Apple MacBook Air M1 review: The very best laptops that money can buy

Summary

Apple is not hesitant to break with tradition, particularly when it results in the creation of one of the most impressive laptops now available on the market. For instance, when it came to the conclusion that the floppy disk was no longer relevant, it sold it and shifted its focus entirely to USB. Similarly, it abandoned Motorola central processing units (CPUs) in favor of Intel when the PowerPC was unable to keep up with the competition. The company has now done it once again, this time placing its own ARM-based hardware into the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro 13, and the Mac mini, while leaving Intel behind.

Apple MacBook Air M1 review

For some MacBook enthusiasts, this may be a frightening notion since it is difficult to imagine how well the Apple M1 may perform given that the only showcase that ARM has had up to this point has been the Windows 10 on ARM program, which has been quite disappointing. If you have read our review of the MacBook Pro 13 M1, then you are most likely already aware of the answer to that question. At the very least, there is no cause for concern about that equipment. I put the fanless version of Apple’s project, the MacBook Air M1, through its paces to see whether or not it could perform as well as the fan-powered version.

For the purpose of this evaluation, I was provided with a seven-core graphics processing unit (GPU), eight gigabytes of random access memory (RAM), and 256 gigabytes of solid-state storage. There is also a variant that costs $1,250 and provides you with 512 gigabytes of storage space in addition to an eight-core graphics processing unit. The maximum of sixteen gigabytes of random access memory (RAM) that may be customized for a few hundred dollars extra was not even included in my experience. Is it possible that Apple has pulled a rabbit out of its hat, or was I just disappointed?

Apple MacBook Air M1 review: Performance

Okay, I am aware that it is not appropriate to suggest that the Apple M1 is some sort of magic trick. After all, it is an eight-core central processing unit, with four cores that are designed for great performance and four additional cores that are used for less demanding jobs and that use less power. Simply put, this technology is based on ARM, which has been relegated to a secondary position in comparison to Intel’s core central processing units (CPUs) in terms of perceived performance for quite some time. If it is able to work well, then the MacBook Air is not a miracle device. On the contrary, it is a remarkable new technology that holds tremendous potential for the MacBook series.

To put it simply, there is no need to keep you waiting; the performance of the MacBook Air M1 impressed me in a positive manner. Furthermore, this is not only a comparison to the current Intel MacBook Air, which utilizes a 9-watt version of Intel’s Core i3 and i5 central processing units (CPUs) that are inferior to their 15-watt Windows 10 counterparts on the market. Contrary to popular belief, the MacBook Air equipped with the 10-watt Apple M1 is capable of competing with Intel’s most recent 12- to 28-watt Tiger Lake CPUs (Intel provides a range rather than a static figure this time around), and in many instances, it even gives them a good old-fashioned thumping.

Before we get into the figures, there is something that has to be made really obvious. The software that is built for the M1 architecture is the one that allows the Apple M1-based workstations to operate the most efficiently. This makes perfect sense because it encompasses all of Apple’s products in addition to a few additional programs and tools. Apple’s Rosetta 2 emulation layer is used to process the programme if it was not developed specifically for the M1. Naturally, this indicates that it will not be as quick as software that is native to the device. In addition, there are instances in which a program may not run at all, particularly when it is software that is dependent on device drivers.

Take, for instance, Geekbench 5, which is a native application that runs on the M1. In comparison to the fan-filled MacBook Pro 13 M1, the fanless MacBook Air M1 received a significantly higher score. We are talking about 1,727 vs. 1,707 in single-core mode and 7,585 compared to 7,337 in multi-core mode, but it is still astonishing that the MacBook Air M1 was quicker than the Pro, despite the fact that it is less costly and presumably slower. As a result of their four cores and eight threads, both computers achieved much better scores than the most powerful laptops now available from Tiger Lake. For instance, the MSI Prestige 14 Evo, which is equipped with the Core i7-1185G7, which is the fastest Tiger Lake CPU that can be purchased, only received scores of 1,593 and 5,904, respectively. Although it has six cores and 45 watts, the Core i7-10850H processor found in the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 3 was not able to keep up with the M1’s performance, as it only managed 1,299 and 6,372, respectively.

