🕷️ Crawler Inspector

URL Lookup

Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 146 (from laksa086)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa146.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.zdnet.com/article/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.zdnet.com/article/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review\/","crawl_time":1775948109,"first_indexed_time":1617021192,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,zdnet!www,\/article\/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review\/ s443","src_root_hash":"14562903760851970546","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"M1 MacBook Air long-term review: A year later, here's what I wish I'd known | ZDNET","meta_descriptions":["The price and performance of Apple Silicon is excellent, but it's not all unicorns and rainbows. Before you buy the 2-year-old M1 MacBook Air, here's what you should know from a long-term user."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"This review was originally published on March 29, 2021, and was updated on July 29, 2022.\nApple recently launched the\n2022 refresh\nof its lightest MacBook, but the 2020 version, with its M1 chipset, is still going strong for me. I bought a gold 8GB\/256\/7 core GPU\nMacBook Air\nin early January 2021, making it a year and a half of ownership since then. The MacBook Air form factor has always been my favorite -- the early '90s HP Omnibook 300 spoiled me for any notebook over three pounds -- and I've owned a half-dozen since the 2nd generation SSD version.\nAlso: \nThe best Black Friday laptop deals live now\nThis review on the 2020 MacBook Air is written from my perspective as an analyst and a writer. I do lots of research, and I commonly have two dozen or more open browser tabs, plus Mail, Messages, Preview, and a dozen more apps open. I also edit videos and make video calls, but I keep 25TB of storage attached to a desktop iMac for bigger projects. After spending a year and some with the M1 MacBook Air, here's what I wish I had known before buying one.\nAlso: \nThe 6 best Macs: Is the Mac Studio or MacBook Pro right for you?\nFirst, the good news\nI had a\n64GB 12.9\" iPad Pro with Magic keyboard\nas my mobile workstation for over a year. Performance and battery life were great, with no fan noise, and ran almost every app I needed.\nBut the MacBook Air does all that and more, in a lighter and less costly package. Better performance. Two times the memory and four times the storage. Dead quiet. Great battery life. Larger trackpad and display. Flexible multitasking and window layout. Excellent I\/O options with Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4.\nBut depending on how you prefer to work, there are some real deficits. No Apple Pencil. No touch screen. No Face ID. No 4k camera. No snapping off the tablet from the keyboard.\nNone of these are deal killers for me, but they might be for you. I do miss Face ID, but thanks to the Air's Touch ID and Watch unlocking, not much.\nNow for specifics.\nNo regrets with 8GB memory\nApple charges an exorbitant $25\/GB for RAM. However, the excellent performance of the 4GB, 2020 \niPad Pro\ngave me the confidence to buy the 8GB MacBook Air.\nOne day I wanted to see what it would take to overwhelm 8GB of RAM, so I left every app, window, and tab open all day. Safari and Firefox each with a dozen tabs open, Mail, Messages, Preview, Calendar,  one or more Notes apps, Scrivener, and Final Cut Pro, and utilities, including Copyclip, iStat Menus, Magnet, Default Folder, Typinator, Thesaurus, and a VPN.\nAlso:\nBest iPad: Which model should you buy?\nAfter several hours of adding load, I started seeing beach balls. All it took was killing a few unused apps to settle things down.\nI interpret this casual test to mean that for other than all-day, heads-down Pro users, 8GB of RAM is plenty. If you're using the MacBook Air to make money, then splurge on 16GB.\nEveryone else, save your pennies. Considering that the\n13-inch 2020 MacBook Pro\nperformance is essentially identical, and its other specs -- 20% brighter screen, slightly better mics, 12% faster graphics, another couple of hours of battery life (with four ounce (110gm) more weight), the Touch Bar  -- it isn't worth the 20% to 30% cost uplift to me. Maybe it is to you.\nI'll have another money-saving tip in a future piece. Stay tuned.\nThe not-so-good news\nDespite all the goodness of the MacBook Air, there are issues.\nI'll save the worst for last.\niOS apps and games\nThe iOS apps that are available on macOS work pretty well. For example, the iOS video editor LumaFusion works well and costs a fraction of FCP X.\nIf iOS games are your happy place, you'll find that touch interfaces don't transfer well to a trackpad and keyboard. Keep your iPad for gaming.\nKernel extensions\nChanging security settings to add kernel extensions is a pain. Kernel extensions now require a reboot or two and some non-obvious navigation. It'll get harder as Apple enhances macOS security.\nScreen brightness eats battery life\nThis is an FYI nit, or nits. Apple Silicon sips power, but today's LED backlights don't. If you crank the display up full, there's a noticeable -- 2-3 hour -- reduction in battery life. Better than Intel MacBooks, but this is why Apple is pushing micro-LED backlighting.