I do. $899 and a year of usage, really great 'kit'

Was a YUGE upgrade from my quad core i5 early 2020 Air that preceded it.

Good holdover too if you're awaiting that alleged 2022 Air re-design M2-ish or M1.5 that will certainly command at least a $400-500 premium.

For probably the first time in my life, I feel I got a killer deal from Apple. I got my base model M1 MBA for $899, and it's been an incredible computer, probably the best I've ever purchased when all things are considered (including value).

Let's be honest here, a vast majority of people who purchase MacBook's do not nor will ever need the power contained in the newly launched Pro/Max models, not to mention I'm not spending over $2K for one.

The MBA is an incredible computer and value, and if you aren't a big time photo editor or video editor, the MBA is the way to go IMHO.

Just this week I picked up the M1 MBA 256GB/16GB for a killer price of £799 in the UK. Awesome deal. People say it's old and the end of the cycle. I say, yes it is the end of the cycle but it's the best available and battle-tested. Your start of cycle MBP M1 Pro/Max? I will wait and see what the complaints are

LeeW said:

Just this week I picked up the M1 MBA 256GB/16GB for a killer price of £799 in the UK. Awesome deal. People say it's old and the end of the cycle. I say, yes it is the end of the cycle but it's the best available and battle-tested. Your start of cycle MBP M1 Pro/Max? I will wait and see what the complaints are

Great idea

These will be the designs and philosophy for a few years min with the 14 and 16

It's still hard to believe how powerful these are... even relative to the new M1 Pro/Max... except for graphics performance and a few other bits these Airs (and Pros and minis) can still hold up. Single core is the same, and multicore is twice as powerful at best.

It seems like just a little while ago that even the highend 13" Pro was only a dual core for $1800, and the Air and MacBook were just slow with weird compromises because of their thermal design. Now this lowly Air can keep up with all but the highest end computers of the past

It's a rare amazing value for Macs, couldn't be happier with mine. Which is a 16GB/1TB model. It's combined the 'it just works' computer as appliance of a iPad, with the utility and versatility I like about using a Mac.

I also like it being so unassuming and secretly a powerhouse.

Pugly said:

I also like it being so unassuming and secretly a powerhouse.

I really like this aspect and was thinking about this today.

its a covert beast

$740 base model from the Apple Store during Back to School. Or $920 with 16GB RAM.

MBP 14" is nice, but not $1,849 nice.

Not an MBA, but I just picked up an open box MBP M1, 8gb/512 for a bit more ($1100). Same thoughts everyone has about the Air. Very impressive little machine and crazy powerful for most everyday tasks. I just added AppleCare+ to it today so I guess I am keeping it, now to decide if I sell my IPP 12.9" since it will mostly be replaced.

Base M1 Air's at Micro Center $799.00

EdwardC said:

Base M1 Air's at Micro Center $799.00

That is insane!!! Thought I got a decent deal at $899, lol.

brig2221 said:

That is insane!!! Thought I got a decent deal at $899, lol.

you still did. especially if you got it last year.

Microcenter is a great place if you have one close by, lots of deals that kind of sneak under the radar.

Right now they are clearing out intel i5 13" MBP 16gb/512 for $999 which they show as $800 off the original price.

EdwardC said:

Base M1 Air's at Micro Center $799.00

I just bought one yesterday. Amazing price. It’s perfect as a second, mobile computer. I held onto my 11 inch air since 2013. This one will last at least as long.

I dunno. Apple's newest OS just out and there's things you can't use with a Mac a little over a year old running Intel. Will next year bring the M2 and an OS that will only fully run on that or Pro / Max chip sets?

Ya pays ya money and takes ya chances. 'Twas always thus - though that used to be the case primarily for Microsoft.

The Air is still a great device - better than Apple gives it credit for - remember when they tried to convince us to go to an iPad instead? My last Air lasted 7 years, only given up when I hit that OS / apps running wall, and I'd lke to expect the same with my current one, but fear Apple's planned obsolescence calendar may be getting shorter.

I bought 2 M1 MBA for $750 each in August and September

Bazza1 said:

I dunno. Apple's newest OS just out and there's things you can't use with a Mac a little over a year old running Intel. Will next year bring the M2 and an OS that will only fully run on that or Pro / Max chip sets?

When the M1 was introduced, Tim Cook committed to supporting the Intel machines for "a long time" whatever that means. I know I am annoyed by some small things that are M1 and/or Monterey only but I am confident that my 16" I9 will remain supported and last me for at least the next 4-5 years.

Hunter5117 said:

When the M1 was introduced, Tim Cook committed to supporting the Intel machines for "a long time" whatever that means. I know I am annoyed by some small things that are M1 and/or Monterey only but I am confident that my 16" I9 will remain supported and last me for at least the next 4-5 years.

Cook said Apple will support Intel "for years to come." But anyone who isn't fooled by marketing talk knew that meant two years followed by security updates only.

Just bought one a month ago and I'm a PC guy (by necessity) ! Even my base model 8/256 is an absolutely killer machine and ridiculous value given it's cheaper than most mid-tier iphones these days. It's the first laptop I've bought in many years that I actually look forward to using every time. I ran a Mac several years ago and didn't find it too bad to plow thru Windows-created files etc, but now it's completely OS-agnostic, you can just go back n forth at will which is great.

I went to the Apple Store to check out the new 14" and 16" MB Pros. I walked away appreciating the Air even more. I don't have a Pro use case. I just want a larger screen, but not badly enough to pay a lot more for a much heavier machine.

Norco said:

I went to the Apple Store to check out the new 14" and 16" MB Pros. I walked away appreciating the Air even more. I don't have a Pro use case. I just want a larger screen, but not badly enough to pay a lot more for a much heavier machine.

I think I would be all over a 16” air

Yep. My M1 MBA is the best computer I've ever owned. Terrific performance, great design, solid build, great keyboard, great display. And a great price - there is nothing in that price range that even comes CLOSE to the quality and performance.

JPack said:

Cook said Apple will support Intel "for years to come." But anyone who isn't fooled by marketing talk knew that meant two years followed by security updates only.

The M series SOCs have a bunch of AI/ML accelerators that simply aren't present in the intel machines. It isn't just a middle finger to prior customers: the hardware isn't in the older boxes.