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Why would anybody buy a MacBook Air?

KPOM said:
It is the same speed as the 2017 12” MacBook
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I didn't realize until you mentioned it, but I looked it up and it seems you're right.

https://www.macworld.com/article/3318566/macbook-air-2018-review.html

The Intel i5-8210Y CPU of the new Macbook Air is basically a slightly improved version of the Intel m3-7Y32 CPU of the 12" Macbook - only about 10% faster. Which is interesting because the Intel i7-7Y75 of the 12" Macbook was about 10% faster than the M3.

The Macworld article suggest to look at the new Macbook Air as basically a second-gen retina Macbook. Which is fine, but too bad it looses a lot of the neat engineering. No more latticed batteries, no more fanless design. Oh well...
 
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magicschoolbus said:
I just got an air, with 512 of ssd and 16 gb of ram

I do everything I did on my 2012 pro quicker, and the fan never. Turns. On.

I’ve been doing tons of google sheets, browser windows, multiple programs, emails, docs, etc. hasn’t missed a beat. I love it.

I also worked on it from 9am today until 7:30 this afternoon. Totally unreal.
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This is I think the biggest reason for me anyway that everyone should be talking about. The fan barely ever turns on. In the entire time I’ve had mine was never turned on even once and I’ve done some pretty extensive things on it where as my old MacBook Pro would turn on just from watching YouTube videos
 
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oneMadRssn said:
I didn't realize until you mentioned it, but I looked it up and it seems you're right.

https://www.macworld.com/article/3318566/macbook-air-2018-review.html

The Intel i5-8210Y CPU of the new Macbook Air is basically a slightly improved version of the Intel m3-7Y32 CPU of the 12" Macbook - only about 10% faster. Which is interesting because the Intel i7-7Y75 of the 12" Macbook was about 10% faster than the M3.

The Macworld article suggest to look at the new Macbook Air as basically a second-gen retina Macbook. Which is fine, but too bad it looses a lot of the neat engineering. No more latticed batteries, no more fanless design. Oh well...
Click to expand...
Exactly. People fell for the “8th gen Core” nonsense. While the Air gets Thunderbolt and the T2 chip, the average user doesn’t see much benefit. That’s the sad thing. The 12” MacBook was really a better design. Hopefully Apple comes out with an 11.6” MacBook Air. Slightly thicker but with the extra port. Until then, I recommend the base Pro. It is so much faster for basically the same size and $200 more.
 
magicschoolbus said:
I just got an air, with 512 of ssd and 16 gb of ram

I do everything I did on my 2012 pro quicker, and the fan never. Turns. On.

I’ve been doing tons of google sheets, browser windows, multiple programs, emails, docs, etc. hasn’t missed a beat. I love it.

I also worked on it from 9am today until 7:30 this afternoon. Totally unreal.
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Yes. There's a significant gap on here between those of us using the MBA daily and those guessing behaviour and performance based on their interpretation of the specs.
 
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auxbuss said:
Yes. There's a significant gap on here between those of us using the MBA daily and those guessing behaviour and performance based on their interpretation of the specs.
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Agreed. In general, people on MR are technology enthusiasts, so there is a tendency to “over spec” and exaggerate requirements. The MBA is a consumer laptop designed for the vast majority of everyday users. If that description fits, then the buyer should be fine.
 
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... and then, there's me - who purposely bought the 2017 Air a couple of months before the 'new and improved' 2018 (and after seeing the price / features gained made absolutely no sense for either the MacBook or Pro - even via the Refurb Store), and kept MagSafe, a reliable keyboard, all the ports built-in I need for peripherals (here's a hint - when traveling, as one does with a truly portable notebook, not everywhere has wireless printers, scanners, etc), and a notebook that does what I need it to do...
 
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I am the one who bought the 2018 and previously owned the mid-2012 one. I have an iPad Pro 10.5 w/ Apple Pencil in case there is some heavy workload to do, but at the time I am doing photo editing and management on my MacBook Air through Pixelmator Pro and Photos app. Sometimes slow when there are so many photos at the same time but I am acceptable of this.

I am the one who opts for MacBook Air and the lighter and even the thinner MacBook. I don't like the Pro which is thicker although the weight should not be much heavier than Air. I love the wedge-like form factor, and stable and long battery life (which Pro may not be able if I have heavy work to do) with comfortable keyboard. Speed is not my top priority, i.e. fast enough for me is okay. I am a fan of the 3rd gen butterfly keyboard and Touch ID is better, and the 2018 MacBook Air fits me as a result.
 
Erehy Dobon said:
Now that I've owned the MacBook Air 2019 for a week, I will say that its keyboard blows doors on the MacBook 2017's keyboard.

So glad I made the switch!