\nBackups may not work at all\nThis is something that pros especially should be aware of: bootable backups are possible, but if your internal SSD completely dies, that bootable backup will fail too.  I'm still investigating the issue, and Apple doesn't have a clear statement of direction, but this may mean the end of third-party backup utilities.\nAlso:\nHow to easily connect an internal SSD to a USB-C port on your PC or Mac\nThe workaround? A second Mac. Suboptimal, but it works.\nComments welcome. Apple will have to really up the ante on future Macs to compete with the MacBook Air. But if you see things differently, let me know in the comments.","attrs_markdown":"X\n\nTrending\n\n- [I wore the world's first HDR10 smart glasses](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/rayneo-air-4-pro-hdr10-smart-glasses-ces\/)\n- [TCL's new E Ink tablet beats the Remarkable and Kindle](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/tcl-note-a1-nxtpaper-ces\/)\n- [Anker's new charger is one of the most unique I've ever seen](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/anker-wireless-chargers-ces-2026\/)\n- [Best laptop cooling pads](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/home-and-office\/best-laptop-cooling-pad\/)\n- [Best flip phones](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/best-flip-phone\/)\n\n- [Roku TV vs Fire Stick](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/home-and-office\/home-entertainment\/roku-tv-vs-fire-stick\/)\n- [Galaxy Buds 3 Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 3](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/apple-airpods-pro-3-vs-samsung-galaxy-buds-3-pro\/)\n- [M5 MacBook Pro vs M4 MacBook 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Trending\n\n- Tech\n\n- Innovation\n\n- Business\n\n- Security\n\n- Advice\n\n- Buying Guides\n\n- More\n\nTech\n\nWhy you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. [Our process]()\n\n'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?\n\nZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.\n\nWhen you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.\n\nZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via [this form](https:\/\/zdnet.zendesk.com\/hc\/en-us\/requests\/new).\n\n[Close]()\n\n[Home](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/)  [Tech](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/topic\/tech\/)  [Computing](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/topic\/computing\/)  [Laptops](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/topic\/laptops\/)\n# M1 MacBook Air long-term review: A year later, here's what I wish I'd known\nThe price and performance of Apple Silicon is excellent, but it's not all unicorns and rainbows. Before you buy the 2-year-old M1 MacBook Air, here's what you should know from a long-term user.\n\n![robin-harris-author.png](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/4e6d9d344517402f07a5a4da39c27838eed40cf4\/2021\/03\/11\/46258e2f-45df-40ee-b6fa-6e9507a2b0b9\/robin-harris-author.png?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=192&width=192)\n\nWritten by  [Robin Harris, Contributor](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/meet-the-team\/robin-harris\/)\n\nContributor\n\nJuly 29, 2022 at 1:22 p.m. PT\n\n### Table of Contents\n[First, the good news](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review\/#toc-link-0-f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c) [The not-so-good news](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review\/#toc-link-1-f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c)\n\n### Table of Contents\n[First, the good news](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review\/#toc-link-0-f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c) [The not-so-good news](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review\/#toc-link-1-f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c)\n\n*This review was originally published on March 29, 2021, and was updated on July 29, 2022.*\n\nApple recently launched the [2022 refresh](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/new-macbook-air-and-refreshed-macbook-pro-launch-with-apples-new-m2-chip\/) of its lightest MacBook, but the 2020 version, with its M1 chipset, is still going strong for me. I bought a gold 8GB\/256\/7 core GPU [MacBook Air](https:\/\/cc.zdnet.com\/v1\/otc\/00hQi47eqnEWQ6T9d4QLBUc?merchant=05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FApple-MacBook-13-inch-256GB-Storage%2Fdp%2FB08N5M7S6K&app_deeplink=1&tag=zd-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=__COM_CLICK_ID__%7C03cfe35a-1dd3-4be7-9994-d03422b1793c%7Cdtp&element=BODY&element_label=MacBook+Air&group_uuid=e80fded2-2a43-436e-9085-0cf31243542c&module=LINK&object_type=commerce-link&object_uuid=f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c&object_version=70ed7fac-44c4-40c7-bc91-48d02130ed93&position=1&template=article&track_code=__COM_CLICK_ID__&view_instance_uuid=03cfe35a-1dd3-4be7-9994-d03422b1793c) in early January 2021, making it a year and a half of ownership since then. The MacBook Air form factor has always been my favorite -- the early '90s HP Omnibook 300 spoiled me for any notebook over three pounds -- and I've owned a half-dozen since the 2nd generation SSD version.