Should I buy a 2019 macbook air now?

[Mainsail]

Agreed with above, I've had my MBA since November 2018 and the keyboard hasn't been a problem. I don't even have the updated keyboard with silicone membrane, released in 2019.

My MBA has been absolutely perfect.

That said, if you plan on doing video editing and plan to keep the computer for several years, maybe a base 13" MacBook Pro is a better buy? Editing GoPro videos in iMovie was the only time my MacBook Air has crashed. It's generally not a problem, but the computer does slow down a bit.

The base MBP has a 15w Quad Core processor and better Intel Iris Plus graphics, both of which will help with video editing. However, the performance comes at the expense of battery life and heat (read around the MacBook Pro forums). Only you can decide whats most important for you.

My 2019 MBA has also been flawless. BTW - I believe the 2018 MBA KB has a silicone membrane and the 2019 KB has a nylon membrane. There was some discussion on another site that the nylon membrane is less tacky and less prone to attract dust. The 2019 KB also has a hardened dome switch. The good news is that if your 2018 KB needs to be replaced, Apple will replace it with the latest 2019 version.

 

[revmacian]

I seriously can't imagine how people can survive with 128GB of hard disk in a computer, unless you have an iMac/another computer at home.

My laptop is my daily driver. I'm using a 256GB MBA and it's not enough. My iBooks library alone takes up 85GB. Not to mention apps, school documents (lecture slides, notes, journal papers etc), coding and website projects and other miscellaneous things.

In order for my 256GB to have some buffer space, I have to re-allocate my device backup directory for my 64GB iPhone and 128GB iPad to an external drive. Unfortunately I can't do this with my iBooks library, and I won't want to since I actually read my books. Throwing them onto an external drive means I can't really bring them to school with me.

You can always use the cloud, but to me, that defeats the purpose since there are many times I have to work offline and if all my stuff are in the cloud, it's going to seriously disrupt my workflow.

It really depends on what you do with the machine. I don't use iBooks, Music, Podcasts or Movies.. and I have all of 20 photos (I don't use a camera very often). So, 128GB runs quite nicely here but I feel it may be advantageous to consider the 256GB SSD as a minimum - my use case is likely rare.

 

[AustinIllini]

It really depends on what you do with the machine. I don't use iBooks, Music, Podcasts or Movies.. and I have all of 20 photos (I don't use a camera very often). So, 128GB runs quite nicely here but I feel it may be advantageous to consider the 256GB SSD as a minimum - my use case is likely rare.

Yup. I leverage iCloud pretty heavily (I split 2 TB with my family - 4 users), so we have more than enough to go around.

I could probably make due with 128 GB

 

[Mohamed Kamal]

You don't need to spend $929 for a refurbished one.

Microcenter right now has the base model, brand new, for $849.
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Wondering myself when this is going to happen, considering the Air was just redesigned 1.5 years ago.

how often do retailers have these deals (like the 850$ MBA deal)? Like if I don’t get the MBA now will I miss out on a good deal? Assuming that I end up having to buy the 2019 MBA for whatever reason? Or is there always a deal somewhere making this risk low? Also how about price reductions for current pro/air models?

 

[dewalt]

how often do retailers have these deals (like the 850$ MBA deal)? Like if I don’t get the MBA now will I miss out on a good deal? Assuming that I end up having to buy the 2019 MBA for whatever reason? Or is there always a deal somewhere making this risk low? Also how about price reductions for current pro/air models?

You just gotta monitor it. I got my 16" base MBP for $2049 like 2 weeks after the release.

The prices fluctuate. I put an alert on slickdeals for macbook.

 

[revmacian]

You just gotta monitor it. I got my 16" base MBP for $2049 like 2 weeks after the release.

The prices fluctuate. I put an alert on slickdeals for macbook.

Yeah, gotta keep your eyes open. The only reason I even have a 2019 MBA is because Best Buy was running a deal of $250.00 off just prior to Black Friday. I wanted a Mac to carry in my backpack and wasn't willing to take my 2017 MBP out of the house, so I couldn't pass up the Best Buy deal.

 

[macintoshmac]

If the 2019 MBA meets the OPS needs now, I wouldn't wait for the scissor mechanism. There is no guarantee it will come to the MBA, and the 2019 Butterfly KB has proven to be very reliable. Very few reported problems.

