Why the M1 MacBook Air won't last forever.

Summary

The 2020 M1 MacBook Air, despite its initial impact, faces limitations in 2024, including only two Thunderbolt ports prone to port fatigue, a fanless design that may lead to thermal throttling, and a 7-core GPU that's less competitive in the current market. The device's 8GB base RAM and 13-inch screen size may also hinder performance for intensive tasks. However, its silent operation, powerful Apple silicon, and value for money make it a compelling choice for users not requiring top-tier specs, with the understanding that it may not receive OS updates beyond a certain point.

Takeaways

• 💻 The 2020 M1 MacBook Air is considered a great purchase, having made a significant impact on the laptop market with its Apple silicon chip.
• 🔌 It has only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which can lead to port fatigue over time due to their frequent use for charging, connecting to displays, and accessories.
• 🚫 The lack of additional ports can be a significant drawback for users who require more connectivity options.
• 🔧 A faulty Thunderbolt port can be replaced without soldering, but the process requires careful handling.
• 🌡️ The M1 MacBook Air is fanless, which contributes to its silent operation but may lead to thermal throttling as the processor works harder over time.
• 📊 The performance of the M1 chip was impressive at launch, but as operating systems and applications become more complex, the lack of a cooling fan could be a limitation.
• 🔋 The battery life of the M1 MacBook Air may degrade over time, with the script mentioning a user's device having 375 cycles with 88% of its original battery life remaining.
• 🛠️ Replacing the battery in the M1 MacBook Air is a somewhat complicated process that requires specific tools and careful handling.
• 💾 The base model of the M1 MacBook Air comes with 8 GB of RAM, which may not be sufficient for modern gaming or professional software that requires more memory.
• 🎮 The GPU in the M1 MacBook Air, while powerful at launch, may not be suitable for gaming or 3D design work in 2024 as the competition has caught up.
• 🖥️ For visual arts and video editing, a larger screen size than the 13-inch offered by the M1 MacBook Air would be beneficial for better preview capabilities.
• 🛑 The M1 MacBook Air is likely halfway through its macOS update cycle, with support typically lasting between 5 to 10 years, indicating potential limitations in software updates by 2030.

Q & A

How has the 2020 M1 MacBook Air impacted the laptop market since its release?

The 2020 M1 MacBook Air, powered by Apple's silicon, has significantly changed the laptop market by offering impressive performance and efficiency, setting a new standard for laptops in terms of power and battery life.

What is the main limitation regarding the connectivity of the M1 MacBook Air?

The M1 MacBook Air has only two Thunderbolt three ports and an audio jack, which can be limiting for users who require more ports for charging, connecting to external displays, or using various accessories.

What is the potential issue with the Thunderbolt ports on the M1 MacBook Air due to their frequent use?

Port fatigue is a concern with the M1 MacBook Air, as the constant use of the same two ports can potentially lead to them failing over time.

How easy is it to replace a faulty Thunderbolt port on the M1 MacBook Air?

Replacing a faulty Thunderbolt port on the M1 MacBook Air is fairly easy as it does not require soldering, but it does require careful handling and the right tools.

What is the significance of the M1 MacBook Air being fanless?

The fanless design of the M1 MacBook Air means it operates in total silence, which was previously only achieved with weaker processors. However, this design may lead to thermal throttling if the processor works harder to keep up with more complex tasks over time.

How does the performance of the M1 MacBook Air compare to the 2015 MacBook Pro?

The M1 MacBook Air, despite being fanless, offers performance that was almost identical to the 2020 MacBook Pro at release, and it is significantly more powerful than the 2015 MacBook Pro, which had a fan but was considered to thermally throttle over time.

What is the potential impact of thermal throttling on the M1 MacBook Air's performance?

Thermal throttling can slow down the CPU of the M1 MacBook Air to allow it to cool down, which may affect performance during intensive tasks such as editing 4K footage or rendering long video projects.

How does the battery life of the M1 MacBook Air degrade over time and how is it measured?

The battery life of the M1 MacBook Air degrades with each charge cycle, and it is measured as a percentage of its original capacity. For example, after 375 cycles, the battery life might be reported as 88% of its original capacity.

What is the process of replacing the battery in the M1 MacBook Air and why is it considered a hassle?

Replacing the battery in the M1 MacBook Air involves opening the case with a specific screwdriver, removing parts like the speakers and audio board, and carefully removing adhesive strips to access the battery. It is considered a hassle due to the complexity and care required for the process.

How does the M1 MacBook Air's RAM and GPU compare to the requirements of modern applications and games?

The base 8 GB of RAM and the seven-core GPU in the M1 MacBook Air may not be sufficient for the latest games or professional applications like video editing or 3D design software, which often require more RAM and a more powerful GPU.

