Hi All

I recently took the plunge and invested in the new 15” MacBook Air. After a few weeks of tinkering and getting accustomed, I felt I would share my experience with you all. If you're thinking about making the switch, here’s a little something to help you decide.

A Quick Backstory:

My foray into the MacOS ecosystem began in 2011, age 22 with the 27” iMac. It was a great machine for its time, though its performance waned in its later years due to my reluctance to upgrade to an SSD. This iMac, with the aid of Bootcamp, was also my trusted PC gaming companion until 2017. That year marked a significant personal milestone: the birth of my daughter.

With the responsibilities of fatherhood, I sought a more flexible solution for my computing needs — something that allowed me to be present in the lounge while keeping a watchful eye on my little one. Enter the 2017 12.9” iPad Pro. It swiftly became my primary device, adeptly handling most of my tasks, rendering the need for a bulky desktop obsolete.

Fast forward to 2020, and I stumbled upon Shadow PC. The joy of diving back into PC gaming, all from the comfort of my sofa and through my iPad, was fantastic. Playing my old ‘schooldays’ games like AOE & Simcity was a great feeling. However, like all things, it had its constraints, mainly due to iPad OS. Around this time, my brother-in-law was transitioning to a new PC and generously offered me his old 2014 13" MacBook Pro. Initially acquired as a dedicated cloud gaming device, it soon evolved into my go-to machine for all tasks. My iPad, once indispensable, found itself relegated to the sidelines.

However, the MacBook began showing signs of wear — it was lagging in OS updates, grappling with overheating issues, and its battery was on its last legs. I knew it was time for an upgrade, and so...

Enter the 2023 MacBook Air!

• Colour and Configuration: I opted for Silver with the base 8/256Gb configuration. Why the base model? My digital habits don't stretch the bounds of RAM, and my iCloud handles most of my storage needs. Plus, with options like external SSDs or NAS, I don’t need more internal space. This MacBook is my home buddy and rarely sees the outside world.

First Impressions

• Display: It’s a beauty! The clarity is impressive, has a vibrant colour spectrum, and a brightness that is easily visible in a well lit room. Haven’t tried it outdoors, but doubt I ever will.

• Sound: I was pleasantly surprised. Plenty loud with decent bass, but does show its limits towards top end of volume.

• Size & Weight: For me, it's just the right size. Though, I'll admit, lifting it with one hand can be a tad challenging.

Room for Improvement? Absolutely!

• HDR & 120Hz: This is my biggest gripe. Given that it's 2023, I would expect these features to be standard across any manufacturers range over £1000, especially Apple. Their absence is certainly a push toward the pricier MBP lineup. Even us everyday users enjoy our movies and photos in HDR, right?

• The Notch: Surprisingly, it’s a non-issue in terms of interference. It’s barely noticeable in daily use. But do we really need it? The bezels are thicker than the MBP series, and are only slightly smaller than the notch on my trusty iPhone 12 Pro Max, which at least houses essential features like a speaker and FaceID. It feels like an unnecessary addition without the inclusion of FaceID.

• Memory & Storage: I know, I said I wasn’t too bothered by these. However, while they work for my needs, I can't help but feel that Apple’s being stingy again. It's 2023, and starting specs should be higher, especially given the obscene pricing for upgrades.

• MagSafe: Apple, you had the opportunity to integrate Ethernet into MagSafe, mirroring what was seen in the iMac. It feels like a missed opportunity, especially for those like me who value a hardwired connection.

• I/O: Fine for my needs. Would be nice to have a USB C port on the right hand side.

What I use it for:

• Media Consumption: Watching Netflix, listening to Spotify and browsing YouTube

• Routine Tasks: Surfing the web, catching up on emails, the usual day-to-day stuff

• Gaming: Shadow eventually gave way to GeForce Now (Ultimate), mainly due to cost considerations. Additionally, PS Remote Play has proven invaluable, especially when my daughter is keen on taking over the TV. Cloud gaming, genuinely, feels rejuvenated on this device. The absence of noisy fans coupled with an ethernet connection (via dongle) provides a high-end gaming experience. The cherry on top? Being able to swipe over to my MacOS desktop anytime. It’s a combination I wouldn't trade for anything!

Why Not 13”?

The reason was pretty straightforward — screen real estate. The 13" felt a tad constricting for my liking, while the 15” struck the perfect balance. Considering the price difference between the two, and also the MBP 14, the choice became a no-brainer. A bonus was a neat £180 off, thanks to a successful price match!

A Leap in Experience:

Transitioning from the 2014 MBP, the change is substantial. Everything is snappier, from app launches to multitasking.

• The installation of AlDente within the initial hours of setup was a conscious choice, as I want to maximise battery longevity.

• Touch ID has been a game-changer for me; the sheer convenience of swiftly logging in and entering online passwords is fantastic.

• Battery life seems to go on and on! Full brightness takes a large chunk out of the battery but set it to 75% and it really does last all day

• The trackpad is massive compared to my 2014 MBP!

• It stays cold, I’m not used to feeling cold metal under my palms!

Final Thoughts:

I'm so happy with this device, I can’t recommend it enough. Given its performance and the efficiency it's brought into my daily life, I genuinely see it lasting me for many years ahead. If your use case is similar to mine, you won’t be disappointed!

I'm starting university this year and I decided to start saving up for a new laptop. I initially wanted to get the 13" M3, but after comparing the specs I realised that the upgraded chip made no difference to me and the M2 and M3 laptops were practically the same. Since I was planning on spending a larger amount initially I thought I might as well get the 16/256 configuration but on a 15" instead.

Since I'm upgrading the RAM, I went on the apple store to set myself a savings target, but it seems like they've discontinued the 15" M2 air.

Do I just settle for a 13" macbook or should I just stick around and see if anyone is selling (which I find unlikely as the 15" M2 only came out last year)?