\n\n**Also:** [**The best Black Friday laptop deals live now**](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/best-black-friday-laptop-deals-2024-11-27\/)\n\nThis review on the 2020 MacBook Air is written from my perspective as an analyst and a writer. I do lots of research, and I commonly have two dozen or more open browser tabs, plus Mail, Messages, Preview, and a dozen more apps open. I also edit videos and make video calls, but I keep 25TB of storage attached to a desktop iMac for bigger projects. After spending a year and some with the M1 MacBook Air, here's what I wish I had known before buying one.\n\n**Also:** [**The 6 best Macs: Is the Mac Studio or MacBook Pro right for you?**](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/best-macbooks\/)\n\n## First, the good news\n### laptops we love\n[![typing-on-laptop.jpg](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/3d2f1074e3c8e01178cf7abae85d9d47fcd7c8b2\/2021\/02\/12\/11ce659d-647b-43d0-ab8b-c214ed158749\/typing-on-laptop.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) Most ZDNet writers prefer this notebook above all others If you spend hours daily banging away at a keyboard, you'll want to consider these favored models. Read now](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/the-laptops-we-love\/)\n\nI had a [64GB 12.9\" iPad Pro with Magic keyboard](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/how-the-magic-keyboard-won-my-heart-and-my-wallet\/) as my mobile workstation for over a year. Performance and battery life were great, with no fan noise, and ran almost every app I needed.\n\nBut the MacBook Air does all that and more, in a lighter and less costly package. Better performance. Two times the memory and four times the storage. Dead quiet. Great battery life. Larger trackpad and display. Flexible multitasking and window layout. Excellent I\/O options with Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4.\n\nBut depending on how you prefer to work, there are some real deficits. No Apple Pencil. No touch screen. No Face ID. No 4k camera. No snapping off the tablet from the keyboard.\n\nNone of these are deal killers for me, but they might be for you. I do miss Face ID, but thanks to the Air's Touch ID and Watch unlocking, not much.\n\nNow for specifics.\n\n### No regrets with 8GB memory\nApple charges an exorbitant \\$25\/GB for RAM. However, the excellent performance of the 4GB, 2020 [iPad Pro](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/product\/apple-ipad-pro-2020-12-9-inch\/) gave me the confidence to buy the 8GB MacBook Air.\n\nOne day I wanted to see what it would take to overwhelm 8GB of RAM, so I left every app, window, and tab open all day. Safari and Firefox each with a dozen tabs open, Mail, Messages, Preview, Calendar, one or more Notes apps, Scrivener, and Final Cut Pro, and utilities, including Copyclip, iStat Menus, Magnet, Default Folder, Typinator, Thesaurus, and a VPN.\n\n**Also:** [**Best iPad: Which model should you buy?**](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/best-ipad\/)\n\nAfter several hours of adding load, I started seeing beach balls. All it took was killing a few unused apps to settle things down.\n\nI interpret this casual test to mean that for other than all-day, heads-down Pro users, 8GB of RAM is plenty. If you're using the MacBook Air to make money, then splurge on 16GB.\n\nEveryone else, save your pennies. Considering that the [13-inch 2020 MacBook Pro](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/product-review-apples-m1-macbook-pro-13\/) performance is essentially identical, and its other specs -- 20% brighter screen, slightly better mics, 12% faster graphics, another couple of hours of battery life (with four ounce (110gm) more weight), the Touch Bar -- it isn't worth the 20% to 30% cost uplift to me. Maybe it is to you.\n\nI'll have another money-saving tip in a future piece. Stay tuned.\n\n## The not-so-good news\nDespite all the goodness of the MacBook Air, there are issues. **I'll save the worst for last.**\n\n### iOS apps and games\n### **ZDNET** Recommends\n[![microsoft-surface-laptop-3-laptop-review.png](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/e0f6d314e4806309add28003f30e4e0ed93682c4\/2021\/02\/04\/27735ebc-dd78-4651-afc4-160fa0c6a355\/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-laptop-review.png?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) The best laptops Our recommended models for every use case and platform. Read now](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/best-laptop\/)\n\nThe iOS apps that are available on macOS work pretty well. For example, the iOS video editor LumaFusion works well and costs a fraction of FCP X.\n\nIf iOS games are your happy place, you'll find that touch interfaces don't transfer well to a trackpad and keyboard. Keep your iPad for gaming.\n\n### Kernel extensions\nChanging security settings to add kernel extensions is a pain. Kernel extensions now require a reboot or two and some non-obvious navigation. It'll get harder as Apple enhances macOS security.\n\n### Screen brightness eats battery life\nThis is an FYI nit, or nits. Apple Silicon sips power, but today's LED backlights don't. If you crank the display up full, there's a noticeable -- 2-3 hour -- reduction in battery life. Better than Intel MacBooks, but this is why Apple is pushing micro-LED backlighting.