Are you worried that Apple might need you to sacrifice performance in order to accommodate its transition? You shouldn’t be.

Moving on, let’s have a look at Cinebench R23, which is yet another benchmark application that was developed for the M1. It was not possible for the MacBook Air M1 to defeat the MacBook Pro 13 M1 in this particular situation; nonetheless, it came very close to doing so. Additionally, it came very close to defeating the Lenovo Yoga 9i by using its six-core Core i7-10750H processor in its high-performance mode, which is responsible for increasing the fan speed. I was able to keep the MacBook Air M1 comfortably on my lap while it was being tested since it was so quiet (there were no fans, of course) and it scarcely got warm. This was the most remarkable aspect of the device. I’ve said in the past that it is not magic, but it’s possible that I’m incorrect.

In addition, I proceeded to run our Handbrake test, which encodes a 420 MB file to H.265 in two separate versions. The first method included using Handbrake 1.3.1, which operates in emulation mode, and the second method involved utilizing Handbrake 1.4.0 beta, which is designed specifically for the M1. The MacBook Air M1 took roughly 4.5 minutes to complete the test in the first scenario, which is comparable to the time it takes laptops with Intel’s 10th-generation Core i5 processor. Only eight seconds behind the MacBook Pro 13 M1 running the native version, the MacBook Air M1 finished the test in 2.8 minutes, which is comparable with 45-watt, six-core Intel laptops running Handbrake 1.3.1. Additionally, the MacBook Air M1 is only eight seconds behind the MacBook Pro 13 M1 running the game. And once again, the laptop hardly warmed up on its own. These findings provide a look into the effects that switching to native support for the M1 platform might have on an application.

I finished up by doing some further tests inside Adobe’s Premiere Pro, which is not yet optimized for the M1, using the PugetBench benchmark. This was possibly the most crucial activity I carried out. Historically, MacBooks have been the preferred option for a large number of creative individuals; however, the MacBook Air has never been able to compete with that. Running any of Adobe’s creative suite has proven to be difficult on the Intel version due to the significant performance limits that exist on that platform. Nevertheless, the M1 alters all of that, even on the MacBook Air, which costs $999.

The MacBook Air M1 was able to fight well against even one of Intel’s most powerful central processing units (CPUs), and it was able to easily defeat Intel’s Tiger Lake laptops. When I also conducted a Premiere Pro encoding test that generates a 2GB 4K film, I found that the MacBook Air M1 operating in emulation was around forty seconds quicker than a Tiger Lake laptop doing the same task.

This level of speed was most remarkable to me since I was able to see it while it was running via emulation. Just think about how quickly Premiere Pro (and Photoshop, Lightroom, and so on) would operate once it was native to the M1. A revolutionary moment for creative professionals who may desire a smaller computer to take about but who refuse to sacrifice performance is when they have this type of performance on a laptop that is so thin, so light, and does not have a fan. For the very first time in history, it is possible to do real creative work on a MacBook Air, which is a very significant achievement.

After I had done writing the evaluation, Microsoft published native versions of several of its legacy apps, including Microsoft Office, and I did notice some little slowdowns in those applications when I used them in the real world. When it comes to startup, this is particularly true; office applications run far more quickly on Intel-based computers than they do on the MacBook Air M1. The difference, however, is not so significant that it disturbed me, and if I weren’t evaluating the laptop, I probably wouldn’t even consider it a difference at all. Naturally, the Mac operating system itself, as well as every program that was designed for the M1, was very quick.

What about the game industry? However, I did not do all of our gaming tests on the MacBook Air M1 at the same time. Ultimately, this is not a gaming computer; rather, it is intended to be a laptop for work purposes. Nevertheless, Fortnite was able to run at about 33 frames per second (fps) with a resolution of 1,680 x 1,050 and high graphics. This is a very playable speed that is far quicker than what you would get with Tiger Lake’s Intel Iris Xe graphics. At the same resolution and medium graphics, the MacBook Air was able to get 51 frames per second in Civilization VI. However, when the graphics were set to extreme, the frame rate decreased to 32 frames per second. Once again, this outperforms laptops with integrated graphics on the low end, such as the Nvidia GeForce MX350, and it even competes with Intel Iris Xe motherboards.

