you should buy the m1 macbook air right now in 2024.

Summary

The script passionately recommends the M1 MacBook Air, highlighting its enduring value four years post-launch. Despite being overshadowed by newer models, the M1 delivers exceptional performance for everyday tasks, light gaming, and professional work, all at a budget-friendly price of $699. The device's build quality, silent operation, and impressive battery life are emphasized, along with its seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem, making it an ideal choice for first-time Mac buyers or those seeking a reliable, cost-effective laptop.

Takeaways

• 💻 The M1 MacBook Air is recommended for purchase despite being 4 years old, offering a balance of performance and value.
• 🔄 The speaker has been using their M1 MacBook Air for over 2 years for various tasks, vouching for its reliability.
• 💰 The M1 MacBook Air is priced at $699, which is considered an incredible deal, especially compared to the iPhone 15 Pro series.
• 📉 The device sits in a 'sweet spot' in terms of pricing, avoiding both cheap plastic laptops and overly heavy, expensive alternatives.
• 🛍 For typical use cases like browsing and video calls, the M1 MacBook Air's power is more than sufficient and won't bottleneck performance.
• 🎮 It's not ideal for gaming due to the lack of a fan and potential heat dissipation issues, limiting it to indie-style and 2D games.
• 📊 The M1 chip is powerful and won't be a bottleneck for most tasks, but 8GB RAM might struggle with heavy multitasking like 4K video editing and web browsing.
• 🆚 Comparing the M1 to the newer M3 chip, the latter is more powerful but comes at a significantly higher price, which may not be justified for many users.
• 🛡️ The build quality of the M1 MacBook Air is praised, offering a premium feel despite its budget-friendly price.
• 📐 The design, while outdated with thicker bezels, is still considered solid, with some preferring its angled chassis over the newer blockier designs.
• 🔊 The top-firing speakers on the M1 MacBook Air are a plus for some users who prefer sound directed towards them rather than the table.
• 🔋 The M1 chip's efficiency translates to excellent battery life, allowing for worry-free use without needing to carry a charger.
• 🍎 The Apple ecosystem is highlighted as an attractive feature for new users, with seamless integration between devices like iPhones and Macs.

Q & A

Why does the speaker recommend the M1 MacBook Air despite it being 4 years old?

The speaker recommends the M1 MacBook Air because they have been using it actively for over 2 years and find it still highly competent for a wide range of tasks, from gaming to video editing, and believe it offers great value for its age.

What is the configuration of the M1 MacBook Air that the speaker is using?

The speaker's M1 MacBook Air has 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, an 8-core CPU, and a 7-core GPU.

How does the speaker describe the price of the M1 MacBook Air in comparison to the iPhone 15 Pro series?

The speaker finds the price of the M1 MacBook Air, at $699, to be incredible, highlighting that it is 40% cheaper than the iPhone 15 Pro series.

What are the typical use cases for the M1 MacBook Air according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests typical use cases for the M1 MacBook Air include casual web browsing, making FaceTime calls, being used as a household tablet, and light work tasks such as Zoom meetings.

Why is the M1 MacBook Air not ideal for gaming according to the video?

The M1 MacBook Air is not ideal for gaming because it lacks a fan and has no moving parts, which can lead to heat dissipation issues and performance problems during long gaming sessions. Additionally, many games may not have macOS support.

What are the limitations of the M1 MacBook Air when it comes to multitasking with resource-intensive tasks?

The limitations of the M1 MacBook Air when multitasking with resource-intensive tasks include potential performance issues when rendering 4K videos while also browsing the web, which can be attributed to the 8GB RAM constraint rather than the M1 chip itself.

How does the build quality of the M1 MacBook Air compare to cheaper laptops, according to the speaker?

The speaker asserts that the M1 MacBook Air, despite being a budget option, has a superior build quality compared to cheaper laptops, which often feel like they could break due to their cheap plastic construction.

What are the physical design features of the M1 MacBook Air that the speaker appreciates?

