My new M1 MBA set up

[danb1979]

After the sale of my 2019 i5 iMac and then deliberating what to do (whether to go for the M1 MBP, M1 Mini etc); I finally settled on the M1 MBA as for the tasks I'll need it for (work & personal) it's more than up to the job 👍🏼

I don't use any heavy tasking apps; just simple MS Office, iTunes, Chrome & Safari etc

So I've gone for the M1 MacBook Air 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD in Space Grey - I've got 2 3TB external HDDs for my TimeMachine & iTunes account. I've partnered it with the Space Grey Apple Magic numeric keyboard & TrackPad 2 and it's sat on a Space Grey 'Beststand' stand.

Its connected up with a Baseus 6 in 1 USB C hub; I've got that connected to Ethernet and everything is plugged into that; bar my Focusrite Solo interface; that's connected to the other USB C port; that powers the pictured JBL 308P Mk II studio monitors 👌🏻

I've ordered a 64GB iPad Air 4th Gen today (in blue) and that'll be my portable go-to device, but I'll also use it in Sidecar for a documents reader when sat at my desk 😉

I've done a full restore from my TM; that's all gone very smoothly and took an hour or so.

My office is a bomb site currently; we're having a new garage built; so all the gubbins from in there are currently in my office (as well as various other locations around the house) 😂 hence why the chairs so close to one of the speakers!

 

[trevpimp]

Cool setup, the M1 completes it perfect
Im thinking of adding a desk to my current set up

cheers

 

[GuruZac]

Very nice setup! I just ordered my MacBook Air and opted for the base spec except the RAM I upped to 16GB because I plan to keep it for a long time.

 

[danb1979]

Very nice setup! I just ordered my MacBook Air and opted for the base spec except the RAM I upped to 16GB because I plan to keep it for a long time.

I thought about 16GB RAM and one was available when i bought mine. But for what I use the MBA for, 8GB RAM is more than adequate

I'm not a heavy app user at all

So far; very impressed with it. Very slick machine & having the Space Grey stand, keyboard and TrackPad 2 does well for my OCD 😂

 

[rgarjr]

Sick looking setup, I like the matching stand and keyboard/trackpad on space grey.

 

[Aggedor]

Looks very nice!

 

[danb1979]

Cheers for the comments Really happy with the set up

Thinking I may look into 24" monitors at some point, something along the lines of Dell or Samsung, 2K is more than enough, no need for 4K etc

My iPad Air 4 lands with me on Tuesday, so will get that up & running and see how I get using it via Sidecar etc 👍🏼

 

[Mojer]

Very nice setup! I just ordered my MacBook Air and opted for the base spec except the RAM I upped to 16GB because I plan to keep it for a long time.

I am very much on the fence as to getting 8Gb vs 16GB. I use my machine for minor tasks but I also plan on keeping for several years. Once I can figure out which one to order, I will be submitting my order.

 

[allan.nyholm]

Very nice setup and congratulations on the new "baby" !

 

[mj_]

If you get a USB-C extension cord and move that USB dock onto the desk instead of having it dangle around the setup would look much nicer. You might even be able to hide it entirely behind the desk or underneath the riser.

Also, do yourself a favor and don't get a 24" FHD (aka 2K) display. A pixel density of 92 ppi is abysmal in 2020, and macOS is no longer optimized for non-Retina displays and will look the part. Personally, I wouldn't go below 160 ppi anymore (27", 4K). It'll look horrendous.

 

[dukebound85]

i don't know how people work on a single monitor when "docked" at home

 

[danb1979]

I am very much on the fence as to getting 8Gb vs 16GB. I use my machine for minor tasks but I also plan on keeping for several years. Once I can figure out which one to order, I will be submitting my order.

Same; but for me, 8GB is more than enough.

I can't see any tasks I do that will task the 8GB RAM in the MBA; never mind 16GB

From what I've read on the M1 chips and how they work; 8GB is plenty powerful enough; even for longevity of it's use over the next few years

 

[danb1979]

If you get a USB-C extension cord and move that USB dock onto the desk instead of having it dangle around the setup would look much nicer. You might even be able to hide it entirely behind the desk or underneath the riser.

Also, do yourself a favor and don't get a 24" FHD (aka 2K) display. A pixel density of 92 ppi is abysmal in 2020, and macOS is no longer optimized for non-Retina displays and will look the part. Personally, I wouldn't go below 160 ppi anymore (27", 4K). It'll look horrendous.

Cheers for that re the monitor; I think I will stick with 2k as the price difference is small anyways, would be daft to pay a little less and get a much worse screen

And USB C extension already ordered

 

[GuruZac]

I am very much on the fence as to getting 8Gb vs 16GB. I use my machine for minor tasks but I also plan on keeping for several years. Once I can figure out which one to order, I will be submitting my order.

Yeah for me I just felt like RAM will be the limiting factor before the M1 and at $180 over at least 4-5 years of usage, that equates to about $0.10 - $0.12 per day… a very small price to pay for a potentially beneficial feature. I would have also bought the 8 core GPU model for the same reason except Apple forces you to buy the 512GB storage option which I don’t need at all. I still have 175GB available on my 256GB base 2017 MacBook Pro.

 

[danb1979]

New iPad Air 4 landed; so the desktop is all set up now



Been using Sidecar today; the iPad has become a really good doc reader, just a shame it can't be used in portrait though... Didn't know that until I read about it this morning 🤨

 

[Apple_Robert]

New iPad Air 4 landed; so the desktop is all set up now



Been using Sidecar today; the iPad has become a really good doc reader, just a shame it can't be used in portrait though... Didn't know that until I read about it this morning 🤨

I really like Sidecar mode. One thing to note is it often uses more RAM than it really should and the swap file can build up quickly. At least that has been my experience, as well as a few others here.