I have used the 11 inch 2018 with folio keyboard intensely over the years, mainly (no order):
1. Shopping
2. Watching YouTube and UK TV Catchup apps (online and offline, downloading content)
3. FaceTime
12 months ago I bought M2 Macbook Air for a new job whereby they didn’t provide computers. However I quit the job and so it hasn‘t been used.
This week i ordered both m4 11in and 13in with magic keyboards - my 2018 11in is really starting to show age. I always rejected the 12.9 because they seemed so heavy with Magic Keyboard. I didn’t want Magic Keyboard With trackpad but now apple gave us no option. Given that they are lighter now I figured I’d give 13inch a try. I am yet to unbox the 11in
What immediately struck me was I didn’t have a ‘dislike’ to the size of this 13 and weight with mkb. Obviously that doesn’t mean i love it, but my initial impression has made me pause opening the 11inch. What do i like?
1. Trackpad feels natural with the OS
2. Speakers
3. Larger screen for FaceTime means i can put it on coffee table instead of my lap
4. Full size keyboard
5. Larger screen better for all tasks but feels too all encompassing perhaps
What do I dislike?
1. Biggie - Facetime front camera sucks due to wide angle - very grainy
2. Larger footprint putting it away on bedside table etc
3. Loss of original ‘iPad touch experience‘ due to forced to use trackpad as the screen is further away from fingers. Although i see a benefit that the screen will stay cleaner
4. Unknown suitability on aeroplane economy tray table - my first flight is in june outside return period.
5. Opening mkb case is not ergonomic and mostly requires two hands
The poor front camera made me reach for my unused Macbook Air M2 to run a comparison of cameras. MBA isn’t the best but it is noticably better than Ipad pro m4. This then got me testing a couple of use cases to use MBA and ditch iPad.
1. MacOS gesture parity with IPad makes it feel like an ipad, slightly
2. Having safari etc open in full screen feels very iPad although i found expose confusing to use.
3. Can one make Macbook more ipad like by creating shortcuts to web apps where native apps don’t exist? Anyone doing this with BBC, CH4 ETC?
4. Screen brightness was just as good outside in the shade
5. Lack of pro-motion makes MBA feel ’slower’
6. Speakers marginally worst than iPad
7. Lack of download for offline viewing on YouTube/UK Catchup channels?
8. Login is quite quick with touchid
9. Desktop websites are often better than ipad app equivalents
10. Can MBA ‘ring’ in clamshell mode and then answer FaceTime call from Lock Screen?
11. How does MacBook Air battery hold if left in standby 24/7 and unused for 3-4 days?
I feel these new iPads with forced trackpad keyboard has opened a lot of questions on validity of iPad.
1. Shopping
2. Watching YouTube and UK TV Catchup apps (online and offline, downloading content)
3. FaceTime
12 months ago I bought M2 Macbook Air for a new job whereby they didn’t provide computers. However I quit the job and so it hasn‘t been used.
This week i ordered both m4 11in and 13in with magic keyboards - my 2018 11in is really starting to show age. I always rejected the 12.9 because they seemed so heavy with Magic Keyboard. I didn’t want Magic Keyboard With trackpad but now apple gave us no option. Given that they are lighter now I figured I’d give 13inch a try. I am yet to unbox the 11in
What immediately struck me was I didn’t have a ‘dislike’ to the size of this 13 and weight with mkb. Obviously that doesn’t mean i love it, but my initial impression has made me pause opening the 11inch. What do i like?
1. Trackpad feels natural with the OS
2. Speakers
3. Larger screen for FaceTime means i can put it on coffee table instead of my lap
4. Full size keyboard
5. Larger screen better for all tasks but feels too all encompassing perhaps
What do I dislike?
1. Biggie - Facetime front camera sucks due to wide angle - very grainy
2. Larger footprint putting it away on bedside table etc
3. Loss of original ‘iPad touch experience‘ due to forced to use trackpad as the screen is further away from fingers. Although i see a benefit that the screen will stay cleaner
4. Unknown suitability on aeroplane economy tray table - my first flight is in june outside return period.
5. Opening mkb case is not ergonomic and mostly requires two hands
The poor front camera made me reach for my unused Macbook Air M2 to run a comparison of cameras. MBA isn’t the best but it is noticably better than Ipad pro m4. This then got me testing a couple of use cases to use MBA and ditch iPad.
1. MacOS gesture parity with IPad makes it feel like an ipad, slightly
2. Having safari etc open in full screen feels very iPad although i found expose confusing to use.
3. Can one make Macbook more ipad like by creating shortcuts to web apps where native apps don’t exist? Anyone doing this with BBC, CH4 ETC?
4. Screen brightness was just as good outside in the shade
5. Lack of pro-motion makes MBA feel ’slower’
6. Speakers marginally worst than iPad
7. Lack of download for offline viewing on YouTube/UK Catchup channels?
8. Login is quite quick with touchid
9. Desktop websites are often better than ipad app equivalents
10. Can MBA ‘ring’ in clamshell mode and then answer FaceTime call from Lock Screen?
11. How does MacBook Air battery hold if left in standby 24/7 and unused for 3-4 days?
I feel these new iPads with forced trackpad keyboard has opened a lot of questions on validity of iPad.
