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SmugMaverick

macrumors 6502a
Aug 31, 2017
911
2,596
UK
I got the midnight base model, if it sucks I’ll replace it for starlight.

Can’t wait now, been using my MacBook Pro since 2015 and it’s struggling these days and won’t be getting Ventura so traded it in.
 
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xraydoc

Contributor
Oct 9, 2005
11,033
5,493
192.168.1.1
I'm giving my M1 MacBook Air to my daughter who needs to replace her Intel-based MBA. I was going to get the M2 MacBook Air (as I've posted here before), but at the very last minute while on on apple.com I decided to buy the 14" M1 Pro (10-core/16-core) MacBook Pro w/ 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD instead of the M2 MacBook Air.

I decided that, while the thinness and weight of the M2 MBA are highly desirable, more than 95% of the time my laptop is just sitting on a desk, connected to an external display and other peripherals. So the svelteness of the M2 MBA would go to waste much of the time. And one of my iPads usually accompanies me to work instead of my laptop as I've got a nice multi-monitor workstation at the office.

Additionally, the built-in HDMI port would allow me to skip the USB-C adapter that I always have to make sure I've got with me when taking my laptop for presentations. One less thing to worry about.

And while most of my computing needs are actually well handled by the M1 MBA, there is a specialized medical imaging application that would benefit significantly from the horsepower of the upgraded 10-core CPU/16-core GPU M1 Pro chip.

Lastly, I felt that the M1 Pro's ability to support two external displays versus just one on the M1/M2 would be helpful as I've been thinking about replacing my one 32" 4K with two 27" 4K displays. I think two displays at (looks-like) 2560x1440 would be kinder to my 52 year old eyes than one 32" at 3008x1692. I was stuck on the single display with my M1 MBA. And while we're at it, the 120Hz mini-LED display on my 12.9" M1 iPad Pro is so nice, having it on my MacBook's display would be a treat to use in those times when I actually use my laptop like a laptop.

So, ultimately, while the super thin M2 (in that oh so pretty Midnight Blue, btw) would have been great, I think the M1 Pro has some benefits that I would enjoy and I'd really only be losing out on a slightly heaver machine that doesn't even get carried around that frequently.

But I'll still be jelly of all of you and your shiny new M2s.
 
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getmac

macrumors member
Jun 30, 2022
32
70
Initially, I was planning on purchasing the Midnight 16/512, but I decided on the 16/256. I bought an M1 8/256 from Costco a month ago for personal use. I still have 150GB+ free. If storage becomes an issue, I figure that I can add iCloud storage. Plus, I have an external 2TB with my photos.

Costco gives 90 days to return and Apple 14 days, so I figure I can test the M2 a few days before deciding which to return (most likely the M1). 8GB even for non-work use has led to some spinning beach balls for me.
 

cosmogrammar

macrumors member
Jun 29, 2022
33
21
I went with 16/256 in midnight blue. Not sure if I really need the 16, so extra wait time was tough to stomach... ETA 8/2/22 for me. But, hoping to keep the laptop for 5+ years so hopefully was right call.
 
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Misheemee

macrumors 6502
Feb 28, 2020
374
333
I was going to shell out over $1700 for the M2 Air with a 1 TB drive and a minimum of 16 gb RAM. Instead I found a refurbished M1 Air on the Apple Store. It literally is indistinguishable from new. And it’s the 8 core gpu that’s no longer sold. That means a tiny bit of better performance for my games.

The battery was pristine. I don’t know if that’s the case with all refurbished ones but it was in my case. It was a great buy for $200 less than new and around $400 less than the comparable M2 Air configurations I was looking at. And it’s a proven and well reviewed machine.

So I’m just putting that out there as an option. It’s a good way to get more RAM and storage at a more affordable price.

I’d never bought a refurbished Apple product before and had some concerns. I was really knocked out by the quality of what I received and my only regret is I didn’t try this sooner.

There’s the customary return period if you don’t like what you receive.

The only downside to this choice is that the M2 Air has upgrades to the audio, the display and the camera that your daughter might appreciate if she needs to take online classes.
Refurbs are great value and awesome machines, and have the advantage of being tested to ensure everything is as it should be - and you’re right, is undistinguishable from a new one.

I have, and have loved, a 27” refurb IMac since 2009 - which I’ve had no issues with. And, it still runs perfectly to this day👌

Enjoy your MBA and the cost savings - you’re going to LOVE it!
 