The speaker appreciates the aluminum shell, the underrated keyboard that has never given them a problem, the angled chassis design which feels thinner in hand, and the top-firing speakers of the M1 MacBook Air.

Why is the M1 MacBook Air considered revolutionary in the PC industry?

The M1 MacBook Air is considered revolutionary because it was the first MacBook to use Apple Silicon, which optimizes programs for its architecture and offers significant improvements in efficiency and performance with minimal heat generation.

How does the battery life of the M1 MacBook Air compare to other laptops?

The battery life of the M1 MacBook Air is exceptional, allowing users to go without charging for an extended period, thanks to the efficiency of Apple's ARM chip.

What is the speaker's view on the Apple ecosystem for first-time Mac buyers?

The speaker suggests that the Apple ecosystem is highly addictive for first-time Mac buyers, offering seamless file transfers with AirDrop, iCloud synchronization, and a cohesive experience across Apple devices.

Outlines

00:00

💻 M1 MacBook Air: A Timeless Choice

The speaker passionately recommends the M1 MacBook Air, despite its age, highlighting its continued relevance and value. They emphasize their personal experience using the device for a variety of tasks, including gaming, video editing, and studying, over the past two years. The M1 MacBook Air is praised for its performance, especially considering its price point of $699, which is notably less than the iPhone 15 Pro series. The speaker also discusses the laptop's portability, build quality, and suitability for everyday use, comparing it favorably to both cheaper and more expensive alternatives. They address misconceptions about the device's heat management and gaming capabilities, suggesting that it is not ideal for intensive gaming due to the lack of a cooling system but is more than capable for casual, indie-style games. The M1 chip's performance is defended against newer models, arguing that for most users, the M1 offers sufficient power without the higher cost.

05:03

🛠️ M1 MacBook Air: Value, Build Quality, and Ecosystem

In this paragraph, the speaker delves into the specifics of the M1 MacBook Air's value proposition, build quality, and its integration within the Apple ecosystem. They note that despite the base model's 8GB of RAM, it only struggles with performance when rendering 4K videos while multitasking. The build quality is commended, with the MacBook Air feeling premium despite its budget-friendly price, contrasting with cheaper laptops that feel flimsy. The speaker also appreciates the keyboard and chassis design of the M1 model, favoring its angled structure and top-firing speakers over the newer blockier designs of the M2 and M3 models. The significance of the M1 as Apple's first ARM-based chip for Macs is underscored, drawing a parallel to the iPhone 8 and X's impact. The efficiency of the M1 chip, particularly in relation to battery life, is highlighted, as is the seamless experience of the Apple ecosystem, with features like AirDrop and iCloud enhancing the user experience. The paragraph concludes by reiterating the M1 MacBook Air as an excellent, cost-effective choice for first-time Mac buyers.

Keywords

💡M1 MacBook Air

The M1 MacBook Air refers to a specific model of Apple's MacBook Air laptop, which is powered by the M1 chip, Apple's first-generation custom silicon processor. In the video's context, it's highlighted as a device that offers great performance and value despite being four years old, with the speaker using it for various tasks such as video editing and gaming, emphasizing its longevity and capability.

💡Apple Silicon

Apple Silicon denotes the custom-designed processors that Apple uses in its devices, starting with the M1 chip. The script mentions this as a revolutionary aspect in the PC industry, indicating a shift from traditional Intel processors to Apple's own high-performance, energy-efficient chips, which optimizes software for better performance and battery life.

💡8GB of RAM

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is the computer's short-term memory that allows it to run multiple applications simultaneously. The script mentions '8GB of RAM' as part of the M1 MacBook Air's configuration, which is significant for multitasking and running memory-intensive applications, although it may become a bottleneck when performing tasks like 4K video editing alongside web browsing.

💡256GB of storage

This refers to the storage capacity of the M1 MacBook Air, which is used to store the operating system, applications, and user files. The script emphasizes that this amount of storage, combined with the laptop's other specifications, offers a good balance of performance and value for the price.

