MacBook Air M4 will miss this

[rafark]

Most people in this target market couldn’t care less about 8-core vs. 10-core CPU.

Literally all their points are very minor upgrades/differences. Nobody cares about 2 extra cores when these chips are already plenty fast.

The only strong point is promotion.

 

[Astuces iOS]

I went from a M1 Air to my current M4 Pro; my observations:

• Don't want or like space black, on computers or phones.
• Don't care about cores. I can't tell any difference, whatsoever, in day-to-day usage.
• Screen is better, but not enough to matter.
• 14 vs 13 screen. Nice, but not a big deal.
• I don't buy base storage regardless of the model. Minimum 1tb.
• HDMI was already available with a multi-port splitter, which I still carry.
• Same for the SD card slot.
• Battery is fine on both.

What I do miss is the wedge shape, the lighter weight, the lack of a fan, and lack of fan grates on the sides. I kind of wish I had waited for the M4 Air, but I wanted to get my upgrades in before tariffs.

The only thing I really like is having a usb-c port on both sides.

Ok maybe a lot of people won’t care but with this post they can now what you will get extra on the pro model 😜

 

[theorist9]

Air does have a headphone jack...

Thanks for catching my mistake! I'll correct it my post.

 

[Tozovac]

Hoping the wedge shape returns, which wouldn't be a shocker. Apple's been slow back stepping away from and undoing some of the more boneheaded decisions oner the past 10 years... Added back ports... Fixed the keyboard to where it was before... Yosemite flat design nonsense... Returned the function keys/esc key... T-shaped arrows... I can live with the current form factor but the wedge shape felt more comfortable overall.

 

[oneMadRssn]

- Space Black (probably but ok you have Midnight on the air)

I avoid all aluminum colors. Pure silver for me. It hides minor scratches the best, looks good long term.

- 14.2 inch display (against 13.6 on the base model)

13" and 15" are the optimal sizes. 14.2" is neither compact nor large enough for side-by-side work. 16.2" is too big for a portable.

- 10 cores cpu (base iMac M4 has 8 and available in 10 cores cpu... I guess we will have a similar thing)

- 10 cores gpu (against 8, like the cpu, a 10 cores gpu model will be available!)

Meh, whatever. All my compute happens on a remote server anyway. I don't need raw power locally.

- 24h of battery (against probably 20)

Battery life on all Apple products is awesome. Anything over 12 hours reliable battery life for a laptop is fine.

- 512gb of base storage (against 256gb)

Yea agreed, 512bg is worth paying for.

- Better screen image quality (mini-LED/
Liquid Retina XDR display)

- More nits (Up to 1000/1600 against maybe 600)

- ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz

Agreed, the MBP is better here. We'll see what the refresh brings.

- High-fidelity six-speaker sound system (against Four-speaker sound system)

My laptop speakers do nothing but play the Outlook new email sound. No laptop speaker will ever match the fidelity of headphones.

- HDMI port

- SDXC card slot

Meh, whatever. For the twice I year I need either of these, a USB-C dongle is just fine. And the benefit of a dongle is I can use the same one for iPad and iPhone now.

 

[Tozovac]

I avoid all aluminum colors. Pure silver for me. It hides minor scratches the best, looks good long term.

agree!

Meh, whatever. For the twice I year I need either of these, a USB-C dongle is just fine. And the benefit of a dongle is I can use the same one for iPad and iPhone now.

disagree! The only good dongle is a dead dongle. I like a flexible port laptop for sure to maximize the "one stop shop" use aspect of a laptop. There's a reason I don't carry around a Mac mini, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and 20 lb Bluetti power supply lol.

 

[oneMadRssn]

disagree! The only good dongle is a dead dongle. I like a flexible port laptop for sure to maximize the "one stop shop" use aspect of a laptop. There's a reason I don't carry around a Mac mini, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and 20 lb Bluetti power supply lol.

I feel like your last line contradicts your point. Wouldn't that be the ultimate "one stop shop"?

There's a reason I don't carry around a computer with SCSI, Serial, Parallel, VGA, DVI, PS2, composite, component, etc. connectors. If I don't need it daily, then I don't want it integrated.

There's also a reason I don't carry around a laptop with HDMI, an iPad with HDMI, and an iPhone with HDMI. I don't need HDMI ports everywhere because one HDMI port (dongle) can be used with any of my devices. A cheapo device that weighs under 20 grams can replace countless rarely-used ports.