\n\n### Backups may not work at all\nThis is something that pros especially should be aware of: bootable backups are possible, but if your internal SSD completely dies, that bootable backup will fail too. I'm still investigating the issue, and Apple doesn't have a clear statement of direction, but this may mean the end of third-party backup utilities.\n\n**Also:** [**How to easily connect an internal SSD to a USB-C port on your PC or Mac**](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/how-to-easily-connect-an-internal-ssd-to-a-usb-c-port-on-your-pc-or-mac\/)\n\nThe workaround? A second Mac. Suboptimal, but it works.\n\n[![M1 MacBook Air](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/5404849fa2a9d0cd3204808d6515613e94ae221f\/2022\/01\/14\/3d3a04df-7ecb-4a03-802c-b622dd593d39\/m1-macbook-air.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=172.5&width=294) M1 MacBook Air \\$764.95 at Best Buy](https:\/\/cc.zdnet.com\/v1\/otc\/00hQi47eqnEWQ6T9d4QLBUc?element=BODY&element_label=M1+MacBook+Air&group_uuid=8e8ae59a-5c57-455a-9ddf-f554a8ab583a&module=BUTTON&object_type=commerce-promo&object_uuid=f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c&object_version=70ed7fac-44c4-40c7-bc91-48d02130ed93&position=1&product_uuid=0436664e-3821-4ada-ab4a-e8d0ebf77e51&template=article&track_code=__COM_CLICK_ID__&view_instance_uuid=03cfe35a-1dd3-4be7-9994-d03422b1793c&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbestbuy.7tiv.net%2Fc%2F159047%2F2711001%2F10014%3Fprodsku%3D12062339%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.bestbuy.com%252Fproduct%252Fmacbook-air-13-3-laptop-apple-m1-chip-8gb-memory-256gb-ssd-space-gray%252FJJ8ZHP82L3%26intsrc%3DCATF_21610%26subId1%3Dzd-__COM_CLICK_ID__-dtp)\n\nComments welcome. Apple will have to really up the ante on future Macs to compete with the MacBook Air. But if you see things differently, let me know in the comments.\n\n#### Featured reviews\n[![Google Pixel 10a](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/2d1cebe1ef28eb35d52ace17b698bdf6ade416c7\/2026\/02\/16\/1eda2ae6-c4e6-4cbc-8cf9-98ac7e6d2d53\/dsc09321.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) Google Pixel 10a review: Should Android users consider anything else at this price?](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/google-pixel-10a-review\/ \"Google Pixel 10a review: Should Android users consider anything else at this price?\")\n\n[![The Buetti Pioneer Na is compact and hefty.](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/51a02e0c4b95aec4f2ade5e7ca45903723e6ff4e\/2026\/03\/03\/a41eee13-0a0f-4fad-a356-33a6bcc7a539\/img-2715.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) I stuck this power station in a freezer to test its subzero claims - here's what happened next](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/bluetti-pioneer-na-power-station-review\/ \"I stuck this power station in a freezer to test its subzero claims - here's what happened next\")\n\n[![MacBook Neo](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/f3f55d43d6f081650b2ae2422c72fb2f6d9120d4\/2026\/03\/04\/bcef1935-f3ae-4a45-89e2-08c698a6264d\/img-2021.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) Apple's \\$599 MacBook Neo hands-on: The budget laptop we've all been waiting for?](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/apple-new-599-cheap-macbook-neo\/ \"Apple's $599 MacBook Neo hands-on: The budget laptop we've all been waiting for?\")\n\n[![Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Matte Glass variant with Xiaomi 17 Ultra on a table.](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/6bba61b4a62b13b0a6b52fa31546305510dc33c8\/2026\/03\/01\/0f1317ec-d4fd-4ee0-8919-c026934f5663\/1000051857.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) I tested Xiaomi's matte-glass tablet for a month, and it effectively replaced my iPad](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/xiaomi-pad-8-pro-matte-glass-version-review\/ \"I tested Xiaomi's matte-glass tablet for a month, and it effectively replaced my iPad\")\n\n- [![Google Pixel 10a]() Google Pixel 10a review: Should Android users consider anything else at this price?](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/google-pixel-10a-review\/ \"Google Pixel 10a review: Should Android users consider anything else at this price?\")\n- [![The Buetti Pioneer Na is compact and hefty.]() I stuck this power station in a freezer to test its subzero claims - here's what happened next](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/bluetti-pioneer-na-power-station-review\/ \"I stuck this power station in a freezer to test its subzero claims - here's what happened next\")\n- [![MacBook Neo]() Apple's \\$599 MacBook Neo hands-on: The budget laptop we've all been waiting for?](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/apple-new-599-cheap-macbook-neo\/ \"Apple's $599 MacBook Neo hands-on: The budget laptop we've all been waiting for?\")\n- [![Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Matte Glass variant with Xiaomi 17 Ultra on a table.]