What is the expected lifespan of macOS updates for the M1 MacBook Air?

The M1 MacBook Air is expected to receive macOS updates for more than five but fewer than ten years, making it likely that support will continue for a few more years beyond its release date.

Why is the M1 MacBook Air still considered a good value for money despite its limitations?

Despite its limitations, the M1 MacBook Air offers excellent performance compared to previous models and remains a great value for money, especially for users who do not require the latest specifications for intensive tasks like video editing or 3D work.

Outlines

00:00

💻 M1 MacBook Air: Aging Gracefully with Minor Flaws

The 2020 M1 MacBook Air is reviewed as a potentially best purchase of the past five years, thanks to its Apple silicon power that revolutionized the laptop industry. However, it's not without its imperfections. The laptop features only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which, despite their versatility, may lead to port fatigue over time. The script mentions one such port failure on the author's device, which is inconvenient for their video editing work. The M1 MacBook Air also lacks fans, operating silently but risking thermal throttling as software demands increase over time. The author notes experiencing slowdowns during intensive tasks, a sign that the fanless design might be a limitation. The battery life, while impressive, is subject to degradation, and replacing it is a complex process. Despite these issues, the M1 MacBook Air offers excellent value for its performance capabilities, particularly for those not engaged in heavy video editing or 3D work.

05:00

🔋 M1 MacBook Air: Performance, Limitations, and Value Assessment

This paragraph delves into the performance aspects and limitations of the M1 MacBook Air. With time, apps and operating systems become more demanding, and the M1 MacBook Air's 8GB base RAM, seven-core GPU, and storage options are starting to show their age. The author points out that 16GB RAM models are rare and expensive, and the GPU, while impressive in 2020, is now the weakest among Apple's silicon offerings. For gaming or 3D design work, the M1 MacBook Air is not the best choice compared to more recent models or a custom gaming PC. The author also notes the MacBook's screen size as a limitation for certain tasks like video editing. However, they acknowledge that the M1 MacBook Air is likely to receive OS updates for a few more years, and despite its limitations, it remains an excellent value for money, especially for users with less demanding performance needs.

Keywords

💡M1 MacBook Air

The M1 MacBook Air is a laptop powered by Apple's M1 chip, which is the first in a series of their own silicon processors. It represents a significant shift from Intel processors and is noted for its performance and efficiency improvements. In the video, the M1 MacBook Air is discussed as a potentially best purchase over the last half decade, highlighting its impact on the laptop market since its release in 2020.

💡Apple Silicon

Apple Silicon refers to the custom-designed processors that Apple develops for its devices, starting with the M1 chip. This marks a departure from relying on third-party processors like those from Intel. The video emphasizes how the M1 MacBook Air, with its Apple Silicon, has changed the laptop industry with its impressive performance and efficiency.

💡Thunderbolt 3 Ports

Thunderbolt 3 is a hardware interface that allows for high-speed data transfer and can support various peripherals and displays. The M1 MacBook Air has two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which is a limitation discussed in the video as it might not be sufficient for users requiring more connectivity options. The script mentions 'port fatigue' as a potential issue due to the frequent use of these ports.

💡Port Fatigue

Port fatigue refers to the wear and tear on a device's ports due to constant use, which could eventually lead to failure. The video script describes this as a potential problem for the M1 MacBook Air, where the frequent use of its limited Thunderbolt ports could cause them to fail over time.

💡Fanless Design

A fanless design is a feature of some laptops, including the M1 MacBook Air, where there are no cooling fans. This design allows for silent operation but can lead to thermal throttling if the device gets too hot. The video discusses the implications of the M1 MacBook Air's fanless design, particularly how it might affect performance over time as the device's processor works harder.

💡Thermal Throttling

Thermal throttling occurs when a device's processor slows down its operation to prevent overheating. This is a concern for the M1 MacBook Air, as the video mentions that the lack of a cooling fan could lead to the device throttling its performance when under heavy load, such as editing 4K footage or rendering long video projects.

💡Battery Cycles

Battery cycles refer to the number of times a battery is charged and discharged. Over time, the capacity of a battery decreases with each cycle, leading to reduced battery life. The video script discusses the M1 MacBook Air's battery life and how it degrades over time, with the example of the narrator's device having 375 cycles and an 88% battery life compared to when it was new.

💡RAM

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is the type of memory in a computer that can be read from and written to, and it's used for running applications and storing working data. The video points out that the base 8 GB of RAM in the M1 MacBook Air might be insufficient for modern applications, especially for tasks like gaming, editing, or 3D design, where 16 GB has become more standard.

💡GPU

GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit, which is a specialized processor for handling graphics and image processing tasks. The M1 MacBook Air has a 7-core GPU, which was impressive at the time of its release but may not be sufficient for modern gaming or 3D design software as the competition has caught up. The video script highlights this as a limitation for users with specific performance needs.