💡7-core GPU

The 7-core GPU, or Graphics Processing Unit, is a component of the M1 chip that handles graphics and video processing tasks. The script mentions it as part of the laptop's configuration, indicating that it provides sufficient graphical performance for tasks like video editing and playing certain games, despite not being a dedicated gaming machine.

💡Price-to-performance ratio

Price-to-performance ratio is a measure used to determine the value of a product by comparing its cost to its performance capabilities. In the script, the M1 MacBook Air is praised for having an excellent price-to-performance ratio, being able to perform a wide range of tasks at a competitive price point.

💡Gaming

Gaming in the context of the script refers to the capability of the M1 MacBook Air to run games, specifically indie-style and 2D games like Rimworld. It is noted that the laptop is not designed for gaming, and its lack of a cooling fan can lead to performance issues during prolonged gaming sessions.

💡Benchmark scores

Benchmark scores are measurements of a computer's performance based on standardized tests. The script mentions these scores to validate the M1 MacBook Air's performance capabilities, suggesting that despite being an older model, it can still compete with newer devices in terms of speed and efficiency.

💡Build quality

Build quality refers to the materials, design, and overall construction of a device, affecting its durability and user experience. The script praises the M1 MacBook Air for its solid build quality, which feels premium despite its budget-friendly price, contrasting it with cheaper laptops made of plastic.

💡Apple ecosystem

The Apple ecosystem encompasses the interconnected devices and services provided by Apple, such as iPhones, Macs, and iCloud. The script highlights the seamless integration and user experience within this ecosystem, where features like AirDrop and iCloud enhance productivity and convenience for users.

💡Battery life

Battery life is the amount of time a device can operate on a single charge. The script emphasizes the M1 MacBook Air's impressive battery life, which allows users to go without charging for extended periods, contributing to its portability and convenience.

Highlights

The M1 MacBook Air is recommended for purchase despite being 4 years old.

The speaker has been using their M1 MacBook for over 2 years and actively uses it for various tasks including video editing.

The M1 MacBook Air is available at an incredible price of $699, which is 40% cheaper than the iPhone 15 Pro series.

The device's price point sits in a sweet spot, avoiding both cheap plastic laptops and overly heavy, expensive ones.

The M1 MacBook Air is not a gaming machine, and its lack of a fan can cause heat dissipation issues during long gaming sessions.

The device can handle indie-style 2D games like Rimworld without performance issues.

For typical use cases, the M1 chip's power is more than sufficient and won't bottleneck performance.

Comparing the M1 to the M3, the latter is superior but comes at a much higher price, which may not be justified for most users.

The base model with 8GB of RAM is adequate for most tasks but may struggle with heavy multitasking like 4K video editing and web browsing simultaneously.

The build quality of the M1 MacBook Air is exceptional, even at a budget price, avoiding the feel of cheap plastic.

The M1 MacBook Air features a solid design with an aluminum shell and an underrated, reliable keyboard.

The device has a chassis design that feels thinner in hand compared to newer MacBooks, with top-firing speakers preferred by the speaker.

As the first MacBook with Apple Silicon, the M1 MacBook Air represents a revolution in the PC industry with improving software optimization.

The M1 chip's efficiency has significantly improved battery life, allowing for worry-free use without needing to carry a charger.

The Apple ecosystem offers a seamless experience with features like AirDrop and iCloud, enhancing the value of the M1 MacBook Air.

For those looking to spend the least amount on a MacBook, the M1 MacBook Air is a reliable and cost-effective choice.

Transcripts

You should buy the M1 Macbook air. I’m not  trying to push you but you know, you should. 

I’m aware this guy is 4 years old and there  

are cheaper or more powerful laptops  out there but let me explain myself.

