New MBA M1, 16/512. First impressions and what apps and games for M1 MBA?

[StoneJack]

My M1 MBA 16/512 has been delivered few days ago and I was busy setting it up. I am moving from 2019 Intel i5 13 inch Macbook Pro 8/256, so very happy with larger SSD and RAM; and obviously the new chip.
First impressions:

1. Battery life seems good; I like its weight a lot, it is bit lighter that 13 inch Macbook Pro.
2. Speakers are very good, I was surprised how good they were.
3. Surprised by webcam quality, especially in low light. Macbook Pro had terrible image in low light; this one thanks to computational video, can deliver very good image in low light. I have 1080p Thronmax camera and Macbook Air's is much better in low light.
4. Installed my apps: Apple iWork (I use mainly Apple ones Office 365, Logic Pro, utilities Forecast Bar, InstaCal. I also have Final Cut Pro, maybe will install that as well, though main audio and video work is done on my Catalina Hack desktop, i9-10900, 32GB RAM.
5. Screen seems as good as Macbook Pro's.
6. Keyboard is a bit different from MBP, obviously no touchbar, which I don't use anyway.
7. Charger 30W and is very compact. I think I'll stay with this charger.
8. Installed Monterey 12.01 for compatibility. I don't find any major differences between BigSur and Monterey, but since its a main OS, it will develop further, so why not. And probably it contains updated software for M1 as well (drivers etc).
9. As soon as I opened the box, I put Air in a water proof transparent WiWU case. I used that case on Macbook Pro 2019 and in 2 years it kept it very clean and saved from various shocks. The photos show Air in a transparent case, it is very light. Obviously, you can't put anything on keyboard not to damage the screen.
10. Air is silent and reminds me iPad; they both use same chips, so it is as fast and instantaneous as iPad, which is good.
11. The Air is intended as a mobile machine. I will not use it with a stationary display; I bought two USB-C hubs, one is probably I can't use with a case because it should be inserted into both Air slots and this is difficult with a case on; and another (space grey) gives 2 USB-A, USB-C, HDMI and SD/microSD slots, tested with USB A drive, mounts fine. Also, I had a spare Samsung 512GB M2 drive which I put in a USB-C case, it works fine with Air (used to move files from Macbook Pro to Air). So cool with storage.
12. Now main question is what M1 native games, apps and utilities would you recommend to use with MBA M1? I am not a big gamer, lol, so I am not aware of the must-use games? I looked through AppStore's M1 apps, but did not find all those iPad apps people talked about, so I don't want anything unnecessary, but what you would recommend? I use mainly for office work, writing, some light image, audio or video work, music.

 

[Shirasaki]

Thanks for sharing!
For me I use some sort of remote control software (because I also use a PC), Magnet (offer Aero snap-like feature in Windows 7/10/11), Coconut Battery, iStats and CCC (for backup. Time Machine is horrible after Big Sur). Other utilities are not used very often so doesn't matter much. I use XLD to process music files so I could sync them to iPhone iPad with just a few clicks. There is no Windows equivalent at all.
I don't think Mac is a platform for gaming, and my Windows PC also dubs as a gaming machine. If I want mobile gaming, I just use iPad.

 

[StoneJack]

Thanks a lot! I looked after your post into XLD; never used it before, as I rarely do any encoding of audio files - all exported in Logic Pro as it is straight to Apple Music app, but it is good to know !

 

[outlawarth]

Thank you for sharing, I am actually waiting for that exact configuration to arrive next week. Very excited.

One question about the WiWu case: how is the fit on it? Do the bottom and top parts touch each other with the screen tilted all the way back? Would you mind sharing the link where you got it?

Thank you and enjoy your M1.

 

[StoneJack]

Thank you for sharing, I am actually waiting for that exact configuration to arrive next week. Very excited.

One question about the WiWu case: how is the fit on it? Do the bottom and top parts touch each other with the screen tilted all the way back? Would you mind sharing the link where you got it?

