My usage on this MBA IS SPECIFICALLY: Youtube, Netflix, Microsoft Word (1 time per 2947493749 years), checking e-mails, reading articles, reading the news. I have no other usage for this laptop. Anything power hungry, my desktop will take the reins. All this to say, I chose the 8GB ram model and haven't looked back. I used the extra money from not upgrading ram for a USB 3.0 converter, a new 3.0 32GB USB, and I still have over 180$ left. (Canada)
It boiled down to knowing I had a very strong desktop and realizing what I wanted the MBA for. I believe if you have other needs then the ones listed above, maybe look elsewhere or upgrade some specs. I also chose the base SSD of 128GB, again I do have a 32GB 3.0 USB for some extra documents or pictures, but my main PC has a 1TB SSD and I don't need the MBA for that.
Everyone keeps saying, buy the non Touch Bar MacBook Pro instead. Well, I don't need the power of a pro, and all this talk about a $100 price difference, well not in Canada. MBA is $1499 vs $1729 for the NTB.
In terms of battery life, I watched a 1.25 hour Netflix show and lost 9% battery life. Since starting to write this small review, I lost none. I read an article of someone who had the fan always on issue. Well I can confirm, after watching a Netflix show for over an hour, my MBA was cool to the touch snd the fan is collection dust as it hasn't moved an inch.
I also LOVE the touchID wow. Cant explain how quick it is and how amazing it has been to not enter my password when logging in +. Keyboard? In LOVE. I had the 2015 MBP and what a difference. Heard some complaining about the "clacking sound", not for me I enjoy the sound very much. I might seem like a fanboy and it I do agree. The MBA is quite beautiful, thin, elegant, beautiful everything.
Oh and this whole screen brightness issue? LOL.... I'm at about 68% brightness, at 100% my eyes hurt in my room. Im the type of person who doesn't enjoy a screen brightness burning my eye balls. My 4K PC screen is so bright it can light up my whole room and I dim that QUICK when I bought it. Granted, I won't be sitting by a tree in the summer sipping on coffee and writing an article, that's just not me. But for users who are like me and stay home or coffee shops ETC the brightness is an ABSOLUTE non issue. "Once you see a MBP R screen you can look at an AIR" Come on. I had a MBP Retina for 3 years and it does not bother me what so ever, the screen is gorgeous.
I can appreciate some people who do video editing and picture editing and I can't truly comment on if you would like this computer or screen. I can direct my review to the everyday user who has been thinking of making the switch and this review is for you. 2017 NTBMBPRO VS MBA for everyday use? Not even a competition for me especially not for 229$. That's like what a MBA + a used iPad? or + 2 weeks of groceries? or +carrying case USB adapters a night out with your girl? Anyways, you get my drift.
If you have any questions drop a reply and I will try to get back to you!
TL;DR: For the everyday user MBA is amazing. Bye
