Anyone getting an M1 Mac?

Leftwaffe · 12-02-2021 7:45pm

beauf wrote: »

You don't need 16gb for those tasks. But if it were me I'd get more RAM. You could add torage through USB or networks etc. But there is no way to add extra RAM.

If it were me 16GB/512GB would be the lowest config I would buy.

Its personal choice. but for me a 13" screen is too small.
I'm much happier with a 14" screen.
Depends though maybe you'll be using it plugged into a large screen.
Then maybe a Mini would be better (more ports for example)

But also sometimes people just like a smaller footprint on their desk. We've a 13" laptop that I really dislike using. But someone else in the family loves. Each to their own.

Yeah I’m thinking extra ram, not too worried about storage tbh. 13” does seem small. I’ve a 12.9” iPad Pro which isn’t too far off size wise. Couldn’t imagine using it for a laptop. Waiting for the 14” is a killer though I’ve no idea when it’s gonna land.

13-02-2021 1:55am

beauf wrote: »

You don't need 16gb for those tasks. But if it were me I'd get more RAM. You could add torage through USB or networks etc. But there is no way to add extra RAM.

If it were me 16GB/512GB would be the lowest config I would buy.

Its personal choice. but for me a 13" screen is too small.
I'm much happier with a 14" screen.
Depends though maybe you'll be using it plugged into a large screen.
Then maybe a Mini would be better (more ports for example)

But also sometimes people just like a smaller footprint on their desk. We've a 13" laptop that I really dislike using. But someone else in the family loves. Each to their own.

I completely agree.

24 hours with my new Mac and I went for the 8GB version. A mistake.

Firstly, MacOS seems to keep many 'closed apps' actually suspended and still open, unlike most of what happens in Windows 10.

Secondly, I don't play games much on my laptops any more but one 'native' game took 7+GB. I had more than 3GB swap in use. Holy F. I've never seen carry on like that in Windows and with 16GB on W10, I rarely ever breached 10GB.

Thirdly, in Activity Monitor, I see a few weird names (they really look like system activities) using a lot of RAM. MacOS just seems to work quite differently.

My use case on laptops had dialed down so much lately, mostly web browsing, researching online, Word/Excel, email etc. so light, I was sure 8GB would do it, and the unified memory of M1 is supposed to mean that it parks stuff in RAM for a much shorter time than traditional RAM. Whatever. 8GB is not enough.

The only saving grace is that I did view this one as a tester purchase, and I'd probably trade-in and upgrade later in the year. Maybe the Pro for the fans.

16GB. Yes. :pac:

beauf · 13-02-2021 7:56pm

I hadn't heard of anyone having issues with 8gb doing regular stuff. Maybe you've something else going on. I just know people keep their Macs for a long time. Hence more of everything would be wise.

I have heard of people with very heavy loads particularly with music production having issues. But in general people love them.

Most people would be wise to wait a while and check if all their current software and plugins and any hardware connected to their current computer is supported.

13-02-2021 7:59pm

Yeah I’d say that above sounds like something faulty. No way should 8GB be that much of a mess.

beauf · 13-02-2021 8:06pm

I haven't used a Mac in years. But it might benefit from a reset to factory settings and starting over.

brav · 13-02-2021 8:10pm

Yes I wonder if some confusion here.
First the RAM is there to be used no point always having some empty, no harm leaving suspended apps in there for a quick resume etc.
If I had 16gb and only half used then why is the OS is not using more?

For most I would say 8GB is not loads but just about right, but like others, if you are anyway tech savy your prob going to get 16GB just for the sake of it

When looking at Activity Monotor, for memory, it’s not really about how much memory used as you would want as much used as possible if it helps in any way, it’s more about the memory pressure, if it’s in the green your ok, but if there is memory pressure then yes more RAM prob needed or optimisation with whatever app using all the memory(Chrome etc)

beauf · 13-02-2021 8:23pm

It's moving more towards how a mobile phone works than traditional desktop OS.

Leftwaffe · 13-02-2021 10:51pm

I’m gonna go with 16gb as I want to future proof it a bit. Plan on keeping it for a long time and it’s only a couple of hundred quid extra.

