M1 MacBook Pro > MacBook Air

[ChrisD.]

I have a Mac Studio for heavy work now so don't really need the power of a MacBook Pro. I'm considering an upcoming M5 Air if they're released before the end of the year, mainly for the lightness and extra portability. Has anyone made the move from an M series Pro to an Air? If so, anything you miss about the Pro?

 

[mid_gen]

M5 Airs won't be until next year, the M4 only launched in March.

For most people's normal use, the difference is the number of ports, the screen, and the size and weight.

 

[ChrisD.]

Ah, I thought it might be November for some reason. How much poorer is the display?

Main use would be watching YouTube etc, browsing, email, light office work, and occasional photo editing on the move.

 

[steinooo]

I have a Mac Studio for heavy work now so don't really need the power of a MacBook Pro. I'm considering an upcoming M5 Air if they're released before the end of the year, mainly for the lightness and extra portability. Has anyone made the move from an M series Pro to an Air? If so, anything you miss about the Pro?

I work with macs albeit not extremely knowledgeable, but one thing I’ve been told (unsure how true it is) for high performance use cases, the air has thermal throttling due to no fan.

I have an m1 air and absolutely love it. Doubt I’ve stressed it enough to notice the cpu throttle but I have heard this happens

 

[hartgeh3]

if you're not going heavy work like 4k editing you will be fine, infact so will the macbook air. M5s are out next year as I was looking earlier, M4 is the way to go imo and they'll be fine for afew years yet.

 

[Feek]

How much poorer is the display?

Under no stretch of the word could the display be described as poor, it's not like the old days where the Air screen was really noticeably worse than the Pro. Pop into an Apple Store and compare them side by side.

Main use would be watching YouTube etc, browsing, email, light office work, and occasional photo editing on the move.

You'll be absolutely fine, no issues at all, that's what I use mine for.

 

[Biz.Kid09]

Under no stretch of the word could the display be described as poor, it's not like the old days where the Air screen was really noticeably worse than the Pro. Pop into an Apple Store and compare them side by side.


You'll be absolutely fine, no issues at all, that's what I use mine for.

M4 Air screen is great but seeing them side by side in the store makes you lean for the Pro, so just buy the Air and be happy

Completely agreed on the other point, use my m4 air for everything and zero issues!

 

[shiver]

I have a 16" M2 Max MacBook Pro for work and 15" M2 MBA for personal. The Air doesn't feel mandicapped at all for any of your stated uses

 

[JollyJamma]

I have a Mac Studio for heavy work now so don't really need the power of a MacBook Pro. I'm considering an upcoming M5 Air if they're released before the end of the year, mainly for the lightness and extra portability. Has anyone made the move from an M series Pro to an Air? If so, anything you miss about the Pro?

You should be fine. I want the Pro because I want to treat myself but under no circumstance would I say that the Air is a poor purchase for most people.

The Pro Display is very very colour accurate and bright mind you so if you’re doing colour sensitive work and on the move then consider it.

I would note that the lack of active cooling can be a factor if you suddenly need to do an intense task though but it’s not like the Intel or AMD processors that absolutely die on their face with not enough cooling.

This was a good review.