Replacement Laptop?

[bayswater]

I've been thinking about replacing my 2011 MBP. I hoped to just move to an iPad by now, but there's still a lot they don't do well. Yesterday I spilled a glass of water on the MBP keyboard, so it's time to get on with it.

Intel is long in the tooth, and I read in Ars Tech the the M1 and M2 chips (but not in the M3) have a security flaw at the hardware level that can't fixed with the usual OS update.

I'd put DP and Logic on it, but would only use them to try out ideas, and not for a serious project.

Does anyone who has a newer laptop find anything about it that they really like or don't like?

Is the claim of increased memory efficiency the new chips valid? Can you do basic things with 8G RAM?

[HCMarkus]

I'd go along with those who suggest the M1/M2 exploit you mention is one that is very unlikely to affect little folks like you and me. Also...

Readers should remember that whatever penalties result will only be felt when affected software is performing specific cryptographic operations. For browsers and many other types of apps, the performance cost may not be noticeable.

To my knowledge, DAW workflows don't generally include cryptographic operations.

Here's the entire article if anyone is interested: https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/0 ... mac-chips/

Security concerns aside, based on your description of your needs, Bays, an entry-level M1 MacBook Air will suffice. I have two M1 Airs... a base 8GB/256GB unit and a 16GB/1TB unit which I use regularly as my live MainStage-host. It has been perfect for me. The second Air is a backup; I was pleased to find that, with an external USB3 SSD attached, I can run my full MainStage rig without issue. The lack of memory means I do see higher memory pressure and some swapping to/from disk when running the MainStage rig; my setup is quite expansive.

I find the M1 Air a joy to use... I'm typing this on the 8GB one now. The trackpad is excellent and the machine is super responsive. The screen is fine and the camera plenty good for Zooming. Battery life is insanely good.

[mikehalloran]

I've been thinking about replacing my 2011 MBP. I hoped to just move to an iPad by now, but there's still a lot they don't do well. Yesterday I spilled a glass of water on the MBP keyboard, so it's time to get on with it.

Intel is long in the tooth, and I read in Ars Tech the the M1 and M2 chips (but not in the M3) have a security flaw at the hardware level that can't fixed with the usual OS update.

I'd put DP and Logic on it, but would only use them to try out ideas, and not for a serious project.

Does anyone who has a newer laptop find anything about it that they really like or don't like?

Is the claim of increased memory efficiency the new chips valid? Can you do basic things with 8G RAM?

In short:

The “GoFetch” security issue is present in all three M chips (and many Intel CPUs). Apple is able to set a bit that blocks it in the M3. Apple can always block such things in the macOS — and has many times over the years but there's a slight performance hit when this is done. As of now, there are no known bad actors exploiting this. Interestingly, no one has been talking about it since April. So, once again, the sky is falling but no one has noticed.

We have an M1 McBook Air with 8GB Unified (aka Integrated) RAM. It is as powerful as they say. It is one of the machines I use for beta testing and I can't break it. The rule of thumb is that Unified RAM x 4 = discrete RAM. Of course, that's kind of silly because it depends on the use. Anyway, its 7 Core GPU is nearly equal to the Vega64x in my iMac Pro — if not crunching a lot of video, one doesn't need much more (the other M1 Air has 8 core GPU). Always reboot daily—memory leaks don't care whether RAM is discrete or Unified. I could have upgraded to 16GB RAM when I ordered. I ordered 1TB onboard knowing that it would be used for my wife's schoolwork—other choices were 512GB or 2TB.. My USB4 8TB Asus external connects flawlessly when I have the need.

The Downsides: 13" only—want 15", get an M2 or M3. Only two monitors including the internal—no workaround without eGPU (DisplayLink eGPU over USB is available, however). Only two TB3/USB4 ports—this includes the power supply. What I don't like is that the PS does not break away like a MagSafe cable (being handicapped, it's been an issue). The right powered hub can get you additional ports plus Ethernet and supply power on the MBAir 1.
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/macb ... specs.html

The MBAir M2/M3 are pretty much the same with the following exceptions: MagSafe charger is back freeing up both TB3/4/USB4 ports while charging. Supposedly longer battery life. 15" also available, up to 24GB available Integrated RAM. Storage range from 256GB – 2TB. Much noise about the smaller storage being slower R/W than the M1. Like the Mini and Studio, it all depends on the number of NAND chips — a pair are configured to, as Apple calls it, "modified RAID 0", not possible with a single NAND.

Here's the EveryMac comparison of all MacBook Airs
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/macb ... k-air.html

So, while we like our M1 and it does everything we need, when I get one for myself, it will be an M2 or M3 because of the MagSafe charger.

[bayswater]

Thanks Markus and Mike — that clears up my concerns. Looking at refurbished units, I see I can get a basic 2022 M2 for about $100 more than a 2020 M1, so maybe that’s the ticket . I’m not concerned about MagSafe, and I’m very unlikely to use more than one external at a time. I definitely don’t want a 15”, and would get a 12” if they still made them.