My MacBook 2017 is en route to Phobios and will probably end up in the refurb section of the Apple Store (I bought it in December 2017 as a refurb). Good for Apple, they have enjoyed three opportunities to sell this particular unit!

LOL
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You recommend the upgrade? Debating whether to do so myself while I still have education discount...
 
jgorman said:
Notebookcheck.net updated their review of the MacBook Air. Though the screens should be 400 nits with the software update, they measured their unit at only 360 nits.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-2018-i5-256-GB-Laptop-Review.357481.0.html#c6169527

This review also has battery life measurements without the software update. They have 12 hours of battery life in both web browsing with Safari and H.264 video playback.
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thats fine as mbp in some reviews as well gets 460 nits.
 
Honestly I think the only reason this computer still exists is the name has such caché Apple doesn’t think they can drop it.
 
Had a 2019 Air for a couple of days and also have a 2018 MacBook Pro 13 2.3

I love the power of the pro, the quad core and iris gfx are a good combination but I hate:
The touchbar
The fan noise when he quad is pushed
The heat in the keyboard.

So now using them side by side I prefer the air for mobile use. It has better battery, real fn and escape keys and keeps cool and quiet even when running unity.

It does load up my projects a few seconds slower but I can live with that.
 
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Add me to the list of people on a 2019 Air. Have a 2016 15" Pro which I gave to a family member. It had a the keyboard replaced with a second gen keyboard, but this keyboard on the Air is really a lot nicer. Never even considered buying a 13" Pro. Air costs less and has weight savings, as negligible as it may be. Been on it for about five days and serves all my needs. Should I need more power, I'll resort to the 2017 27" iMac I have.
 
Seems I'm not the only one bothered by the heat and fan noise on the MacBook Pro.

I think it's great that we finally have decent options to choose from. Performance for those who need it. Battery life, quiet operation and a lower price point for the average user.

For me, a modern computer should be thin and light. It should stay silent and cool to the touch. The MacBook Air is just that. Mine is fantastic! :)
 
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MacRazySwe said:
Seems I'm not the only one bothered by the heat and fan noise on the MacBook Pro.

I think it's great that we finally have decent options to choose from. Performance for those who need it. Battery life, quiet operation and a lower price point for the average user.

For me, a modern computer should be thin and light. It should stay silent and cool to the touch. The MacBook Air is just that. Mine is fantastic! :)
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1564180529][/doublepost]Purchased the 2019 MB Pro 13”. Returned it for the Air. Not a power user and Air feels better, doesn’t get hot, better Touch ID. Great machine!
 
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feard said:
[doublepost=1564180529][/doublepost]Purchased the 2019 MB Pro 13”. Returned it for the Air. Not a power user and Air feels better, doesn’t get hot, better Touch ID. Great machine!
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The cheaper 13" Pro or the one with 4 ports?
 
MacRazySwe said:
Still, I hate the Touch Bar and prefer the Air design, so would be happy to see a MacBook Air with 15w Quad Core.
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I am waiting until Apple releases the ARM based MBA with the new scissor keyboard. That would be the best choice with regards to save energy and avoid heat but with the performance of the best MBP's....
 
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AlexJoda said:
I am waiting until Apple releases the ARM based MBA with the new scissor keyboard. That would be the best choice with regards to save energy and avoid heat but with the performance of the best MBP's....
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an ARM transition will take time probably 2025.
[doublepost=1564227725][/doublepost]
KPOM said:
Exactly. People fell for the “8th gen Core” nonsense. While the Air gets Thunderbolt and the T2 chip, the average user doesn’t see much benefit. That’s the sad thing. The 12” MacBook was really a better design. Hopefully Apple comes out with an 11.6” MacBook Air. Slightly thicker but with the extra port. Until then, I recommend the base Pro. It is so much faster for basically the same size and $200 more.
Click to expand...
also gets touchID
 
Air 2018 or 2019 for replacement for a late 2012 iMac Base spec?

Refurb 2018 is £850
Edu 2019 is £988

Wouod air 2018/19 even be an update over my current iMac? Don't need the portability but I'm only one users iMac now and so may as well have a laptop, even though won't use out of house, but just for portability around house.
 
MrMister111 said:
Air 2018 or 2019 for replacement for a late 2012 iMac Base spec?

Refurb 2018 is £850
Edu 2019 is £988

Wouod air 2018/19 even be an update over my current iMac? Don't need the portability but I'm only one users iMac now and so may as well have a laptop, even though won't use out of house, but just for portability around house.
Click to expand...

I would take the 2019. You get True Tone plus with the education store you get free beats studio worth £250 (either keep it and enjoy or sell them bringing the price below the refurb.

With regards to the iMac, what size 21 or 27? It will probably be slightly less powerful but have an ssd which makes the machine feel much nippier
 
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