M1: Did you stick with your original choice? Or did you swap?

[gregpod9]

Over a week, I've been thinking about returning my MBA SG 16GB/512GB/8C GPU for the MBP SG 8GB/512GB, however I decided not to do it. The reasons why I decided to keep the MBA are:
1. Its perfect for my usage.
2. Its Fan-less. No moving parts. Love the quietness of it. I hated how the fan in my Lenovo Yoga 720 13 inch i5 7200U/8GB/256GB turns on every 3 to 5 minutes.
3. I really don't care about the these things in the MBP: slightly better screen, slightly better speakers and mic. For sound quality, I have Logitech Z623 speakers and the AudioQuest DragonFly Red USB DAC. The screen quality on the MBA is top notch for a 400 nit brightness. Touch bar is really not necessary.
4. I will get the new redesigned MBP next year by either trading in my MBA or selling it.
5. In my opinion my MBA 16GB/512GB/8C GPU would be a more desirable unit in the used marketplace and perhaps it would have more trade in value due to the amount of memory over the MBP 8GB/512GB.
6. The specs on my MBA 16GB/512GB/8C GPU looks and feels more high-end and on paper over the MBP 8GB/512GB.

This was a really tough choice for me between the MBA and MBP due to Apple making both systems very similar in performance. It would been an easier choice if Apple renamed its high-end MBA to MBA Pro due to its extra GPU core and 512GB+ SSDs. Overall I'm satisfied with my MBA purchase.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Over a week, I've been thinking about returning my MBA SG 16GB/512GB/8C GPU for the MBP SG 8GB/512GB, however I decided not to do it. The reasons why I decided to keep the MBA are:
1. Its perfect for my usage.
2. Its Fan-less. No moving parts. Love the quietness of it. I hated how the fan in my Lenovo Yoga 720 13 inch i5 7200U/8GB/256GB turns on every 3 to 5 minutes.
3. I really don't care about the these things in the MBP: slightly better screen, slightly better speakers and mic. For sound quality, I have Logitech Z623 speakers and the AudioQuest DragonFly Red USB DAC. The screen quality on the MBA is top notch for a 400 nit brightness. Touch bar is really not necessary.
4. I will get the new redesigned MBP next year by either trading in my MBA or selling it.
5. In my opinion my MBA 16GB/512GB/8C GPU would be a more desirable unit in the used marketplace and perhaps it would have more trade in value due to the amount of memory over the MBP 8GB/512GB.
6. The specs on my MBA 16GB/512GB/8C GPU looks and feels more high-end and on paper over the MBP 8GB/512GB.

This was a really tough choice for me between the MBA and MBP due to Apple making both systems very similar in performance. It would been an easier choice if Apple renamed its high-end MBA to MBA Pro due to its extra GPU core and 512GB+ SSDs. Overall I'm satisfied with my MBA purchase.

Glad you’re happy with your new MBA.

What are you mainly using it for?

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

I'd originally ordered the MBA - but ended up with an MBP.

My original choice of the MBA was partly to have the system remain silent, partly because MBAs have usually been cooler in the lap than MBPs, and partly because I really preferred typing on my early 2020 MBA as compared to my 2018 MBP15.

While waiting for shipment of my MBA, reports of the MBPs being silent and cool were showing up. So when found an MBP of the same config available for pickup at a local Apple store so I decided to give it a try and see.

So far:

• I've found the lack of the MBAs 1-degree slope to be immaterial for me. Typing on my early-2020 MBA and typing on my M1 MBP feels no different - same for sitting in the den with my feet up or sitting at my desk. I think the issue with the MBP15 wasn't the shape but the size and butterfly keyboard.
• Fan? What fan? Haven't heard the fan on the M1 MBP yet. I supposed if I ever do and it becomes a concern, by then there will be a fan control app to keep it at a silent level of operation.
• Heat... Practically none. Sitting here at my desk with mail, safari, and a couple other things going but the CPU largely idle, the case temperatures top and bottom are ~76F as measured by my non-contact infrared thermometer. Room temp is 72F.
• Touchbar - Physical ESC key and setting it to display the Expanded Control Strip solved my issues with touchbar. Then I can get the App Controls if I hold down the Fn key. Best of both worlds if you don't need the tactile feedback of the function keys.

I cancelled my MBA order. Price difference for my config was ~15%. I didn't find any negatives to the MBP vs the MBA for my usage and I'll take the extra thermal headroom of the MBP as well as the various other improvements.