() I tested Xiaomi's matte-glass tablet for a month, and it effectively replaced my iPad](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/xiaomi-pad-8-pro-matte-glass-version-review\/ \"I tested Xiaomi's matte-glass tablet for a month, and it effectively replaced my iPad\")\n\n[Editorial standards](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/editorial-guidelines\/)\n\nShow Comments\n\n[Log In to Comment]()  [Community Guidelines](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/zdnet-community-guidelines\/)\n\n###\n\nClick to unmute\n\n![Footer background image](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/a\/img\/resize\/63dc52c26fbff291c9b466bdd31bee7baf9312dc\/2022\/09\/07\/c9a7d0bb-7734-41d6-806a-00548beeff3a\/zdnet-footer-background-2022-desktop.png?auto=webp&fit=cover&frame=1&height=1322&width=3200)\n\n[ZDNET](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/)\n\nwe equip you to harness the power of disruptive innovation, at work and at home.\n\n- [Topics](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/topic\/)\n- [Galleries](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/pictures\/)\n- [Videos](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/video\/)\n- [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/ztg-privacy-policy\/)\n\n- [about ZDNET](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/about\/)\n- [Meet The Team](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/feature\/meet-the-team-us\/)\n- [Sitemap](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/sitemap\/)\n- [Reprint Policy](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/reprints\/)\n\n- Join\n  \n  \\|\n  \n  Log In\n- [Newsletters](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/newsletters\/)\n- [Licensing](mailto:brand_licensing@ziffdavis.com)\n- [Accessibility](https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/accessibility\/)\n\n© 2026 ZDNET, A Ziff Davis company. All rights reserved.\n\n[Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/ztg-privacy-policy\/) \\| \\|\n\nCookie Settings\n\n\\| [Advertise](https:\/\/cnetgroup.com\/) \\| [Terms of Use](https:\/\/www.ziffdavis.com\/terms-of-use\/)","attrs_readable_markdown":"*This review was originally published on March 29, 2021, and was updated on July 29, 2022.*\n\nApple recently launched the [2022 refresh](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/new-macbook-air-and-refreshed-macbook-pro-launch-with-apples-new-m2-chip\/) of its lightest MacBook, but the 2020 version, with its M1 chipset, is still going strong for me. I bought a gold 8GB\/256\/7 core GPU [MacBook Air](https:\/\/cc.zdnet.com\/v1\/otc\/00hQi47eqnEWQ6T9d4QLBUc?merchant=05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FApple-MacBook-13-inch-256GB-Storage%2Fdp%2FB08N5M7S6K&app_deeplink=1&tag=zd-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=__COM_CLICK_ID__%7C03cfe35a-1dd3-4be7-9994-d03422b1793c%7Cdtp&element=BODY&element_label=MacBook+Air&group_uuid=e80fded2-2a43-436e-9085-0cf31243542c&module=LINK&object_type=commerce-link&object_uuid=f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c&object_version=70ed7fac-44c4-40c7-bc91-48d02130ed93&position=1&template=article&track_code=__COM_CLICK_ID__&view_instance_uuid=03cfe35a-1dd3-4be7-9994-d03422b1793c) in early January 2021, making it a year and a half of ownership since then. The MacBook Air form factor has always been my favorite -- the early '90s HP Omnibook 300 spoiled me for any notebook over three pounds -- and I've owned a half-dozen since the 2nd generation SSD version.\n\n**Also:** [**The best Black Friday laptop deals live now**](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/best-black-friday-laptop-deals-2024-11-27\/)\n\nThis review on the 2020 MacBook Air is written from my perspective as an analyst and a writer. I do lots of research, and I commonly have two dozen or more open browser tabs, plus Mail, Messages, Preview, and a dozen more apps open. I also edit videos and make video calls, but I keep 25TB of storage attached to a desktop iMac for bigger projects. After spending a year and some with the M1 MacBook Air, here's what I wish I had known before buying one.\n\n**Also:** [**The 6 best Macs: Is the Mac Studio or MacBook Pro right for you?**](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/best-macbooks\/)\n\n## First, the good news\nI had a [64GB 12.9\" iPad Pro with Magic keyboard](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/how-the-magic-keyboard-won-my-heart-and-my-wallet\/) as my mobile workstation for over a year. Performance and battery life were great, with no fan noise, and ran almost every app I needed.\n\nBut the MacBook Air does all that and more, in a lighter and less costly package. Better performance. Two times the memory and four times the storage. Dead quiet. Great battery life. Larger trackpad and display. Flexible multitasking and window layout. Excellent I\/O options with Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4.\n\nBut depending on how you prefer to work, there are some real deficits. No Apple Pencil. No touch screen. No Face ID. No 4k camera. No snapping off the tablet from the keyboard.\n\nNone of these are deal killers for me, but they might be for you. I do miss Face ID, but thanks to the Air's Touch ID and Watch unlocking, not much.\n\nNow for specifics.\n\n### No regrets with 8GB memory\nApple charges an exorbitant \\$25\/GB for RAM. However, the excellent performance of the 4GB, 2020 [iPad Pro](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/product\/apple-ipad-pro-2020-12-9-inch\/) gave me the confidence to buy the 8GB MacBook Air.\n\nOne day I wanted to see what it would take to overwhelm 8GB of RAM, so I left every app, window, and tab open all day. Safari and Firefox each with a dozen tabs open, Mail, Messages, Preview, Calendar, one or more Notes apps, Scrivener, and Final Cut Pro, and utilities, including Copyclip, iStat Menus, Magnet, Default Folder, Typinator, Thesaurus, and a VPN.