Saw Midnight Today - Not a Fan

[DHagan4755]

Yeah I don’t get it, I think people pick space gray because of groupthink. It used to be cool because it was recently introduced (so long ago) but it doesn’t have that going for it anymore.

That’s also my theory for why people want midnight. Space gray was edgy dark silver, midnight is darker therefore edgier.

That's why there's chocolate & vanilla, as they say. Personally, I like pistachio & butter pecan better — and even maple walnut. Some people tell me I should be in a nursing home based on the ice cream flavors I prefer. But I don't care. I like what I like. Get what color/flavor suits you.

 

[Apple_Robert]

you mean... the macbook pro went from being a rectangle to being... a rectangle?

i (mostly) love apple's aesthetics, but i buy a macbook because of it's functionality, and style... and of course, mac OS. why would someone care about the 'sex appeal' of a laptop?

Two sexy Macs had sex and out popped an iPad mini.

 

[fisherking]

Two sexy Macs had sex and out popped an iPad mini.

i asked my mom where ipad minis came from, and she gave me some crap about 'electronics stores'....

 

[joshwithachance]

Did something I'd never expect I'd do. Went to the Apple Store to check out the new colours. I've had Midnight on order (with a delivery next week for 24GB/2TB) as I love the idea of a blue Mac. Sadly it's very grey and not much blueish.

Now, I wouldn't say it looked BAD in the store. But honestly I was disappointed after spending some time with it. The fingerprint thing is real. I was in the store 15mins after it opened early Sunday morning, so there were very few customers. All the devices were freshly cleaned and the Midnight Macbook looked horrid. You can see every print. The shop personal actively tried to discourage me from buying it as they were tired of wiping it already.

Next to it they had Starlight. Now, while I am not a fan of silvery Macs (if anything I loved the yellow Gold of the 2017 Macbook I owned), the Starlight one looks like fine jewlery next to the Midnight. You can't see prints and the colour has something that just says value.

In contrast after spending 10 mins with the Midnight model and stepping away and towards it, it reminded me of a generic PC laptop. Guess it doesn't help I owned Thinkpads 20 years ago...

So off I went, canceled my online order and made a new one for Starlight. Sadly now it's a 3 week wait instead of 1 but I don't regret it one bit.View attachment 2030832View attachment 2030875

Even with the fingerprints the midnight is still FAR more appealing in my opinion... But there's a reason why the starlight is offered as well.

 

[dgdosen]

Not near a store right now - for those of you who've seen any color - how does it feel/look compared to an M1 Air? compared to a Macbook?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Not near a store right now - for those of you who've seen any color - how does it feel/look compared to an M1 Air? compared to a Macbook?

I have all 3 Macs and to me, the M2 looks much nicer than the M1, even though I have been a big fan of the wedge.

M2 is thinner and smaller, no speaker grills, larger screen(and brighter), better keyboard (read: better travel and full size F keys), MagSafe charging, and better camera versus the M1. I also like that the M2 doesn't have a moniker label attached to the bottom inside of the screen like the M1 does.

 

[Sowelu]

I was on the fence while placing my order, and decided to go with Space Gray. It's just the best color in my eyes. Not too light (Silver) and not too dark (Midnight) and just a really attractive metal tone. I also do not want a blue hued MacBook (it doesn't appeal to me). If it were more of a stealth dark gray to matte black, I probably would've been more interested in that. The Starlight? Ugh, platinum, light gold, it's all beige and gross to my eyes.

Now that there are tons of reviews out (and I find it funny that only a couple had the foresight to choose a non-Midnight color to stand out amongst the sea of Midnight reviews - which are mostly all the same), I have to say, I just do not like this color. It's very cold and monotone. For me, the space gray with the black keys and a more contrasting Apple logo is just so much nicer. But, to each their own.

Also, I would keep an eye on the edges and ports on the Midnight models. I wouldn't be surprised if some raw silver aluminum started to appear after some use. While this may be normal with some wear, it will be way more noticeable with that dark finish. Especially if you're a 'feel and poke as you insert cables and plugs' kind of user. I know most don't have the slight OCD that I have that makes me hone in on those little USB C ports and ease the cables in so that the ports look brand new throughout the life of the MacBook!

