Sell me on MBA

[Scepticalscribe]

To my mind, the MBA is -without doubt - (especially since the battery life was improved in 2013) easily the best - and most reliable - computer Apple has ever designed.

I have had the maxed out 13" MBA and the maxed out 11" MBA - I am typing this on the latter - and both have been first rate, travelling the world (quite literally) with me. Superb, reliable, solidly built, portable and powerful computers, I can't recommend them highly enough.

 

[elemenohme]

...

 

[Jg75]

I use a 2013 11" MBA for just about everything - including light video editing in FCP. I bought a 2015 13" MBP last summer to do more video work and it's much better for that task (wow! look at all those pixels!). But I find I only use it for that at my desk and take the MBA everywhere else.

I thought about "upgrading" the MBA to a 12" MacBook, but I still need two USB ports. The MBA will be one of my longest-lasting Macs of all time, which says a lot about the build quality (it gets dropped a lot).

Seriously, get the air, before it is too late. I bought a 2010 mba 13". Little did I know at the time, that I bought one of the all time best laptops, even 7 years later. I have been through a 15" MacBook Pro retina with quad core i7, and a 2016 12" MacBook retina m3 processor. Not bad computers any of them. Especially the mid 14 MBP 15". That is a bad boy, only the weight is against it. Now I am back at a 2017 MacBook Air, i5, 1.8 ghz, 128 GB storage. I feel alive again. I hope I will never lose this laptop in my life.

 

[Falhófnir]

Exactly. I was just forced to get rid of TWO touchbar MBP units with failing keyboards. Apple was 100% open (on 4 separate occasions) about the butterfly keyboard issues. No denial whatsoever, though I was told that they have no clear path as to what will be done for existing customers.

Bottom line: The Air is the only CURRENT laptop that I can trust. When the keyboard issues are resolved, I'll likely trade up from one of my Airs again. Until then I'll use my Air/iMac combo to get my work done.

Potential buyers need to heed the many posts about keyboard issues. You will not get "lucky." The keyboards cannot handle debris and dirt, so it may take some time, but it's highly likely you will be effected in time. I ignored people telling me this and both of my machines were effected and returned. Apple finally gave me a full refund and I bought the iMac and Air...So I actually had to spend MORE money!

The Air is the best Mac laptop for the moment that you can buy new. The screen was considered very nice a few years ago. Better screens don't make it less nice. People tend to have poor perspective as they are trained by the market to want "better" which often doesn't help them beyond spending more money.


R.

The 2015 15" pro is still available using the old keyboard so probably takes the title from the air if you absolutely don't want the new style keyboard... interesting to note Apple are acknowledging there is an issue via their geniuses; they're usually tight lipped, and for good reason - admitting a design flaw opens them up to lawsuits by people whether their particular unit failed or not!

 

[Jg75]

The 2015 15" pro is still available using the old keyboard so probably takes the title from the air if you absolutely don't want the new style keyboard... interesting to note Apple are acknowledging there is an issue via their geniuses; they're usually tight lipped, and for good reason - admitting a design flaw opens them up to lawsuits by people whether their particular unit failed or not!

No doubt the new keyboard have quality issues. I have already noticed some "sticking" issues with the 12" mb keyboard after just a few months. The space bar. My 2010 mba keyboard has served me without 1 hickup. Extraordinary keyboard. Now I have the 2017 and plan to keep it until I die. Also, there is no need to be more portable than the 13" air.

 

[Falhófnir]

No doubt the new keyboard have quality issues. I have already noticed some "sticking" issues with the 12" mb keyboard after just a few months. The space bar. My 2010 mba keyboard has served me without 1 hickup. Extraordinary keyboard. Now I have the 2017 and plan to keep it until I die. Also, there is no need to be more portable than the 13" air.

I don't doubt it, the frequency with which it crops up as an issue on the MBP forum suggests there is definitely something there. Apart from the small, low res screen I like the air. I think Apple would do better to keep it around with an updated 1080p ips screen, Kaby Lake cpu, and maybe thunderbolt 3 (replacing tb2) and force touch trackpad than to try and cut the price of the 12" and 13"ntb to replace it.

 

[Jg75]

I don't doubt it, the frequency with which it crops up as an issue on the MBP forum suggests there is definitely something there. Apart from the small, low res screen I like the air. I think Apple would do better to keep it around with an updated 1080p ips screen, Kaby Lake cpu, and maybe thunderbolt 3 (replacing tb2) and force touch trackpad than to try and cut the price of the 12" and 13"ntb to replace it.