EDIT - forgot to attach what my touchbar setup looks like; it's set up to match my external Apple Magic Keyboard -- thereby solving my 2nd biggest gripe with touchbar (discontinuous user interface). Plus you can tweak it to show other controls if you prefer.

View attachment 1685964 View attachment 1685957

I love the fact that you can edit the Touch Bar, to suit your preference.

And it can be set up as a regular set of keys, as you’ve got it.

The Touch Bar is one of the reasons for me going for the MBP M1.

Thanks for your post/info.

 

[justinf77]

Had a MBA 16/1, returned it for a MBP 16/1. I loved the MBA, but in the end I actually missed the Touch Bar as odd as that sounds, and I found myself reaching for it a bunch of times on the MBA and disappointed it wasn't there.

The additional battery life is also quite noticeable to me as well, it seems to drain less quickly than the MBA one. All of the other little extras are just icing on the cake (better speakers / mic, brighter screen, etc.)

That said... I will likely be in the camp of trading this M1 MBP in as soon as the higher end models are out, mostly because I really miss having 4 ports. We'll see what the redesign brings, hopefully there won't be any nasty surprises like with the butterfly keyboard in 2016.

 

[drsox]

I have an Air and my Son has an older Pro I handed down to him. When I heard this claim, I tried it out. There is no difference in the typing position between the two that I am able to discern.

IME yes there is. I've had both and I prefer the MBA. It's the low profile edge that does it.

 

[Grid]

I was all set to get a maxed out mini but have decided to get a maxed out MBA instead. I had a 2016 MBP 13 which was rarely disconnected from my LG 5k Ultrafine and died a few weeks ago. Since I rarely need a laptop and would prefer not to have to worry about a deteriorating battery, the mini seemed a good choice. But I read that the fan runs constantly (if almost inaudibly) on the mini and the idea of a completely silent machine is very appealing. Also for a little extra money I might as well have a second screen, Touch ID and portability. One of my reasons for considering a desktop is that the SSD on my work machine - a 5k iMac - was so much faster than the SSD on my MBP. Since the Air has a very fast SSD, is in most applications as fast as the mini, and is completely silent, it seems a better choice.

 

[Zazoh]

IME yes there is. I've had both and I prefer the MBA. It's the low profile edge that does it.

Clearly you didn't have Ms Wilson for Typing I & II in High School. NO DROPPING THE PALMS ... hahah

 

[Marshall73]

Went for the Air 8GB/512GB, wanted to try it out and was going to return it if it was no good and go for the Pro. I’m sticking with the Air. I love it. (I went from a late 2016 Pro with 460 Pro)

 

[drsox]

Clearly you didn't have Ms Wilson for Typing I & II in High School. NO DROPPING THE PALMS ... hahah

Didn't study Typing at school - Shorthand neither - although I have family connections with the teaching of both.

 

[MarkAtl]

I love the fact that you can edit the Touch Bar, to suit your preference.

And it can be set up as a regular set of keys, as you’ve got it.

The Touch Bar is one of the reasons for me going for the MBP M1.

Thanks for your post/info.

That’s my next step - editing the TB. So far I really haven’t used it.

Is there a universal or native app out yet for this?

 

[Grid]

I was all set to get a maxed out mini but have decided to get a maxed out MBA instead. I had a 2016 MBP 13 which was rarely disconnected from my LG 5k Ultrafine and died a few weeks ago. Since I rarely need a laptop and would prefer not to have to worry about a deteriorating battery, the mini seemed a good choice. But I read that the fan runs constantly (if almost inaudibly) on the mini and the idea of a completely silent machine is very appealing. Also for a little extra money I might as well have a second screen, Touch ID and portability. One of my reasons for considering a desktop is that the SSD on my work machine - a 5k iMac - was so much faster than the SSD on my MBP. Since the Air has a very fast SSD, is in most applications as fast as the mini, and is completely silent, it seems a better choice.

Just ordered (MBA silver, 16GB memory, 2TB SSD) and the estimated delivery date is January 4. That will teach me to take my time choosing which model to buy!

 

[Macrumorsss]

As per the title?

What system did you go with (MBA, MBP or Mini) and did you stick with your choice? Or, did you have second thoughts/regrets and swap it out for a different system?

I’ve ordered the M1 MBP 512 16, and hope I’ve made the right choice. Was thinking the Air may be more comfortable to type on, but I liked the little extras the MBP is equipped with. Also, I’ve never used a Touch Bar before, and I’m really looking forward to playing around with it. Watched a few tutorial videos, and it looks really intriguing.

What‘s your story?