\n\n**Also:** [**Best iPad: Which model should you buy?**](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/best-ipad\/)\n\nAfter several hours of adding load, I started seeing beach balls. All it took was killing a few unused apps to settle things down.\n\nI interpret this casual test to mean that for other than all-day, heads-down Pro users, 8GB of RAM is plenty. If you're using the MacBook Air to make money, then splurge on 16GB.\n\nEveryone else, save your pennies. Considering that the [13-inch 2020 MacBook Pro](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/product-review-apples-m1-macbook-pro-13\/) performance is essentially identical, and its other specs -- 20% brighter screen, slightly better mics, 12% faster graphics, another couple of hours of battery life (with four ounce (110gm) more weight), the Touch Bar -- it isn't worth the 20% to 30% cost uplift to me. Maybe it is to you.\n\nI'll have another money-saving tip in a future piece. Stay tuned.\n\n## The not-so-good news\nDespite all the goodness of the MacBook Air, there are issues. **I'll save the worst for last.**\n\n### iOS apps and games\nThe iOS apps that are available on macOS work pretty well. For example, the iOS video editor LumaFusion works well and costs a fraction of FCP X.\n\nIf iOS games are your happy place, you'll find that touch interfaces don't transfer well to a trackpad and keyboard. Keep your iPad for gaming.\n\n### Kernel extensions\nChanging security settings to add kernel extensions is a pain. Kernel extensions now require a reboot or two and some non-obvious navigation. It'll get harder as Apple enhances macOS security.\n\n### Screen brightness eats battery life\nThis is an FYI nit, or nits. Apple Silicon sips power, but today's LED backlights don't. If you crank the display up full, there's a noticeable -- 2-3 hour -- reduction in battery life. Better than Intel MacBooks, but this is why Apple is pushing micro-LED backlighting.\n\n### Backups may not work at all\nThis is something that pros especially should be aware of: bootable backups are possible, but if your internal SSD completely dies, that bootable backup will fail too. I'm still investigating the issue, and Apple doesn't have a clear statement of direction, but this may mean the end of third-party backup utilities.\n\n**Also:** [**How to easily connect an internal SSD to a USB-C port on your PC or Mac**](https:\/\/www.zdnet.com\/article\/how-to-easily-connect-an-internal-ssd-to-a-usb-c-port-on-your-pc-or-mac\/)\n\nThe workaround? A second Mac. Suboptimal, but it works.\n\nComments welcome. Apple will have to really up the ante on future Macs to compete with the MacBook Air. But if you see things differently, let me know in the comments.","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	This review was originally published on March 29, 2021, and was updated on July 29, 2022. Apple recently launched the 2022 refresh of its lightest MacBook, but the 2020 version, with its M1 chipset, is still going strong for me. I bought a gold 8GB/256/7 core GPU MacBook Air in early January 2021, making it a year and a half of ownership since then. The MacBook Air form factor has always been my favorite -- the early '90s HP Omnibook 300 spoiled me for any notebook over three pounds -- and I've owned a half-dozen since the 2nd generation SSD version. Also: The best Black Friday laptop deals live now This review on the 2020 MacBook Air is written from my perspective as an analyst and a writer. I do lots of research, and I commonly have two dozen or more open browser tabs, plus Mail, Messages, Preview, and a dozen more apps open. I also edit videos and make video calls, but I keep 25TB of storage attached to a desktop iMac for bigger projects. After spending a year and some with the M1 MacBook Air, here's what I wish I had known before buying one. Also: The 6 best Macs: Is the Mac Studio or MacBook Pro right for you? First, the good news I had a 64GB 12.9" iPad Pro with Magic keyboard as my mobile workstation for over a year. Performance and battery life were great, with no fan noise, and ran almost every app I needed. But the MacBook Air does all that and more, in a lighter and less costly package. Better performance. Two times the memory and four times the storage. Dead quiet. Great battery life. Larger trackpad and display. Flexible multitasking and window layout. Excellent I/O options with Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4. But depending on how you prefer to work, there are some real deficits. No Apple Pencil. No touch screen. No Face ID. No 4k camera. No snapping off the tablet from the keyboard. None of these are deal killers for me, but they might be for you. I do miss Face ID, but thanks to the Air's Touch ID and Watch unlocking, not much. Now for specifics. No regrets with 8GB memory Apple charges an exorbitant $25/GB for RAM. However, the excellent performance of the 4GB, 2020 iPad Pro gave me the confidence to buy the 8GB MacBook Air. One day I wanted to see what it would take to overwhelm 8GB of RAM, so I left every app, window, and tab open all day. Safari and Firefox each with a dozen tabs open, Mail, Messages, Preview, Calendar, one or more Notes apps, Scrivener, and Final Cut Pro, and utilities, including Copyclip, iStat