New computer: I’m seriously thinking about buying a new computer, specifically the Apple 15 inch MacBook Air. So, looking for some help/ideas from someone who has made this purchase.

Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

I’m seriously thinking about buying a new computer, specifically the Apple 15 inch MacBook Air. So, looking for some help/ideas from someone who has made this purchase.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Like this?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1771007-REG/apple_mba15m2sl_20_15_macbook_air_starlight.html

jeffhacker Loc: Dallas, Texas

I got a 14 inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip and 1TB SSD a few months ago. Noticeably faster than my old 2018 model (which I gave to a grandkid). It’s also got an SD port, which the old one didn’t have, which makes it much more convenient (although my cameras uses both those and the XQD/CF Express type cards as well (Nikon Z6ii and 7th). I don’t know what you’ve currently got, but the MacBook with the new M chip also have phenomenal battery life.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

I have both an M1 MacBook Air and an M1 MacBook Pro Max. The MacBook Air works fine with Lr, but if you use Ps as well as Lr, you will find things a bit slow in Ps.

For comparisons of any of the Mac laptops and desktops, check out the many comparisons in YouTube by searching for Art Is Right https://www.youtube.com/@ArtIsRight. He has compared every configuration on M1 and M2 Mac laptop and desktop, using apps such as Lr and Ps.

petercbrandt Loc: New York City, Manhattan

Wags wrote:

I’m seriously thinking about buying a new computer, specifically the Apple 15 inch MacBook Air. So, looking for some help/ideas from someone who has made this purchase.

Me too ! Coming from a 15" MaBookPro, is it a step down for photo processing ?

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

jackpinoh wrote:

I have both an M1 MacBook Air and an M1 MacBook Pro Max. The MacBook Air works fine with Lr, but if you use Ps as well as Lr, you will find things a bit slow in Ps.

For comparisons of any of the Mac laptops and desktops, check out the many comparisons in YouTube by searching for Art Is Right https://www.youtube.com/@ArtIsRight. He has compared every configuration on M1 and M2 Mac laptop and desktop, using apps such as Lr and Ps.

The speed of your MacBook has much more to do with which processor (M1, M2, etc.) and the RAM you choose, than whether it is a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. If your MacBook Air is slower, I suspect that it may have less RAM than the Pro model you have? There is also a difference in what connections are offered on the Air or Pro.

John H. Loc: Central Washington State

I prefer desk type setups with 2 screens.
Otherwise, I've no comment.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I got a MacBook pro 16" a year and a half ago. My wife got a 13" MacBook Air last year. Both are running great. With the new chips, the battery life will really please you.

As far as performance, it depends on what you're coming from. If you're a Mac guy you'll have no problem. I came from 30 years of Windows so it has taken me a while to get used to things but the M1 chip is a game changer (my wife got the M2 chip but she doesn't use the computer for computation as much as I do). Personally I prefer the larger screen but my wife likes the smaller format. I doubt that there will be much difference in performance with screen size. It's what fits on your lap that's important.

mmills79 Loc: NJ

Wags wrote:

I’m seriously thinking about buying a new computer, specifically the Apple 15 inch MacBook Air. So, looking for some help/ideas from someone who has made this purchase.

Keep in mind that some software (like Topaz) actually require for best performance a standalone or dedicated graphics processor unit (GPU). ...and from personal experience a dedicated GPU really does make a performance difference in almost all photo editors including Luminar, Lightroom or Photoshop or GIMP, etc.

I don't believe any of the MacBooks have a dedicated GPU - the graphics card is integrated in the motherboard.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Wags wrote:

I’m seriously thinking about buying a new computer, specifically the Apple 15 inch MacBook Air. So, looking for some help/ideas from someone who has made this purchase.

YouTube is full of reviews for the 15" Air. Start with those on the MaxTech channel.

I have a 2020 13" M1 MacBook Air. I got it with 1TB storage and 16GB RAM and the un-binned processor (all cores active). It is phenomenal and handles everything I've thrown at it.

I would NOT buy the base model. Get at least 16 GB unified memory and 512 GB storage. The 512GB model has MUCH faster read and write speeds because it uses a pair of NAND chips in a RAID array. The 256GB model has just one chip, so if you need fast I/O, upgrade!

The 15" M2 Air is nearly identical to the 13" M2 Air, but with a few subtle differences. If you use an external monitor, the 13" is a lot better buy. If you need a larger screen on the road, the 15" is nice.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

mmills79 wrote:

Keep in mind that some software (like Topaz) actually require for best performance a standalone or dedicated graphics processor unit (GPU). ...and from personal experience a dedicated GPU really does make a performance difference in almost all photo editors including Luminar, Lightroom or Photoshop or GIMP, etc.

I don't believe any of the MacBooks have a dedicated GPU - the graphics card is integrated in the motherboard.

The GPU cores are integrated into the system-on-a-chip, along with RAM, which is UNIFIED memory. GPU cards require their own memory, and have to shuttle data back and forth between main memory, storage, and cache. The M-series Apple Silicon GPUs and CPUs use the data from the same place, regardless of what they're doing with it. So performance is super-quick IF the software is optimized for Apple Silicon.

I have no experience with Topaz apps, but Lightroom and Photoshop run just fine on my M1 Air.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

petercbrandt wrote:

Me too ! Coming from a 15" MaBookPro, is it a step down for photo processing ?

Absolutely NOT. The 15" MacBook Pros are all Intel machines. They were never that fast to begin with, due to thermal throttling. The Apple Silicon Macs all run circles around them.

I urge you to view reviews on YouTube, both demonstrating benchmark comparisons and real-world task samples, with the type of software YOU use. MOST software runs faster on the M1 and M2 families of SOCs, even in Intel code emulation mode. Optimized native apps scream, compared to Intel code on Intel chips.

Battery life is astounding, and the silence of NO FAN in the MacBook Air is golden! In almost two years, my MB Air got warm just once, when rendering a 45-minute 4K video slide show.

6FootFiveFotog Loc: Escondido CA

Do you need the portability of a laptop/notebook? Or, will a desktop with a decent monitor do the job?

I have been using a Mac Mini for a number of years, along with a nice Samsung 21 inch monitor. I had one MM before my current one, which has an M1 chip, and they now have the M2 chip for the latest iteration. Cost: $600 for the MM. (I can't recall the price I paid for the monitor.)

Of course, I also have a hard wired mouse and keyboard. To me, for nearly one-third of the cost of the laptop, it's a "no-brainer."

mmills79 Loc: NJ

burkphoto wrote:

The GPU cores are integrated into the system-on-a-... (show quote)

A dedicated GPU has much faster parallel processing capability/thru put and can write to the screen significantly faster (>200 FPS) than an integrated graphics processor (typically <100 FPS - Macbook Pro is 50 FPS). Any graphics intensive program will work better with a dedicated GPU.

I agree not everyone needs a dedicated GPU. I also agree that portability (small form factor) is an important consideration too. If you are on the move and editing in the field, then a laptop is an obvious choice. But if you are working at home, than a tower is perhaps a better performance choice. You can improve FPS by adding RAM but with an integrated graphics processor, you are still asking the CPU to multi-task which detracts from overall performance. I can assure you that overall performance from a dedicated GPU is measurably better than an integrated graphics card. That is also why a dedicated GPU is preferred for gaming computers. The MacBook is considered a light weight for gaming and even for very intensive graphics programs but, you can get by.

Wags Loc: Mequon, WI

My thanks to all of you who have replied and offered your thoughts. That was just what I was looking for. I’ve spent the past few days reviewing videos, and I think I’m set on getting the 15 MacBook Air. Again, thanks for your replies.