The fact that this fanless, perfectly quiet laptop is a better gaming machine than similar Intel laptops is something that you would never have imagined from a MacBook Air. Be aware that I tested the seven-core GPU model; for an additional $250, you can get an eight-core GPU model that is going to be… well, one core quicker than the seven-core one. Moreover, this edition comes with 512 gigabytes of storage space.

Last but not least, I said that the MacBook Air M1 is not compatible with all programs, but I do not have many instances to quote. The software that powers my earlier colorimeter was the one that mattered, and it was not compatible with the MacBook since it lacked the necessary drivers to function properly.

On the other hand, the majority of the other applications that I tested ran, even when they were in emulation, and they were as quick as I would get on a minimally powerful Intel laptop. On the other hand, there were a few notable exceptions, such as the Epic Games Launcher, which performed just as slowly on the MacBook Air M1 as it did on the MacBook Pro 13 M1, although these instances were very uncommon.

Apple MacBook Air M1 review: Battery life

The Apple M1 is expected to make significant advancements in a number of areas, some of which include performance. Another concern is the battery life; after all, this is an ARM processor at its core, and it is intended to be as energy-efficient as possible. What type of efficiency can a laptop achieve when it is able to provide the same level of performance as central processing units that are exclusively concerned with power consumption? Well, let’s find out.

In the beginning, I carried out our usual online benchmark, which is comprised of a number of well-known websites. It is the standard that we implement in order to simulate the lifetime of production, and it works rather well. One of the longest results we’ve seen is the MacBook Air, which lasted for 15.5 hours, making it the most impressive device by far. In spite of the fact that the Lenovo Flex 5G, which is equipped with its very own ARM processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx, lasted almost fifty minutes longer, there is a catch. The display on the MacBook Air M1 is a Retina display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600, while the display on the Lenovo was operating at Full HD (1,920 x 1,080). That is a huge advantage for Apple; if you added a Full HD display to it (which is not something you would want to do), we would anticipate that it would last for a couple of hours longer.

Following that, I proceeded to run our video benchmark, which is a looping movie that plays a Full HD Avengers teaser until the laptop terminates. The battery life of the MacBook Air M1 was 18.5 hours. Furthermore, while this is not as long as some of the laptops that we have tested that have the greatest lifespans, it is by far the longest-lasting device that has a display that has a good resolution. Again, the Lenovo Flex 5G was superior in this regard, with a battery life of approximately 28 hours; nevertheless, it once again benefited from having a display with a lower resolution.

In order to determine how long a laptop will continue to function with its central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) under heavy loads, we often employ the Basemark online benchmark test. Due to the fact that I was unable to finish the test on the MacBook Air M1, I am unable to provide any information on the durability of the device when it is subjected to intense pressure. Despite the fact that you are putting a lot of strain on the MacBook Air M1, we anticipate that you will be able to get quite a deal of time out of it due to the inherent efficiencies that it has.

Apple MacBook Air M1 review: Design

There is no difference in the design of the MacBook Air M1 compared to the Intel version. By all means. In other words, it is the same wedge of machined aluminum that has the sensation of being a combination of glass and metal via an alchemical process. It is completely unmovable, and there is no twisting, bending, or flexing anywhere in it. One of the things that Apple does well is design and manufacture computers that emanate a strong beauty. Apple is a company that does certain things well. There are three hues available to you to choose from: space gray, gold, and silver, and each of them is really stunning.

It is 0.6 inches in thickness and weighs 2.8 pounds, making it an extremely lightweight and small laptop. Windows 10 laptops such as the Dell XPS 13 and the HP Spectre x360 13 have caught up and are either thinner and lighter or are very close to becoming smaller and lighter. As a result, the MacBook Air in general is no longer able to retain its supremacy in this respect. Due to the fact that it still has the same rather big bezels to deal with, the MacBook Air M1 is not as tiny in width and depth as some of its rivals that have a 13-inch display. Take into consideration the fact that the display on the MacBook Air M1 has a 16:10 aspect ratio, and you will discover that it does not fit into the same compact profile as some other models.