Thanks again.

[HCMarkus]

[Michael Canavan]

Thanks Markus and Mike — that clears up my concerns. Looking at refurbished units, I see I can get a basic 2022 M2 for about $100 more than a 2020 M1, so maybe that’s the ticket . I’m not concerned about MagSafe, and I’m very unlikely to use more than one external at a time. I definitely don’t want a 15”, and would get a 12” if they still made them.

Thanks again.

FWIW I really like the 13.3" M1 here. I found a guy selling a 1TB 16GB one and it's really pretty great.
I came into some money, but honestly for 80% of what I do this would be more than enough of a machine. No fan is just a great thing in every way.

[HCMarkus]

For over three years now, I've been using a USB Hub with my M1 Air as part of my live rig. This is the hub that gets power to my Air; it has worked perfectly:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08SV ... UTF8&psc=1

I use a second one (the four port, non-powered model) because my live rig needs to provide 5 USB ports for attached gear. Anyway, it is definitely handy to have a hub that connects via USBC, for those times you need a USBA port or two.

[bayswater]

Was at Costco today getting the usual paper essentials, and they had an Air M2 for a little less than the Apple Store. So here we are with a new Mac.

Thanks for the advice guys.

[mikehalloran]

Was at Costco today getting the usual paper essentials, and they had an Air M2 for a little less than the Apple Store. So here we are with a new Mac.

Thanks for the advice guys.

[HCMarkus]

Was at Costco today getting the usual paper essentials, and they had an Air M2 for a little less than the Apple Store. So here we are with a new Mac.

Thanks for the advice guys.

Sweet!

[monkey man]

Congrats Brother Steve!

I've been thinking about replacing my 2011 MBP.

Funny, it's the same model as mine, the one that died a few months ago for which I created a thread.

Turns out it was the graphics card; it burned out somehow.

So, same position as you brother. Been holding off until something speaks to me and this could be it.

[mikehalloran]

Congrats Brother Steve!

I've been thinking about replacing my 2011 MBP.

Funny, it's the same model as mine, the one that died a few months ago for which I created a thread.

Turns out it was the graphics card; it burned out somehow.

So, same position as you brother. Been holding off until something speaks to me and this could be it.

I remember that. It's surprising that it wasn't the WiFi/Bluetooth card, a notorious weak spot in these.


My 2012 MBPs have 2TB SSDs, max'd out RAM 16GB, replaced batteries and upgraded WiFi/BT cards. One is 13" and the other is 15".

At some point, I will install one of those 4TB SSDs I have lying around and convert the 13" to dual-boot Mojave/Catalina machine. This will let me run a couple of 32bit apps as needed while letting me beta test over Catalina. Having both is redundant.

I'm still looking at getting a 13" M2 or M3 MacBook Air this year. Not in a hurry, though. Perhaps my wife can tell Santa & Mrs. Apple Engineer living in Austin that one would make a nice Christmas present for Dad.

[James Steele]

Perhaps my wife can tell Santa & Mrs. Apple Engineer living in Austin that one would make a nice Christmas present for Dad.

Hint, hint!!

I'm anxiously awaiting what Apple might have in store with they have those new chips with the 3nm process? I think those are the smaller traces. My M1 Max Mac Studio is plenty, but my lust for more power now knowns no bounds. I'm hoping maybe in a year or two we will see another leap forward with M4, etc. and I will make one last upgrade and then make this M1 Max an absolutely overkill office machine! LOL

[Michael Canavan]

FWIW I used the M1 Air here as a main machine for a year or two, and even with the single external monitor limit there is a workaround; DisplayLink capable USB3 hubs can connect a second external monitor to the M1 Air with almost no CPU hit to speak of.

The only time I ever noticed it was when doing to failure CPU tests to determine how powerful the laptop is. At 100% capacity you would get zipper noise when moving windows on the USB3 connected monitor.

[mikehalloran]

…
I'm anxiously awaiting what Apple might have in store with they have those new chips with the 3nm process? I think those are the smaller traces. My M1 Max Mac Studio is plenty, but my lust for more power now knowns no bounds. I'm hoping maybe in a year or two we will see another leap forward with M4, etc. and I will make one last upgrade and then make this M1 Max an absolutely overkill office machine! LOL

Pay attention to what is going on with the new USB 4.2/Thunderbolt 5 standard (to my knowledge, nothing is shipping yet). This will break the TB3/4/USB4 2800 data speed barrier for external drives but I don't know by how much. I would hope that the next Studio embraces this.

NVMe 4 x6 blades already exist that can crunch data around 7600 or so but only PCs with 6 Lane PCIe slots including the Mac Studio can handle these speeds — and internally only for now.