 

[turbineseaplane]

I wouldn't be surprised if some raw silver aluminum started to appear after some use. While this may be normal with some wear, it will be way more noticeable with that dark finish. Especially if you're a 'feel and poke as you insert cables and plugs' kind of user.

"Feel and poke" users .... be careful!


(I agree with you @Sowelu)

 

[Pugly]

My friends wife had similar opinions about her new 14” MBP.

The aesthetics of the new laptops definitely lost some of the “sex appeal” if you will.

They are a lot more generic and utilitarian looking now. It bums me out a bit.

I think they just reached the end of the line for minimalism that Apple pursues, at a certain point you just have a geometric shape. They crossed over from simple to boring.

The colors of the Air still seems like an odd choice too, with the iMac leading the way with the fun colors. The Air has to sell an order of magnitude more than any other Mac... and it gets less color options that the iMac, all some variation on subdued.

 

[fisherking]

I think they just reached the end of the line for minimalism that Apple pursues, at a certain point you just have a geometric shape. They crossed over from simple to boring.

ih what way has it gone from 'simple' to 'boring'? (am asking, hope you'll explain)...

 

[ebika]

you mean, people can't choose space gray or midnight because they personally like it? i like midnight because... i like it. i like space gray too... same reason.

i don't care if it's trendy, popular, or everyone else wants one. i can think for myself.

I’m pretty sure the rules are you have to post a thread explaining why you like the color. It has to have a poll in it before your preference can be certified. /s 😂

 

[Pugly]

ih what way has it gone from 'simple' to 'boring'? (am asking, hope you'll explain)...

Not sure I can but I'll try, because it's purely subjective... an uncanny valley effect. A pure sine wave sound is simple but it's rather unpleasant by itself... I'd rather listen to white noise. The current Air is a pure sine wave. I prefer the visual complexity of a Bondi Blue iMac. If I want to get even further far afield, there's not enough self similarity like a fractal... like you need nucleation sites for water to boil in a microwave.

And the detail that is there, the notch and the feet, don't blend with the device.

Without seeing it in person though it's hard to tell. Maybe I'll be drawn to it like a monolith.

 

[ascender]

More colour choice has to be a good thing right?

I really like the look of Starlight having seen it in the Apple Store, but its hard to describe just how much Midnight changes under different lighting conditions.

 

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

Yeah I don’t get it, I think people pick space gray because of groupthink. It used to be cool because it was recently introduced (so long ago) but it doesn’t have that going for it anymore.

That’s also my theory for why people want midnight. Space gray was edgy dark silver, midnight is darker therefore edgier.

What an absolutely ridiculous statement. I'm really hoping this was an attempt at satire. Call me crazy, but I'm quite certain that people are picking the colors that they want because they like them, not because of groupthink. It's also nice to know that you alone, are the person who decides what is cool & what isn't. I'll be sure to refer to you before I make any other purchases going forward.

 

[fisherking]

Not sure I can but I'll try, because it's purely subjective... an uncanny valley effect. A pure sine wave sound is simple but it's rather unpleasant by itself... I'd rather listen to white noise. The current Air is a pure sine wave. I prefer the visual complexity of a Bondi Blue iMac. If I want to get even further far afield, there's not enough self similarity like a fractal... like you need nucleation sites for water to boil in a microwave.

And the detail that is there, the notch and the feet, don't blend with the device.

Without seeing it in person though it's hard to tell. Maybe I'll be drawn to it like a monolith.

yes, see it in person. also... the notch is there for a reason and it's been discussed a lot. my take: more screen with a notch vs less screen without is a win (and there are lots of ways to hide the notch).

laptops tend to be rectangles. am fine with a slim, simple rectangle.. as long as it looks good when i open it, and does what it's supposed to when i go to work. so, personally, am loving the new M2 design...