I went with a base MacBook Air and I could not be happier both from a cost perspective with an education discount and from a performance perspective.

 

[OdT22]

I'd originally ordered the MBA - but ended up with an MBP.

My original choice of the MBA was partly to have the system remain silent, partly because MBAs have usually been cooler in the lap than MBPs, and partly because I really preferred typing on my early 2020 MBA as compared to my 2018 MBP15.

While waiting for shipment of my MBA, reports of the MBPs being silent and cool were showing up. So when found an MBP of the same config available for pickup at a local Apple store so I decided to give it a try and see.

So far:

• I've found the lack of the MBAs 1-degree slope to be immaterial for me. Typing on my early-2020 MBA and typing on my M1 MBP feels no different - same for sitting in the den with my feet up or sitting at my desk. I think the issue with the MBP15 wasn't the shape but the size and butterfly keyboard.
• Fan? What fan? Haven't heard the fan on the M1 MBP yet. I supposed if I ever do and it becomes a concern, by then there will be a fan control app to keep it at a silent level of operation.
• Heat... Practically none. Sitting here at my desk with mail, safari, and a couple other things going but the CPU largely idle, the case temperatures top and bottom are ~76F as measured by my non-contact infrared thermometer. Room temp is 72F.
• Touchbar - Physical ESC key and setting it to display the Expanded Control Strip solved my issues with touchbar. Then I can get the App Controls if I hold down the Fn key. Best of both worlds if you don't need the tactile feedback of the function keys.

I cancelled my MBA order. Price difference for my config was ~15%. I didn't find any negatives to the MBP vs the MBA for my usage and I'll take the extra thermal headroom of the MBP as well as the various other improvements.

EDIT - forgot to attach what my touchbar setup looks like; it's set up to match my external Apple Magic Keyboard -- thereby solving my 2nd biggest gripe with touchbar (discontinuous user interface). Plus you can tweak it to show other controls if you prefer.

View attachment 1685964 View attachment 1685957

Thanks for posting this!! I just customized the TB on mine, and now love it. I wasn't a fan of the TB before but wanted the battery life and screen of the MBP. Your post made me glad to have the TB, now. Cool deal!

 

[Runs For Fun]

I went with the MBA 512/16GB. I knew immediately that’s what I wanted and I know I made the right decision.

 

[deeddawg]

That’s my next step - editing the TB. So far I really haven’t used it.

Is there a universal or native app out yet for this?

Basic stuff in Settings->Keyboard.

I’ve heard great things about BetterTouchTool but haven’t tried it myself.

 

[OdT22]

Basic stuff in Settings->Keyboard.

I’ve heard great things about BetterTouchTool but haven’t tried it myself.

I downloaded it last week, and it appeared to be far more than I wanted to get in to. Not that it wasn't a cool concept, but it looked like I would have to put some effort in to it to get any desired results. Deleted it. Your solution (above) was much more of the fix I wanted. Thanks again

 

[deeddawg]

I downloaded it last week, and it appeared to be far more than I wanted to get in to. Not that it wasn't a cool concept, but it looked like I would have to put some effort in to it to get any desired results. Deleted it. Your solution (above) was much more of the fix I wanted. Thanks again

You’re welcome, always nice to know something I’ve posted was a help to someone else. 👍

 

[DeanL]

Swapping from Space Grey to Silver

 

[T5BRICK]

I planned on ordering the 16GB/1TB MBP, but last night I ended up ordering the 16GB/1TB MBA. The fanless design and the standard “F” keys were what swayed my decision. This will be the first time since Late 2004 that I haven’t had a PowerBook or MacBook Pro!

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Swapping from Space Grey to Silver

My MBP that I ordered is silver.

My iPad Pro is silver, as is my 12 Pro Max.

Classic.

 

[deeddawg]

Swapping from Space Grey to Silver

Do let us know which color is fastest...

 

[jerryk]

The M1 is a Gen 1 system. Going with base Air. When they ship, I will look at adding 14" or 16" with a later SOC version and more memory and drive space, and mini-led display. I hope they also have 4 USB-C ports.

 

[The Cockney Rebel]

Do let us know which color is fastest...

HaHa.

 

[wacomme]

What made you decide to change ?

When I had many apps open, and that happens somewhat frequently, Activity Monitor showed RAM red, the computer became a little sluggish, and I occasionally got the spinning wheel.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Stayed with my M1 Pro. Briefly considered the M1 Air but I was able to use that too since a relative has it and I missed the Touch Bar. Yes, I'm one of those people that likes it.