Just set up my new 16gb Macbook Air and couldn't be happier to trade in my 2018 13" Macbook Pro with its horribly annoying touchbar and crappy keyboard. This keyboard is so much better and I love having phsical buttons for volume, brightness, etc.
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Whose going with the M1 Air vs Pro?
- Thread starter kp98077
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Well, FWIW rumors have it that the redesigned Macbook would be 14.1" rather than 14.0"
To be honest, it is not so much the angle, it is more that the Air's tapered design where you rest your wrist is closer to the table. putting a shim under the Pro would not help. Anyway it really depends how you hold your hands over the keyboard. I can see why for some they are more than happy with the feel of the MBP keyboard. I don't think there is a Right or Wrong for either, it just depends on your preference. Hell there are some folks that love the 'butterfly' keyboard. Luckily Apple sells both Air and Pro and people can choose the one they prefer.
Many focus on "the slope" and shims would simulate that to an extent - that's the part I'm addressing with that suggestion for those who are curious.
Having owned MBAs and MBPs over the years, I've not found the slope - or the front edge height - to matter.
As you mention though, the key here is the ergonomics of individual setups. If one's chair height is wrong and they're reaching "up" to the keyboard, the slight difference in front edge height from the surface can potentially matter more than for folks with a proper chair height relative to the work surface.
In any event, my main point is the it varies, and one can't make a sweeping claim of one being "better" than the other.
The TouchBar is the one thing that prevents me from buying any ‘Pro’, I tried to live with it when I bought my MBP 15”, spent a pile of cash maxxing the bugger out.... And 6 months later sold it, because I just couldn’t live with that bloody thing.
Don’t get me wrong, if it was in addition to a traditional row of function keys, I’d love it. But having to take my eyes off the screen every single time I wanted to adjust volume, or pause music, skip a track, and so on. It just drove me to despair.
On-screen controls are no substitute either as far as I’m concerned. Nothing so far can replicate the convenience or speed of good old-fashioned keys — He said, clearly showing how old and stuck in his ways he is
The TouchBar is the one thing that prevents me from buying any ‘Pro’, I tried to live with it when I bought my MBP 15”, spent a pile of cash maxxing the bugger out.... And 6 months later sold it, because I just couldn’t live with that bloody thing.
Don’t get me wrong, if it was in addition to a traditional row of function keys, I’d love it. But having to take my eyes off the screen every single time I wanted to adjust volume, or pause music, skip a track, and so on. It just drove me to despair.
On-screen controls are no substitute either as far as I’m concerned. Nothing so far can replicate the convenience or speed of good old-fashioned keys — He said, clearly showing how old and stuck in his ways he is
I REALLY dislike the Touch Bar...yes, it is a nice novelty...BUT, as you use more, if you are like me and once in a while touch the Touch Bar by accident, you will find it gets in the way of the workflow more than helps it.
I thought there's lots customizing apps that allow you to make it so it doesn't cause problems?
There are, but think about when you are typing - you are not looking at the keyboard most of the time (99.9% of the time), and you stop to read what you are typing or switch to another app...your fingers linger/float on top of the keyboard and once in a while hits the Touch Bar - really distracting - and introduces unwanted actions to your workflow - i.e. mutes your conversation, switches a tab, brings up Siri, .... I have done that multiple multiple times, real experience not just hearsay.
I purchased the MacBook Air with the 8 core, 512 SSD and 16 GB, after going back-and-forth between the air and the pro model, and settled on the air because I to did not want the Touch Bar, and as far as being powerful enough for my needs, the air seem the logical decision. Veterans discount was a plus as well. Only thing that I worry about is the screen. I’ll be using mine indoors at all times and I hope it’s bright and sharp enough for me. Will learn soon enough when it arrives next month. If I don’t like it, I’ll send it back and get the pro model and live with the Touch Bar.
I recently abandoned my just-over-year old MBP, mostly over the same issues that @Brazooka talked about, and got myself a shiny, new Air. Very happy with that.
Anyway, I can see the touch bar being useful for some, and a pain in the ... for others, which is why, IMHO, they should make it a BTO option for the Pros (maybe even for the Air, too...?) That way those who like it, and find it useful could get it, and those of us that just find it annoying (or a disaster - as i was without the physical escape key), can get something that suit us better.
