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As per the title ...


  • Total voters
    280

Joelist

macrumors 6502
Jan 28, 2014
463
373
Illinois
I'll admit to generally not liking video games (now boardgames is another matter...). As to responsiveness I find using my M1 MBA is like using an iPad Pro in terms of app responsiveness. Everything is extremely fast and there is no hint of heat.
 

alcilan

macrumors newbie
Jan 6, 2021
9
5
Queensferry
I have a MacBook Air M1 with 8GB and 512GB SSD, along with a Magic Mouse 2. Absolflippinlutely love it!
Mind you, it's replacing a seven year old Lenovo laptop that struggled with later Windows 10 upgrades, so it's obviously not a fair comparison.
It's doing things quickly and silently and I'm now loving Lightroom again.
 
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beach bum

macrumors demi-goddess
Oct 6, 2011
8,800
30,967
Philly
My base M1 MBA is replacing my 2018 IPP 12.9, and I am amazed by the performance of this machine. While I have to keep my Intel Mac mini for vm use and multiple displays, I think that I can now pass on my late 2010 and early 2011 MBPs, both of which are still going strong, to family members. The M1 MBA is definitely a keeper.
 

LED

macrumors regular
Oct 23, 2008
107
52
I went from the 2020 i5 to the base M1 and just the fact that the M1 handles Webex Teams video calls so much better is worth it to me. The i5 (with heatsink mod) would reach temps of 85c and higher with >45 min calls with video. The M1 never breaks 55c. And this is with the Webex app not being optimized for the M1.
 

adgoodma

macrumors member
Apr 29, 2015
95
27
Boulder
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.
Both the 8 and 16 M1s are going back. It's a great machine but it doesn't handle what I need it for. I can't wait for the next version that is a little more robust.
 

Scooter53e

macrumors newbie
Jul 2, 2012
6
1
I sold back a late 2019 MBA base model for $570 and replaced it with a M1 MBA 8 core with 8gb of RAM. Hooked up to external display via HDMI (Dell SE2717H/HX). Beautiful display set to default for the monitor. No issues what so ever, had it since early December. Video conferencing via Microsoft Teams, multiple Safari tabs open. That said, ran into multiple kernel panics with CLAMXAV anti-virus, disabled that, seemed to not like the M1. Have been in contact with the developer, they sent me a beta optimized for the M1. Haven't installed it yet. Will do that when I get some time. Using external Magic Trackpad and apple Bluetooth keyboard. Also AirPod Pro's. No issues there. I think it is a fantastic machine for the money. Never gets above 90-95 deg F, no matter what I throw at it. Pretty much use it for home office work, Office 365 suite and aforementioned Teams calls. Recommend it highly.
 
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RabidFox

macrumors newbie
Dec 12, 2017
5
7
This has been the most satisfying computer purchase in a long time. I've used Macs at home for more than a decade. Minis, and MacBook Pros, but laptops in general have frustrated me with their lack of performance and noise. About three years ago I started to use desktops and an iPad exclusively. That worked well for me but I missed having access to the terminal and full feature office apps so I bought a M1 MacBook Air. It's been bliss so far. I'm considering leaving my iPad behind (but side car will be awesome while on the road). Apps are off to a good start with M1 support, and rosetta seems to be working well for other items I use. Performance is great/good enough while mobile.
 
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hearts warm

macrumors newbie
Jan 3, 2021
1
1
The MBP M1 is my first Mac and I really enjoy using it. It takes a bit of time getting used to the controls and gestures, but I am getting the hang of it now. I am amazed of the responsiveness and the battery life of the machine. It is beautiful hardware and software-wise. I hope it will last me a long time!
 
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sartos

macrumors newbie
Oct 23, 2013
7
3
The last mac I bought in 2018 was an upgrade to a 2015 mac book pro. I spent almost £4000 on it and I was underwhelmed at the performance and could not tell much difference to what I had before, nor was I particularly impressed with the gimmicky touch bar and missed the function keys.

Since my entire business (software developer) is running off this single laptop and the Ipad pro 2020 I bought as a 'spare' is pretty much useless to me apart from watching Netflix and YouTube I figured I would stump up for a MB Air, 16GB and 8 Core GPU. This machine is revolutionary, a third of the price of my mac book pro and for most tasks it is significantly faster than the 2018 machine. I don't have the most intense workloads but I do record coding videos using screen flow and edit them, as well as code in Webstorm/VS Code and spend upwards of 8 hours a day on this thing without getting close to draining the battery.

I also love the idea of a machine that doesn't have any moving parts such as a fan, hence the MB Air.

Now Apple, since you made the effort to get Mac OS working with your excellent chips, if you could kindly have a 'pro' mode in the Ipad Pro that allows me to switch between Ipad OS and Mac OS then I could actually use that machine for something other than YouTube. Since the Ipad (including keyboard) actually cost more than this MB air it would be nice to be able to use it for something productive.
 
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Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
35,664
52,467
In a van down by the river
The MBP M1 is my first Mac and I really enjoy using it. It takes a bit of time getting used to the controls and gestures, but I am getting the hang of it now. I am amazed of the responsiveness and the battery life of the machine. It is beautiful hardware and software-wise. I hope it will last me a long time!
Treat it with white gloves, don't let anyone else near it without proper identification and security clearance, and you should be fine. ;)

Welcome to the Apple orchard.
 