This i5 cpu is blazingly fast. I don´t notice the difference to the quad core I7 in everyday tasks. This or that cpu, doesn't matter. Apple should keep the wedge shape, palm rests ( that means 13" screen) and the superior keyboard. Resolution of the mba is actually good enough. And for gods sake, cut the crap touch bar, and the oversized trackpad. Stupid combined.
I have found a lifeboat, if Apple continues on this crap after my 2017 MBA dies. It´s the Chromebook. I have bought an acer 14" Chromebook, that looks like a copy of the MBA, but fanless. Fantastic OS. Fantastic computer, and a value for money that is unmatched. So people, set up google drive on your Macs.

 

[newellj]

Indeed. hopefully by that time, Apple would improve those noisy-low-travel keyboards. Chances are, keyboards will go away and AR/VR kit will enable iPads to read keystrokes from a projected keyboard on a table.

For me personally, I'm not a gamer nor do I have high CPU/GPU demands, the current MBA will last me for many years and if it breaks after warranty, there'll be plenty of spare parts available on the market.

We're on the same page. Against my better judgment I bought Apple Care for my early 2015 rMBP and it turned out to need a repair about 2.8 years into the warranty period, so that was prudent. Turnaround was wicked fast, btw (totally unlike my 2012 Mini which had a HDD failure that took two weeks to fix, bah).

Honestly, although I totally love a lot about the 11" MBA, I carry my rMBP everywhere and it's not THAT bigger or heavier than the 11" MBA. On paper, sure. In real life, not so much.

 

[CaptRB]

Regarding the ultimate return of my Touchbar units...I was told that "They (the designers) needed more testing." and "I get calls on this all day long. I don't know what Apple will do." and "These needed more testing."

And many other comments along with the fellow at the Genius Bar saying they can't handle any debris under the keyboard and failure is inevitable. The rep that handled my exchange is returning his 13" touchbar.

What further proof does anyone need? I'm certain they'll work it out. One rep said Apple may replace keyboards and extend the warranty on them. It's a mess. All you can do is buy an Air or older retina and wait for Apple to redesign the keyboard again. I sure won't be a beta tester again.


R.

 

[Falhófnir]

This i5 cpu is blazingly fast. I don´t notice the difference to the quad core I7 in everyday tasks. This or that cpu, doesn't matter. Apple should keep the wedge shape, palm rests ( that means 13" screen) and the superior keyboard. Resolution of the mba is actually good enough. And for gods sake, cut the crap touch bar, and the oversized trackpad. Stupid combined.
I have found a lifeboat, if Apple continues on this crap after my 2017 MBA dies. It´s the Chromebook. I have bought an acer 14" Chromebook, that looks like a copy of the MBA, but fanless. Fantastic OS. Fantastic computer, and a value for money that is unmatched. So people, set up google drive on your Macs.

Regarding the cpu, it's not even the speed so much (though the cumulative update between broadwell/ 5th gen and Kaby Lake/ 7th gen is probably nice to have) it's more about power consumption and heat. The MBA can get 12h currently, you could probably push that out to 14h+ real world if they updated the cpu and screen to be more power efficient.

The screen is good for a TN panel in 2010, by today's standards it's passable if you've never used anything better, and woeful against similarly priced laptops from other manufacturers. 1080p (or, well, 1920x1200 to fit the 16:10 ratio) and IPS would bring it back into the 'no downsides' territory. The TB isn't present on the model that is meant to replace the air according to Apple, but as already pointed out, the keyboard needs attention. The trackpad is generally ok on the 13" model, people only really complain about the considerably larger one on the 15" being difficult to miss while typing and inconsistent palm rejection.

Wouldn't go to chrome book personally, I like a full OS, if Mac was for whatever reason no longer an option I'd just go back to windows likely with a high end HP spectre or something. Might just get away with a surface book if I had to as it's 13.5" 3:2 display is actually a fair bit larger than most 13" laptops.

 

[gertruded]

I have to disagree with the comments about the MBA screen being poor as a problem. Whenever I need more resolution i just hook up my 2012 to a monitor, as I don't need the resolution while traveling (was able find one to borrow when I did need it the one time it was the case).

I just purchased a new 2015 at $700 and put it in the drawer for when my 2012 breaks. Apple is not going to fix the new keyboards.

Over all the MBA is the best laptop ever made. My 2012 is on its second battery which I installed myself.

Now tell me again how I would replace the worn out soldered in batteries on the new MBP when they wear out in 3 years for less than $100.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Again, I agree with those who have posted that the MBA is the best laptop ever made. I have found it to be so.

