Reasons why I should buy an Air

[RasAage]

Hi!

I have been using a Macbook Pro 2014 as my main device since I bought it. It still works, but the battery isnt what it has been, and I am tempted by the new M1 Macs.

That said I have just started a new job, where I have been given a decent (not great) PC. This means that I am trying to convince my self why I need the work PC and a Mac for personal use.

A Windows PC pretty much does all I need, though I much prefer Mac OS! All my stuff is in Icloud too, and I use IOS.

Help! Give me some great reasons why I should spend my cash on an Air!

 

[svanstrom]

Hi!

I have been using a Macbook Pro 2014 as my main device since I bought it. It still works, but the battery isnt what it has been, and I am tempted by the new M1 Macs.

That said I have just started a new job, where I have been given a decent (not great) PC. This means that I am trying to convince my self why I need the work PC and a Mac for personal use.

A Windows PC pretty much does all I need, though I much prefer Mac OS! All my stuff is in Icloud too, and I use IOS.

Help! Give me some great reasons why I should spend my cash on an Air!

Never ever put personal stuff on a work computer.

It belongs to them, and no matter how nice they are a situation might arise where you either without warning lose access to the computer, or someone not so nice take advantage of whatever personal information you might have on their equipment.

That being said… If you feel that you can afford it having a decent computer is pretty much a must in todays society, so there's noting wrong with replacing a 7 year old device with one that you feel that you can rely on more.

Even if you technically might not desperately need it I don't feel that you in any way should feel bad about doing this upgrade; as long as it doesn't strain your finances too much.

 

[Bazza1]

I'm gonna suggest that as you are on this site and asking the question, you've already decided. And you hardly need the justification from some random people you don't know (but who also have a vested interest in Macs over, say, Windows or Chromebook) to make that call.
😉

I will agree with svanstrom above that your personal stuff should be separate from a work computer, while if you want to move from your 2014 Pro (assuming you can't get the battery replaced for a decent price and/or you want to keep up with the most recent bells and whistles), then an Air is a good choice. Depending on what you really do software-wise, of course. If you do bog-standard stuff on your personal computer - not regularly editing 8K movies with quadraphonic sound, for example - I've seen reviews where they've said the Air makes significantly greater sense financially over the current M1 Pro. But I'm sure you've figured that out already, too.

If not for the desired M1 change, I'd also recommend that you look at Apple's own Refurb (Special Deals) store online. Each device individually checked out (arguably better than a factory release), comes with the full warranty, AppleCare+ can be bought and units routinely 12 - 15% below retail. While stock changes all the time, I'll guess M1s haven't made it there yet.

 

[ignatius345]

I much prefer Mac OS! All my stuff is in Icloud too, and I use IOS.

Help! Give me some great reasons why I should spend my cash on an Air!

I think you just listed three good reasons right there.

 

[TWFDan31]

You've definitely already decided if you're here

 

[tis]

It’s better than your current computer, cheap, and the best value Apple has ever offered. Sell your old MBP and buy the Air. Very little outlay for a big upgrade.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

I used to own both a MacBook and a desktop Mac.

Due to my specific usage habits, I decided owning a Mac notebook was no longer necessary (even though cost was not an issue). So I pitched my MacBook Air 2019 and replaced it with a pedestrian Acer Swift 3 notebook while keeping my Mac mini 2018.

This combination works GREAT for MY specific usage case. I also have a fine iPhone 12 mini, a geriatric Retina iPad mini, and a few other Apple devices. There's also a custom built Windows gaming PC in the house.

I might buy an Apple Silicon MacBook someday. But it's not at the top of my wishlist. I'm more interested in an Apple Silicon Mac mini in a few years but there's no rush especially with Apple's piss poor macOS software QA in recent years.

 

[RasAage]

Cheers for your replies!

Now I feel much better ordering a new Mac

My 2014 Pro can hopefully give me a bit of cash second hand, and then it'll be a really nice upgrade for det price.

The reason why I want the M1 Mac is for longevity. I am going to own it for at least 5-7 years, so the fast M1 chip is really worth it. I am not doing anything really heavy, so the Air will be perfect for my use case

 

[BootLoxes]

I much prefer Mac OS! All my stuff is in Icloud too, and I use IOS.

