And so I guess to a quick Review of the Macbook Air 2020 M1 release.
Apple M1 CPU, 8gb memory, 256gb SSD, 13.1 inch 2560x1600 IPS display.
Its about 2cm smaller than my old macbook, due to much thinner bezels, and a bit lighter too, has no fan. Aluminium case like the old one, (in rose gold tho - err its an acquired taste) feels very robust.
Its fast, fantastic display, keyboard flat keys but feels good under the finger, good large multifunction touch pad. The OS - 14.3 Sonoma - has one (hundreds) of over the top "useful" widgets, tools and menu bars, none of which are in the least bit useful but can easily be kicked into touch. The OS is fantastic at process and memory usage in a way that windows can only dream of being. Security is bank vault tight, so tight it needs to be checked in because it gets in the way, but easily tweaked. Issues? lack of ports - only two USB 3 (apple calls it USB 4 or thunderbolt*) ports and a headphone jack. Charges through one of the USB ports, so finally I can charge my laptop through the car or caravan outlets.
* The issue, only two ports, easily fixed with a 25 quid USB hub, that offers 2 USB C, two USB B, ethernet port, HDMI port, and SD card slots. Apple would have you believe that because they are called "thunderbolt" ports you need to shell out over 100 quid for one their hubs to get the same functionality that 25 quid buys you. (yes yes I know about the "speed" issue that isnt an issue.)
So why does one buy an Apple product when one dislikes Apple products in general.
I have been into macbook airs for 15 years, They are expensive, but extremely well built, capable, rugged, ergonomically delightful to use lap tops. To mitigate the expensive, I go for runout models (the 2023 M3 version is 1200 quid) and this one came in at £790 quid delivered to the door.
|
Tea and pentelobes 
Tea and pentelobes 
