Which color to choose: Space Grey or Silver?

[helloapple1]

I’m trying to decide between the Space Grey and Silver color, but I’m having a hard time making a decision.

The Space Grey I think looks nicer, but I was reading it shows off more oil and scratches. Some people say that Silver doesn’t show scratches as much.

Which color did you go with? And did you find any issues with Space Grey showing scratches?

 

[ruslan120]

Silver is classic and lighter in hue which lightens up a room.

Space Gray is more muted and there’s a larger mismatch between Space Gray machines and accessories.

I’ve owned both color devices and personally prefer silver (iMac, iPhone, AirPods). I think scuffs are more visible on silver.

 

[MarkAtl]

Have Space Gray and put on a clear case so there won’t be any scratches...

 

[EastHillWill]

It doesn't make it easier that 'Space Gray' changes year to year, product to product. It's more of a feeling than a color. Also, if you told me my SG M1 MBA was silver I'd believe you. IMO it's still the best color, but it's true that the silver will look better over time. (Assuming that's a concern, like for a machine you take out of the house and plan on keeping a while.) I gave my 'old' SG 2018 MBA to my wife and it still looks new. We're pretty gentle on them, though.

 

[Isamilis]

Space grey was good... in the beginning... because it was different (new color) compared to other apple devices. But after a while, I found it a bit bored. I have SG MBA, but considered to pick silver if I have chance to buy another.

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

I always go with Space Grey because I love that color. I did notice there are different variants of Space Grey so I have 2017 and 2019 MBP both labeled as "Space Grey" the 2019 looks very different than the 2017 and matches my Space Grey 2020 iPhone Pro 12 more so than the 2017 would.

Wish they had a blue MBP though because I would get one in a second or even a red one.

 

[Quackers]

Space grey here

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

Space grey here

I "strayed" once with the 12" MacBook and had a Rose Gold one for a week and it felt so weird.

 

[EastHillWill]

Space grey was good... in the beginning... because it was different (new color) compared to other apple devices. But after a while, I found it a bit bored. I have SG MBA, but considered to pick silver if I have chance to buy another.

Ha, same here. I really considered getting silver this time. A black option would be amazing, or even a really dark gray. Hopefully the rumors are true

 

[SchrodingersMartian]

Ha, same here. I really considered getting silver this time. A black option would be amazing, or even a really mark gray. Hopefully the rumors are true

Black would be awesome. My Surface Laptop 3 work provided computer has a great finish in all black.

 

[spiderman0616]

Space Grey here. That's my default choice for all Macs and iPads. It does seem to vary from year to year, but always looks really nice. I always think of the silver as kind of old school.

 

[EastHillWill]

Black would be awesome. My Surface Laptop 3 work provided computer has a great finish in all black.

That’s exactly what I was thinking of! I agree, used a black Surface for a bit and it looked great. I don’t even mind the fingerprints, although I think Apple’s anodization process would be pretty forgiving

 

[Erehy Dobon]

It doesn't make it easier that 'Space Gray' changes year to year, product to product.

This is correct.

Apple's silver color is plain aluminum. It has been consistent over years.

"Space Grey" is a feeling. I've owned various Space Grey Apple products over the years and none of them match in color. Right now I am down to a Mac mini 2018 and a Magic Trackpad 2. The latter is considerably lighter than the former.

 

[shoppy]

Space grey all the way on all my portables.

 

[AppleUser780]

went with a gold MBA here. really not like gold, but more brass like.

 

[helloapple1]

Thanks for all the input. I like the look of Space Grey more so I might go with that.

 

[Saturn007]

Many people assert that black borders around TV screens are better because

1) The frame vanishes (visually) into the background.

2) Colors stand out better.

In my experience, and fitting my sense and sensibilities, that's been true. The same thing applies to laptops. I had silver MBAs for years, but the black (space grey) frame looks so much better.

Likewise, on iPhones. White border is a distraction; space grey and black border wonderfully, aesthetically pleasing.

Part of this is, no doubt, due to my use of astronomy apps... a black border makes the display look like space and the sky above. A silver border looks like something artificial has framed the sky and that I'm looking at a picture frame right than at the night sky.

But I have the same experience with word processing and spreadsheets. Silver borders are too bright. Dark ones are great and let me concentrate on my writing or number crunching!

Yet, all this is highly idiosyncratic and it's a matter of a personal taste.

 

[helloapple1]

Many people assert that black borders around TV screens are better because

1) The frame vanishes (visually) into the background.

2) Colors stand out better.

In my experience, and fitting my sense and sensibilities, that's been true. The same thing applies to laptops. I had silver MBAs for years, but the black (space grey) frame looks so much better.

Likewise, on iPhones. White border is a distraction; space grey and black border wonderfully, aesthetically pleasing.

Part of this is, no doubt, due to my use of astronomy apps... a black border makes the display look like space and the sky above. A silver border looks like something artificial has framed the sky and that I'm looking at a picture frame right than at the night sky.

But I have the same experience with word processing and spreadsheets. Silver borders are too bright. Dark ones are great and let me concentrate on my writing or number crunching!

Yet, all this is highly idiosyncratic and it's a matter of a personal taste.

That’s a really interesting perspective that I didn’t think much about. Allowing the content to stand out more with the Space Grey version is a great benefit I’d say. Have you found any long term durability issues with the grey version? (Scratching, peeling?)

 

[snakes-]

Because of scratches i selected the silver MBA M1. The 2 macs before even in silver.

 

[sky87]

I've always gone with silver for my macbooks. Just got an M1 MBA and went silver again (all colours were available). Must admit I was tempted to try out the space grey. When I went into the Apple store to collect my MBA I asked to have a look at the space grey/silver display models again just to be absolutely sure. But decided I still liked the look of the silver.

In terms of the comment above about white borders being a distraction - I would agree with this in general (especially having previously had a white iPhone 7 where the white borders definitely show up, though I did get used to it). However, this hasn't been an issue for me with the macbooks, as the bezels are black even on the silver macbooks with just a tiny hint of silver around the edges that I don't even notice. (I'm typing on my old silver MBP right now and I didn't even notice the hint of silver until I looked specifically for it - I must have gotten really used to it!)

 

[jerryk]

I went with gold on my M1 Air. Had SG 13" and 16" MBPs and silver 15" and tired of the colors. FWIW, the Gold is more Copper than Gold. Looks very nice.