The MacBook Air M1: popular but not for everyone
The MacBook Air M1 is getting rave reviews everywhere. Fast chip, long battery life, quiet design. You'd almost think Apple had created the perfect laptop. Yet, you see them surprisingly often on refurbished websites . People are switching back after just a few months. What's going on here?
It turns out the M1 MacBook Air is too much laptop for many users. They're paying for power they never use, for features they don't use. While others are stuck with limitations no one talks about.
The truth? This MacBook is brilliant for a specific group of users, but a waste of money for everyone else. Time to figure out which category you fall into.
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Who is the M1 Air really for?
The MacBook Air with the M1 chip proves to be a perfect fit for a specific demographic. Students who spend entire days in the library without a power outlet. Freelancers who hop from café to café. Professionals who primarily work in text documents, spreadsheets, and web browsers. For this demographic, the device is a surefire hit.
The 8-core CPU with four performance cores and four efficiency cores balances power and efficiency. For light tasks, the system automatically switches to the efficient cores, extending battery life to up to 18 hours. Fanless operation means absolute silence—ideal for meetings or quiet workspaces.
The hidden limitations
What reviews often overlook: this laptop only has two Thunderbolt ports. For many users, this means constantly switching between chargers, external drives, and monitors. A USB hub quickly becomes a necessity.
The base model comes with 8GB of unified memory. This memory is shared between the CPU, GPU, and other components. It's sufficient for basic tasks, but if you have twenty browser tabs open alongside Photoshop, you'll start to notice its limitations. Upgrading to 16GB costs a significant extra and must be done at the time of purchase—additional memory is not possible.
The 256GB of storage in the entry-level model sounds reasonable, but macOS and standard apps already take up 30GB. After installing a few programs and taking photos, you'll quickly reach the limit. Cloud storage or external drives then become indispensable.
Practical use scenarios
Where the model excels:
- Word processing and administration : Word, Excel and similar programs run smoothly
- Web Development : Code editors and browsers perform excellently
- Light photo editing : Photos and even Lightroom work fine with normal files
- Video conferencing : Teams, Zoom and Google Meet without any hiccups
- Study and research : Perfect companion for long study days
Where you run into limits:
- Heavy video editing : 4K projects in Final Cut Pro require the Pro model
- 3D Modeling : CAD software and rendering require more GPU power
- Gaming : Limited game library and mediocre performance on modern titles
- Virtual Machines : Running Windows alongside macOS eats up memory
Comparison with alternatives
Compared to the previous Intel version, this model performs three to five times better, depending on the task. Machine learning tasks are even nine times faster. But when compared to a modern Windows laptop in the same price range, the situation becomes more nuanced.
A Dell XPS 13 or HP Spectre x360 offer more ports, upgradeable memory, and often a touchscreen. The Surface Laptop comes close in terms of build quality. However, these Windows alternatives lack the seamless integration with iPhone and iPad, plus the legendary macOS stability.
Within the Apple ecosystem, the M1 Air competes with the more expensive 13-inch MacBook Pro. The difference? The Pro has a fan for prolonged heavy workloads, a slightly brighter screen, and better speakers. For 90% of users, these extras don't justify the higher price.
Refurbished considerations
The popularity of refurbished M1 Airs tells a story. Many first-time buyers discovered they didn't need the power or missed certain features. These units are now available on the used market in excellent condition.
A refurbished model saves you hundreds of euros. The processor ages less quickly than Intel models, so a two-year-old model still performs perfectly. Do pay attention to the battery condition – ask about the number of charge cycles.
The verdict: match or mismatch?
This laptop is perfect for you if:
- You mainly browse, email and edit documents
- Battery life is crucial for your workday
- You use your other Apple devices
- Silence and portability are priorities
- Your budget is around 1000-1500 euros
Search further as:
- You edit your professional videos or do 3D work
- Gaming is important to you
- You connect many external devices
- Upgrading components is a requirement
- Your Windows software needs to run
The M1 Air remains an excellent laptop for the right user. Not the revolution Apple promises, but a solid workhorse for everyday tasks. The trick is to be honest about your actual needs versus what you think you need.
Conclusion: consciously choose what you really need
The MacBook Air M1 isn't a miracle worker, but it's an average work computer that excels in battery life and quietness . For students and office workers who primarily type and browse, it's an excellent choice.
Need more? Then check out the refurbished MacBook Pro models or consider a Windows alternative. The best purchase isn't the most highly praised laptop, but the one that suits your daily work. Don't be tempted by specs you won't use anyway.