Given the myriad different phone SKUs they juggle, no reason they couldn't BTO the touchbar too.I recently abandoned my just-over-year old MBP, mostly over the same issues that @Brazooka talked about, and got myself a shiny, new Air. Very happy with that.
Anyway, I can see the touch bar being useful for some, and a pain in the ... for others, which is why, IMHO, they should make it a BTO option for the Pros (maybe even for the Air, too...?) That way those who like it, and find it useful could get it, and those of us that just find it annoying (or a disaster - as i was without the physical escape key), can get something that suit us better.
Yes - the lack of ESC was an annoyance on my 2018 MBP15.
They did fix that with current models, thankfully.
God. My 2018 MBP was the worst computer I've had in 20 years. I friggin' hated that thing. The keyboard and the Touchbar - no thanks!
The Air is far superior from a usability stand-point, esp. for touch-typists. Even the slightly smaller trackpad is more comfortable to use.
The only reason I can see for going with the M1 MBP would be for the extra battery life I guess. A lot of people paying for a fan they'll never use IMHO.
Man, I love this M1 air, it's the most enjoyable computer I've ever owned.
I don't love the touchbar at all (nothing like being in the zone and then wham spontaneous desktop) but I've set mine up to show nothing until I hold fn and that's fixed the issue for me. I never use function keys so having the touchbar just be the control strip is fine with me, and it's nice to have the option for extra controls like running Spotify.
(BetterTouchTool is a great way to make the touchbar work for your needs. Very fiddly but it's worth the effort if you have a touch bar)
The MBP has a firmer keyboard than the Air. Not that the Air is spongy, though, it's just a different. I prefer the Pro's keyboard but you know, tomayto - tomahto.
I did some side-by-side comparisons of the speakers and the difference between the two is pretty stark. That said, many people mostly use headphones or earphones with their laptops, so the mic and speaker differences might not matter as much.
I am mostly a headphone person but the speakers on the Pro are good enough that I coudl actually see myself using them more often. Not something I can say for previous mac laptops.
(BetterTouchTool is a great way to make the touchbar work for your needs. Very fiddly but it's worth the effort if you have a touch bar)
The MBP has a firmer keyboard than the Air. Not that the Air is spongy, though, it's just a different. I prefer the Pro's keyboard but you know, tomayto - tomahto.
I did some side-by-side comparisons of the speakers and the difference between the two is pretty stark. That said, many people mostly use headphones or earphones with their laptops, so the mic and speaker differences might not matter as much.
I am mostly a headphone person but the speakers on the Pro are good enough that I coudl actually see myself using them more often. Not something I can say for previous mac laptops.
Part of the reason I'm considering the Air is the replaceable battery. I looked at the Intel Airs, but didn't like the low performance. The electric stove thermals made it a non starter.God. My 2018 MBP was the worst computer I've had in 20 years. I friggin' hated that thing. The keyboard and the Touchbar - no thanks!
The Air is far superior from a usability stand-point, esp. for touch-typists. Even the slightly smaller trackpad is more comfortable to use.
The only reason I can see for going with the M1 MBP would be for the extra battery life I guess. A lot of people paying for a fan they'll never use IMHO.
Man, I love this M1 air, it's the most enjoyable computer I've ever owned.
With the M1, the air is now a frontrunner, for two batteries of use.
Yes I have a need for the 300€ as in a ps5 would be nice, upgraded gaming laptop yeah and especially upgrading my samsung note 8. And I usually go for the better value option as I like to use my money as wisely as possible.
But as a tool the Pro just feels better and all in all this wont be the biggest financial mistake of my life even if the whole thing is unusable due to touchbar and mac os. As the m1 platform is getting huge attention I rather have the option for cooling if some more demanding stuff gets published on it.
It's truly disappointing how there's no windows laptops with nice design, performance and decent battery. I was looking to replace my gaming laptop and the need for a work/study laptop with one device (asus g14 or razer stealth) but I just cant get over the space ship design, poor battery life (razor), 300 nit screens and weight. I believe a manufacturer could make products that were 80% as nice as Apple's with enough vents for cooling and the right setups for battery life. But the only options are aimed for "pro" markets with pro pricing even when there's practically no difference in the specs when compared to the cheaper "gamer" laptops.
