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Treated myself to a new 15" M3 MBA today

danb1979

danb1979

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Feb 5, 2015
1,490
2,520
Preston, Lancs - UK
What a superb machine...

My M1 MBA was brilliant, but the smaller screen was starting to annoy me, more so with numerous docs being open at the same time etc...

I'd been working off my M4 iMac recently and realised that I needed to upgrade the MBA as that's my business computer and really should be doing all my work on that

So here it is; 16GB/256GB M3 15" MBA in midnight ;) Fitted it with a Supcase case also for extra protection

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danb1979 said:
I'd been working off my M4 iMac recently and realised that I needed to upgrade the MBA as that's my business computer and really should be doing all my work on that
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On both my MacBook Air and my iMac, I keep a separate user account that's logged into all my work stuff (different iCloud account, email accounts, etc). It's very quick to switch between accounts, and you can even do it by pressing the TouchID button if you register a different finger with each account.
 
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I'm also tired of the M1 smaller screen. I'm working at home mostly because of the 2nd monitor and the setup with keyboard. I did a quick search on amazon and the MAIR 15 is still pricey. I would quickly trade for one if I could.
 
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Just did the same and do not regret the xtra $500 savings over the M4. The M3 MacBook Air 15 is selling for a great price! Enjoy! Best Buy had some killer prices on the M3 models and I could not resist!
 
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Just speaking personally if you want to protect the surface finish of your MBA then I would use a wrap instead of a plastic snap on Sup Case. The plastic frame on the display lid can add extra weight and cause damage to the hinge and add more weight when the MBA is closed causing damage to the screen coating.

I have found a plastic sticker type wrap custom made for your Mac provides protection for minor scratches and scuffs and keeps the MB finish looking new. Obviously for work drop protect may be more important then a case like you have is the only choice but if I were you I would take it off when not in the field.
 
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Technerd108 said:
Just speaking personally if you want to protect the surface finish of your MBA then I would use a wrap instead of a plastic snap on Sup Case. The plastic frame on the display lid can add extra weight and cause damage to the hinge and add more weight when the MBA is closed causing damage to the screen coating.

I have found a plastic sticker type wrap custom made for your Mac provides protection for minor scratches and scuffs and keeps the MB finish looking new. Obviously for work drop protect may be more important then a case like you have is the only choice but if I were you I would take it off when not in the field.
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I had a similar case on my M1 MBA for 3 years. Never causes any issues and it was as new when it got sold on
 
Jackbequickly said:
Just did the same and do not regret the xtra $500 savings over the M4. The M3 MacBook Air 15 is selling for a great price! Enjoy!
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I'm also curious how you calculated $500 savings over the future M4 Macbook Air. If you're referring to the M4 Macbook Pro, that's only $300 more and comes with double the storage.

There's no way the forthcoming M4 MBA 15 will be priced $500 higher than the M3 MBA 15...that would make the MBA more expensive than the M4 Macbook Pro.
 
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I'm also looking at maybe picking up a MBA 15. I agree with @elmoss that the price is very close to a similarly spec MBP 14 which does have a better screen and speakers (plus a some more ports). Even with all that, the MBA 15 seems like the perfect size to me.

I am currently on a M1 MBP 16, and after looking at the 14, 15 and 16 inch screen sizes - I feel the MBA 15 is really as small as I would want to go. Even with the better screen, side by side I prefer the MBA 15 over the MBP 14. So then it really comes down to the MBA 15 or MBP 16, and I think I'd take the cost and weight savings over the better performing and nicer (screen and speakers) MBP 16.

It's a shame Apple priced the MBA 15 and MBP 14 so closely. The MBP 14 is really the better deal for someone who likes the 14" screen size.
 
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OldMike said:
I'm also looking at maybe picking up a MBA 15. I agree with @elmoss that the price is very close to a similarly spec MBP 14 which does have a better screen and speakers (plus a some more ports). Even with all that, the MBA 15 seems like the perfect size to me.

I am currently on a M1 MBP 16, and after looking at the 14, 15 and 16 inch screen sizes - I feel the MBA 15 is really as small as I would want to go. Even with the better screen, side by side I prefer the MBA 15 over the MBP 14. So then it really comes down to the MBA 15 or MBP 16, and I think I'd take the cost and weight savings over the better performing and nicer (screen and speakers) MBP 16.

