Switching from M1 Mini to M1 Air

[kidchop3]

I’m thinking of switching from the M1 Mac Mini to the M1 MacBook Air.

I’ve owned the Mac mini for just under 1 year and mainly use it to create short YouTube videos for my small channel using Final Cut Pro.

I miss the ability to not be tied to my desk whenever I want to use my computer. I have an iPad mini that I use away from my desk but I can’t really do anything productive on it as I prefer using a keyboard and mouse.

My Mac Mini is upgraded to 16GB for future proofing and I can probably sell it on eBay around £700-£800.

I’ll likely get a an upgraded MacBook Air 16GB so I’m not having buyers regret with the 8GB model.

Below are some questions if anybody can help:

1. Has anybody switched from the Mac mini/desktop Mac to the air? How was your experience?

2. Can the Air perform small 4K videos without many effects on Final Cut Pro comfortably?

3. Are there any issues with the air I should be aware of?
The Mac mini occasionally has Bluetooth/Air play drop outs which is annoying but would be good to know if Air has any other issues.

Thank you

 

[usagora]

I don't have personal experience with editing 4K video period, let alone on the M1 MBA, so I will defer to others on that, though I believe I've read where people have done that without issue.

I own and use both an M1 MBA and Mini and for me the performance is identical except my M1 Mini has an odd issue where it randomly crashes/reboots after the display is put to sleep sometimes. But it has never failed me while I'm actually using it. My M1 MBA has not had any quirks whatsoever.

I was using my M1 MBA in clamshell mode at work and then taking it home, but got tired of having to do that and/or sometimes forgetting to bring it with me or take it with me, so that's why I bought the M1 Mini (to keep at work all the time).

 

[ipsedixit]

I have both an M1 Mini and a M1 Air. The only difference between the two is that the Mini has 16 GB of ram (the Air has only 8).

Even with 8 the Air does not show any performance issues in editing 4k video, but truth be told I don't use it that often for video editing, usually save that for the desktop, where I have a larger 47" monitor.

That said, I would imagine if you plan on getting an Air with 16 GB, video editing should not be a problem.

 

[xraydoc]

I have an M1 Air with 16GB RAM and the 8-core GPU. I don’t own Final Cut Pro, but apps like iMovie run wonderfully. The Air might be a little slower than the mini when the CPU & GPU are pushed to 100% given the fact there’s no fan in the Air, but otherwise it‘s been smooth sailing over the last year.

Only thing to note is that the MBA only supports one external display, even in clamshell mode. The internal display plus the one external display simultaneously work fine, so there’s that. Not sure if that impacts you or not, but something to be aware of.

 

[kidchop3]

Thank you all. I feel more confident in buying a MacBook Air with your feedback.

Hopefully I can get one for a good deal with the 16GB Ram

 

[AudiHeel]

This review (from London) shows how capable the M1 Air and Pro are at video editing with Final Cut. Jump to the final section for Final Cut -

 

[rosegoldoli]

you sure u shouldnt just wait for the new macbook air?