I've made my decision, no more wasting time on reviews etc lol
But as a tool the Pro just feels better and all in all this wont be the biggest financial mistake of my life even if the whole thing is unusable due to touchbar and mac os. As the m1 platform is getting huge attention I rather have the option for cooling if some more demanding stuff gets published on it.
It's truly disappointing how there's no windows laptops with nice design, performance and decent battery. I was looking to replace my gaming laptop and the need for a work/study laptop with one device (asus g14 or razer stealth) but I just cant get over the space ship design, poor battery life (razor), 300 nit screens and weight. I believe a manufacturer could make products that were 80% as nice as Apple's with enough vents for cooling and the right setups for battery life. But the only options are aimed for "pro" markets with pro pricing even when there's practically no difference in the specs when compared to the cheaper "gamer" laptops.
I've made my decision, no more wasting time on reviews etc lol
I think you will love your first MacBook Pro M1. Come back when you have used it for a few days and tell us what you think.
That is a great plus as well. I could actually change the battery at home if needed. With the Pro you need a new laptop.
Except that's untrue.
Out-of-Warranty battery replacement on a 13" MBP is $199. See: Mac Repair - Official Apple Support
So yes, replacement on the MBP, if you should need it, is more expensive than the $129 for the Air -- but not at all the false doom-and-gloom you imply.
As for DIY being cheaper - considering the 2019/early-2020 Air battery is $119 from a reputable vendor, I'm not sure there's a lot of value in DIY for most folks. A 50WH lithium battery isn't something to cheap-out on.
The OEM batteries can often be found for ~$100. For a 4-5 year old machine, the difference in service costs are substantial.
The lower wattage CPU will also mean far fewer cycles on the battery. This advantages the Pro more than the Air.
Main point was factchecking the false "you need a new laptop" claim regarding MBP battery.
On the other bits...
DIY vs Apple for an MBA battery replacement? $30 isn't worth the time/effort/risk IMHO.
$130 vs $200 battery replacement maybe in five years or so? If it's even really needed at the time? If one even still has the laptop then? Gonna go out on a limb and suggest that there's more pertinent deciding factors to be looked at in choosing which model is the better fit to one's needs today and in the years leading up to then.
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You don't need a new laptop. You do need a new keyboard deck though.
I wish they'd offer the same replaceable battery on the 16. An over speced 16 could be usable for a decade. That's probably two battery replacements worth of use.
I personally think that provision to replace consumable components is an important issue. I'm happy to respectfully disagree.
Exactly, and that's included in the price.
Wish in one hand, ***t in the other, see which fills up first.
Apple's gonna Apple. I figure on a 3-5 year horizon for a computer I'm using regularly. I may keep cars ten+ years, but not computers.
As for provision to replace consumable components - Apple's technically done that. Might not be how you'd prefer it to be done, but battery replacement is an available service.
Technically, yes. Practically, no.Exactly, and that's included in the price.
Wish in one hand, ***t in the other, see which fills up first.
I figure on a 3-5 year horizon for a computer I'm using regularly. I may keep cars ten+ years, but not computers.
As for provision to replace consumable components - Apple's technically done that. Might not be how you'd prefer it to be done, but battery replacement is an available service.
Some of the FWD cars that Dodge built in the 2000s had the battery in the WHEEL WELL. There was 'battery access,' you just needed to jack up the car and take off the wheel. No big deal.
After purchasing the MacBook air, I made a decision to cancel that order. Not because it’s not a good unit, it’s because it is lacking some of the things that I want and can hold off until another refresh.
1. Bezels are still two large
2. FaceTime camera should be 1080 P and not 720
3. Some issues with Bluetooth connections (possible software issue)
4. Issues with external SSD cards attached to the notebook (possible software issue)
5. Face ID in addition to TouchID
ID
1. Bezels are still two large
2. FaceTime camera should be 1080 P and not 720
3. Some issues with Bluetooth connections (possible software issue)
4. Issues with external SSD cards attached to the notebook (possible software issue)
5. Face ID in addition to TouchID
ID
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