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M1 MBA or M1 MBP?
- Thread starter jsoto
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My M1 Macbook Pro 13" had come in a couple days ago. I played with it, and saw virtually zero difference in performance compared to the Air in the workloads I'll be doing (development, YouTube, Twitch). I am definitely returning the Pro this coming week. It's $300 extra for 1 thing I don't want (touch bar) and other things I don't care about (unnoticeable extra brightness, sound, mic). The extra battery might be a consideration, if it didn't have the touch bar. You're making me give up productivity to have extra battery being not productive. No thanks!
The Air is a beast, and I'm not sure what demographic would want the Pro after the performance comparisons. If people wanted the touch bar, the extra battery, I see those people waiting for 2nd gen M-series processors or at least when they're put into the higher-spec'd macbooks.
If you like the Pro though, no worries. It is an excellent machine all around. Just giving my own 2-cents about the low-tier Air vs Pro comparison!
The Air is a beast, and I'm not sure what demographic would want the Pro after the performance comparisons. If people wanted the touch bar, the extra battery, I see those people waiting for 2nd gen M-series processors or at least when they're put into the higher-spec'd macbooks.
If you like the Pro though, no worries. It is an excellent machine all around. Just giving my own 2-cents about the low-tier Air vs Pro comparison!
Is there really that big difference in displays with uneven white? Looked like Air had noticeable difference between left and right side, quite evident on the display test on that video. I also yesterday went to check demo machines myself and while it was hard to judge display quality in bright store conditions, it looked to me like left side of the Air display had kind of a bluish bar on the vertical edge. I did not notice that on the demo Pro but they were on the other side of the table so it could be light hitting the screens at different angle. Otherwise display seemed nice and only slighty dimmer than in Pro, it was like Pro max. brightness minus one click was about equal to Air at max.
Anyway, otherwise I liked what I saw and I guess I'm gonna try my luck with Air as I realize display quality vary from unit to unit, so it is also question of luck what you get. However seeing them made me feel a bit like Air actually has worse panel, so maybe best ones go for Pro or Air simply has a different panel.
Anyone noticed similar things?
Have you compared displays between Pro and Air carefully? Obviously Pro is brighter but is Air display uneven compared to Pro? Like when you look at Google.com on full screen and compare left and right side of the display, do you see either having different hue whites between left and right side? Also testing some other colors and different gray levels could show difference? Have you compared them is there different in back light bleeding?
The MBA is just a screaming bargain. I'm typing this I'm my 2018 MBA base model which cost $1200 8GB 128GB storage.
The new $999 MBA is about 3X faster has way better battery life, a better display and 256GB storage, all for $200 dollars less.
The new $999 MBA is about 3X faster has way better battery life, a better display and 256GB storage, all for $200 dollars less.
My M1 Air screen is perfect, no difference between the left and right. The Air has a P3 screen just like the pro the only difference is the max brightness. The viewing angle is much improved compared with my Late 2016 MBP 15".
Sorry, meant the fan has not turned on at all while using the M1 Mini.
It runs cool as a cucumber!
Now my old i7 runs hot - very hot - so hot that the fans constantly run noisy into the max fan speeds.
I had her on a cooling fan pad just to have it run without slowing down due to the heat!
Thanks for this post.
I’m in two minds myself. I am coming from a 13 inch MBP 2015, so quite fancy an upgrade.
on the event day I ordered a 16Gb 512GB M1 MBP, it arrives Tuesday. However as many reviewers are sharing their thoughts it seems there’s little benefit over the air. Sadly all comparison videos compare the 7 GPU core air with the 8GPU core Pro, but I know I’ll get the 8 core if I go for an air.
So my question is, should I save the money and get an Air? I’ve ordered an air 16Gb 515GB just in case and it will get here mid December! So quite a wait.
I’m a Developer, but mainly front end work these days
I do very occasional video editing
spend lots of time in Photoshop and general office apps.
one thing is that my MacBook spends 80% of its time tethered to an ultrawide display.
I’ve never had a Touch Bar before, looks cool but ultimately useless.
so would the Air still suffice or is the additional overhead of the Pro best suited to an external display? (Nobody seems to be talking about this).
one point I have to make, this will be my main computer , and I expect it to last me at least 4 years.
Which form factor do you prefer? Sounds like for you that’s almost what it would come down to. My 16gb air is coming today so I’ll have a good idea !
Doesn’t make a difference to me. Most of the time the Mac will be in clamshell connected to my display.
As far as an external display is concerned you will not notice the difference between the pro and the air. I would get the Air and with the money saved increase the memory or storage (or save the money).
I have got the 8 core GPU Air, however I did watch one comparison that said there was no significant difference as few Applications max out the 7 cores, let alone the 8th.
Is the addition of a fan greater benefit When keeping a MacBook connected to an ultrawide external display?
I’ve had no issues at all using the M1 Air with the LG UltraFine 5K display. I have the 8-core GPU model. FWIW, in GeekBench Metal the 8-core GPU is about 6-7% faster than the 7-core model.
Just note that you are limited to one external display, even in clamshell mode. You can use AirPlay to connect a second external display wirelessly, or Sidecar (really just an extension of Airplay) to use a newer iPad as an extra display as well.
Sure any links on how to make that work? I have read that no matter what the automatic switching of graphics is unavoidable. I am on Mac OS X High Sierra.
Yes that’s fine anyway as I’m happy working with the single ultra wide monitor, and I can always sidecar to my iPad Pro if need be
The only one I know about is the DosDude GPU disabler. I've never tried it. If the MBP is currently unusable, you have little to lose. Probably a good idea to make a backup first. http://dosdude1.com/gpudisable/
Curious what people with MBA for a few weeks now think — are they still happy with their MBA? I have a 2018 iPad Pro 12.8” and seriously considering getting one of the M1s.
I basically use it for minor photo editing, videos, internet surfing, and some games. I’m thinking MBA but the lack of fan worries me a bit.
I basically use it for minor photo editing, videos, internet surfing, and some games. I’m thinking MBA but the lack of fan worries me a bit.
@wxnats
I have had my M1 MBA since launch day. Insane performance at this price point, it is twice as fast as my Late 2016 15" MBP that the MBA replaced. Battery life is incredible. This is my sixth Apple Laptop and is the best one I have had. Lack of fan is not an issue, laptop only get warm for extended gaming, otherwise always cold to the touch. The MBA will throttle the M1 Chip if pushed for extended time (basically gaming or Video editing rendering) but only about 10 to 15% reduction in performance. Given it is 100% faster than my old MBP, not an issue.
It has a P3 (wide colour gamut) screen for photo editing.
Apps launch super fast, instant on as soon as you open, UI is fluid and responsive.
It will make you love Mac all over again.
I have had my M1 MBA since launch day. Insane performance at this price point, it is twice as fast as my Late 2016 15" MBP that the MBA replaced. Battery life is incredible. This is my sixth Apple Laptop and is the best one I have had. Lack of fan is not an issue, laptop only get warm for extended gaming, otherwise always cold to the touch. The MBA will throttle the M1 Chip if pushed for extended time (basically gaming or Video editing rendering) but only about 10 to 15% reduction in performance. Given it is 100% faster than my old MBP, not an issue.
It has a P3 (wide colour gamut) screen for photo editing.
Apps launch super fast, instant on as soon as you open, UI is fluid and responsive.
It will make you love Mac all over again.
Thanks! I didn’t realize its instant on as soon as you open — its one thing I’ve loved about basically turning my IPP into a laptop. I had a 2015 MBP (or thereabouts) and I was sick of the overheating, lack of always on, and battery life. It sounds like MBA might be the computer for me.