It's a shame Apple priced the MBA 15 and MBP 14 so closely. The MBP 14 is really the better deal for someone who likes the 14" screen size.
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I was conflicted too between MBA 15 and MBP 14. I had an M2 Max MBP 16 and don't want the weight nor bulk again.

The MBA 15 display is still impressive in its own right. I ended up getting the new M4 Pro MBP 14, but will buy an M4 MBA 15 for my wife. It will be her first Apple laptop after decades of Windows laptops. We may consider an M3 MBA 15 if deals get sweeter, but if current prices remain the same then we'll get the M4.
 
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Congratulations!

My SO and I splurged, moving from Windows to Mac recently with (2) M4 Mac Minis! We needed to spend more for more U-RAM and storage. We hate Apple for that, but we love them for all the :apple: utility, apps, power, and speed that the M4 provides.

We're gonna need to wait a bit and might splurge on Mac laptops later this year. Might be MBA. Might be MBP. Both concern me though. How do you deal with your palm/hands accidentally doing things inadvertently while typing something? That's a huge surface area on the touch/click pad!
 
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DELLsFan said:
How do you deal with your palm/hands accidentally doing things inadvertently while typing something?
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My palms do not rest on the trackpad but on the space on either side. I have the 14" model. There is also palm rejection on the trackpad so generally it is not an issue. I have typed a lot on the MacBook and have not had an issue with unintentional clicks.
 
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DELLsFan said:
Congratulations!

My SO and I splurged, moving from Windows to Mac recently with (2) M4 Mac Minis! We needed to spend more for more U-RAM and storage. We hate Apple for that, but we love them for all the :apple: utility, apps, power, and speed that the M4 provides.

We're gonna need to wait a bit and might splurge on Mac laptops later this year. Might be MBA. Might be MBP. Both concern me though. How do you deal with your palm/hands accidentally doing things inadvertently while typing something? That's a huge surface area on the touch/click pad!
Click to expand...

Honestly it is not an issue at all. Palm rejection is built into MacOS. It works really well.

Windows laptops that copy Apple's with huge glass trackpads are more of a problem in my personal experience.

When it comes to laptops Apple is so far ahead in many ways even with lesser "specs".

I have a Samsung Galaxybook pro 4 360 with 120 hz Amoled screen and a lot of high end specs yet in actual daily use my M2 MBA feels faster and I use it way more because I enjoy MacOS so much.

My next Apple laptop will probably be later this year or next year because my M2 MBA I got in 2022 is still working flawless.

With Windows laptops after 6 months it starts to feel slower. This always made me upgrade every year or so. With my MacBook it is the first time in many years I just don't feel like I need to.

I would highly recommend a MBA 13" or a MacBook Pro 14" with the latest m series chips. Try them out at the Apple store or Best Buy and see for yourself the differences and pros and cons between the 2.
 
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DELLsFan said:
Congratulations!

My SO and I splurged, moving from Windows to Mac recently with (2) M4 Mac Minis! We needed to spend more for more U-RAM and storage. We hate Apple for that, but we love them for all the :apple: utility, apps, power, and speed that the M4 provides.

We're gonna need to wait a bit and might splurge on Mac laptops later this year. Might be MBA. Might be MBP. Both concern me though. How do you deal with your palm/hands accidentally doing things inadvertently while typing something? That's a huge surface area on the touch/click pad!
Click to expand...

I use seaprate Apple Magic numeric keyboard and trackpad for both my iMac and MBA when I'm sat at my desk...

When I'm in the lounge on my MBA (generally because the wood burners lit) ;) I don't have any issues as I've shovel like hands and at 6ft 4, long arms haha
 
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danb1979 said:
I use seaprate Apple Magic numeric keyboard and trackpad for both my iMac and MBA when I'm sat at my desk...

When I'm in the lounge on my MBA (generally because the wood burners lit) ;) I don't have any issues as I've shovel like hands and at 6ft 4, long arms haha
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Do you get shocks when charging it? The M4 pro I tried did.
 
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I have the 13’6 Midnight 16/500 - typing this on it. Love the color as well.
But next time I will trade in/sell/upgrade earlier so I can buy a relatively new with some discount instead of buying from Apple, that never have discounts - at least not here.

I only wish Apple still made the 11’6, but with thin bezels.
 
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