True, which is why I said that if he must, he can go with it eyes-closed. It's a good machine all-in-all for the requirements he presents.

 

[waloshin]

I found the dual core okay for surfing the web, 8 gbs of ram was not enough and 128 gbs of storage was not enough. No room for installing bootcamp.

Great netbook but sold mine for a more powerful machine.

 

[Nacho98]

I found the dual core okay for surfing the web, 8 gbs of ram was not enough and 128 gbs of storage was not enough. No room for installing bootcamp.

Great netbook but sold mine for a more powerful machine.

What were you trying to do with it?

 

[auxbuss]

What were you trying to do with it?

Good question. The suggestion that a modern CPU with 8Gb is only suitable for web-browsing – something a machine in the 1990s managed quite easily – is absurd.

Thankfully, my 8Gb/128Gb can do an awful lot more, as it has been doing today... and almost every day for the past year or so.

 

[3SQ Machine]

I just got one a 2019 Macbook Air a week ago as part of my work's 3-year replacement on machines. Previously, I had a 2015 i7 Macbook Air with 8g RAM. My 2019 model has 16g ram--which I think is essential personally.

Keyboard will take some getting used to. Also, disappointed Apple didn't wait just a little bit to for the quad core new Y series intel chips. This will be a bummer for the next few years. My Geekbench score was higher than the Mac Benchmarks thanks to the Ram. It's good enough but I won't be doing processor-intensive tasks.

It's also SUPER quiet. Have noticed no fan noise. Battery life doesn't seem to be that great, though, honestly. Will wait for a final verdict but I notice no extra time between charges compared to my 2015 MBA with an identical use case.

However, for general office work it's fine. The screen is GREAT.

I have a silicon cover on the keyboard which is making it slightly less bad--at least less loud. But it's still loud. Actually, I've made up my mind -- this keyboard SUCKS.

Bummed that the backlit apple logo on the back is gone, however. Seriously WTF apple? No F# at startup anymore + no backlit logo. I realize it's just the little things but....

 

[rosyapple]

Yup. I leverage iCloud pretty heavily (I split 2 TB with my family - 4 users), so we have more than enough to go around.

I could probably make due with 128 GB

I'm currently on a 200GB iCloud and yet most of my iCloud files are taking up space in my MBA hard drive. My main problem with iCloud is that there's no selective sync on the Mac. On my iPad, I can choose which files I want to save on my local drive, and yet I can't do the same with my iCloud. So as much as I'd like to dump most of my files on iCloud, i can't do so.

 

[Mohamed Kamal]

I wonder tho what do you have to use on a daily basis that you can’t keep in an external drive?
Except for apps, everything else can either be on your icloud or your external drive and it will be a little annoying but perfectly usable. I can see how more storage is nice to have but I can’t see less storage being a deal breaker, unless somehow apps take up all of that storage.

 

[rosyapple]

I wonder tho what do you have to use on a daily basis that you can’t keep in an external drive?
Except for apps, everything else can either be on your icloud or your external drive and it will be a little annoying but perfectly usable. I can see how more storage is nice to have but I can’t see less storage being a deal breaker, unless somehow apps take up all of that storage.

I bring the most important things I need for school and work. My iBooks contain textbooks including audiobooks which I listen to while I walk to school (about 40-50 minutes return trip). I also have a school folder which includes lecture recordings, slides, summaries, journal articles etc as well as coding and website projects. Sometimes I'm forced to work offline. Xcode alone takes up so much space. I also spend a lot of time outside (in clinics and libraries) so I try to bring study references (in iBooks, synced to iPhone/iPad). I store all media files on an external drive so the contents of my hard drive are all work and school related. Apple should make 256GB as the default minimum though. My next purchase would be a 512GB/1TB so I can finally put games and backup all devices on my laptop with lots of space to spare.

 

[dugzy33]

Hi!Would like to use macbook for:

1. ⁠Studying and research and documents.
2. ⁠Video playback (4K netflix ..etc.)
3. ⁠Web browsing (multiple tabs, safari)
4. ⁠Some photoshop and 1080p video editing (render times aren’t important if it will be done, unless they are extreme, cause I won’t be editing on a regular basis, but i want to have the ability to edit if I need to). Might be doing a bunch of these things simultaneously.

Will a macbook air 2019 cut it? Also what about keyboard reliability and 128gb ssd?

Will the dual core processor suffice?

