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my 'new' M1 air, vs...

fisherking

fisherking

macrumors G4
Original poster
Jul 16, 2010
11,261
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ny somewhere
just got a refurb 8/256 M1 air. it’s a holding pattern, until a 12” macbook happens (if that happens). i do my real work on my imac, so the air is for basic stuff: writing, email, notes, web surfing; some basic photo & webwork.

and i gotta say… i much prefer my 2016 12” macbook.

the 12" macbook is smaller, much lighter. design-wise, it’s a much-better look. and (yes, i’m saying this) the butterfly keyboard is so much nicer to type on than the air keyboard.

the air has it’s strengths: brighter screen. faster. great battery life. much less heat! and i can run ventura (the macbook stops at monterey). but it looks a lot like my previous 2015 macbook pro; why? 😔

the 12” macbook is a brilliant, distinctive mac. hope the rumors are true, and we see a silicon version. still, the air is not bad, and will keep it busy...
 
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Apple_Robert said:
The M1 Air is a workhorse for sure. Congrats on your new M1. You will have this for a long time because I don't see the 12" MB happening. I hope I am wrong.
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well, the rumors are out there ("late 2023, or 2024"). but this is apple, so it's not real until it's real.

at least i'm no longer waiting. i hung onto my 2016 12" macbook like it was a life raft, and finally got the air. 🤣
 
Yes, I love my 2017 12” MacBook, best Mac I have ever bought. I tried an M1 Air when they came out and although only slightly heavier and slightly bigger, it seemed massive side by side. Still use it for day to day stuff, sat comfortably anywhere in the house as opposed to my Mac Mini, dual 27” screens at a desk. Keep the wedge, low front edge for typing and trackpad use.
 
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These new chips are so efficient. Surely they'll do another small thin laptop. Hopefully something like same footprint as the MB but thin out the bezels so it's closer to 13".
 
I'd love seeing the 12" size and weight target again for a Macbook. Would have been my choice over the 13" as well.

Back in 2015 I got the 13" Broadwell MBP on the delusions that the performance difference between it and the 12" would be enough for me to use it for some video production work. Turns out it was just a fatter and notably more heavy version of my 2012 MBA in terms of experienced performance (though it had a way nicer screen).

Ended up not being able to do much more than the web and typing exercises. Wish I'd gone for the 12" in that case.
 
Given your use case, that’s a very valid opinion to have. The only place the M1 Air would blow your MacBook out of the water is processor, but if you’re only doing light tasks then it’s not something you’ll really notice.

Related note: Like yourself I also loved the 12” MacBook, but I sold the one I had a couple years ago. The rumors about that form factor returning made me nostalgic, so I picked up a used one. Suffice it to say the love affair is over, at least with that particular machine. I was planning on using it rather than my 11“ iPad Pro with MKB, but it turns out I much prefer the iPad over that MacBook.

My big disclaimer is that I just don’t like macOS very much—I also had an M1 Air, which I sold despite being an incredible machine—so the con of using of that OS didn’t make up for the form factor pros. I do hope Apple introduces a new small MacBook, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. The new Air apparently has an accelerometer, which *might* suggest a future touch screen in that chassis. Again, won’t hold my breath, but I’m one of the people who would probably like macOS better with at least the option of touch.
 
ghanwani said:
I wouldn't call it slightly heavier. It is 40% heavier for 10% additional screen size.
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Yes, and despite whatever the actual numbers are, the 12” MacBook just *feels* much smaller and lighter than the MBA. I have a thin and light Samsung laptop, and despite also having a ~13” screen even that machine feels much smaller than the MBA.
 
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An 11' MBA got me hooked on Apple products back in 2011. A 13' MBA in 2015 made me switch to Apple from Windows. Love those small mobile laptops.

Now I have a 16' MBP and the screen is amazing. I'm using it right now on my lap to do my weekend reading. I sometimes have an urge to drop $ on a MBA again.

Always wanted that 12' MB. The convenience factor on that had to be absolutely amazing.
 
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we'll see if the rumors lead to something real. if not, will make do with what i have, at least for some time to come. the air is fine, it... works. just not an exceptional mac (imho)
 
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I like the M1 Air very much, but I'd trade it in for a 12" version. The 11" Air is my favorite Mac. I really like having the smallest and most capable computer possible. And as much as newer Macs get thinner, bigger aspect now is the footprint and Apple hasn't reduced that much beyond the 13" MBP.

The iPad muddies the waters, because it's small but doesn't have the same software I need on macOS. It can be a laptop for some, but not everyone. Also once you add a keyboard and case and whatnot, it's more unwieldy than a boring old laptop. There's just many uses of a computer that a keyboard is essential, and if that's the cases it might as well be a laptop.

I think we'll have to wait a few years once Apple starts to introduce new models. Once the Mac Pro is out, this might be it for the models of Mac... while Apple focuses on other products.

27" iMac, high end Mac minis and 12" MacBook users are left wanting in this current Mac lineup.
 
end of the story: just ordered the M2 air & am returning the M1. reminds me too much of my 2015 macbook pro... and i find that annoying. 🙃

will enjoy it for as long as it lasts, or until there's a 12" macbook; whichever comes first. 😉
 
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fisherking said:
end of the story: just ordered the M2 air & am returning the M1. reminds me too much of my 2015 macbook pro... and i find that annoying. 🙃

will enjoy it for as long as it lasts, or until there's a 12" macbook; whichever comes first. 😉
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Good luck with your purchase I hope you enjoy it.
 
I still have my 12" which a don't use much now other than to keep it up to date. I still love the size of it though and would pounce on a 12" with the M2 chip. I have a MacBook Pro 16" Max and just need a small travel laptop that I can throw in my sling bag. I'm holding off on the M2 Air because it doesn't fit in my bag.

As I said, I love the 12" MB but I just wish it was a bit snappier.
 
EastHillWill said:
Yes, and despite whatever the actual numbers are, the 12” MacBook just *feels* much smaller and lighter than the MBA. I have a thin and light Samsung laptop, and despite also having a ~13” screen even that machine feels much smaller than the MBA.
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Same with my XPS 13. It is 10+ mm less deep and also weighs slightly less. Also like the palm rests on the XPS better as it doesn’t get cold like the aluminum on the MBA, although that’s a minor thing.
 
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