Firstly, don't get me wrong. I'm not like other  YouTubers who have a different MacBook at every  

corner, throwing it after using just for a  week. It's been over 2 years since I bought  

my M1 MacBook, and I still actively use it. In  fact, I'm editing this video on it right now! So,  

I believe there's probably no one better  than me to talk about it. During this time,  

I've done everything on this laptop: I've  installed virtual machines, played games,  

edited videos, watched movies, and  even used it for studying. In summary,  

I've done everything you can possibly do on  a laptop, and I'm making this video to urge  

you to buy this device even though  it's been 4 years since its release!

I have the same configuration as at Walmart  which is 8 gigs of RAM 256 gigs of storage,  

8-core CPU, 7-core GPU. I just have to say $699  

is incredible for this device. I mean, it’s  40% cheaper than the iPhone 15 Pro series.  

You can so much things on this device  that you cannot do on an iPhone. Well,  

of course you can’t take 4K cinematic shots  on this device but you get what i mean.

So, I want you to imagine a price range  and price increases from left to right.  

In my opinion, M1 MacBook Air  sits nicely in a sweet spot.  

When you go cheaper than this price, you  enter the territory of cheap plastic,  

awful screen Windows laptops. On the other  hand, when you go for more expensive laptops,  

you end up with space shuttle-looking machines  weights 20kilograms to hold. I mean I can't  

imagine throwing a laptop the weight of a dumbbell  into my bag and walking around with it all day.

Back to the MacBook, You probably won't even be  able to use the full power of the M1. I mean,  

the typical use case scenario for this device  is probably to hang out on YouTube, maybe make  

FaceTime calls with friends, and that's it. Or  perhaps this laptop becomes your household tablet.  

It stays on the couch 24/7, and sometimes you or  others pick it up, watch something, and then put  

it away. Since the battery lasts extremely  long, not charging for a week will not cause  

any problems. Or maybe you want it for work; nice  Zoom meetings or entering the office with a light,  

portable, and good-looking device—personally,  I'd prefer this over a black, cheap, plastic  

Windows laptop. Or let's say a student will use  this device, and it would probably be like this:  

throw it in your bag in the morning, study  for 2-3 hours in the library, throw it back  

in your bag and bring it home, watch some movies  or series, maybe do some light indie-style gaming.

Since we talked about gaming, let’s go through  it. I want you to understand that this device  

is definitely not a gaming machine. The games you  play probably don’t have support for macOS. Yes,  

i know there are emulators and stuff to play  windows games on this device but, you know,  

you can just buy a windows device for gaming  and save yourself from this torture. Let’s say  

you REALLY want to play games on this device after  you bought it, well bad news for you: This MacBook  

does not have a fan. Actually it has no moving  parts inside, like a phone or tablet. For this  

reason, heat from the processor will not be able  to dissipate and cause you performance issues.  

While you may come across some  clickbait videos on the internet  

claiming that the MacBook Air gets  incredibly hot, those videos are,  

as the name suggests, clickbait, and they're  shot in scenarios that are not realistic,  

like running 4-5 benchmarks simultaneously.  I have to admit that I can only heat up this  

computer during long gaming sessions. The As I  said, the only game you can play is indie-style  

2D looking games. I mean I personally like playing  Rimworld for example, and this device can run it.

Other than gaming, none of the scenarios  I mentioned will this device leave you  

hanging. You have my word on this; you cannot  bottleneck this device with those scenarios. Well,  

If you're editing 4K videos while browsing through  twitter, and watching a 4K movie in your second  

monitor and frying your brain, surely 8 gigs will  cause problems to you. Not the M1 chip though,  

the problem here is the ram. If you don’t believe  me, fine, I'll throw some benchmark scores at  

your face if that matters. I know when you  compare the M1 to the M3, the M3 is clearly  

superior in single-core, multi-core, graphics, AI  features, etc. But the question is, is it worth  

that much higher price tag? I mean, it costs $300  to $400 more than the M1. It's like two times the  

price. Don't get me wrong; the M3 MacBook Air  is clearly the best MacBook Air Apple has ever  

made. It is the king of 2024, that's for sure. But  what you need to understand is that it is 1.5 or  

maybe two times as powerful, and that depends on  the style of chip you buy. I'm just thinking you  

could easily say, "I want the cheapest MacBook  that also has sufficient power," and there you  

go. It's still highly competitive for the price.  Just a reminder, I've got the base model with  