I loved the form - that wonderful design - form the minute I laid eyes on it in 2008 when it was first unveiled. However, at that stage it was an over-priced and under-powered computer but one that promised amazing portability.

In 2008, I had a 15" MBP - a great computer, but too heavy for travelling in comfort.

So, I switched to the MBA (the so-called "Rev C") in 2010, - and loved it.

In 2013, I ordered a new 13" MBA - a maxed out computer and, in 2014, I added an 11" (with equivalent specs - 512 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM, and i7 core); they have both travelled the world with me, and are incredibly reliable, fast, powerful, and portable computers.

Actually, I'd get another 11" (preferably maxed out computer) in a heart beat.

 

[PBz]

I have to disagree with the comments about the MBA screen being poor as a problem. Whenever I need more resolution i just hook up my 2012 to a monitor, as I don't need the resolution while traveling (was able find one to borrow when I did need it the one time it was the case).

I just purchased a new 2015 at $700 and put it in the drawer for when my 2012 breaks. Apple is not going to fix the new keyboards.

Over all the MBA is the best laptop ever made. My 2012 is on its second battery which I installed myself.

Now tell me again how I would replace the worn out soldered in batteries on the new MBP when they wear out in 3 years for less than $100.

A lot of logic here.
[doublepost=1505044000][/doublepost]Testing new 12" MB now. Not sold that this won't have same issues as MBP. It is a badass little machine though.

 

[Falhófnir]

A lot of logic here.
[doublepost=1505044000][/doublepost]Testing new 12" MB now. Not sold that this won't have same issues as MBP. It is a badass little machine though.

Definitely would say the 12" MB will have same issues with KB, it's the same design with (from some reviews, though unverified) even a fraction less travel! I'd say where MBA falls down on colours, off axis colour shift and low res, the MB suffers from being just too small to be comfortable - especially if you're video editing and have a lot of toolbars etc on screen, your work space showing the video you're working on must be minimal...

Are you willing to consider a refurbed unit? If so I would stress again the 2015 13" pro is really probably the 'sweet spot' machine for you.

 

[PBz]

Definitely would say the 12" MB will have same issues with KB, it's the same design with (from some reviews, though unverified) even a fraction less travel! I'd say where MBA falls down on colours, off axis colour shift and low res, the MB suffers from being just too small to be comfortable - especially if you're video editing and have a lot of toolbars etc on screen, your work space showing the video you're working on must be minimal...

Are you willing to consider a refurbed unit? If so I would stress again the 2015 13" pro is really probably the 'sweet spot' machine for you.

I am. I had the golden machine.. 13" MBP16/512. Should have kept it.

Will keep getting this MB for a bit.

 

[throAU]

The Air (I now own two) has really one weakness and that's the screen.

But let's put this in perspective:

I put the air side by side with the 13" touch bar screen, mainly to show my wife the difference. For me, a photographer, the difference was pretty obvious. But her reaction was more along the lines of "So what? The Air screen is just fine."

And that it is. I use mine for film work. It replaced the 15" touchbar, which is a useless machine until the keyboard defects are resolved. I have no big grip with the screen, except I know that there are better ones. The Air keyboard is a real workhorse and the design of the Air is STILL ergonomically the best of all of the Macs for me.

I have the i7 with 512gb and it's surprisingly able. As I posted earlier, I can handle some serious photo work with it (connected to my 4K monitor) until my new 5K 27" iMac ships. At this point the Air is the ONLY viable Mac laptop and I'm happy to be using it again. It really remains as one of the best-ever laptop designs.


R.

Yup. Some people don't see the difference. But i would argue that if you've used a retina screen for any length of time to do actual work, going back to a non-retina screen sucks.

Ditto for going back to a TN panel after using IPS (or amoled). Colour shift for days...

I agree that other than the screen, the MBA is still a pretty great device, and if i had to buy a brand new laptop today, it's probably what I'd end up buying (given the issues with the 2016 onwards keyboards on the Retina Macbook and Macbook Pro). But i'm lucky enough to have a 2015 Retina 13" which is basically the same with a screen that isn't garbage whilst still having a keyboard that works.

 

[CaptRB]

Yup. Some people don't see the difference. But i would argue that if you've used a retina screen for any length of time to do actual work, going back to a non-retina screen sucks.

Ditto for going back to a TN panel after using IPS (or amoled). Colour shift for days...

I agree that other than the screen, the MBA is still a pretty great device, and if i had to buy a brand new laptop today, it's probably what I'd end up buying (given the issues with the 2016 onwards keyboards on the Retina Macbook and Macbook Pro). But i'm lucky enough to have a 2015 Retina 13" which is basically the same with a screen that isn't garbage whilst still having a keyboard that works.