💡Mac OS Updates

Mac OS updates refer to the periodic software updates provided by Apple for its operating system. The video script mentions that the M1 MacBook Air is likely halfway through its life cycle of OS updates, suggesting that it will continue to receive updates for a few more years but will eventually be phased out. This is an important consideration for users who rely on the latest software features and security patches.

💡Value for Money

Value for money is a measure of how much value or benefit you get for the price you pay. The video concludes by emphasizing the M1 MacBook Air's value for money, suggesting that despite its limitations, it still offers excellent performance and efficiency, making it a worthwhile investment for many users.

Highlights

The 2020 M1 MacBook Air has been a highly valuable purchase over the last half decade, setting a new standard in the laptop market.

Apple's M1 chip has revolutionized the laptop industry with its performance and efficiency.

Despite its success, the M1 MacBook Air has a limitation of only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, which can lead to port fatigue over time.

The lack of additional ports on the M1 MacBook Air can be problematic for users requiring multiple connections simultaneously.

The M1 MacBook Air's single dodgy Thunderbolt port highlights the potential for hardware failure due to overuse.

When purchasing a used M1 MacBook Air, it's crucial to check all ports for functionality before buying.

The M1 MacBook Air's fanless design contributes to its silent operation but may lead to thermal throttling under heavy load.

The absence of a fan means the M1 MacBook Air's processor may struggle to cool effectively during intensive tasks.

Comparing the M1 MacBook Air to its predecessors, it offers significant performance improvements despite being fanless.

The M1 MacBook Air's performance may degrade over time as operating systems and apps become more complex and demanding.

Battery life on the M1 MacBook Air can degrade over time, with the system reporting reduced capacity after multiple charge cycles.

Replacing the battery in the M1 MacBook Air is a complex process requiring specific tools and careful handling.

The M1 MacBook Air's 8 GB base RAM may not be sufficient for modern software requirements, including gaming and design applications.

The M1 MacBook Air's GPU, while impressive in 2020, may not meet the demands of current gaming and 3D design software.

The M1 MacBook Air's 13-inch screen size may be limiting for users working with large projects or requiring more screen real estate.

The M1 MacBook Air is likely to receive OS updates for a limited time, potentially becoming outdated by the 2030s.

Despite its limitations, the M1 MacBook Air offers excellent value for money and remains a top choice for many users.

The M1 MacBook Air's performance and efficiency make it a strong contender in the laptop market, even years after its release.

