The M1 is no Mac evolution, it's a Mac revolution.ĭoes the lack of a fan matter? For most people, no. The thing's as powerful as many of the higher-end Intel-powered Macs, blowing past the speed limits of the higher-tier MacBook Air from earlier this year. Spend a day with the new MacBook Air and the improvements are immediately noticeable.
By manufacturing its own silicon, Apple gains greater control of the hardware and software-the same control it enjoys on the iPhone and iPad, which also use Apple-designed chips. But this year, it began the process of rolling out laptop and desktop PCs with in-house chips. The new model is one of the first Macs to use an Apple-designed processor, the M1.Īpple has been building its computers using Intel chips since 2006. Inside however, the two machines couldn't be further apart. It has the same recycled aluminum case, an identical (and great) Magic Keyboard and … only two damn USB-C ports-though these use the USB4 standard for speedier data transmission. On the surface, the new MacBook Air is identical to its older-by-eight-months twin. A surging pandemic hasn't stopped Apple from churning out devices-in fact, it feels like Apple's vying for the Most Products Launched in a Single Year award.
Nearly eight months after testing a new MacBook Air, I'm reviewing another one (insert DJ Khaled meme here).
