MBP 13 2019 - Upgrade to M1 Air?

[abhi182]

So I got a MBP 2019 as a replacement for an ageing Macbook 12 last year.
I had every plan to keep it around for at least 4 years and even brought the 3 year warranty (i.e. ACP, not ACP+)

Unfortunately it felt a lot bigger and heavier than the macbook 12 and i soon gravitated towards using my ipad pro 11 with the basic keyboard folio instead

In the last 14-15 months, this has been used relatively sparingly - maybe 25% of the usage the macbook 12 used to get..
Having said that, as good as the ipad is, ipadOS is not OS X - period

With the new MBA M1, I am wondering if it makes sense to sell this off and get the M1 Air instead
I can potentially get 700-800 USD equivalent for this in a direct sale - and will have to spend around 300-400 USD equivalent for the M1 air (India prices)

 

[sbuntin]

If size and weight is your concern, there is not much point in switching. There is only a 100g difference between the 13" Pro and the Air.

If your MBP is a 15", that's a different story, in which either the 13" Pro or the Air would be a significant change in weight.

 

[abhi182]

true - i think its more of a want than a need at this point in time..
But again, the m1 seems like such a nice step up from the i5 :|

 

[shoppy]

I would absolutely do it but I upgrade always to the newest toy; so not the best person to ask. I have been suing many 13” air and just everything about it is impressive. Speed, battery, Life, the sheer silence of the machine is insane; I have been buying macs for over 20 years this little machine genuinely makes me smile like my ola 12” PowerBook g4 used to.

 

[ssmed]

The main advantage that I can see of the upgrade would be the excellent battery life of the new computer. I can't see you getting more work done. So, unless you need to test the developing situation in a business context this is likely a waste of money, particularly as you are already favouring your iPad.

 

[rui no onna]

I just bought a new ThinkPad earlier this year to replace an 8-year old Windows 7 laptop. Personally, the fanless M1 MacBook Air is the first time I considered the price premium for Macs totally worth it.

It's nice being able to use the MBA while in bed for things that I'd normally do on the living room PC. Plus it's super cool even on bare thighs. I don't have to worry at all about making sure air vents are not covered so it doesn't overheat.

With that said, I'm still typing this on the iPad (onscreen keyboard). I just prefer the tablet form factor.

 

[TinyWorkshop]

true - i think its more of a want than a need at this point in time..
But again, the m1 seems like such a nice step up from the i5 :|

The m1 is a nice upgrade even from a i9 honestly

 

[abhi182]

The m1 is a nice upgrade even from a i9 honestly

Yeah - thats exactly the kind of feedback that is making it difficult to not buy ?
I am pretty sure that if the stores here had received stock, I’d give in to the temptation

The online order + wait (i.e. no instant gratification) are helping in a way to make it (hopefully) a more rational decision

The main advantage that I can see of the upgrade would be the excellent battery life of the new computer. I can't see you getting more work done. So, unless you need to test the developing situation in a business context this is likely a waste of money, particularly as you are already favouring your iPad.

yeah - it wont matter workwise .
there is nothing that I do that even a 5th Gen i5 air wouldn’t handle comfortably ...
Its just that when i got the 2018 ipad pro, the first thought that struck me was wouldn’t it be cool to have a mac OS laptop that was this zippy and runs so cool - and there you go

I just bought a new ThinkPad earlier this year to replace an 8-year old Windows 7 laptop. Personally, the fanless M1 MacBook Air is the first time I considered the price premium for Macs totally worth it.

It's nice being able to use the MBA while in bed for things that I'd normally do on the living room PC. Plus it's super cool even on bare thighs. I don't have to worry at all about making sure air vents are not covered so it doesn't overheat.

With that said, I'm still typing this on the iPad (onscreen keyboard). I just prefer the tablet form factor.

Yeah - I mean even the i5 MBP can be used on the bed but in my mind, I am somehow seeing the m1 air as a drop in alternate for the ipad pro

 

[Adamj53]

I made the switch from a 2019 MBP (which replace a MacBook 12" and iMac) to M1 MBA. Absolutely no regrets, so much faster, much better battery life, better keyboard. The best bit is the lack of fans and fan noise and heat!!

 

[rui no onna]

Its just that when i got the 2018 ipad pro, the first thought that struck me was wouldn’t it be cool to have a mac OS laptop that was this zippy and runs so cool - and there you go


Yeah - I mean even the i5 MBP can be used on the bed but in my mind, I am somehow seeing the m1 air as a drop in alternate for the ipad pro

Yeah, the M1 MacBooks have a lot of the things I love about iPads.

I can use the ThinkPad in bed but the fan's noisy, battery life's not that long so it needs to be plugged in often, and I have to be careful where I place it. I can't exactly just leave it surrounded by the quilt and pillows blocking air vents.

My older laptop (circa 2012) was worse since it had a proprietary charger (no USB-C back then) that I needed to carry from room to room as well.

I actually have zero issues with performance both on old laptop and new ThinkPad. For me, it's the convenience and experience that the M1 MBA greatly improves. The M1 MBP isn't even a consideration for me due to the fan (regardless of how seldom it will actually be needed).

 

[abhi182]

I made the switch from a 2019 MBP (which replace a MacBook 12" and iMac) to M1 MBA. Absolutely no regrets, so much faster, much better battery life, better keyboard. The best bit is the lack of fans and fan noise and heat!!

Yeah, the M1 MacBooks have a lot of the things I love about iPads.

I can use the ThinkPad in bed but the fan's noisy, battery life's not that long so it needs to be plugged in often, and I have to be careful where I place it. I can't exactly just leave it surrounded by the quilt and pillows blocking air vents.

My older laptop (circa 2012) was worse since it had a proprietary charger (no USB-C back then) that I needed to carry from room to room as well.

I actually have zero issues with performance both on old laptop and new ThinkPad. For me, it's the convenience and experience that the M1 MBA greatly improves. The M1 MBP isn't even a consideration for me due to the fan (regardless of how seldom it will actually be needed).

So I did sell off the MBP and spent the INR equivalent of around 280 USD to get the M1
The thing is sold out everywhere -both online and offline.
Apple store shows a 2+ week order fulfilment timeline
I was lucky to find one last remaining unit in a local store

This may seem like an echo chamber - but this so far seems to be the best laptop I have brought - ever.
It feels the same as the old MBP in every way but way faster, runs way cooler and sips much less battery
Plus I got a 128GB upgrade as the icing on the cake (256 vs 128 on the 2019 map)

Money well spent!