Is the Base Model M2 MacBook Air Good Enough for YouTube?

Summary

In this video, the creator tests the editing capabilities of the base model M2 MacBook Air, known for its 256GB storage and 16GB of unified memory. The video documents the process of transferring, editing, and exporting an 89.35GB 4K unboxing video, while simultaneously recording audio and screen. Despite some stuttering and a crash, the MacBook Air demonstrates impressive battery life and editing performance, proving its viability for hobbyist YouTubers on a budget.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video is a test of editing capabilities on the base model M2 MacBook Air with 256GB storage and 16GB of unified memory.
• 🔄 The video editing process includes transferring a large file, unboxing of the Pixel 6A, which is 89.35GB in size, to the MacBook.
• ⏱️ The file transfer took approximately 7 minutes, which is a point of contention as some users complain about the slower SSD.
• 🎥 The video was shot from three different angles, but one was accidentally recorded in 1080p instead of 4K.
• 🎨 The editor mentions color correction and adjusting the video due to the mixed resolution of the footage.
• 📊 The MacBook Air showed signs of performance issues when editing at full resolution, causing stuttering, which was resolved by reducing playback to half resolution.
• 🔋 The MacBook Air's battery life is highlighted as impressive, still at 77% after an hour and a half of intensive editing.
• 💻 Premiere Pro crashed during the editing process, which the editor suggests might be due to the software rather than the MacBook Air itself.
• 🎶 The video includes the process of adding background music and adjusting its volume to be subtle.
• 📹 The final step was exporting the video in 4K resolution, which took 11 minutes and 12 seconds, considered respectable given the hardware.
• 💰 The video concludes that the base model M2 MacBook Air is a viable option for hobbyist YouTubers on a tighter budget, capable of editing 4K videos with some limitations.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The main purpose of the video is to test the capabilities of the base model M2 MacBook Air for video editing, including handling high-resolution video files, recording audio, and screen recording.

What specific model of MacBook Air is being tested in the video?

The specific model being tested is the base model M2 MacBook Air with 256 gigabytes of storage and 16 gigabytes of unified memory.

What video file is being edited in the video?

The video being edited is an 89.35 gigabyte file of the Pixel 6A unboxing.

How long did it take to transfer the video file to the MacBook Air?

It took six minutes and 52 seconds to transfer the video file to the MacBook Air.

What software is used for video editing in the video?

Adobe Premiere Pro is the software used for video editing in the video.

What issue did the creator face with the video file's resolution?

The creator accidentally shot the main angle (a-roll) in 1080p while the other angles were shot in 4K, causing a mismatch in resolution.

How did the MacBook Air perform during the editing process?

The MacBook Air showed some stuttering at full resolution playback but was generally able to handle the editing process with the video file at half resolution playback.

What happened to Premiere Pro during the editing session?

Premiere Pro crashed during the editing session, but the Auto Save feature allowed the creator to retrieve the timeline.

What alternative software is suggested for a more optimized experience on the M2 MacBook Air?

Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve are suggested as alternative software for a more optimized video editing experience on the M2 MacBook Air.

What was the final export time for the 4K video using the MacBook Air?

The final export time for the 4K video was 11 minutes and 12 seconds.

What is the creator's conclusion about the MacBook Air's capability for video editing?

The creator concludes that the MacBook Air is capable of editing 4K videos, despite some stutters, dropped frames, and a crash, making it a viable option for hobbyists on a tighter budget.