Mind you that I’m getting it refurbished for 929$

have there been any reports about reliability issues with 4th gen butterfly keyboards? Key travel isn’t important to me just the reliability.

I got mine at Costco for 799
So far I love it.
I did however get a Lacie 5TB external drive.
So far Ive been able to put photos, music, GoPro, and other files on the external drive no problem.

Even though the Costco sale is over, They have the MBP on sale now.

New Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" with Touch Bar - Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 256GB SSD - Silver. 1249.99

And the MBA may go on sale again, as that is how Costco usually does it.
Good Luck

 

[ayres]

thanks for adding your experience - i created a thread earlier wanting to hear from someone who came from a prior model. is the battery noticeably worse than your 2017 model? And are you okay with the screen brightness?

i worry about liking the key travel, but guess what... regardless of mechanism type, MacBooks are never going to increase key travel. it is what it is.

I just got one a 2019 Macbook Air a week ago as part of my work's 3-year replacement on machines. Previously, I had a 2015 i7 Macbook Air with 8g RAM. My 2019 model has 16g ram--which I think is essential personally.

Keyboard will take some getting used to. Also, disappointed Apple didn't wait just a little bit to for the quad core new Y series intel chips. This will be a bummer for the next few years. My Geekbench score was higher than the Mac Benchmarks thanks to the Ram. It's good enough but I won't be doing processor-intensive tasks.

It's also SUPER quiet. Have noticed no fan noise. Battery life doesn't seem to be that great, though, honestly. Will wait for a final verdict but I notice no extra time between charges compared to my 2015 MBA with an identical use case.

However, for general office work it's fine. The screen is GREAT.

I have a silicon cover on the keyboard which is making it slightly less bad--at least less loud. But it's still loud. Actually, I've made up my mind -- this keyboard SUCKS.

Bummed that the backlit apple logo on the back is gone, however. Seriously WTF apple? No F# at startup anymore + no backlit logo. I realize it's just the little things but....

 

[Nacho98]

$850 Microcenter deal ended yesterday morning, went up to $980. I had reserved one Saturday in case that happened and was able to claim it through tonight at $850, but did not go get it. Oddly enough, after one day at $980, the price dropped again today to $880, so almost as good. Weird price fluctuations.

Not sure what is preventing me from grabbing it. Is it that deep down I want a 12" Macbook footprint with a scissor keyboard? Perhaps...

...Might reserve another at $880 so I have three days to think about it again.

 

[throAU]

Hi!Would like to use macbook for:

1. ⁠Studying and research and documents.
2. ⁠Video playback (4K netflix ..etc.)
3. ⁠Web browsing (multiple tabs, safari)
4. ⁠Some photoshop and 1080p video editing (render times aren’t important if it will be done, unless they are extreme, cause I won’t be editing on a regular basis, but i want to have the ability to edit if I need to). Might be doing a bunch of these things simultaneously.

Will a macbook air 2019 cut it? Also what about keyboard reliability and 128gb ssd?

Will the dual core processor suffice?

Mind you that I’m getting it refurbished for 929$

have there been any reports about reliability issues with 4th gen butterfly keyboards? Key travel isn’t important to me just the reliability.

If you have nothing to do these things with: go for it.

If you can wait until they replace the keyboard, wait.

I'm holding onto my 13" MBP until they replace the keyboard.

 

[Mohamed Kamal]

I can see why you would need more space. Apple should definitely mKe 256 the minimum tbh, even if some people can get by with 128.

I bring the most important things I need for school and work. My iBooks contain textbooks including audiobooks which I listen to while I walk to school (about 40-50 minutes return trip). I also have a school folder which includes lecture recordings, slides, summaries, journal articles etc as well as coding and website projects. Sometimes I'm forced to work offline. Xcode alone takes up so much space. I also spend a lot of time outside (in clinics and libraries) so I try to bring study references (in iBooks, synced to iPhone/iPad). I store all media files on an external drive so the contents of my hard drive are all work and school related. Apple should make 256GB as the default minimum though. My next purchase would be a 512GB/1TB so I can finally put games and backup all devices on my laptop with lots of space to spare.

I can see why you would need more space. Apple should definitely mKe 256 the minimum tbh, even if some people can get by with 128.

I got mine at Costco for 799
So far I love it.
I did however get a Lacie 5TB external drive.
So far Ive been able to put photos, music, GoPro, and other files on the external drive no problem.