Menus, Magnet, Default Folder, Typinator, Thesaurus, and a VPN. Also: Best iPad: Which model should you buy? After several hours of adding load, I started seeing beach balls. All it took was killing a few unused apps to settle things down. I interpret this casual test to mean that for other than all-day, heads-down Pro users, 8GB of RAM is plenty. If you're using the MacBook Air to make money, then splurge on 16GB. Everyone else, save your pennies. Considering that the 13-inch 2020 MacBook Pro performance is essentially identical, and its other specs -- 20% brighter screen, slightly better mics, 12% faster graphics, another couple of hours of battery life (with four ounce (110gm) more weight), the Touch Bar -- it isn't worth the 20% to 30% cost uplift to me. Maybe it is to you. I'll have another money-saving tip in a future piece. Stay tuned. The not-so-good news Despite all the goodness of the MacBook Air, there are issues. I'll save the worst for last. iOS apps and games The iOS apps that are available on macOS work pretty well. For example, the iOS video editor LumaFusion works well and costs a fraction of FCP X. If iOS games are your happy place, you'll find that touch interfaces don't transfer well to a trackpad and keyboard. Keep your iPad for gaming. Kernel extensions Changing security settings to add kernel extensions is a pain. Kernel extensions now require a reboot or two and some non-obvious navigation. It'll get harder as Apple enhances macOS security. Screen brightness eats battery life This is an FYI nit, or nits. Apple Silicon sips power, but today's LED backlights don't. If you crank the display up full, there's a noticeable -- 2-3 hour -- reduction in battery life. Better than Intel MacBooks, but this is why Apple is pushing micro-LED backlighting. Backups may not work at all This is something that pros especially should be aware of: bootable backups are possible, but if your internal SSD completely dies, that bootable backup will fail too. I'm still investigating the issue, and Apple doesn't have a clear statement of direction, but this may mean the end of third-party backup utilities. Also: How to easily connect an internal SSD to a USB-C port on your PC or Mac The workaround? A second Mac. Suboptimal, but it works. Comments welcome. Apple will have to really up the ante on future Macs to compete with the MacBook Air. But if you see things differently, let me know in the comments.
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When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. [Our process]() 'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean? ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing. When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers. ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via [this form](https://zdnet.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new). [Close]() [Home](https://www.zdnet.com/) [Tech](https://www.zdnet.com/topic/tech/) [Computing](https://www.zdnet.com/topic/computing/) [Laptops](https://www.zdnet.com/topic/laptops/) # M1 MacBook Air long-term review: A year later, here's what I wish I'd known The price and performance of Apple Silicon is excellent, but it's not all unicorns and rainbows. Before you buy the 2-year-old M1 MacBook Air, here's what you should know from a long-term user. ![robin-harris-author.png](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/4e6d9d344517402f07a5a4da39c27838eed40cf4/2021/03/11/46258e2f-45df-40ee-b6fa-6e9507a2b0b9/robin-harris-author.png?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=192&width=192) Written by [Robin Harris, Contributor](https://www.zdnet.com/meet-the-team/robin-harris/) Contributor July 29, 2022 at 1:22 p.m. PT ### Table of Contents [First, the good news](https://www.zdnet.com/article/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review/#toc-link-0-f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c) [The not-so-good news](https://www.zdnet.com/article/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review/#toc-link-1-f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c) ### Table of Contents [First, the good news](https://www.zdnet.com/article/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review/#toc-link-0-f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c) [The not-so-good news](https://www.zdnet.com/article/m1-macbook-air-long-term-review/#toc-link-1-f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c) This review was originally published on March 29, 2021, and was updated on July 29, 2022. Apple recently launched the [2022 refresh](https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-macbook-air-and-refreshed-macbook-pro-launch-with-apples-new-m2-chip/) of its lightest MacBook, but the 2020 version, with its M1 chipset, is still going strong for me. I bought a gold 8GB/256/7 core GPU [MacBook Air](https://cc.zdnet.com/v1/otc/00hQi47eqnEWQ6T9d4QLBUc?merchant=05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FApple-MacBook-13-inch-256GB-Storage%2Fdp%2FB08N5M7S6K&app_deeplink=1&tag=zd-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=__COM_CLICK_ID__%7C03cfe35a-1dd3-4be7-9994-d03422b1793c%7Cdtp&element=BODY&element_label=MacBook+Air&group_uuid=e80fded2-2a43-436e-9085-0cf31243542c&module=LINK&object_type=commerce-link&object_uuid=f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c&object_version=70ed7fac-44c4-40c7-bc91-48d02130ed93&position=1&template=article&track_code=__COM_CLICK_ID__&view_instance_uuid=03cfe35a-1dd3-4be7-9994-d03422b1793c) in