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HardBall

macrumors regular
Jan 10, 2006
234
88
I went with Starlight 24GB / 1 TB. I was pretty ambivalent about the color choice.

But Midnight has an extra 1-2 week wait. There is no way that a simple color change would be worth that much lost time. Someone in operations has gotta be trolling.
 

NotApplicable

macrumors 65816
Sep 18, 2019
1,068
2,061
I went with Starlight 24GB / 1 TB. I was pretty ambivalent about the color choice.

But Midnight has an extra 1-2 week wait. There is no way that a simple color change would be worth that much lost time. Someone in operations has gotta be trolling.
What was your shipping estimate?
 

fisherking

macrumors G4
Jul 16, 2010
11,255
5,565
ny somewhere
Aug 1.

The same config with midnight was somewhere in the middle of Aug, if I remember.
so many variables. perhaps the number of ppl ordering midnight far exceeds the orders for starlight (i feel like we're discussing saturday morning cartoon superheros 🤣)

perhaps there's a guy in a warehouse, and he has to spray-paint each mac as the orders roll in... and he's running low on midnight...
 

NotApplicable

macrumors 65816
Sep 18, 2019
1,068
2,061
Aug 1.

The same config with midnight was somewhere in the middle of Aug, if I remember.
I ordered at 8:01et (midnight 10gpu 24gig 1tb), 8/2-8/9.

Ordered same configuration again from edu store at 11et, same delivery estimate.

12+ hours later, the same config is showing … 8-1-8/8 lol
 

HardBall

macrumors regular
Jan 10, 2006
234
88
so many variables. perhaps the number of ppl ordering midnight far exceeds the orders for starlight (i feel like we're discussing saturday morning cartoon superheros 🤣)

perhaps there's a guy in a warehouse, and he has to spray-paint each mac as the orders roll in... and he's running low on midnight...

Not sure.

But based on some ppl I know in supply chain in the industry, the anodization tooling is the same for all colors (for laptops in general). Did they run out of the dye or something, inexplicable.

Anyways, at this point, people who still need to order probably should be going for the less in demand colors.
 

fisherking

macrumors G4
Jul 16, 2010
11,255
5,565
ny somewhere
Not sure.

But based on some ppl I know in supply chain in the industry, the anodization tooling is the same for all colors (for laptops in general). Did they run out of the dye or something, inexplicable.

Anyways, at this point, people who still need to order probably should be going for the less in demand colors.
not me, i will go for the color i want. and if i have to wait 2 more weeks for it... so it goes.
 

Redsfan

macrumors regular
Oct 26, 2012
185
13
Greater Toronto Area
I was going to shell out over $1700 for the M2 Air with a 1 TB drive and a minimum of 16 gb RAM. Instead I found a refurbished M1 Air on the Apple Store. It literally is indistinguishable from new. And it’s the 8 core gpu that’s no longer sold. That means a tiny bit of better performance for my games.

The battery was pristine. I don’t know if that’s the case with all refurbished ones but it was in my case. It was a great buy for $200 less than new and around $400 less than the comparable M2 Air configurations I was looking at. And it’s a proven and well reviewed machine.

So I’m just putting that out there as an option. It’s a good way to get more RAM and storage at a more affordable price.

I’d never bought a refurbished Apple product before and had some concerns. I was really knocked out by the quality of what I received and my only regret is I didn’t try this sooner.

There’s the customary return period if you don’t like what you receive.

The only downside to this choice is that the M2 Air has upgrades to the audio, the display and the camera that your daughter might appreciate if she needs to take online classes.
Yup, that is what we are deciding. I don't think we really need to upgrade RAM or SDD as she won't be doing anything too big in high school and likely beyond. Kind of waiting now for reviews before she buys, and of course having her read up as much as she can before hand
 
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Redsfan

macrumors regular
Oct 26, 2012
185
13
Greater Toronto Area
My 15 year old wound up buying the M2 MBA with 8/512gb. She has been working and we felt the extra storage and the unsure speed issue with the base model was worth the little bit of extra money. Up here in Canada, she is about a 3-4 week wait right now
 
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hungryghosty

macrumors regular
May 14, 2020
197
104
Just placed my order for an M2 MBA 8/8/16Gb/512GB in Space Grey. Mulled over whether to get the 10-core GPU but it seems kind of pointless given the likelyhood of thermal throttling and I don't really need in for anything GPU specific (plus I don't need the dual charger) so decided to save the $100 and go for the 8 core instead.
 
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