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As per the title ...


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    280

Le0M

macrumors 6502a
Aug 13, 2020
944
1,282
How about activity monitor?
The 12 hour power column in the energy tab should hopefully give a reasonable indication of what is draining it
Apart from a game I sometimes play (and that drains the battery in 3 hours) nothing seems to be draining that much.
 

maclisp

macrumors newbie
Dec 28, 2020
1
1
Germany
Got a MacBook Air and also have a higher end MBP 16".

Since having an 2nd gen iPad Pro it was clear that Apple could convert their ARM CPUs into the generally first laptop and desktop capable ARM CPUs in the market. Still it is shocking to see how good the first round of machines actually are - minus some rough edges.

Sadly the form factor has not been updated. There are some rough edges (bugs) when driving external screens via HDMI. For example the machine has been hard crashing and rebooting while playing 4K/HDR movies in Youtube using Safari. It often forgets external screen configurations and the machine can wake up with strange display contents (like using the 4k-Screen only partially). My earlier Macbook 12" had similar problems driving external screens with the first year of OS software updates. My MBP 16" OTOH always had really excellent display support.

The MacBook Air can drive my external OLED screen with HDR support. What currently seems unclear to me if it will be possible to have 10bit color depth (billions of colors) on external screens. Apple is not showing information (-> I have not found any information about this) whether this is currently possible or planned for the future. The MBP 16" does 10bit color + HDR, though.

On the positive side, speed and battery life are excellent. I find the machine generally to be very responsive. There is no felt CPU speed/battery life compromise like with earlier MacBooks. After Apple had the bugs of the software for the MacBook 12" fixed (and it took them a year), that laptop was a very nice machine, but it was on the slow side with not much runtime on battery. The new MacBook Air is a different beast. It's also completely silent, just as the MacBook 12" was - no fan needed.

x86-64 support is much better than expected. Much much better. Software runs much better than I had experienced with earlier transitions (68k -> PPC, PPC -> Intel). Running iPad/iOS apps is great. The screen is actually quite good and I also found the sound with headphones to be great.

Next I'm looking forward to see more native software: VMWare, DXO Photolab, Microsoft Teams, ...

Right now I'm typing this using this configuration: MacBook Air in clamshell mode, LG 48" OLED screen, external keyboard/trackpad, stereo amplifier connected via Bluetooth, power&HDMI via Apple Digital AV Multiport Adapter.

Anyway, congrats to Apple. They've done some amazing work with the new machines.
 
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Steelhead1957

macrumors member
Nov 25, 2018
30
37
Orlando
Mine's at 3% overnight drain, I believe.

I'm normally at 10-25% brightness and so far, battery life on my MBA has been on track to exceed Apple's estimates with predominantly text web browsing using Safari and a couple hours RDP. I was using it Tuesday and got 9 hours intermittent onscreen time and it was still at 57% remaining afterwards.

I don't really have any apps installed apart from work VPN and Microsoft RDP, though. I haven't even installed Office 365 since I have Office via RDP/work PC.

P.S. I actually do have another app installed - an ad blocker. It's difficult browsing the web these days without one.
I have the same experience every day with mine and was told on this forum I was wrong, that it could never happen :). My MBA 8/512gb is awesome!
 
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Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
35,664
52,467
In a van down by the river
So far the new architecture has been great. my question is to invest a lot of money into these MacBook or wait for the next gen. meaning, I would just purchase or work to get the cheapest MacBook Air possible while I wait for a true refresh. I am coming from a 15inch MBP so going to a smaller screen does feel weird but at the same time, I do enjoy the portability of the 13inch which felt more "iPad" ish.
Why would you wait for generation 2? What exactly do you have to have right now, in order to make a purchase?
 

Clix Pix

macrumors Core
I am loving my new 13" M1 MBP with 1 TB and 16 GB RAM! She's amazing! I have pretty much finished setting her up now, although still tweaking this or that as it comes to my notice. This machine doesn't break a sweat, no matter what I throw at her and she's fast, really fast! Apple has hit a huge home run with this first group of Apple Silicon Chip-based machines. All I can say is, "WOW!!!"
 

Quackers

macrumors 68000
Sep 18, 2013
1,938
708
Manchester, UK
I have Parallels running Windows 10, until the M1 can run it without a test mode, shouldn’t I be able to save my VM file(s) and reinstall to Parallels once the app is compatible?
I don't believe so. Your current Windows VM is not the ARM version and will likely not be run on a M1.

And in answer to the OP, yes, I love my M1 MBP :)
It's quick at doing everything I want. I've even used the touch bar now and again!
The battery lasted 12 hours plus a 9 hour sleep with my web surfing, youtube watching usage.
Very happy.
 

Macalway

macrumors 601
Aug 7, 2013
4,183
2,934
I used to be a 12" MB lover. This MBA does the trick though. Still would want a 12". 1 lb is a lot.

