Eh, Singapore, got your old laptop feeling like it’s running slower than a kopitiam auntie on a Monday morning? Considering a shiny new MacBook Air M4? Let’s see if it’s worth your hard-earned dollars and cents.
M4 Air: New Tech Trends
- Performance Boost: The M4 chip boasts up to 23x faster performance compared to older models.
“This is amazing, yet silly to state "Up to 23x faster performance [4]"”
- Display Upgrades: While not as advanced as the MacBook Pro, the M4 Air offers a high-quality display, but some wish for ProMotion/120Hz and XDR/HDR.
“I really wish Apple would make a MacBook Air variant with display quality on par with the iPad Pro or MacBook Pro (ProMotion/120hz and XDR/HDR, at least).”
- Storage & RAM Options: The M4 Air now offers up to 32GB RAM, addressing a key user demand.
“Was hoping for the rumored 24 hours of battery life, but it looks like the M4 couldn’t squeeze that. Still 18 hours stated, like the M3 Air:”
M4 Air: Local Hurdles
- Cost Concerns: The price jump for storage and RAM upgrades can be steep, especially when compared to building a custom desktop.
“I have considered going back to Mac after about 5-7 years on Windows/WSL, but the storage premium is just too much to swallow. If the $999 was a base 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, I’d consider it.”
- Display Disappointments: Some Singaporean users, especially those working with visuals, might miss the ProMotion display found in the Pro models.
“I really was hoping for nano-texture on MacBook Air. The cynic in me thinks this is intentional as I’m now purchasing the 14″ MBP with nano-texture.”
- Heat Management: Singapore’s humid climate could pose a challenge, as the fanless design may lead to throttling during intensive tasks.
“Anyone can comment on how Apple Silicon (M) MacBook Airs deal with heat? It’s fan-less design, so how does it compare with MacBook Pros with same M chips?”
M4 Air: S’pore Solutions
- Assess Your Needs: Before buying, consider your typical workload. If you primarily browse, code, and do light tasks, the base model M4 Air is likely sufficient.
- Prioritize RAM: If you’re a developer or handle large datasets, invest in more RAM (16GB or 32GB) to avoid slowdowns.
- Consider External Storage: To save money, opt for a smaller internal SSD and use external storage for large files, since you can get a 1TB M.2 drive for around $70.
- Test it Out: If possible, try out the M4 Air in a store or borrow one from a friend to assess its performance under Singapore’s climate and your typical usage scenarios.