Here is your reason

 

[rafark]

The reason why I want the M1 Mac is for longevity. I am going to own it for at least 5-7 years, so the fast M1 chip is really worth it

That’s one reason I wouldn’t buy it. I mean, I’m exited to test the new chip just as everyone else. But muy biggest fear is longevity. Will Macs become a walled garden like the iPhone? How good will these machines age in 5 or 10 years? I’d definitely buy an m1 Mac but I wouldn’t necessarily expect it to last long. Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. This is a first gen product so we don’t know.

 

[tis]

That’s one reason I wouldn’t buy it. I mean, I’m exited to test the new chip just as everyone else. But muy biggest fear is longevity. Will Macs become a walled garden like the iPhone? How good will these machines age in 5 or 10 years? I’d definitely buy an m1 Mac but I wouldn’t necessarily expect it to last long. Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. This is a first gen product so we don’t know.

I’m so sick of hearing this “it’s a first gen product” BS attached to comments on why not to buy. Apple has been making their own iPhone and iPad chips for 10 years. They know what they are doing. The performance advance alone on the M1 chips have shown that. So you seem to think Apple is going to ditch their chips within 5 years and go back to inferior Intel chips? Please.

Let me know how your Intel chip ages in 5-10 years, that routinely gets replaced every year by one that’s barely better, and is now being smoked by Apples “first gen” chips.

 

[sracer]

Hi!

I have been using a Macbook Pro 2014 as my main device since I bought it. It still works, but the battery isnt what it has been, and I am tempted by the new M1 Macs.

That said I have just started a new job, where I have been given a decent (not great) PC. This means that I am trying to convince my self why I need the work PC and a Mac for personal use.

A Windows PC pretty much does all I need, though I much prefer Mac OS! All my stuff is in Icloud too, and I use IOS.

Help! Give me some great reasons why I should spend my cash on an Air!

Without knowing why you "much prefer Mac OS" it's hard for me to come up with a reason why you should buy a Macbook Air.

I have 2 Macbook Airs and 2 iMacs and they are the last Mac OS devices I'll be buying. There are many more cost effective options for Linux and Windows.

 

[RasAage]

Without knowing why you "much prefer Mac OS" it's hard for me to come up with a reason why you should buy a Macbook Air.

I have 2 Macbook Airs and 2 iMacs and they are the last Mac OS devices I'll be buying. There are many more cost effective options for Linux and Windows.

Hasn't Windows and Linux machines always been priced lower (on average) than Macs though? I can't really see that has changed.

 

[paranauts]

Hi!

I have been using a Macbook Pro 2014 as my main device since I bought it. It still works, but the battery isnt what it has been, and I am tempted by the new M1 Macs.

That said I have just started a new job, where I have been given a decent (not great) PC. This means that I am trying to convince my self why I need the work PC and a Mac for personal use.

A Windows PC pretty much does all I need, though I much prefer Mac OS! All my stuff is in Icloud too, and I use IOS.

Help! Give me some great reasons why I should spend my cash on an Air!

The ecosystem!

 

[sracer]

Hasn't Windows and Linux machines always been priced lower (on average) than Macs though? I can't really see that has changed.

I guess it depends. I've always been able to buy new Macbook Airs for $400-500. That is no longer the case. At the same time, the lower/mid tier Windows systems have improved... more RAM, SSD storage, faster processors resulting in some very compelling alternatives to the MBA in that general price range.

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

I’m so sick of hearing this “it’s a first gen product” BS attached to comments on why not to buy. Apple has been making their own iPhone and iPad chips for 10 years. They know what they are doing. The performance advance alone on the M1 chips have shown that. So you seem to think Apple is going to ditch their chips within 5 years and go back to inferior Intel chips? Please.

Let me know how your Intel chip ages in 5-10 years, that routinely gets replaced every year by one that’s barely better, and is now being smoked by Apples “first gen” chips.

Yeah, I think there was some sense to that logic pre-release – i.e. don't get too excited, we don't know what to expect, probably best to wait for second or third generation when the bumps have been ironed out. But we now know that there aren't that many bumps for the majority of personal users. I don't see any reason to preach caution about a first generation device that we know is absolutely smashing it on benchmarks. The same people wouldn't have said "wait and see" about the ninth generation Intel chips, and the M1 is clearly better than them, so why worry? If you need/want a MacBook, there's never been a better time to buy one imo.