But until then I'm happy :)
 

Dammit Cubs

macrumors 68020
Jul 31, 2007
2,122
718
Why would you wait for generation 2? What exactly do you have to have right now, in order to make a purchase?

I have my reservations on the having only 2 USB-C ports + a 13 inch screen. I prefer if rumored 14inch to come out next year to be a target computer.

I currently have a 8GB RAM /512Gb storage setup and I paid under 990 for it. So the question is whether, it's advantageous for me to return it and get the 16gb setup or just weather the storm and just upgrade later.
 

abhi182

macrumors regular
Apr 24, 2016
173
121
I have my reservations on the having only 2 USB-C ports + a 13 inch screen. I prefer if rumored 14inch to come out next year to be a target computer.

I currently have a 8GB RAM /512Gb storage setup and I paid under 990 for it. So the question is whether, it's advantageous for me to return it and get the 16gb setup or just weather the storm and just upgrade later.
There is an oft abused phrase that you will see being thrown around on tech oriented forums and sub reddits.
They call it a “night & day difference” and used typically for Minor/moderate improvements that would otherwise require a AB comparison
e.g. a 5% increase in game fps rates with a new GPU or a 700 vs 800 nit brightness difference on a TV screen

This is probably the first time in a decade I have seen an improvement that actually is worthy of said phrase...

Resale values for the last gen MBA/MBP are still good - if you can find a buyer (or a good trade in price)
 
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Manthila

macrumors newbie
Dec 29, 2020
3
4
The M1 is my first mac and I'm impressed so far. I only have the base level laptop yet everything is snippy. It glides between desktop windows and apps in a way that my desktop PC with 32GB of ram and i5 OC'd to 4.4ghz doesn't. The battery usage is sublime; I've never had a laptop where I could forget the charger and be fine for a full day's work.

Not to mention MacOS is growing on me. The OS has killer productivity features like Spotlight and Mission Control+Hot Corners. The first thing I did going back to Windows was to try to replicate them.

I've used it for Coding (R Studio) and Web Browsing. The fact that it cannot have several monitors attached means that is the extent of its use.

Consider me a fan.
 

adgoodma

macrumors member
Apr 29, 2015
95
27
Boulder
I love it! it is perfect in every way for me EXCEPT the multi display support... I use it as a teacher. It runs google meets and Ecamm together better than my mbp16. I just need ONE additional screen for my use. I really want to keep it, but... :(
 

adgoodma

macrumors member
Apr 29, 2015
95
27
Boulder
I love it! it is perfect in every way for me EXCEPT the multi display support... I use it as a teacher. It runs google meets and Ecamm together better than my mbp16. I just need ONE additional screen for my use. I really want to keep it, but... :(
Just had a rough day with it. Ecamm and google meet running with an external display caused some beach balls and stuttering.
I have a 16 ram version I’m going to try that tomorrom.
 

Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
35,664
52,467
In a van down by the river
The M1 is my first mac and I'm impressed so far. I only have the base level laptop yet everything is snippy. It glides between desktop windows and apps in a way that my desktop PC with 32GB of ram and i5 OC'd to 4.4ghz doesn't. The battery usage is sublime; I've never had a laptop where I could forget the charger and be fine for a full day's work.

Not to mention MacOS is growing on me. The OS has killer productivity features like Spotlight and Mission Control+Hot Corners. The first thing I did going back to Windows was to try to replicate them.

I've used it for Coding (R Studio) and Web Browsing. The fact that it cannot have several monitors attached means that is the extent of its use.

Consider me a fan.
You picked a great time to enter the Mac ecosystem. Glad you like your new workhorse.
 
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hovscorpion12

macrumors 68040
Sep 12, 2011
3,044
3,123
USA
I'm getting mine tomorrow. M1 MBP with 16GB RAM, 1TB. As someone who uses a Late 2015 iMac 5K, having the ability to be more mobile is a breath of fresh air. No longer being forced to stay in one location. I can be anywhere

Not sure, I'm going to get used to having to charge it (since iMac doesn't need charging :))

As far as multi-monitor, I'll have my iPad Pro with Sidecar running so it's not so much of a big deal.

I've never tried it, but can you do sidecar with two iPads?!! LOL
 

azentropy

macrumors 601
Jul 19, 2002
4,136
5,664
Surprise
I bought a 2020 13” MBP i5 32/512 earlier this year and the base MBA M1 8/256 last month and am shocked by how much faster the MBA is and feels (At 40% of the cost). Unfortunately I still require running VMs of x86 Linux (centos/redhat) so can’t give up the MBP yet.
 
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Stella

macrumors G3
Apr 21, 2003
8,883
6,477
Canada
I have a Mac mini and the performance exceeded my expectations. The machine is superb. Great value for money.

With software that I use regularly, such as Jetbrains products and Docker beginning to support Silicon, Intel is history.

ARM on Apple has a very bright future.
 