 

[Parowdy]

MacBook Air M4 is a good computer but compared to the MacBook Pro, you will miss all of this :

- Space Black (probably but ok you have Midnight on the air)

- 14.2 inch display (against 13.6 on the base model)

- 10 cores cpu (base iMac M4 has 8 and available in 10 cores cpu... I guess we will have a similar thing)

- 10 cores gpu (against 8, like the cpu, a 10 cores gpu model will be available!)

- 24h of battery (against probably 20)

- 512gb of base storage (against 256gb)

- Better screen image quality (mini-LED/
Liquid Retina XDR display)

- More nits (Up to 1000/1600 against maybe 600)

- ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz

- High-fidelity six-speaker sound system (against Four-speaker sound system)

- HDMI port

- SDXC card slot

Do you need all of this, maybe not but if you are searching for a 512gb model, this is a good deal for you since the screen will be much better !

PS : For the iMac you need to pay an extra 400$ to get 10 cores CPU + 10 Cores GPU + 512gb of storage... it could be similar on the air... Take also in note this is just based on rumors.

Sorry but who did this benefit? Couldn’t you have waited one more day? And if not, why?

 

[Tozovac]

@oneMadRssn it's a non-winnable argument, but I highly value toting JUST the laptop on a given day and connecting to various USB- and HDMI-monitors in various work locations which already have cables and/or docking stations.

One stop shop: 1 piece of hardware (laptop) and no pocket of dongles to tote (and eventually lose).

 

[theorist9]

Meh, whatever. For the twice I year I need either of these, a USB-C dongle is just fine. And the benefit of a dongle is I can use the same one for iPad and iPhone now.

Obviously this depends on your usage. If you're teaching, or regularly giving business lectures, not having to mess with an HDMI doggle (which also means not having to remember to repack it while you are gathering your things up after class while talking to students) is a great convenience.

It might seem like a small thing, but being able to just grab the HDMI cable and plug it in directly is surprisingly nice.

And before you object that different projectors need different connectors, let me assure you that I've spoken in many different rooms, and HDMI is the standard. IME, it's quite rare to encounter a projector that doesn't use that.

 

[Tozovac]

Sorry but who did this benefit? Couldn’t you have waited one more day? And if not, why?

Why do any of us post here in macrumors, where each one of us is both correct and wrong at the same time in everything we post, depending upon the reader lol.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Sorry but who did this benefit? Couldn’t you have waited one more day? And if not, why?

Going to make another post tomorrow (if the new air is released) this is like preview just to keep people prepared and have suspense !!!

 

[oneMadRssn]

@oneMadRssn it's a non-winnable argument, but I highly value toting JUST the laptop on a given day and connecting to various USB- and HDMI-monitors in various work locations which already have cables and/or docking stations.

One stop shop: 1 piece of hardware (laptop) and no pocket of dongles to tote (and eventually lose).

Not trying to win anything. My point is you're obviously willing to compromise on some ports. I don't think HDMI and SD are exempt from that logic. You're ok not having Ethernet. You're ok not having USB-A. You're ok not having DisplayPort. You're ok not having CFexpress. I go on and on. Adding an HDMI port and a SD card slot does make it one-stop-shop laptop that can plug into everything without any dongles. These days, when traveling, I reach for an Ethernet dongle more often than I do for an HDMI dongle (because hotel room and conference space wifi often stinks).

Both the MBA and MBP require port-related compromises. I figure, in for a penny in for a pound. If my backpack has an HDMI dongle stashed away for the iPad anyway, why should I care if the laptop lacks an HDMI port?

 

[oneMadRssn]

Obviously this depends on your usage. If you're teaching, or regularly giving business lectures, not having to mess with an HDMI doggle (which also means not having to remember to repack it while you are gathering your things up after class while talking to students) is a great convenience.

It might seem like a small thing, but being able to just grab the HDMI cable and plug it in directly is surprisingly nice.

And before you object that different projectors need different connectors, let me assure you that I've spoken in many different rooms, and HDMI is the standard. IME, it's quite rare to encounter a projector that doesn't use that.

Yea, agreed. If you're doing that very regularly, then it's better to have it integrated.

Fwiw, while not daily, I do use lectern or conference room HDMI inputs often and always with a dongle. The dongle is never a problem. When there is an issue, 100% of the time it is with the cable itself, the conference room input switcher, or with the tv/projector.