8GB of unified memory, and I've only ever had  problems when I try to render 4K video and do  

web browsing at the same time, like watching a  YouTube tutorial on how to edit something. You  

do have to be a little more cautious about  what programs or tabs you leave open. Don't  

get me wrong; sometimes when I'm bored, I leave  Final Cut Pro open and do my daily tasks while  

watching videos, but in situations where the load  increases, it's best to be more careful. Look,  

it's not going to blow your mind, but also,  the price is not going to crush your wallet.

The next reason to continue buying the M1 MacBook  Air is the build quality. Even though you're  

paying a budget price, it has a feel that’s  completely different from cheap plastic. You  

know that feel, as soon as you touch them you’ll  get feeling that they’ll break. I’m aware that  

there are windows laptops with good build quality,  but remember the price range scheme. Back to the  

MacBook, we can say it's a bit outdated with its  thick bezels compared to the M2 and M3 MacBooks,  

and it's slightly dimmer at 400  nits of brightness. In addition,  

Apple has moved on from this design philosophy,  but this is a solid design. The aluminum shell,  

the keyboard—I mean, the keyboard in these laptops  is kind of underrated, to be honest, and people  

don't give it enough credit. It was right after  the butterfly disaster, and after all these years,  

it has never given me a single problem. While  talking about physical features, I can't skip  

mentioning the chassis. Personally, I prefer this  type of chassis. While current MacBooks have a  

blockier structure, this one offers a more angled  design. Although it may appear thicker on paper,  

it feels much thinner in hand compared to current  MacBooks. You also get top-firing speakers on the  

M1 MacBook Air, which you don’t get on the new  designs with the M2 and M3 MacBook Airs. It’s  

a personal preference, but I really like it  when the sound is directed towards me rather  

than against the table or front-facing.  (I really hate table firing speakers)

Another reason to buy this device is that it’s the  first MacBook that uses Apple Silicon. It’s like  

a revolution in pc industry and every program  optimizes itself for this architecture day by  

day. It was buggy when it got released  but it is awesome to work with. Device  

never gets hot by daily usage, programs works  where they meant to be. I compare this era to  

when the iPhone 8 and X came out at the same  time. There are windows machines that using  

old Intel chipsets, and Mac's using modern  high performance chipsets. The question is,  

if they were same price, would  you go for iPhone 8 or X? I mean,  

c’mon these low quality goofy windows laptops  makes their fan spinning just for playing  

4K video from YouTube. This device RENDERS  4K videos, with 0 noise. Make your choice.

Another point to mention is the battery.  When Apple introduced its ARM chip and said,  

"This is the biggest step we've  taken in terms of efficiency," I  

didn't realize how serious they were.  Thanks to this chip's efficiency,  

the laptop's battery never lets you down.  I can't describe the luxury of being able  

to simply throw the laptop into my bag without  even taking the charger, instead of carrying a  

huge block of charger. My routine for going  out with this laptop is basically as this:

Another point I need to mention is, of course,  the Apple ecosystem. Those who are watching this  

video are probably going to buy a Mac for the  first time, so let me explain this experience  

to them like this: once you try it, you become  addicted. All of the Apple devices speaking same  

language between them. Especially iPhone and Mac.  The seamless file transfer with AirDrop without  

cables and hassle, and features like iCloud  synchronizing messages and calls feels so good.

In conclusion, if you're looking to buy  a computer or MacBook today and want to  

spend the least amount of money possible, I  can assure you that the M1 MacBook Air will  

not disappoint you. With that said, that’s  the end of this video. Thanks for watching.