I just don’t know whether to wait for the 14” or not. It supposed to be a squared edge redesign, or so I’ve read. That would be along the lines of the new iPhone 12 which I love.

padjocollins · 14-02-2021 6:43pm

i'm waiting for the 14" cause i can and it's coming out supposedly around september. looking forward to the battery life, keeping the magsafe connection , hopefully a mini led display, whisper quiet and very fast

Passenger · 20-02-2021 4:10pm

MacBook Air arrived 10 days after ordering from the Apple Store and it was delivered 24 hours after being dispatched by DHL.

padjocollins · 23-02-2021 6:09pm

lets see how much of an isseu this is going to be if any https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/apple-m1-macs-appear-to-be-chewing-through-their-ssds/

padjocollins · 24-02-2021 7:16am

https://linustechtips.com/topic/1306757-m1-mac-owners-are-experiencing-extremely-high-ssd-writes-over-short-periods-of-time-likely-thanks-to-aggressive-swap/

Leftwaffe · 24-02-2021 8:49pm

Anyone know if I’d be hit with charges if I buy from the Apple UK store? Just tracking M1 MacBooks on the refurbished store. Looking in Ireland too but just curious.

Gregor Samsa · 25-02-2021 3:43pm

Leftwaffe wrote: »

Anyone know if I’d be hit with charges if I buy from the Apple UK store? Just tracking M1 MacBooks on the refurbished store. Looking in Ireland too but just curious.

UK Apple Store won't let you enter an Irish delivery address. If you use the UK Address Pal address (or a similar UK delivery redirect service), you'll not only pay UK VAT, but you'll also be hit for Irish VAT, possibly customs (depending on the item and its value) and a handling fee.

Leftwaffe · 25-02-2021 5:12pm

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

UK Apple Store won't let you enter an Irish delivery address. If you use the UK Address Pal address (or a similar UK delivery redirect service), you'll not only pay UK VAT, but you'll also be hit for Irish VAT, possibly customs (depending on the item and its value) and a handling fee.

Thanks I didn’t actually know that.

I see the M1 laptop I want is on the Irish refurb store anyway. Has anyone on here bought a refurbished Mac? Would ye recommend it? I assume they’re in perfect condition

Gregor Samsa · 25-02-2021 5:21pm

Leftwaffe wrote: »

I see the M1 laptop I want is on the Irish refurb store anyway. Has anyone on here bought a refurbished Mac? Would ye recommend it? I assume they’re in perfect condition

Bought a refurb Intel MacBook Pro from Apple last year. Aside from the fact that it comes in a plain white box, you wouldn't know it was anything but brand spanking new. Not a speck of dust on it. Bought a refurb iPad last summer, and it's the same. Once it has the spec you want, I'd say go for it.

whiterebel · 25-02-2021 7:36pm

Refurbs may have been returned for any reason, including change of mind, so Apple can’t sell them as new. Always buy refurb when I can.

Leftwaffe · 25-02-2021 7:49pm

Great thanks lads. I had heard they are great just wanted to hear some first hand experience. Unfortunately mine was snapped up quickly so I’m on the look out now again.

Going for 16gb memory 256 gb storage. Not sure what to make of these SSD stories...

FourFourRED · 25-02-2021 8:33pm

Grabbed a refurbished 13” M1 on the Apple Store today. €1003 with a friends & family discount. Bargain!

Leftwaffe · 25-02-2021 10:06pm

FourFourRED wrote: »

Grabbed a refurbished 13” M1 on the Apple Store today. €1003 with a friends & family discount. Bargain!

How can I avail of this family and friends discount? I know a few people who work for Apple.

25-02-2021 11:01pm

padjocollins wrote: »

lets see how much of an isseu this is going to be if any https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/apple-m1-macs-appear-to-be-chewing-through-their-ssds/

Seems to be a Big Sur software issue as some Intel Macs have the same problem.

https://twitter.com/marcan42/status/1361163127308439553

FourFourRED · 25-02-2021 11:40pm

Leftwaffe wrote: »

How can I avail of this family and friends discount? I know a few people who work for Apple.

Tell them check the EPP store and go to the refurbished section. It’s €1003 for the M1 MacBook Pro base model. Be quick though as it might vanish. Their was an Air on there this morning for €779 but it’s gone.

Leftwaffe · 27-02-2021 8:12pm

Are the delivery times very accurate on the Apple Ireland store? Getting a delivery date between 16th & 21st of March for a 16gb M1 MacBook Pro. Maybe it’s the extra memory.

Passenger · 27-02-2021 8:16pm

Leftwaffe wrote: »

Are the delivery times very accurate on the Apple Ireland store? Getting a delivery date between 16th & 21st of March for a 16gb M1 MacBook Pro. Maybe it’s the extra memory.

I received mine within 10 days of ordering. They gave me a two week window when I ordered. Going by other posters here, Apple appear to ship within a week of ordering and then a couple days with the courier. Ordering extra modifications may take slightly longer.

Leftwaffe · 27-02-2021 8:55pm

Passenger wrote: »

I received mine within 10 days of ordering. They gave me a two week window when I ordered. Going by other posters here, Apple appear to ship within a week of ordering and then a couple days with the courier. Ordering extra modifications may take slightly longer.