Thank you and enjoy your M1.

Hi, the Wiwu case fits very well, no lifts, sounds, gaps, whatsoever. Screen tilted all way back, nothing touches anything. The case fits the notebook like a glove, tight, no spaces. It is waterproof too. If the notebook falls (i had a similar case on my Macbook Pro), the case will protect the notebook and may crack a bit itself, but notebook will be fine. My MBP case had a slight crack on bottom after notebook fell on floor, but nothing happened to MBP. Thats why I bought MBA case even before MBA's actual delivery. ,

I bought it in a physical store, and can't find an Amazon link, but Aliexpress has a similar case: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32899453699.html. On Amazon I found only https://www.amazon.com/MacBook-Plas...07Y1YVP3R/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8, for Macbook Pro, but you get the idea.
Just make sure, the case is for A2337, which is 2020 MBA M1 model number.

 

[outlawarth]

Hi, the Wiwu case fits very well, no lifts, sounds, gaps, whatsoever. Screen tilted all way back, nothing touches anything. The case fits the notebook like a glove, tight, no spaces. It is waterproof too. If the notebook falls (i had a similar case on my Macbook Pro), the case will protect the notebook and may crack a bit itself, but notebook will be fine. My MBP case had a slight crack on bottom after notebook fell on floor, but nothing happened to MBP. Thats why I bought MBA case even before MBA's actual delivery. ,

I bought it in a physical store, and can't find an Amazon link, but Aliexpress has a similar case: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32899453699.html. On Amazon I found only https://www.amazon.com/MacBook-Plas...07Y1YVP3R/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8, for Macbook Pro, but you get the idea.
Just make sure, the case is for A2337, which is 2020 MBA M1 model number.

Perfect. Thank you.

 

[tomscott1988]

I would ditch the case, the hinges aren't designed for the additional weight. Use a sleeve instead.

I had them on my 2013 MacBook Air and the 2015 MacBook and had 6 display replacements between them in the 3 years I had each for multiple reasons like key impressions on the screen but also because of hinge issues.

The apple technician said to stop using the cover because the displays are designed to a tight tolerance and additional weight on the hinges and the top case can lead to damage and I am a heavy user which is the reason for my issues.
Since ive stopped using them ive not had an issue and ive not damaged it because the cases are really very durable.

The other thing is dirt and debris get in over time and it actually causes more scratches which defeats the point really.

I prefer the silver as after a lot of use the space grey colour wears away. I have a 2019 16" MacBook Pro for work and the palm area has two big colour changes where I rest my hands to type.

I know you can crack it open and tighten the hinges etc but just let apple deal with it, here in the UK warranty work is so easy to get even without AppleCare because of the 5 year consumer law.

 

[StoneJack]

I would ditch the case, the hinges aren't designed for the additional weight. Use a sleeve instead.

I had them on my 2013 MacBook Air and the 2015 MacBook and had 6 display replacements between them in the 3 years I had each for multiple reasons like key impressions on the screen but also because of hinge issues.

The apple technician said to stop using the cover because the displays are designed to a tight tolerance and additional weight on the hinges and the top case can lead to damage and I am a heavy user which is the reason for my issues.
Since ive stopped using them ive not had an issue and ive not damaged it because the cases are really very durable.

The other thing is dirt and debris get in over time and it actually causes more scratches which defeats the point really.

I prefer the silver as after a lot of use the space grey colour wears away. I have a 2019 16" MacBook Pro for work and the palm area has two big colour changes where I rest my hands to type.

I know you can crack it open and tighten the hinges etc but just let apple deal with it, here in the UK warranty work is so easy to get even without AppleCare because of the 5 year consumer law.

well in due time, maybe 2-3 years I am sure will change the case for a new one and also I sometimes take cover and clean it from inside. The case itself is transparent and very thin, so no additional weight. I used a similar cover for Macbook Pros for 5 years (2016 and 2019) with no accidents and I like that it protects from occasional scratches, especially the space gray color, but thanks for your advice!