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Does anyone prefer the design of the M1 Air to the M2?
- Thread starter weezin
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It’s always personal preference but I much prefer the wedge M1 than anything that’s been released after it. It’s a decent price, capable, easy to carry and does 90% of what anyone could need.
I think the M2 air looks very niceI purchased an M2 Air recently to replace my 12 Macbook as my couch / travel computer. Before that I used a maxed out 2012 Macbook Air.
There's something about the design of the M2 Air that just isn't sitting well with me. I think it has a lot to do with the lack of the wedge shape, which I really liked in both my previous computers. Something about the M2 feels slightly more fragile than the previous ones. I'm actually considering returning the M2 and getting the M1 Air, but I'm torn, because I really like Magsafe in the M2.
Anyway, mostly writing this to see if anyone feels the same way or if I'm crazy
Checking in with my wife's 1+ year old M2 MacBook Air 13". The bezel in the dead center below the screen has a hairline crack for reasons unknown. I'd post pictures but it's difficult to see. It doesn't affect the screen (yet?) but is disappointing given how durable older MacBooks are. The laptop is very light and feels flimsy compared to my old, original MacBook Air (2011?). I feel like the thin and light race has gone too far with these units. My 10 year old MacBook Pro is thin and light enough but feels way more durable.
I like the new design of the MacBook air's and Pro's. I prefer it to the old design. Two things I didn't like about the old design was the bezels and the sacrificing of internals/thermals for design/aesthetics over performance.
That being said the quality of the build of those older Mac's was superior to the new Mac's. Since they were an iconic model for so many years I can understand people's love of them.
That being said the quality of the build of those older Mac's was superior to the new Mac's. Since they were an iconic model for so many years I can understand people's love of them.
I wanted to followup here. I've been using the M2 Air daily for all of this time and while its generally a great computer, and I appreciate the little bit of extra screen real-estate, my original opinion about the design still stands.
In particular, I am still annoyed at least once a day that I can't pick it up off a table with one hand, because I can't get my fingers far enough under the shell to grab it. This was never an issue on the wedge design and I realize now that I greatly appreciated the ability to do that.
Additionally, after having used it for a while now, the design of it feels a bit...generic? When the lid is open it sorta just looks like a mock computer that would be shown in a video game or something. The lack of the "Macbook Air" logo is part of that for sure.
It's a great machine, fast, great battery, etc etc, but as far as design goes, it's a step back in my mind. Does that mean I'll get rid of it? No. It does the core functions really well and I do appreciate some of the little things added to it, like Magsafe.
In particular, I am still annoyed at least once a day that I can't pick it up off a table with one hand, because I can't get my fingers far enough under the shell to grab it. This was never an issue on the wedge design and I realize now that I greatly appreciated the ability to do that.
Additionally, after having used it for a while now, the design of it feels a bit...generic? When the lid is open it sorta just looks like a mock computer that would be shown in a video game or something. The lack of the "Macbook Air" logo is part of that for sure.
It's a great machine, fast, great battery, etc etc, but as far as design goes, it's a step back in my mind. Does that mean I'll get rid of it? No. It does the core functions really well and I do appreciate some of the little things added to it, like Magsafe.
That is a wonderful description of the design language
They took something iconic and refined .... and pivoted to something that could literally pass for a "fake computer on a movie set"
I may well buy an M1 Air while I still can, though I'd love it to get an upgrade, to keep the form factor in circulation and a little more current. I have an 11-inch and a 13-inch MacBook Air that are nearing retirement and they've been excellent but I don't see me going for the 'new-look' Air.
To be fair, I really quite like the look of the machine when the lid is closed. Very simple, but looks like Apple. When the lid is open and you're looking at the screen, it could be anything, which is a little bit of a bummer.
I may pick up an M1 Air at some point as well when the prices come down a little more. It's a great machine and I'm sure I can find something to use it for
I guess.. but I still think wedge ones look better, even when closed.
I hate the huge feet on the laptops now
I think the M1 MBA design is so elegant. It is and will be an icon for a while imo.
I'm a fan of the M2 because I feel like it's a throwback design to the original MacBooks.
The wedge was iconic. I do like the new shape but overall it feels like a step backward to me. Almost a disservice to the Air philosophy. They deliberately made it look twice as thick, and then simultaneously did the same to the MacBook Pro so as not to make the Air look too thick 🤦♂️
Some oddball design choices going on at Apple these days. Not to mention arbitrarily deleting Space Gray from the MacBook Pro and making it only available on the MacBook Air and MacBook Air in Drag. Thus de facto forcing Pro buyers into choosing from Chipped Black or Cheapo Silver
Some oddball design choices going on at Apple these days. Not to mention arbitrarily deleting Space Gray from the MacBook Pro and making it only available on the MacBook Air and MacBook Air in Drag. Thus de facto forcing Pro buyers into choosing from Chipped Black or Cheapo Silver
I don't really remember many comments about that while the M1 design was mainstream.
You also have to wonder how many of those were used lid-closed for the majority of their time
I've got a 2015 pro in silver which I started to hate after they announced the space grey but now I've got a space grey for a work computer and its made me like the classic look of silver again.The wedge was iconic. I do like the new shape but overall it feels like a step backward to me. Almost a disservice to the Air philosophy. They deliberately made it look twice as thick, and then simultaneously did the same to the MacBook Pro so as not to make the Air look too thick 🤦♂️
Some oddball design choices going on at Apple these days. Not to mention arbitrarily deleting Space Gray from the MacBook Pro and making it only available on the MacBook Air and MacBook Air in Drag. Thus de facto forcing Pro buyers into choosing from Chipped Black or Cheapo Silver
I think when I get new personal machine I'll go for silver
I've never heard of the cracking but now you mention it my wife's machine has a crack at bottom of bezel with no reason why as she's not dropped it... Allegedly lol
Fair. I can understand why others like the silver and it should remain as an option for sure. It wouldn’t hurt them to offer all three choices. Might cost Cook an extra half a cent per unit maybe, but as it stands, deleting Space Gray has already cost him at least $3,000 ☹️
My Space Gray M1 Air has been faultless since launch, does everything I could ever need from it and personally I prefer the wedge design without the notch for the camera on the screen.
Maybe for some people the old Air design has become "iconic" and that's why they miss it, but compared to the latest M2 MBA design it has many flaws.
If we only talking about the latest M1 version, then huge bezels and no MagSafe. And before that, even bigger bezels, weak Intel CPU and low RAM.
These things have always kept me from buying one, even though I always prefer small and light devices.