Even though the Costco sale is over, They have the MBP on sale now.

New Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" with Touch Bar - Intel Core i5 - 8GB Memory - 256GB SSD - Silver. 1249.99

And the MBA may go on sale again, as that is how Costco usually does it.
Good Luck

thanks!

 

[Seanm87]

Try to make your own decisions with storage space. People on this forum have a habit of assuming their usage is the same of everyone else's. 128 is plenty for a lot of people and certainly is for me.

I also have 64 gig on my phone and iPad and am using about half of it. I have 1000 photos saved locally (not on iCloud) and still not scratching the surface.

Now you may find it isn't enough for you in which case get the 256. But base your decision on your usage and not what people on here say.

If I made my buying decisions based on what people on macrumors say id have spend hundreds more than I needed to.

 

[Saturn007]

"Battery life doesn't seem to be that great, though, honestly. Will wait for a final verdict but I notice no extra time between charges compared to my 2015 MBA with an identical use case."

I'm surprised by the description that the battery life "doesn't seem to be that great". That's weird if it's also the case that it last as long as your 2015 MBA does. Oh, wait! I suppose your 2015 MBA's battery is shot or getting there, so that's why it's an issue.

Not sure how I got lucky, but my MBA battery is now over 800 cycles with a battery health of 78% (sometimes it sneaks back up to 80%) and lasting 7-9 hours (depending upon brightness level and WiFi use).

"regardless of mechanism type, MacBooks are never going to increase key travel. it is what it is."

Except that they did increase it on the new 16"... reports here are that it's about 1mm vs. .7 mm on the butterfly keyboard, so the travel distance did go up!

Keep our fingers crossed for the 2020 revision!

 

[Nacho98]

Personally back to considering an Air again. After Apple couldn't get the quality control right on three brand new 12" Macbooks I tried, I'm giving up on that and back to considering an Air.

But we are so close to a quad core Air, potentially with a scissor keyboard? Given that the Air was just redesigned a little over a year ago, I'm really interested to see if they accelerate the new keyboard, or if they blissfully just keep selling the butterfly in the Air for the next couple years (yes, I'm aware the latest revision of the butterfly is better, but it's still inevitably going to be replaced with the scissor switch).

But does quad core matter for me, who literally wants a second computer to just browse the internet on because I'm sick of using iPads around the house? No, and new poverty spec Airs are $880 at Microcenter still.........

 

[jinnyman]

Unless the discount is outrageous, I think getting a dual core this time of the year is not a wise decision.
Wait if you can.

You will cry when low power multi core laptop comes out eventually.

 

[The Game 161]

from the opinion of many on here th keyboard is worth waiting for but as a 2019 MacBook Air user the keyboard is fine for me at the moment...is the new one that much better? will the 2020 MacBook Air only improvement be the keyboard?
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"Battery life doesn't seem to be that great, though, honestly. Will wait for a final verdict but I notice no extra time between charges compared to my 2015 MBA with an identical use case."

I'm surprised by the description that the battery life "doesn't seem to be that great". That's weird if it's also the case that it last as long as your 2015 MBA does. Oh, wait! I suppose your 2015 MBA's battery is shot or getting there, so that's why it's an issue.

Not sure how I got lucky, but my MBA battery is now over 800 cycles with a battery health of 78% (sometimes it sneaks back up to 80%) and lasting 7-9 hours (depending upon brightness level and WiFi use).

"regardless of mechanism type, MacBooks are never going to increase key travel. it is what it is."

Except that they did increase it on the new 16"... reports here are that it's about 1mm vs. .7 mm on the butterfly keyboard, so the travel distance did go up!

Keep our fingers crossed for the 2020 revision!

as a 2019 MacBook Air user I have to leave mine plugged in all day at work as it will die by 3-4pm otherwise...for at home usage it's fine but for a long flight I wouldn't say it would last.

 

[dougt24]

Today I ordered a MBA 8gb/256gb from Costco as it is the last day of their sale. I kept going back and forth between the MBA and the MBP but I did not want to over buy for my needs. My needs are basic ... excel for financial modeling, word documents, web based accounting apps, web browsing and occasional streaming. No video or photo editing or highly complex excel modeling.

Costco's 90 day return policy gives me plenty of time to evaluate the MBA and upcoming spring refreshes, if any.