Ok thanks. Probably an overestimate then. Refurbs have quicker shipping times to not sure whether to go brand new now or wait for a refurb to pop up this week.

Leftwaffe · 02-03-2021 8:05am

So I finally pulled the trigger last night. Just went for a new Pro 16gb 256gb. Says delivery is the 19th of March though, killer wait.

Got caught with the 2% VAT increase too.

Outside of a USB stick would I need a single for anything else? The majority of my work is cloud based and rarely if at all use a USB.

iniall · 02-03-2021 11:38am

Anybody having problems with TouchID on the M1 MacBook Air? It just doesn't work for me after the first few goes. I've restarted, deleted fingerprints and started over, but it keeps "forgetting" my fingerprint(s). Thought I might just have bad fingerprints (if that's a thing) but it's doing the same with my OH's fingerprints. I can unlock with my watch, but dammit, I want TouchID to work on my otherwise amazing laptop...

If it's not a known issue - Google hasn't been particularly helpful - I suppose I'll have to get on to Apple about it.

FourFourRED · 02-03-2021 12:15pm

The thing doesn’t make a sound

Even when playing a game (FM21) on Steam (via Rosetta 2) - absolutely silent.

Leftwaffe · 04-03-2021 2:52pm

My Pro has been shipped earlier today but still with a delivery date of March 19th. Are these delivery dates accurate? Are they coming from China yeah?

Can’t see how it would take 15 days from now if Apples logistics are as good as they say. And yes I know there is a pandemic!

Noxegon · 10-03-2021 9:15am

I'm hoping that the rumours about new models including a SD card slot are true. Now if they'd only include a single lone USB-A port....

Leftwaffe · 10-03-2021 10:12am

Leftwaffe wrote: »

My Pro has been shipped earlier today but still with a delivery date of March 19th. Are these delivery dates accurate? Are they coming from China yeah?

Can’t see how it would take 15 days from now if Apples logistics are as good as they say. And yes I know there is a pandemic!

Replying to myself here but it still hasn’t left China... Shipping label created but hasn’t been shipped yet. Looks like the 19th might be accurate after all.

Edit: Got a text from DHL says it arrives tomorrow! Weird. DHL tracking never updated on the site.

Leftwaffe · 11-03-2021 7:32pm

Arrived today. First ever Mac. Incredible device so far. Getting used to MacOS.

eeloe · 11-03-2021 8:08pm

Leftwaffe wrote: »

Arrived today. First ever Mac. Incredible device so far. Getting used to MacOS.

Honestly, once you go Mac you'll never go back!

I have to use windows at work, and it drives me absolutely spare.

MacOS is such a superior operating system.

Leftwaffe · 11-03-2021 8:32pm

eeloe wrote: »

Honestly, once you go Mac you'll never go back!

I have to use windows at work, and it drives me absolutely spare.

MacOS is such a superior operating system.

I’m unfamiliar with it but used to iOS and iPadOS so I can see the similarities. For starters it just works! I have a windows laptop here and you’d be quicker building a laptop before it would turn on. And that’s after a fresh install.

Battery life seems insane so far. Haven’t used it much at all but still delighted I got the extra RAM.

11-03-2021 11:47pm

eeloe wrote: »

Honestly, once you go Mac you'll never go back!

I have to use windows at work, and it drives me absolutely spare.

MacOS is such a superior operating system.

I’d say if you’re just doing document work then maybe but it’s basically a tablet operating system. Nicer on the eye than windows yes, but very limited when it comes to so much software. I couldn’t do 90% of my job if I had one.

That said, I’d absolutely love one door a personal machine.

jakdublin · 12-03-2021 1:56am

Have been using the new MacBook Air for a couple of weeks. Went for 8gb RAM and 512Gb storage. I need a new iMac more than this but a laptop was on the list too so I’m using it hooked up to a monitor as a work machine. It’s a game changer for me, but both my current Macs are a decade old. I do use multiple apps at the same time but nothing majorly RAM intensive so my setup is adequate for my needs. I will be adding as much RAM as I can afford on the new iMac when it’s available. I’m hoping for an announcement this month.

Leftwaffe · 15-03-2021 5:51pm

This machine is ridiculous. The battery life is incredible. Total game changer for me in relation to my workflow. Think by the time I’m done with it it will have been my best investment. The iPad Pro as second.

eeloe · 16-03-2021 11:59am

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

I’d say if you’re just doing document work then maybe but it’s basically a tablet operating system. Nicer on the eye than windows yes, but very limited when it comes to so much software. I couldn’t do 90% of my job if I had one.

That said, I’d absolutely love one door a personal machine.