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,859
4,599
Now Apple, since you made the effort to get Mac OS working with your excellent chips, if you could kindly have a 'pro' mode in the Ipad Pro that allows me to switch between Ipad OS and Mac OS then I could actually use that machine for something other than YouTube. Since the Ipad (including keyboard) actually cost more than this MB air it would be nice to be able to use it for something productive.
Right now the iPad Pro only has 6GB of RAM on the newest devices. It is also likely that if Apple was to do a "Pro" mode, it would be using their M1 hypervisor framework so a new iPad Pro would be required--current A12X and A12Z SoCs don't have any virtualization instructions.

I don't think they will do that product but I would probably buy it if they did. An 8GB RAM/512GB SSD iPad Pro with Big Sur running alongside iPadOS when using a Magic Keyboard would be a great replacement for the 12" MacBook.
 

jmususbi

macrumors newbie
Jan 7, 2021
4
1
I jumped from a high spec'd 2015 MBP 15' (16GB) to a M1 Mac Mini 8 Core (8GB). Was somewhat of an impulsive purchase as I didn't plan on upgrading so soon, but the onslaught of high praise and EveryDayDad videos on YouTube convinced me to pull the trigger; plus there was a 10% off sale happening in Sydney which made it more enticing.

Overall I'm very happy with the hardware. I'm able to adapt to Big Sur quite swimmingly. The only real setbacks so far are purely software. For my work I require Adobe InDesign and Photoshop and currently they're both quite janky. My Logitech MX Master and Keys experience Bluetooth connection issues but the worst offender is that Mission Control and other gesture functions only work 20% of the time. Plus other apps I use that either don't work or are buggy.

Tethered shooting is not working yet on CaptureOne (hence the decision to go with the Mac Mini) meaning I have to hold on to my Intel MBP.

My intentions are to use the Mac Mini has a temp machine until the next gen of Macbook Pro's are released, then I'll decide from there.
 
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SquealingCustard

macrumors regular
Jun 29, 2020
244
198
I replaced my 27" iMac i5 with a MacBook Pro and a 32" 2k Viewsonic monitor now I have the ability to use my laptop for work and to plug it into a larger screen so best of both worlds.

My iMac was no slouch but this MacBook Pro leaves it in the dust.

Very happy with my purchase... now need to decide whether to pay for Apple Care Plus!
 

Clix Pix

macrumors Core
Since these are new machines -- in the sense of having different "innards," all-new processor and such -- to me it seemed a wise choice to go with AppleCare Plus, just on the off-chance that something would go wrong. I usually do put AppleCare -- now AppleCare Plus -- on any machine or device that I plan to carry around the house and away from home, so because I bought the M1 MBP that was another strong consideration, anyway. I just have peace of mind knowing my new machine is covered now for three years. AppleCare Plus isn't inexpensive, I'll grant you that, but I figure that the cost of a major repair once the one-year warranty has expired could be significantly more than what I've paid for AppleCare Plus.
 
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MBAir2010

macrumors 604
May 30, 2018
6,975
6,354
there
I finally had the chance to use someone”s M1 MacBook Pro at a shoreline bar last night,
which was her first apple anything!
the experience was fast, nice design i taught her some quick trackpad tricks tricks.
but for me, since the drawing app i use on the iPad is not available, i will not get one.
 
Last edited:

FangRock

macrumors regular
Jun 25, 2007
122
239
UK
I had (have) a 2010 iMac and a MacBook Pro from 2013. Just bought the M1 Air and I am more than thrilled. I though the pro was slick, but 7 years on this is like magic to me!
 
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CheesePuff

macrumors 65816
Sep 3, 2008
1,456
1,576
Southwest Florida, USA
I will return my Mac mini M1 due bluetooth problems with my Apple mouse. Even Big Sur 11.2 beta does not help. I regret I've sold my Mac Pro 4.1 already.
What about if you try using it with the Mac mini placed on its side? I have heard reports its due to poor shielding with the location of the antenna on the bottom.
 

Quackington

macrumors 6502a
Aug 12, 2010
546
314
England, UK
What about if you try using it with the Mac mini placed on its side? I have heard reports its due to poor shielding with the location of the antenna on the bottom.

I saw those kinds of reports as well. I keep my 2018 mini in the same position because of the BT problems, which still occur albeit not as badly.
Whoa, this is the first I’ve heard of this. Surely users shouldn’t have to resort to this.
 
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Captain Trips

macrumors 68000
Jun 13, 2020
1,860
6,355
Whoa, this is the first I’ve heard of this. Surely users shouldn’t have to resort to this.

Agreed, but it can be a useful "fix" for people experiencing this problem.

Not ideal, but if you have a Mac mini and you have Bluetooth issues, it can't hurt to try it and see the Bluetooth issues are resolved.

And then you have an excuse to get a cool vertical Mini stand... :cool:
 
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Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
35,664
52,467
In a van down by the river
Whoa, this is the first I’ve heard of this. Surely users shouldn’t have to resort to this.
Many have had to and don't call me Shirley. :p (Airplane reference)

Although I don't need a M1 mini, I held off due to the same ongoing reports of Bluetooth issues. I wasn't sure what to make of it when I first got my 2018 mini. Today, I am inclined to think it a hardware / design flaw.

edited to add: I keep my mini in a cool vertical stand.
 

TynH

macrumors newbie
Dec 27, 2020
14
5
With all due respect but this sounds like something you’d have to do on a ZX Spectrum.
Personally I haven’t knowingly experienced any Bluetooth issues, I did however disable FileVault which was pointed out on another thread as a known cause.
Monitor (native 1440p via USB-C to DP) generally working fine as well even though I did see the odd blanking and not waking up.
 
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