Transcripts

just how well is the 2020 M1 MacBook Air

aging if you bought one of these laptops

in the last few years it's safe to say

it could have been the best purchase you

made this last half decade early

adopters of the M1 MacBook Air weren to

know at the time but this apple silicon

powered machine went on to change the

world of laptops

irreversibly despite how it exploded

onto the scene though it's no perfect

laptop certainly not in 2024 there are

some flaws the M1 MacBook air has always

had flaw that no one can do much about

M1 MacBook airs have just two

Thunderbolt three ports these are both

capable of charging the machine

connecting to external displays and

using all sorts of accessories but they

Remain the only ports on board beside

the audio jack anyone needing to use

more than two ports at once has no doubt

hated this from the very start but other

problems arise from the lack of

connectivity as the only ports on board

they get used so much there's a good

chance that they might fail over time so

Port fatigue is a real thing in fact my

MacBook Air already has one dodgy

Thunderbolt Port which is a real bummer

since it's the machine I have to edit

all my videos on if you're buying one of

these used make sure to check all of the

ports work before you hand over your

money it's worth noting replacing a part

is fairly easily done in these machines

as there's no soldering required you do

have to be seriously careful though the

whole problem wouldn't even exist if

Apple had put a slightly more robust

connection inside of their 2020 lineup

one of the more surprising aspects of

the M1 MacBook Air is the lack of any

fans inside it there's no spinning hard

drive inside either so it operates in

total silence no matter when or where

you use it in the past Apple only

managed this with very weak processors

the 12-in retina MacBooks which were

sold from 2015 to 17 were fanless but

considerably weaker than the MacBook Pro

and air models of the same years the

2020 MacBook Air features the same N1

chip as the 2020 MacBook Pro though it's

even got the same base amount of memory

with just one GPU core fewer than the

pro so performance at release was almost

identical between the two and there's no

doubt they were very powerful machines

for 2020 that lack of fan is likely to

catch up with it at some point though

over time operating systems become

harder to run with more complex

animations and features the apps we all

use every day also get harder to run

requiring more CPU power when features

are added if the processor in the M1 a

is consistently working harder to keep

up with these changes it will invariably

become hotter with no fan on board it's

only a matter of time until the maximum

temperature is reached and the laptop

thermally throttles slowing the CPU down

to give it time to cool down we've seen

this before with Intel MacBooks the 2015

MacBook Pro one of the most popular of

all time is now at an age where regular

Computing like having a lot of Internet

internet tabs open while editing music

in logic or Garage Band software might

cause it to thermally throttle that

laptop has a fan on board which has

given the 2015 the power to stay cool

for longer and operate pretty strongly

up to a certain point remember the M1 is

fanless and I've found on hotted days

when I try to edit 4K footage in Final

Cut with Photoshop and my recording

software open as well it does slow down

a little bit the same will happen when I

render long video projects too

considering I edited my videos on a far

slower 2012 machine until earlier this

year I'm certainly not complaining but

it's a shire sign this thing isn't going

to eat through any task one can throw at

it

forever yes Apple silicon machines

including this one are far ahead of any

intel MacBook money can buy but you'll

definitely want to consider a newer

MacBook Pro if you're a video editor or

doing any other work which requires a

lot of computing power if you decide to

buy an M1 MacBook Air or indeed have one

already you've got to think about how

the battery might have degraded over the

last few years too the M1 air was sold

by Apple from 2020 until the start of

2024 which really is an impressive run

if you have a recently made MacBook you

might still have under 100 charge cycles

on your battery but every time you

charge your battery and use it down to

empty that count goes up by one my M1

MacBook Air has 375 Cycles on it at the

moment and the system report is telling

me that the battery life is 88% as good

as it was when new generally speaking

MacBook batteries are good for 800 to

1,000 Cycles before they absolutely need

a replacement but I've seen batteries

all but fail before the 600 Mark and

even seen some keep going fine past the

1,500 Mark unfortunately replacing the

battery is a relative pain in the ass

first you'll need the right fivepoint

screwdriver to open up the case then

you'll need to remove some parts like

the speakers and the audio board before

you can actually get at the battery

there's adhesive strips keeping the

battery in place too which you need to

remove with care replacing the battery

is doable if you're careful and I'll

link a decent cool kit with everything

you need to do so in the description but

it's still a pain Apple didn't make the

internals of MacBooks more accessible

for the average Joe they'd certainly

last a lot longer all right so going

back to the performance of the M1

MacBook Air remember how I said apps are

getting harder to run over time the the

M1 MacBook airs RAM storage and GPU are

beginning to cause problems here too 8

GB of RAM is the base option for these

laptops and getting a 16 GB model is

either super expensive new or super

expensive and a wild goose chase used

thanks to how rare the upgraded models

are as you probably know 16 GB of RAM

has become a more standard requirement

for the latest games these days as well

as for running things like editing or 3D

design software

it's not just the ram holding you back

though the GPU on the M1 MacBook Air is

the weakest on an Apple silicon Mac it's

a seven core model and while it was

seriously impressive back in 2020

compared to integrated chips of the time

soc's and dedicated graphics processors

have stiffened up the competition since

using an M1 MacBook Air for games in

2024 is just not the move you could

build a gaming PC for half the price of

the laptop with better graphics

performance these days 3D design

software users would also benefit from

using something with a far more powerful

GPU not to mention for those into Visual

Arts the 13in screen is a pretty poor

choice I get a window smaller than a

small phone screen to watch my final cut

previews on for these videos which is

kind of jarring if you can it's worth

buying at least a 15-in MacBook Air to

do this kind of thing one brief thing

you should note is that the M1 air is at

least halfway through its life cycle of

Mac OS updates at this point Apple

always supports its Max for more than

five but fewer than 10 years these days

I can confidently say this will be the

case with the M1 MacBook Air your guess

is as good as mine for the exact year

they'll drop the updates for this

machine but just know that if you buy a

newer MacBook you probably will get a

longer lifespan I wouldn't worry too

much about this personally as I've

always said Mac OS versions that are a

couple of years old are still fine to

use since they get security patches

anyway but bear in mind the 2030 Mark

will probably be a bit of a brick wall

for M1 support all right so I focused on

the limitations the M1 MacBook Air might

face so far but let's not forget this is

still the king of all MacBooks in terms

of value for money in fact it's quite

possibly the best value of all laptops

money can buy there have been four years

of improvements made to Apple silicon

with several new releases from Apple

each year in some ways though they

haven't really majorly improved on the

base series chips all that much if

you're not using your Mac for video

editing or 3D work and that sort of

thing I can't recommend picking an M1

air up enough this thing will perform

several times better than any 13-in

MacBook that came before it and has been

excellent for putting my YouTube channel

together as well as helping me with my

studies this past year yes it can leave

you wanting more at times but the M1

MacBook Air is far from old news yet

thank you very much for watching and

I'll see you all next next week