 

[andiwm2003]

- Space Black (probably but ok you have Midnight on the air) DON'T CARE. I WANT GEEN OR YELLOW

- 14.2 inch display (against 13.6 on the base model) I want 15 inch

- 10 cores cpu (base iMac M4 has 8 and available in 10 cores cpu... I guess we will have a similar thing) No relevant for my use

- 10 cores gpu (against 8, like the cpu, a 10 cores gpu model will be available!) No relevant for my use

- 24h of battery (against probably 20) No relevant for my use

- 512gb of base storage (against 256gb) can be upgraded

- Better screen image quality (mini-LED/
Liquid Retina XDR display) No relevant for my eyes 👓

- More nits (Up to 1000/1600 against maybe 600) Don't care at all

- ProMotion technology for adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz Don't care at all

- High-fidelity six-speaker sound system (against Four-speaker sound system) True, I could miss a better soundsystem

- HDMI port Yes, I will miss that. I hate dongles

- SDXC card slot Yes, I will miss that. I hate dongles

 

[Tozovac]

Not trying to win anything. My point is you're obviously willing to compromise on some ports. I don't think HDMI and SD are exempt from that logic. You're ok not having Ethernet. You're ok not having USB-A. You're ok not having DisplayPort. You're ok not having CFexpress. I go on and on. Adding an HDMI port and a SD card slot does make it one-stop-shop laptop that can plug into everything without any dongles. These days, when traveling, I reach for an Ethernet dongle more often than I do for an HDMI dongle (because hotel room and conference space wifi often stinks).

Both the MBA and MBP require port-related compromises. I figure, in for a penny in for a pound. If my backpack has an HDMI dongle stashed away for the iPad anyway, why should I care if the laptop lacks an HDMI port?

I hear you, if I relied on a ethernet connection as much as I rely on having both HDMI and USB-C/TB ports to choose from for displays, I'd be grumbling and just accept another dongle since ethernet ports on Macs are definitely way out in the discard pile along with USB-A ports at this point. But I wish my M1 MBA had an HDMI port for the flexibility I mentioned above that appeals to me.

 

[Tozovac]

Obviously this depends on your usage. If you're teaching, or regularly giving business lectures, not having to mess with an HDMI doggle (which also means not having to remember to repack it while you are gathering your things up after class while talking to students) is a great convenience.

It might seem like a small thing, but being able to just grab the HDMI cable and plug it in directly is surprisingly nice.

And before you object that different projectors need different connectors, let me assure you that I've spoken in many different rooms, and HDMI is the standard. IME, it's quite rare to encounter a projector that doesn't use that.

Yeah. To me, USB-A has finally cleared the 50% point of jumping the shark where it seems less object than more, for lack of USB-A ports on something, in favor of USB-C. If I had to have a USB-A on a MBP I'd rather have 3 USB-C and 1 USB-A ports if I had to, than 2 of each, for example. But HDMI is still far from jumping the shark so to speak, to where it will be missed by more than those who don't care either way.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Your list is missing a few other differences: The base MBP (at least compared with the M3 Air) has an extra TB4 port and a headphone jack, as well as a better camera and more sophisticated microphone (Edit: both the MBP and Air have headphone jacks).

But the most important difference, I think, is the screen quality, and part of that is from the MBP's higher pixel density (254 ppi vs. 224 ppi). The glossy MBP screen is simply beautifully sharp with text.

Different machines for different audiences.

Yes. And in addition to being visually superior MBP displays have ~2x the available brightness, which can be a huge deal to people whose eyes prefer brighter displays.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Yeah. To me, USB-A has finally cleared the 50% point of jumping the shark where it seems less object than more, for lack of USB-A ports on something, in favor of USB-C. If I had to have a USB-A on a MBP I'd rather have 3 USB-C and 1 USB-A ports if I had to, than 2 of each, for example. But HDMI is still far from jumping the shark so to speak, to where it will be missed by fewer than those who don't care either way.

HDMI adds a port for anyone using external display(s). That can be quite a large benefit given the limited ports on laptops [very limited ports on MBAs]. It means one less TB port needs be dedicated to a display. Apple took a TB port away from MBPs with the M-series MBPs.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Yeah. To me, USB-A has finally cleared the 50% point of jumping the shark where it seems less object than more, for lack of USB-A ports on something, in favor of USB-C. If I had to have a USB-A on a MBP I'd rather have 3 USB-C and 1 USB-A ports if I had to, than 2 of each, for example. But HDMI is still far from jumping the shark so to speak, to where it will be missed by fewer than those who don't care either way.