In reality, however, it is a case of picking nits, since the changes are so minute when compared to these sizes. There is a possibility that the MacBook Air M1 might have a more contemporary appearance if it had reduced bezels; nonetheless, it is not likely that you will have a difficult time finding space for it in your bag.

For the most part, the MacBook Air M1 continues to struggle with its connectivity. You will get a 3.5mm audio jack in addition to two Thunderbolt 3 connections. And that’s all. Even an SD card reader is not available; therefore, you won’t be able to retrieve your films and photographs. It is important to keep in mind that the M1 does not allow external GPU enclosures, so you should be ready to purchase some dongles. Additionally, a Thunderbolt 3 dock would be a smart option.

The M1 model only allows for the connection of a single external monitor, and this may be accomplished either by the Thunderbolt 3 ports or by docking the device. If you need more than one external monitor, then the M1 version is not the right choice for you. The reasons for this are quite technical and are based on the architecture of the M1 version. Consider this in comparison to the standard laptop running Windows 10 or the MacBook based on Intel, both of which are capable of supporting multiple monitors of varying resolutions. In most cases, laptops that fall within the same price range of $1,000 are able to accommodate more than one external monitor if they are equipped with a Thunderbolt 3 connector, several USB-C connections, or even an HDMI port (hey, do you remember those?).

Apple MacBook Air M1 review: Display and speakers

Apple maintained the same display for the MacBook Air M1, much like they did for the design. The IPS display is 2,560 by 1,600 pixels, and it looks really stunning. Even if it is not in the same category as the MacBook Pro series, it nevertheless provides a satisfactory level of performance that is enough for all creative professionals, with the exception of the most demanding ones.

Brightness was measured at 389 nits, which is enough for the typical laptop used for work but does not meet the requirements set by Apple for its higher-end products. The color gamut includes 100% of sRGB and 79% of AdobeRGB, which is somewhat broader than the norm. The majority of premium Windows 10 laptops have a color gamut that is around 98% sRGB and 73% AdobeRGB. These changes aren’t really significant, but if you wish to modify any photos and videos, you will be grateful for the few percentage points that are not included in the package. We like to see a contrast ratio of at least 1000:1, and the MacBook Air M1 surpasses our benchmark in this regard. The accuracy is especially outstanding at 1.39, where 1.0 or less is imperceptible to the human eye and the criterion of excellence. Additionally, the contrast ratio is above average at 1130:1.

In conclusion, you are going to like this display, and it is quite possible that you won’t have many complaints about it. Choose the Pro line if you are a creative professional who needs the broadest color range possible with your products. Choosing the MacBook Pro 13 M1 will allow you to experience a display of greater quality while maintaining the same level of performance and very close to the same amount of battery life.

Audio quality is just another area in which the MacBook Air M1 falls short of maintaining the same level of excellence as its Pro brothers. Don’t get the wrong idea; the people who are speaking are quite pleasant. In addition to having superb mids and highs, they also have a very tiny bass presence. They are clean and bright. And there is no distortion even when the volume is turned up to its highest level; the only issue is that the maximum volume is not particularly loud. Therefore, if you will be listening by yourself, you will be OK, but if you want to share with a large group of people, you will need to use external speakers. Additionally, if you are looking to rock out, you should be ready to bring out your preferred headphones.

Apple MacBook Air M1 review: Keyboard and touchpad

The MacBook Air M1 has Apple’s brand-new Magic Keyboard, which was designed to take the place of the butterfly keyboard that was found on earlier iterations of the MacBook Air. And the keyboard is really incredible; it is maybe my favorite of all the laptops that I have tried, and it is the only one that can compete with the fantastic version that HP includes in its Spectre family of laptops.

I am referring to you, butterfly keyboard, when I say that the keycaps are of a decent size and there is enough travel so you do not get the sensation that you are typing on a block of wood. The best part is that the switches are of the highest quality, with an exceptional level of accuracy and a flawless bottoming action that indicates when you have successfully pressed a key. I have found that this keyboard allows me to type more quickly than any other, and I hate having to give it up whenever I transfer to a Windows 10 computer.