 

[sjperformance]

Just got back from my local apple store (10 mins away) I got to see all of them in person. I did preorder a basic MBA midnight blue. It’s arriving tomorrow. After viewing all colors for 15-20 mins and playing with the specific color I decided midnight blue is not for me. I will go ahead and return the one arriving tomorrow. Starlight is nice but looks almost like silver. So that left me with the space gray. I did not think I would like and prefer that one instead. I went ahead and ordered another MBA but this time space gray/8/512/67w power brick. As per apple 1-2 weeks waiting period. Regardless this is the color I’m 100% sold on. What a difference it is to go to your local apple store and see them in person. Midnight blue did not catch much of my attention. Fingerprints do bother me. Still a dope color. Apple logo on midnight barely visible as it it blends in with the color. Look more darker black to me. I’m not here to say what color is better. For me space gray is my go to color on this device. In the end whatever color you pick you will enjoy your device. Get what you truly like. BTW I’ve been using a Sierre Blue 13PM since launch day last year. It’s been on a black Spigen case since then.

 

[LeeW]

I was in the Apple store today. My view is that Midnight is the best colour, personal view of course. Starlight was just a washed-out colour. I am really not one for being too interested in looks but I have to admit I was really taken with it.

The 14" MBP was going to be my next device, there are so many reasons it is a better device than the MBA but the colour, weight, screen and some other points I walked out and wanted to give myself some time to decide.

Should never have went in

 

[UltimateSyn]

Thought this thread could add some balance.

OP is the Chosen One.

 

[Bobbuilds69]

I thought midnight was a movie.

 

[Pugly]

yes, see it in person. also... the notch is there for a reason and it's been discussed a lot. my take: more screen with a notch vs less screen without is a win (and there are lots of ways to hide the notch).

I don't hate the notch, it's a fine compromise. But we are talking about purely aesthetic reasons for liking the M2 Air...

 

[FattKingHugeman]

I was in the Apple store today. My view is that Midnight is the best colour, personal view of course. Starlight was just a washed-out colour. I am really not one for being too interested in looks but I have to admit I was really taken with it.

The 14" MBP was going to be my next device, there are so many reasons it is a better device than the MBA but the colour, weight, screen and some other points I walked out and wanted to give myself some time to decide.

Should never have went in

yes this exactly, many people are pushing the MBP 14 coz of the perceived "better" value in pricing you get XX features for this amount of money. Objectively it has better specs but better value is applicable to the user's use and application.

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

Saw Midnight Today - Not a Fan​

Sure, but there was no fan in the previous MacBook Air either. This isn't news.

 

[ivaren]

Sure, but there was no fan in the previous MacBook Air either. This isn't news.

I lol’d.

OT: Midnight for me. For a couple of reasons, but mostly because it gives me a certain feel. This maybe a bit controversial to say, but I don’t mind a color that look less Apple-like if that make any sense. Haven’t gotten to see it in a store yet, but I will soon before my preorder arrives.

I’ve had a MacBook Pro early 2011 in alu(silver), and I think the silver would bore me a bit, even though it’s a classic. The starlight is somewhat nice, but I don’t like the beige to it, and the trackpad looks less good to me because of the color. The space gray has never appealed to me, but I guess I could live with it. It’s okay.

As far as fingerprints go, I have a theory. Many people (especially YouTubers) use hair products (wax, gel, cream) in their hair. And they want to look good in front of the camera so they fix their hair. Of course this will not help on the fingerprints.

But seriously. I hope the fingerprints won’t bother me too much. I don’t want to send it back for another color I like less, but let’s see..

 

[DMG35]

What's unfortunate is that BestSkinsEver is no longer in business. Their matte skin would absolutely make the Midnight fingerprint free and they had the best and easiest to install skins out there.

SlickWraps has a few options that are worth trying that will also get rid of fingerprints. Their glossy option is easier to install because its a wet install. The matte option looks better though but is more difficult because you need to be precise due to it being a dry install.

Slickwraps is under new ownership and is fanstastic to work with should anyone want to try them. They do a phenomenal job with communication and ship times now, as it used to be horrendous.

 

[MajorFubar]

A satin black one would have almost tempted me to do something stupid, but Midnight, no not black enough to tempt me into what would have been a very irrational purchase. Someone came across all the barrels of Midnight anodising fluid left over from the iPhone 5 in the cellar and thought hmm I know what we can do with this.