The point about USB-A is that it is ancient low bandwidth slow throughput technology. Whereas the various techs pushed through USB-C ports can run a USB-A hub and still have bandwidth left. USB-A is a waste of space.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Literally all their points are very minor upgrades/differences. Nobody cares about 2 extra cores when these chips are already plenty fast.

The only strong point is promotion.

You are correct that the target market wants less expensive. But that does not mean that MBPs are not superior, just that MBAs are cheaper.

Suggesting that "The only strong point is promotion" is pretty silly when everything about MBPs is superior, starting with the display and the speakers, memory bandwidth, available chips, available RAM, ports, etc. Just the display differences alone comprise quite a huge differential. I agree that for much of the target market the chips themselves tend to be plenty strong enough.

 

[Tozovac]

HDMI adds a port for anyone using external display(s). That can be quite a large benefit given the limited ports on laptops [very limited ports on MBAs]. It means one less TB port needs be dedicated to a display. Apple took a TB port away from MBPs with the M-series MBPs.

Though 3 TB ports is a pretty generous amount, as a trade-off of offering convince in many cases via the HDMI port that still is in high use.

The point about USB-A is that it is ancient low bandwidth slow throughput technology. Whereas the various techs pushed through USB-C ports can run a USB-A hub and still have bandwidth left. USB-A is a waste of space.

I think you're overlooking the convenience factor of USB-A connections though. Not everyone needs bandwidth for the many things they connect with the many USB-A cables they have. Just like 1 HDMI port amongst 3 USB-C/TB ports an argument can be made for one USB-A port amongst 2 or 3 USB-C ports. 5 years ago the convenience factor was MUCH higher than it is now I think. With the passage of time and upgrading of hardware/peripherals, USB-A is over the 50% point of 'jumping the shark' like I said before. HDMI however is not there yet.

 

[theorist9]

Yeah. To me, USB-A has finally cleared the 50% point of jumping the shark where it seems less object than more, for lack of USB-A ports on something, in favor of USB-C. If I had to have a USB-A on a MBP I'd rather have 3 USB-C and 1 USB-A ports if I had to, than 2 of each, for example. But HDMI is still far from jumping the shark so to speak, to where it will be missed by fewer than those who don't care either way.

The point about USB-A is that it is ancient low bandwidth slow throughput technology. Whereas the various techs pushed through USB-C ports can run a USB-A hub and still have bandwidth left. USB-A is a waste of space.

I agree with Tozovac that having one USB-A on a laptop is nice, since I'm still seeing a lot of USB-A devices floating around, and having one USB-A port in case someone hands you, say, a USB-A key is nice. Plus most mice still seem to be USB-A.

I agree with Allen about USB-A vs. USB-C, but only when it comes to desktops. I've got so many things connected to my desktop that I need a dock anyways (I use a Sonnet Echo 11, which gives me 3 x TB4, 4 x USB-A, 1 x ethernet, 1x SXDC, and 1 x headphone jack).

Thus I wouldn't mind a desktop that has no USB-A, but I'd definitely miss it on my laptop.

I'll add my one pet peeve about USB-C: The connection isn't physically robust. I've never had a USB-A port loosen over time, or accidentally disconnect with a small amount of cable movement, but have experienced both of those with USB-C. The latter is why OWC found it necessary to add added a locking option to the USB-C connections on some of its devices. It's the price you pay for its compact size.

 

[ttyRazor]

The only reason to want an Air over the base M4 MacBook Pro is just the weight (and price, of course). The Air isn’t going to close the gap without going up in price, so instead I’d like to see a thinner and lighter 14” Pro, even if it’s for just the non-Pro M4. Maybe there could still be a thicker one for the Pro and Max chips for extra battery, but for the base M-series MacBook Pro it probably could get away with something in between the Air and the current 14” Pro weight and thickness-wise.

 

[ttyRazor]

Literally all their points are very minor upgrades/differences. Nobody cares about 2 extra cores when these chips are already plenty fast.

The only strong point is promotion.

Those two extra cores would also just bump an Air closer to thermal throttling if they made much performance difference.