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Spudlicious

macrumors 6502a
Nov 21, 2015
936
818
Bedfordshire, England
So my M1 Air has arrived, I got the 8GB/512GB version for £1,149.97 from Amazon. My existing Macs were a 2015 i5 8GB/255GB MacBook Pro and a 2019 i5 16GB/512GB/Radeon460 iMac, both treasured possessions. The Air was a fair price, I think I could definitely not have got a better new computer for that sum, and considering the 2015 original cost was £1,099.00 it seems Apple are offering better value than ever!

I bought the Air because I was intrigued by all the glowing reviews in the media and on this forum, and I was also thinking that my precious MBP could not reasonably be expected to last forever; perhaps the battery might start to swell, or some other failure could not be complained about after this time in service. Also it was my birthday and my wife was putting up half the money.

So here are my thoughts after 24 hours with the M1 Air, just one man’s opinions.

  • The keyboard I like, preferring it to my 2015MBP keyboard and the extended magic keyboard I have with my iMac. It’s not a classic Thinkpad keyboard, but they’re not made anymore and I’ve turned my back on Windows.
  • The fingerprint sensor is the best (ie most reliable) I’ve used, by far.
  • I like that the computer turns on when I open the lid. My MBP doesn’t do that, should it?
  • The screen is fab, just fab, and more than bright enough for me.
  • Sound from the speakers is impressive.
  • General responsiveness, liveliness; here I’ve been disappointed. After reading so many reviews and reports I was expecting to be blown away, I thought apps would open in a flash, I anticipated saying Wow! all the time but haven’t said it once. General responsiveness is not vastly better than my MBP and does not match my iMac.
  • Battery life is impressive, which should mean the charge cycle count won’t climb quickly and that should give battery life confidence. I don’t have any figures, but the Air arrived on 76% charge, I charged it to 100%, and it’s now on 52% after a lot of intensive new toy usage, my MBP battery would be flat after such a hammering. The Apple charger is still in the box (as is my MBP supplied charger) and I’m using a clone.
  • Games. Should a man of my age confess to playing them? I’ve installed Steam and tried Rise Of The Tomb Raider, it runs at about 30FPS (compared with 50FPS on my iMac) which is not great but playable, ditto Deus Ex Human Revolution. For a laptop without a discrete graphics card that is excellent performance.
  • Big Sur is essential for the M1 chip, of course, but I’ve seen no new features to like and I’m quite grumpy about Network Utility being axed. My MBP and iMac are running Mojave.
  • The ports - what ports? It is what it is, I would prefer more and better spaced but I can live with it.
My conclusion is pretty much the same one almost everyone else has come to. The M1 Air is a most excellent laptop and a bargain at the price. Don’t wait for the M2 price boost, get one now!

Edit: How could I not mention cool yet silent running? No dust/fluff/grott sucked into the machine? Someday all laptops should be made this way.
 
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Clausewitz

macrumors regular
Apr 30, 2015
124
26
  • Games. Should a man of my age confess to playing them? I’ve installed Steam and tried Rise Of The Tomb Raider, it runs at about 30FPS (compared with 50FPS on my iMac) which is not great but playable, ditto Deus Ex Human Revolution. For a laptop without a discrete graphics card that is excellent performance.

What age might you be? I am nearly 40 and not the least bit shy about playing video games. Of course, I am not a gamer in the true sense of the word but I still play quite regularly. So, don't be embarrassed and play the hack out of them.
 

Seanm87

macrumors 68020
Oct 10, 2014
2,208
4,407
The biggest problem I am having with my M1 is I keep wanting to close apps (swiping up) the same way as the iPad Pro. I have gotten so used to using the iPad Pro all the time, my muscle memory needs to be retrained. lol

Same for me. I couldn’t seem to get the trackpad action for going back to the desktop to work for me. I’ve resorted to swiping up with 3 fingers like on ipad pro and then clicking after on the screen. Once you master this action its pretty quick.
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
I bought a 2020 13” MBP i5 32/512 earlier this year and the base MBA M1 8/256 last month and am shocked by how much faster the MBA is and feels (At 40% of the cost). Unfortunately I still require running VMs of x86 Linux (centos/redhat) so can’t give up the MBP yet.
i5 Air 2020 to M1 base

extraordinarily happy. the battery life thermals and performance are a dream

excited for the trajectory of Apple silicon, especially considering this is JUST first gen
 

BobHinden

macrumors member
Nov 11, 2020
76
70
San Francisco Bay Area
My new M1 MacMini (16G, 1TB) arrived on Monday this week.

I am very pleased with it. Completely quiet and fast. Nice upgrade from my 2007 iMac 24" :)

I didn't do a migration from the iMac, figured there was too much cruft accumulated over 14 years. I copied data files via an external disk, installed new versions of the apps. I haven't had any issues with Rosetta. Photos, bookmarks, contact, calendar updated automatically after signing in with my Apple ID. Same for email after setting up the server info.

Everything so far seems to work. Still have a few more apps to install.

Summary: All good!
 
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