I had a May 2020 MBA that I replaced in December 2020. Well worth it in response time (and fun). Sold the other one quickly and, yes, lost some asset value, but hey, why not. Especially as both units are on a 24 month interest free purchase basis. So no real cash outlay until after 11 months or so.
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Would I be insane to replace a 1-year-old Intel MBA to get M1?
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I had a May 2020 MBA that I replaced in December 2020. Well worth it in response time (and fun). Sold the other one quickly and, yes, lost some asset value, but hey, why not. Especially as both units are on a 24 month interest free purchase basis. So no real cash outlay until after 11 months or so.
I'm a big fan of Swappa--have always had good luck with them.
As far as your actual question--I sold an 8 month old 12.9" iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard and bought an M1 MacBook Air to replace it. So no, it's not insane. The M1 is that good where I was willing to give up my beloved iPad Pro.
I’d wait until the higher end M-series MBPs come out. At least then you can make an informed decision.
I don't think the value prop is there for MBP presently, unless you really want a slightly brighter screen, and Touch Bar.
the MBA is a powerhouse, and that's unprecedented for that product line
the MBA is a powerhouse, and that's unprecedented for that product line
I sold a 16" and took a much bigger hit, switching to M1 Air. Still it was worth it. Even the smaller screen is an upgrade in some ways: ergonomics and portability, I can hold the laptop much closer when leaning back in bed. Overall responsiveness and user experience is better and I use the computer in laptop mode a lot more than I used the 16", which was docked 99% of the time.
I would not wait for the next year, because the next batch of machines is likely to have a fan, and much of the point of M1 Air computing for me is the fanless design. No sound, no moving parts, nothing to block, nothing that sucks dust.
The next major speed upgrade will likely be seen from multicore performance, if they go with 12, 16, 24 core designs. But the use cases for those are at the complete other end of the spectrum compared to what Air is optimal for. Those are a complement, not a replacement for what the Air is good for.
The new "M2" form factors like iMac, Mac Pro and 16" will be different, but are they better than M1 Air? Sure, if one needs a desktop or a large laptop. But again, those are at a different place in the spectrum and not a replacement for Air.
Whatever speed advantage there will be with M1+, I doubt there's a practical difference in single core and burst scenarios, because M1 already opens all apps instantly. What's faster than instant? That's not going to change in a year or two. For hour-long exports or ML training, that's a job for a desktop computer IMO.
I think the only serious M1 Air killer would be a 14" Air M2, to be released in late 2021 or late 2022, maybe? No point in waiting for that.
And once the M2 out, someone's going to tell you to wait, because M3 could be released "very soon now".
I would not wait for the next year, because the next batch of machines is likely to have a fan, and much of the point of M1 Air computing for me is the fanless design. No sound, no moving parts, nothing to block, nothing that sucks dust.
The next major speed upgrade will likely be seen from multicore performance, if they go with 12, 16, 24 core designs. But the use cases for those are at the complete other end of the spectrum compared to what Air is optimal for. Those are a complement, not a replacement for what the Air is good for.
The new "M2" form factors like iMac, Mac Pro and 16" will be different, but are they better than M1 Air? Sure, if one needs a desktop or a large laptop. But again, those are at a different place in the spectrum and not a replacement for Air.
Whatever speed advantage there will be with M1+, I doubt there's a practical difference in single core and burst scenarios, because M1 already opens all apps instantly. What's faster than instant? That's not going to change in a year or two. For hour-long exports or ML training, that's a job for a desktop computer IMO.
I think the only serious M1 Air killer would be a 14" Air M2, to be released in late 2021 or late 2022, maybe? No point in waiting for that.
And once the M2 out, someone's going to tell you to wait, because M3 could be released "very soon now".
No way - I'm waiting for M4x
..but M5 is so close at that point too
I saw you throwing in the towel on the Mac mini - are the issues you're having widespread? Have you thought about trying another unit?
The thing is... the Mac mini and Air prices are amazing for what you get. Even if the successor blows it out of the water. The M1 is a real tangible leap from x86
The improvements the M1 Air makes over the Intel Air is just...massive. Absolutely friggin' massive. However, your Intel Air is still a good computer.
If the vastly improved battery life, vastly-vastly-vastly improved CPU/GPU power, or the lack of fan noise will benefit your workflow, I would do it. If the system is already yielding sufficient battery life for your workflow, has enough power where you arent hitting CPU/GPU roadblocks, and isn't generating annoying fan noise with what you do, I would not.
If the vastly improved battery life, vastly-vastly-vastly improved CPU/GPU power, or the lack of fan noise will benefit your workflow, I would do it. If the system is already yielding sufficient battery life for your workflow, has enough power where you arent hitting CPU/GPU roadblocks, and isn't generating annoying fan noise with what you do, I would not.
These answers are awesome. Thank you all for contributing. I’m still conflicted but feeling so good about this forum.
Absolutely do it. The M1 is way faster than any Intel MBA. It's a no brainer upgrade.
I trade because it is easier and no hassles, but not to Apple. I have used MacOfAllTrades the last couple of times and been happy with their payment amount and speed.
I could probably do better on eBay or somewhere else, but would have spent more time with tire-kickers and whiners, and have the risk of someone wanting a refund or leaving bad feedback.
I sold my 2020 intel MBA for a base model M1 MBA and the difference is night and day. For the silence alone it was worth the hit I took.
I replaced my mid 2020 intel MBP with a base-model M1 MBA and haven't looked back. Battery alone was worth the upgrade.
However the timing worked out for me:
I sold my MBP for $880 to buybackworld
Got the MBA through the education store for $899 and paid in Apple gift cards from Target that I got from their buy $100, get a $20 target gift card promotion -> added 10 of them to my apple account balance to circumvent the 8 gift card max rule on Apple's website so it actually paid for me to upgrade
I still think it is worth considering, the performance blows intel out of the water.
This isn't just a small upgrade. IMO this is the biggest upgrade, not just for the Air/Pro, but that any laptop has advanced in just one upgrade.
Just signed up at Mac of All Trades and requested a quote. Sort of mentally coming up with a price that would be my tipping point.
To ensure you get the full quote value do as much as possible to make your machine look brand-new. I clean the machine before sending it in. I keep the original box and send in my trades in that box. I also clean up the charger and power cables so they look new.
My goal is to make sure when they get my machine they have no reason to give me less than the quote. And the 3 times I have traded with them I got the full quote value.
Not insane, just someone who wants the M1. Sell your current Mac to a forum member and be done with it No sense in prolonging the inevitable.