I have replaced two touchbar MBP with the Air. I can see the difference but it's not exactly hard to adjust. The Air screen is perfectly fine. I also have HD screens along side of the new 5K iMac i7 and Dell 4K, so I know what's what. The 13" has enough pixel density to be perfectly fine and when I connect it to a monitor it's even better.


R

 

[dogslobber]

My MBA 2010 is 7 years young and I just put a shiny new battery in her. 1 cycle bliss!

 

[zipster]

I use the Air for work and the lack of retina display is a huge miss.

Get a MBP.

 

[CaptRB]

I use the Air for work and the lack of retina display is a huge miss.

Get a MBP.

Do NOT get a MBP unless you buy a 2015. The butterfly keyboards are a disaster. I used the air side-ry-side with the Touchbar and the MBP screen is certainly nicer, but it's absurd to suggest that the Air screen is poor. It has good resolution and then it outputs beautifully to my 4K Dell screen when needed.

Again, don't risk the new machines yet. This is not a small issue with the keyboards.


R.

 

[BornAgainMac]

I own 2 MacBook Airs with one being really old that I made it a dedicated Windows 7 laptop since Windows 7 apps are not great retina apps. I figured someday I would get the new MacBook Pro but I would hate having the keyboard fail and the noise is too loud. I might get a third Air before Apple kills it as a backup. I wish I had a roadmap of when Apple will take things away.

 

[newellj]

Do NOT get a MBP unless you buy a 2015. The butterfly keyboards are a disaster. I used the air side-ry-side with the Touchbar and the MBP screen is certainly nicer, but it's absurd to suggest that the Air screen is poor. It has good resolution and then it outputs beautifully to my 4K Dell screen when needed.

Again, don't risk the new machines yet. This is not a small issue with the keyboards.


R.

Still using and loving my 2015 rMBP. I had a first year MB (two, actually). They may have improved the keyboard in the 2016 version - I don't know. The original KB was, for me, almost torture.
[doublepost=1505319878][/doublepost]

I have to disagree with the comments about the MBA screen being poor as a problem. Whenever I need more resolution i just hook up my 2012 to a monitor, as I don't need the resolution while traveling (was able find one to borrow when I did need it the one time it was the case).

I just purchased a new 2015 at $700 and put it in the drawer for when my 2012 breaks. Apple is not going to fix the new keyboards.

Over all the MBA is the best laptop ever made. My 2012 is on its second battery which I installed myself.

Now tell me again how I would replace the worn out soldered in batteries on the new MBP when they wear out in 3 years for less than $100.

Do you not see the glaring problem with saying that the MBA display is not a problem if you hook up a separate external display???

 

[macgeek18]

The MBA is a wonderful workhorse. I have come to realize that the latest and greatest does not always mean that it's "better" for the tasks we do. My MBA is a base model 2015 and it does everything that I need a laptop to do. I have Evernote, Chrome with 40+ tabs, and a Ubuntu VM running all the time and it does absolutely great.

 

[MacRazySwe]

I had the 13" MBA (2011) a few years ago. However, with the iPhone and iPads came the Retina-craze. Of course I sold my trusty old MBA in favor of a Retina MacBook Pro (late 2013). Other than the Retina display and HDMI, the MBP was not really much of an improvement - I actually found myself missing the MacBook Air.

Last year I sold my old MBP and I was all set on getting a 2017 MBP this year, until my mom bought a new MBA for herself. Having used it for a few nights now, it still is a fantastic computer. The design is still great.

I'm even considering one for myself now, rather than the new MBPs.

 

[CaptRB]

I had the 13" MBA (2011) a few years ago. However, with the iPhone and iPads came the Retina-craze. Of course I sold my trusty old MBA in favor of a Retina MacBook Pro (late 2013). Other than the Retina display and HDMI, the MBP was not really much of an improvement - I actually found myself missing the MacBook Air.

Last year I sold my old MBP and I was all set on getting a 2017 MBP this year, until my mom bought a new MBA for herself. Having used it for a few nights now, it still is a fantastic computer. The design is still great.

I'm even considering one for myself now, rather than the new MBPs.

Yup...I love "state of the art." I tend to gravitate towards the higher end stuff. As a photographer, my eyes can certainly appreciate the better screen that I had with the 15" Touchbar. But anyone who says the Air screen is "bad" is just being silly. It looks totally fine and can output beautifully to me 4K monitor.
Most importantly it's the only new Mac laptop that I can trust at this point.


R.