M1 Apple MacBook Air - 2 weeks later | Should you buy? | Mark Ellis Reviews

I've been using the M1 MacBook Air 8GB for just over two weeks now. In that time, it has beat my 16" MacBook Pro performance-wise and replaced my 12.9" iPad Pro.

If you're thinking about buying one, welcome to my M1 MacBook Air review. No deep spec dives and no boring benchmarks - just honest feedback on how this thing performs in the real world.

CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
01:10 - Battery life
03:08 - Software compatibility
04:51 - 8GB vs 16GB RAM
07:56 - The design
08:50 - Why it has replaced my iPad Pro
09:51 - The downsides
11:53 - Final thoughts

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WHAT IS THIS CHANNEL ALL ABOUT?
I have zero interest in deep spec dives or long-winded comparisons. I review laptops, smartphones, tablets, headphones and the latest tech based on real experience. I'll tell you how it'll make you feel, whether or not it's worth your time (and money) and help you find the tech you need to get stuff done.

WHO AM I?
I'm a UK-based freelance marketer and broke free of a regular job many years ago. Watch my videos to find the tech you need, without the jargon.

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Oh, and some of the links in this description are affiliate links from which I earn a small commission!

[MarkEllisReviews]

Hey, you lovely lot. I've got lots more coming on M1 Macs (including buying guides for each version), but I thought you might like to see how my initial two weeks with the baseline Air went :)

[slyguyaction]

A tech reviewer that doesn't beat us over the head with graphs, specs and benchmarks. Just honest reviews explained in layman's terms and honest opinions. How refreshing. Smashed that "SUBSCRIBE & BELL" buttons. Yeah!!

[EvChapman]

Totally agree on the battery life. I've had mine for a week and I leave it unplugged all day and literally NEVER worry. A big part of my job is zoom calls and I don't even have to be plugged in for those. It's truly amazing.

[slyguyaction]

I finally replaced my late 2010 MBA with a new base model 2020 MBA. Wow!! What a machine. Great review...

[willdavies]

Christ all mighty, I watch tech reviews everyday and I can tell you, you’re soon to get many many more subscribers my friend! 10/10

[ThoseBackPages]

Mark, this was fantastic! in fact, ive gone ahead and subscribed. i am anything but a "gearhead" or "computer person". im a soon to be 50 old dude from New York. i never got into much computer stuff.
Bought my first apple laptop in 2011 on Black Friday, a MBP 15". Bought it because it looked cool in the store and had a few bucks off. i had more money than sense at the time, and it served me well. Towards the end of 2015, it was struggling and the B button stopped working. A friend of mine gifted me (unknown to me at the time) an "Early 2015 MBP 13" with retina screen". Thats what im on watching your video typing this up with right now.

About 18 months ago, (not long after the apple care expired, go figure lol) the battery started to swell pretty badly. i had the battery replaced at a local mom and pop computer place, ran me about $200. Figured that was cheaper then a new machine at the time. The guy who worked on it said it was a great machine, worth the repair. Well, last night i discovered that I THINK that the battery in it now, is starting to swell. You see, im the old type of fella that leaves his laptop plugged in 24/7. That is something that i have now learned that i MUST quit doing., and have learned the expensive way.

Now this MBP is nearly 6 years old. When i went to the apple website, i saw that they have some new MBPs and MBAs with this "M1" Chip in it. So, off to YouTube i went, to look for real reviews on these machines.

You see, i use this computer for leisure.... watch YT, Social Media, Netflix, the usual crap that we all do.
The only "stressful" thing i do on it is play Pokemon ONLINE, which is a "Computer Game" i suppose, and it sometimes makes the fan in the laptop start a-spinning pretty good.

All of this to say, i REALLY enjoyed your review here, as i felt like you were talking to me like an everyday person. i think that this MacBook Air with the M1 Chip is something that i could enjoy for the next 5 years or more.

i would appreciate your feedback, if youve got the time. -Eric

[Charles-dmyq]

Been using the M1 Air for a week, I’m a student in college, I highly recommend anyone thinking of getting it. Great review also!

[renee]

Love how your energy is not over the top. It's calm and I feel like I'm just chatting with a regular person. Thank you!

[robertoarmstrong]

The portability and power of this laptop coupled with the battery life makes streets better than its counterparts on any OS for everyday use.

[enmelinediaz]

Bought mine recently. Still exploring the features since it’s my first experience with a MacBook . So far I love it. I’m learning every day.

[Evan]

Brilliant video. Talks to regular users. Just received MBA M1 two weeks ago after exchanging our MBA 2020 Intel. We thought we’d end up feeling like losing a few hundred dollars (trade-in value). Not the case at all. We paid that extra money for major upgrade. Love they kept same design - and new keyboard keys. It feels like an iPad Pro. We’ll keep using the latter as our portable machine - and MBA M1 as a desktop computer. Both the ‘18 iPad Pro and MBA M1 have been game-changers, longer-term buys. Software behind hardware at time of purchase. (Now need to find perfect hub/adapter/charger that won’t disconnect our Zoom calls when wired - last used in ... the 90s; speaking of, Zoom had already upgraded to support M1s).

[williamnale]

Picked up a M1 MBA last week. LOVE IT. smooth and fast & with the right accessories, I can do anything I could do with my 2012 MBP. Great screen, keyboard. Best Air yet.

[jiednazareth]

A refreshing review. It was like listening to a friend. Keep it this way. You stand out from the other so called "professional" reviewers on YouTube.

[chc]

1st time watching you, just love ur voice.

[occultrealms]

Got mine arriving on Tuesday, can't wait. Great video mate. Appreciate it

[BrolyGainz]

Love the way you done this review! Literally information people care about. Definitely subscribed

[berkensayilir]

I got the smaller 11“ iPad Pro precisely because I anticipated the M1 Air to overlap just a tad too much with the bigger iPad.

[MrBrodernafluff]

got my Air (base version) last weekend, I bloody love it coming from clumsy desktop PC this really feels like night and day on my desk.

[dibujemaestro]

I’ve just bought one. My old one was from 2015. I love it. Was really an upgrade and thin, silent, durable battery…beautiful

[melprophet]

Terrific video, Mark. The plain talk review without all the benchmark stuff is very much appreciated!