I would like to get an MBA soon but it’s not like I NEED one right now. I like most things I’ve read about the 2020 base M1 MBA. I also really like the price tag of $999. I know the MBP is expected to have some fairly significant updates this year, as well as possibly a significant price increase. I’m a very basic user (Internet, documents, Netflix, etc). I have searched but can’t find much info on whether or not the MBA is expected to receive some major updates this year. Any thoughts on if waiting for an updated MBA is a good idea? Thanks!
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Buy base M1 MBA or wait....
- Thread starter Mojer
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Short answer: No, waiting is not a good idea.
It would deprive you of an educational experience for some extended time.
Latest rumors include bringing back MagSafe - that coupled with an updated Apple Silicon chip and a redesign is pretty damn significant...
My advice is always: don't buy a computer until you need to buy a computer.
There's always something newer, better, fancier just around the corner.
Why wait? What assurance you have for tomorrow, or for a minute from now, that you will be in a position to get a new Mac? Do you know if you will be alive a minute from now, or that you will be healthy, or have the financial means?
My point is, if you can do it now, just do it!
My point is, if you can do it now, just do it!
If you want an Air, there is no reason to wait. The M1 is as powerful as the 16" MBP on some tests. Also, it has fantastic battery life and no fan and associated noise. On basic user tasks, such as mail, youtube videos, and browsing it can go up to 15 hours. The Intel version was about 1/2 as long
So the major changes have occurred to the Air. Future Mxx SOCs will make it faster and perhaps last a little longer, but the step up to the new Mxx performance curve has already occurred.
So the major changes have occurred to the Air. Future Mxx SOCs will make it faster and perhaps last a little longer, but the step up to the new Mxx performance curve has already occurred.
Interesting. Not sure what that guy's reliability is, but I'd expect Apple would be focusing on migrating the rest of the line to Apple Silicon before doing much to replace their existing AS offerings. I'd anticipate the timeline to be at the later portion (sometimes in 2022) if the rumor comes to fruition.
Which basically goes back to my advice - if there's not a clear reason to buy a new computer now, then it's best to wait. Reevaluate when the back-to-school promos drop later this year. Reevaluate when the four-port MBP models move to Apple Silicon. etc.
I doubt that you will see a updated MBA until October at the earliest and more likely to be Q1 2022, I believe Apple will focus on moving the rest of the Notebook Mac and iMac line to Apple Silicon before redesigning the Air.
Apple also has to more fully debug BS on their current M1 line.
For example waking up monitors from sleeping.
Or M1 crashing and rebooting during Youtube videos.
For example waking up monitors from sleeping.
Or M1 crashing and rebooting during Youtube videos.
Zero issues playing YouTube video on my Air, which I do a lot. I never use Safari, so that may be a factor. Was using Chrome, now using Edge. Also, don't use external monitors.
You must have an issue with your M1. YouTube in Safari has never crashed on my MBA. Had mine since launch day. I use YouTube just about every day.
If you are happy with your current laptop then no reason to change. These are not limited stock items... you'll always get what you want when you need it. I doubt they'll increase the price anytime soon so the base will always be available, and maybe it'll have a small tweak / upgrade in the next release, but not much I don't think.
However, the MBP might get a bigger tweak and the price might also get a tweak up.
If all you're doing is Internet, documents, Netflix, etc you could get a computer from 5 years ago and it would function 99% the same.
Just buy the MBA if you want a new computer but realize chances are high it won't change anything about your day to day computer usage or experience.
People need to realize the time of computer upgrades being relevant to average users is over and has been for a while. A quad core computer with a moderate clock and an integrated GPU is beyond capable for most users.
Unless you have a specific use case that requires a more powerful computer a base model mac should be plenty. No reason to wait for something more powerful when the current generation is already beyond what an average user needs.
Not sure I completely agree with this. While you can surely do the same tasks, the M1 just feels faster and more responsive. Even trivial thing like how fast it wakes when you open the screen is noticeably faster than a 2018 MBP 15 I used this week. Same with launching apps, I could notice the difference in how fast things happened on the M1.
While none of this matters for getting the job done, it does contribute to the overall user experience. I definitely do not want to go back to the 2018 15" MBP.
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I actually agree with @w0lf. Most people don't care for those details, or if they do they don't care enough for it to justify the extra expense. Most people are unaware that internet forums like these exist where people like you and me, who absolutely care about the little things like a fast wake-up experience, spend their free time to argue the pros and cons of specific computers. I'm the same with cars - I honestly don't give a hoot about them as long as they get me from A to B in a timely and comfortable fashion. Yet there are forums out there where people go to virtual war over rims, headlights, or interior design choices.
Let's face it - forums on the internet are bubbles that most other people out there couldn't care less about.
Let's face it - forums on the internet are bubbles that most other people out there couldn't care less about.
YOLO. Are you “all in” on GME?
The reason for getting an M1 is that it’s a great computer in its own right. Not because you might die tomorrow. If I lived by that advice I wouldn’t have been so financially prudent and my “today” would suck.