Even taking into account the fact that it is haptic, the touchpad is also better. It is buttery smooth, it is bigger than the majority of touchpads that you will find on 13-inch laptops, and after you get acclimated to the haptic element, you will probably discover that you have more control than you do with other touchpads. There has been a significant improvement in the quality of touchpads for Windows 10 over the years, although they have not yet caught up.

In conclusion, the Touch ID sensor that is included in the power button will allow you to log in without the need for a password, and it will function flawlessly. Although you won’t find face recognition in the MacBook line just yet, it is readily comparable to the Windows Hello technology that Microsoft has developed. Even though I would have preferred to utilize a fingerprint reader in the end, I was unable to remember it since I was using the MacBook Air M1.

Apple MacBook Air M1 review: Our take

The Intel MacBook Air 2020 was described as “a respectable choice for Mac fans on a budget,” according to our statement. For the MacBook Air M1, I will make the following correction: It is a decent option for any MacBook enthusiast who is looking for a more compact device that is completely silent, can run for an infinite amount of time on a single charge, and is almost as quick as the MacBook Pro 13 M1. It is no longer simply a matter of saving money; you are also getting a laptop that is going to blow you away with its performance (particularly considering the fact that more applications are being made native to the M1) while that notebook is exceptionally small and light.

However, there are certain restrictions to consider. You are only able to use a single external monitor, and you are restricted to a maximum of 16 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM). This is also the case with the Intel version.

Are there any other options available?

In many instances, you will discover that they are slower than the Intel MacBook Air, and they will not last as long on a charge. However, the same competition that was available for the Intel MacBook Air is also available for this product. The Dell XPS 13 is the obvious alternative, and it can be purchased for $980 with a Core i3-1115G4 processor and the same amount of RAM and storage as the MacBook Air M1. However, the MacBook Air M1 will perform far better than the Dell XPS 13. If you equip the XPS 13 with its most powerful central processing unit (CPU), you will still discover that it is slower than the MacBook in many applications.

For an additional few hundred dollars, depending on the configuration, the HP Spectre x360 13 provides you with the opportunity to choose a more advanced OLED display as well as the versatility of a 2-in-1 monitor. However, the MacBook Air M1 is the more powerful laptop in this regard.

Last but not least, the MacBook Pro 13 M1 is the best option for those who are looking for the quickest M1 machine currently on the market (although the difference is not quite as significant as you would think). The appearance of the display will be improved, and the sound quality will wow you. Additionally, you will incur an additional expenditure of at least $300.

Will it continue for how long?

Given Apple’s commitment to ensuring that its laptops get regular updates, the MacBook Air M1 ought to be able to serve you for at least five years from now. The laptop itself will undoubtedly last forever due to the quality of its construction, and you will really like Apple’s service, even if it does not come with the industry-standard one-year guarantee. In addition, the speed of the MacBook Air M1 will continue to increase as more software is tuned for the M1 central processing unit.

Ought you to purchase it?

Indeed. If you are a lover of the MacBook and are seeking something smaller, the MacBook Air M1 is not just for you. This is for every buyer of a laptop who is comfortable with the transition to Mac OS and is interested in participating in the actual future of computing based on ARM.

Apple MacBook Air M1 specs

Processor: Apple M1 8-Core Processor, with 7-core integrated GPU (8-core GPU also available)
Memory: 8 GB RAM (16 GB RAM upgrade also available)
Storage: 256 GB RAM (512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB are also available)
Display: 13.3” LED-backlit IPS display at 2560p x 1600p resolution
Ports: 2 x Thunderbolt 3; 3.5mm headphone jack
Keyboard and Trackpad: Magic Keyboard with backlighting; Force Touch trackpad; Touch ID sensor
Camera: 720p webcam
Graphics: 8-Core Integrated GPU
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6; Bluetooth 5.0
Battery: 49.9 Watt-hour battery
Weight: 2.8 lbs
Dimensions: 0.63” x 11.97” x 8.36”
Warranty: 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one-year warranty