There's always VM for running windows only software.

eeloe · 16-03-2021 12:00pm

Leftwaffe wrote: »

This machine is ridiculous. The battery life is incredible. Total game changer for me in relation to my workflow. Think by the time I’m done with it it will have been my best investment. The iPad Pro as second.

Glad you're enjoying it, which monitors are you using?

Gregor Samsa · 16-03-2021 12:16pm

eeloe wrote: »

There's always VM for running windows only software.

Since we're talking about M1 Macs on this thread, it should be pointed out that currently Parallels is the only software able to run Windows at an acceptable level of performance via a virtual machine on M1 Macs (VMWare and Virtual Box can't at all), and even then you need to use the beta version of Windows 10 for ARM, which isn't 100% stable, especially with x86 applications. There's QEMU too, but it seems the performance isn't there for real-world use.

Hopefully (and very likely) the situation will improve, but that's where we are today.

https://www.macworld.com/article/3604371/windows-10-on-m1-macs-how-it-works.html

Leftwaffe · 16-03-2021 7:57pm

eeloe wrote: »

Glad you're enjoying it, which monitors are you using?

Not using any monitors currently. I’m just using sidecar with my iPad Pro for WFH. I’d love a couple of monitors or even one widescreen one. Not sure id have to use for them though when this is all over, I’d normally get all my work done in school and can’t see myself sitting at it for consuming media, news, etc.

Still probably get one soon!

Passenger · 20-03-2021 12:33am

Certain Dell monitors are not compatible with Apple laptops just in case anybody is thinking of buying one.

maccored · 25-03-2021 5:42pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

I’d say if you’re just doing document work then maybe but it’s basically a tablet operating system. Nicer on the eye than windows yes, but very limited when it comes to so much software. I couldn’t do 90% of my job if I had one.

That said, I’d absolutely love one door a personal machine.

i have yet to find software where theres not a mac/Darwin alternative plus theres tons of ported software

iniall · 26-03-2021 2:44pm

ReginaldSmythV wrote: »

I’d say if you’re just doing document work then maybe but it’s basically a tablet operating system. Nicer on the eye than windows yes, but very limited when it comes to so much software. I couldn’t do 90% of my job if I had one.

That said, I’d absolutely love one door a personal machine.

That's just silly. It's a 20-year-old operating systemt that now happens to run on the same processors as Apple's tablets and phones, but MacOS is very different from iOS. "If you're just doing document work" is equally silly, while I'm at it. You obviously don't know the OS very well at all.

padjocollins · 23-04-2021 6:56am

https://www.extremetech.com/computing/322120-apples-m1-positioning-mocks-every-x86-cpu-amd-and-intel-have-ever-launched

Skill Magill · 27-04-2021 6:06am

Was toying with the idea of getting the 14" when its out (maybe it is out?) What are the alternatives to look at? Main reason is to get a truely fanless laptop with long battery life that can be chucked about a bit.(it would sit in the backbox of my bike commuting)

padjocollins · 27-04-2021 7:50am

Skill Magill wrote: »

Was toying with the idea of getting the 14" when its out (maybe it is out?) What are the alternatives to look at? Main reason is to get a truely fanless laptop with long battery life that can be chucked about a bit.(it would sit in the backbox of my bike commuting)

waiting for a 14" m1 myself , prob out around sept . New latpop redesign, more ports, mag safe adapter is back . great battery life . Mini Led (new tech, easier to view screen outdoors) . It'll have fans but they prob won't come on most of the time and if they do you'll hardly hear them. macbook air has no fans.

brav · 27-04-2021 7:56am

Skill Magill wrote: »

Was toying with the idea of getting the 14" when its out (maybe it is out?) What are the alternatives to look at? Main reason is to get a truely fanless laptop with long battery life that can be chucked about a bit.(it would sit in the backbox of my bike commuting)

Then it is the MacBook Air you want: https://www.apple.com/ie/macbook-air/
It is fanless, and a great battery life.

The 13inch with the M1 has a longer battery life but also has a fan: https://www.apple.com/ie/macbook-pro-13/ so most likely the 14 inch if there is one coming, will also have a fan.

padjocollins · 08-05-2021 10:47am

https://medium.com/codex/my-macbook-air-m1-is-dead-a394e3581e95

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/m1-macbook-air-wont-power-on.2272304/

first generation problems ....

it'll be taken care of under warranty, at a small cost but out of warranty, apple care is looking like a prudent choice (note to self, don't skimp on this)

sidekick · 08-05-2021 11:38am

Good reminder. I picked up my MacBook Air M1 last week and was thinking of skipping the Apple Care option but I'm having second thoughts now. Friends also recommending it as a must have.

Anyone getting an M1 Mac?

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