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

I've always been able to buy new Macbook Airs for $400-500

Where from?

 

[RickTaylor]

If you are going to continue using a macbook air, in my opinion now is an excellent time to get one. The M1 is a big jump over the previous versions, and it may be a while before they upgrade it again. You could purchase one and use the two week return period to see if you actually end up using it alongside the pc.

 

[MBAir2010]

How good will these machines age in 5 or 10 years? I’d definitely buy an m1 Mac but I wouldn’t necessarily expect it to last long. Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. This is a first gen product so we don’t know.

I'm typing this message on a MacBook air late 2010 while streaming a hockey game in the tabbed pic in pic window, therefore these airs will last a long time depending on well they are maintained.

 

[Mainsail]

I agree with others. You really should have your own personal device sperate from the work computer provided by your employer. Some folks can get by with just an iPad for their personal use only. Again, I am assume you have a work computer provided by your employer. If going iPad only makes you nervous for personal stuff, then it's hard to beat the MBA. They are great machines. I have purchased numerous for family members and myself. For the most part, they have been flawless. I currently have a base 2020 i3 MBA, after owning a 2014 MBA for 6 years. Both have been great. If you are patient, you should be able to buy a new 2020 M1 MBA for $900 on sale. Figure 6 years of reliable use. That's $150 per year or about $12 per month. This assumes you get nothing for trade-in or sale when you are ready to upgrade.

The base MBA is a great value. I say go for it.

 

[ritmomundo]

If you don't want to spend $1K+ and there's nothing else wrong with your 2014 Pro, consider replacing the battery. It'll make a huge difference in performance too.

Check OWC, they're as reliable as but cheaper than Apple. Just stay away from replacement batteries on ebay etc.

 

[KPOM]

Hasn't Windows and Linux machines always been priced lower (on average) than Macs though? I can't really see that has changed.

The fact that a $999 M1 MacBook Air is performing as fast or faster than the 11th Gen Core chips that go into PCs that cost as much or more suggests that could be changing. Upgrading RAM and storage on Macs is still expensive, but if you keep to base models (though I'd suggest getting 16GB if you want longevity), the prices are very competitive.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

That’s one reason I wouldn’t buy it. I mean, I’m exited to test the new chip just as everyone else. But muy biggest fear is longevity. Will Macs become a walled garden like the iPhone? How good will these machines age in 5 or 10 years? I’d definitely buy an m1 Mac but I wouldn’t necessarily expect it to last long. Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. This is a first gen product so we don’t know.

Well, all I know is that this little M1 Macbook Air I have (the cheapest one) outperforms my 2015 15" Macbook Pro i7 with 16 GB of RAM. It also performs better than my 2019 Dell G7 17" (with an i7 and 16 GB of RAM) on everything but where the Dell gets to use the 2060 it has.

So let's make this clear. A fanless lowest-of-the-line Macbook Air kicks the crap out of almost every PC and it has no moving parts. I think it will easily give me 5 years. If not, I paid $999 for the best laptop I have ever owned right now.

 

[rafark]

I'm typing this message on a MacBook air late 2010 while streaming a hockey game in the tabbed pic in pic window, therefore these airs will last a long time depending on well they are maintained.

I mean, yeah I’m with you on this one. I still use a 2008 iMac that I’ve upgraded. These new Macs on the other hand, are built on a new architecture, use a “proprietary” chip, etc. In other words, these new Macs are all Apple. The Macs everybody has (expect m1 users) are Macs built with third party components. It’s just different.

 

[rafark]

Well, all I know is that this little M1 Macbook Air I have (the cheapest one) outperforms my 2015 15" Macbook Pro i7 with 16 GB of RAM. It also performs better than my 2019 Dell G7 17" (with an i7 and 16 GB of RAM) on everything but where the Dell gets to use the 2060 it has.

So let's make this clear. A fanless lowest-of-the-line Macbook Air kicks the crap out of almost every PC and it has no moving parts. I think it will easily give me 5 years. If not, I paid $999 for the best laptop I have ever owned right now.

Exactly my point. If I was the op I’d totally buy one because it’s totally worth it in the short term, but I’d give it a second thought if longevity (5-7 years) was a priority.