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Original poster

Apple MacBook - yes or no?

29 replies

Buttonmoonmrspoon · 15/09/2021 11:17

Have been thinking for a while now about buying a MacBook. Current laptop is about 8 years old, really slow, some of the keys don’t work.
Have been using my iPad when necessary but it’s obviously not as easy as a laptop/MacBook when doing documents.

Any pros or cons?

OP posts:

JellyBellies · 15/09/2021 11:19

What are you planning to use it for? They are quite pricy but last and great to use. But there are limitations if you use a lot of third party software that only works on Windows.

daisyjgrey · 15/09/2021 11:24

I love mine. Everything syncs with my other tech, makes life a lot easier. I am a PhD student and did an art degree on mine. Buy a pro, not an air.

Original poster

Buttonmoonmrspoon · 15/09/2021 11:31

@JellyBellies Thanks, I’ll have a look into some of the programs I’m planning on using and check out whether they’ll work first. Will be using it for general internet stuff, word etc, photos, music, music editing, etc. Yes the price is what’s putting me off. I have heard that they last many years though.

OP posts:

Original poster

Buttonmoonmrspoon · 15/09/2021 11:32

@daisyjgrey I was looking at the Air due to the price. Why do you say to get the Pro?

OP posts:

PinkFootstool · 15/09/2021 11:40

I have a Chromebook. £200.

Are you used to Apple on a laptop? It's not as easy as a Windows laptop in many ways, and restricts you heavily.

A Chromebook restricts me to Google-available products, but I'm only using it for email, Internet, word processing and basic spreadsheets.

Ifailed · 15/09/2021 11:43

Apple hardware tends to outlive a lot of consumer PC hardware because it's better spec, and usually put together well. However if you look at a business level laptop (e.g. a ThinkPad T) they are equally as durable and will last as long.

idontlikealdi · 15/09/2021 11:48

My kids have chrome books and they're a pain in the arse for actual documents or anything windows based which many things are.

Depending what you need it for I wouldn't be without a windows laptop and keep the iPad for 'fun' stuff.

Evesgarden · 15/09/2021 11:50

No, I have MacBook Air and the camera is shite, I paid a £1000 for it and have to turn all the lights on and a light behind me to do a zoom meeting ect. Its dreadful. I was so disappointed when I realised. I then googled it and yes - many many people are pissed off that the pixel quality is so bad considering the price tag. I can't believe that Apple thought they could get away with putting such an inferior video/camera in when so many people conduct their work through live meetings.

It also gets stuck on a page where I can't scroll drown which is also another common complaint and really shit when I need to do work on my website.

DrIrisFenby · 15/09/2021 11:56

I've a MacBook Air and I have to confess I love it. I did quite a lot of research between the Air and the Pro when I bought mine. Went for the Air as it had a newer chip, was lighter and cheaper. That choice was based on my requirements at the time: general work, web design, photo editing. Shortly after getting it, lockdown happened and I suddenly found myself having to use the laptop to create 30min video services for the church. I was worried that the laptop wouldn't be able to cope with the heavy demand in processing the video and doing the compression but it was absolutely fine.

stripedbananas · 15/09/2021 12:00

I deliberately chose Air not Pro. I've had mine about 4 years and I've always loved it, still do.

INeedNewShoes · 15/09/2021 12:16

I have a Macbook Pro but could only justify it as it's my work machine and I need to be able to run software on it that my PC was choking on.

I definitely wouldn't shell out for one if it's just for general use.

Having said that, I've had mine 5 years and it's still going strong so the cost works out at around £200 per year so far which actually isn't THAT much more than my previous PCs whose cost worked out at around £150 per year as, although they were cheaper to purchase, they just didn't last as long and needed antivirus etc.

JellyBellies · 15/09/2021 12:19

The macbook air is lovely! I recently bought my son the M1 macbook pro mainly as he used it for video editing and coding and I wanted the slightly more powerful processor.

Before that he had a 2015 macbook air that still works perfectly, it just couldn't keep up with his heavy usage.

jendifer · 15/09/2021 12:21

I have an air which i bought in 2018 and it’s as good as it was on day one.
My work one is a pro and it’s brilliant. I’d recommend either but check the ports for what you’d need.

FinallyHere · 15/09/2021 13:54

I have an Air and was/am very happy with the build quality. It fits well with my iPad/iPhone and is generally a joy to use.

However

My work laptop runs Windows, and I use it all day long. This means that I have to get used to the trifling differences (delete key etc.) every time I switch. I have been able to get versions of all the software I use on Windows for the Mac

My latest Windows laptop has all the things that first convinced me to go Apple, if which the stand out things are solid state memory and magnetised power plugs with led indicator

If I could be all Apple, I would like a shot but while work supplies on Windows, there is a small irritant of swapping between two user interfaces.

Original poster

Buttonmoonmrspoon · 15/09/2021 18:51

Thanks for all your feedback. Think I’m going to go for it! Had a look at one in Curry’s earlier and they do look very swish.

OP posts:

Washeduponthebeach · 15/09/2021 18:58

I have had an Air for about six years. I love it. The difference between my Mac and the awful Microsoft computers we had before is huge. I hate Microsoft and will never go back to it. OH bought a laptop running Microsoft three years ago and it’s useless. Ridiculously slow and unusable now.

milcal · 15/09/2021 19:21

I've always bought apple products and the iMac I bought before the one I have now is over 13 years old and still works with most programs.

My newest one syncs with my iPad and iPhone. It's great if you need to copy from one device and paste on to another.

milcal · 15/09/2021 19:21

Oh and MacBook Pro is great.

Mombie2021 · 15/09/2021 19:36

I have a MacBook Air, bought it this January. Would never go back to Windows or the fuck awful Chromebook. Especially as I have an iPad Pro and iPhone 11 and watch Everything syncs beautifully.

Also I have ADHD and have always got The Rage with laptops multiple times a day… Not once since I had the Mac. It’s intuitive, easy to use, isn’t cluttered looking on screen.

CityDweller · 15/09/2021 19:56

I just upgraded my 7-yr old Air to a new one with the M1 processor. Very impressed so far - the screen is beautiful and the speakers are amazing. Battery life is great. I use mine for all the usual stuff plus some video editing. I haven’t noticed an issue with the camera - I’ve been on Zoom calls and recorded videos on it with no issues.

I use Apple for everything though, so it all integrates seamlessly and is very easy to use. I’ve had Macs for about 15 years now and hate having to use pcs on the occasion that I need to - they feel so clunky and unintuitive.

Btw I agree with the longevity thing - my old Air was still fine, although I did replace the battery a year or so ago I just pre-emptively upgraded.

galliton · 15/09/2021 20:06

Can anyone tell me if the screen on the new M1 is more like that of an iPad retina display? I am currently using a macbook air 2012. I get eye strain when not using a screen as sharp as an ipad's.

CityDweller · 16/09/2021 11:04

Yes, the M1 has a retina screen

10ColaBottles · 16/09/2021 11:10

I'm hanging on for the new 2021 version though think I might be waiting a while.

I've had my previous one since 2011!

GiantHaystacks2021 · 16/09/2021 11:24

I had to get a MacBook for work.
I was very reluctant to use it.
Now I love it, it's way better than my older rubbish Asus laptop.

Go for it.

butterry · 16/09/2021 11:48

I have an air and a pro which both now need replacing after 8/9 years so I think that’s their ‘shelf-life’

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