early January 2021, making it a year and a half of ownership since then. The MacBook Air form factor has always been my favorite -- the early '90s HP Omnibook 300 spoiled me for any notebook over three pounds -- and I've owned a half-dozen since the 2nd generation SSD version. Also: [The best Black Friday laptop deals live now](https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-black-friday-laptop-deals-2024-11-27/) This review on the 2020 MacBook Air is written from my perspective as an analyst and a writer. I do lots of research, and I commonly have two dozen or more open browser tabs, plus Mail, Messages, Preview, and a dozen more apps open. I also edit videos and make video calls, but I keep 25TB of storage attached to a desktop iMac for bigger projects. After spending a year and some with the M1 MacBook Air, here's what I wish I had known before buying one. Also: [The 6 best Macs: Is the Mac Studio or MacBook Pro right for you?](https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-macbooks/) ## First, the good news ### laptops we love [![typing-on-laptop.jpg](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/3d2f1074e3c8e01178cf7abae85d9d47fcd7c8b2/2021/02/12/11ce659d-647b-43d0-ab8b-c214ed158749/typing-on-laptop.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) Most ZDNet writers prefer this notebook above all others If you spend hours daily banging away at a keyboard, you'll want to consider these favored models. Read now](https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-laptops-we-love/) I had a [64GB 12.9" iPad Pro with Magic keyboard](https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-the-magic-keyboard-won-my-heart-and-my-wallet/) as my mobile workstation for over a year. Performance and battery life were great, with no fan noise, and ran almost every app I needed. But the MacBook Air does all that and more, in a lighter and less costly package. Better performance. Two times the memory and four times the storage. Dead quiet. Great battery life. Larger trackpad and display. Flexible multitasking and window layout. Excellent I/O options with Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4. But depending on how you prefer to work, there are some real deficits. No Apple Pencil. No touch screen. No Face ID. No 4k camera. No snapping off the tablet from the keyboard. None of these are deal killers for me, but they might be for you. I do miss Face ID, but thanks to the Air's Touch ID and Watch unlocking, not much. Now for specifics. ### No regrets with 8GB memory Apple charges an exorbitant \$25/GB for RAM. However, the excellent performance of the 4GB, 2020 [iPad Pro](https://www.zdnet.com/product/apple-ipad-pro-2020-12-9-inch/) gave me the confidence to buy the 8GB MacBook Air. One day I wanted to see what it would take to overwhelm 8GB of RAM, so I left every app, window, and tab open all day. Safari and Firefox each with a dozen tabs open, Mail, Messages, Preview, Calendar, one or more Notes apps, Scrivener, and Final Cut Pro, and utilities, including Copyclip, iStat Menus, Magnet, Default Folder, Typinator, Thesaurus, and a VPN. Also: [Best iPad: Which model should you buy?](https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-ipad/) After several hours of adding load, I started seeing beach balls. All it took was killing a few unused apps to settle things down. I interpret this casual test to mean that for other than all-day, heads-down Pro users, 8GB of RAM is plenty. If you're using the MacBook Air to make money, then splurge on 16GB. Everyone else, save your pennies. Considering that the [13-inch 2020 MacBook Pro](https://www.zdnet.com/article/product-review-apples-m1-macbook-pro-13/) performance is essentially identical, and its other specs -- 20% brighter screen, slightly better mics, 12% faster graphics, another couple of hours of battery life (with four ounce (110gm) more weight), the Touch Bar -- it isn't worth the 20% to 30% cost uplift to me. Maybe it is to you. I'll have another money-saving tip in a future piece. Stay tuned. ## The not-so-good news Despite all the goodness of the MacBook Air, there are issues. I'll save the worst for last. ### iOS apps and games ### ZDNET Recommends [![microsoft-surface-laptop-3-laptop-review.png](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/e0f6d314e4806309add28003f30e4e0ed93682c4/2021/02/04/27735ebc-dd78-4651-afc4-160fa0c6a355/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-laptop-review.png?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) The best laptops Our recommended models for every use case and platform. Read now](https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-laptop/) The iOS apps that are available on macOS work pretty well. For example, the iOS video editor LumaFusion works well and costs a fraction of FCP X. If iOS games are your happy place, you'll find that touch interfaces don't transfer well to a trackpad and keyboard. Keep your iPad for gaming. ### Kernel extensions Changing security settings to add kernel extensions is a pain. Kernel extensions now require a reboot or two and some non-obvious navigation. It'll get harder as Apple enhances macOS security. ### Screen brightness eats battery life This is an FYI nit, or nits. Apple Silicon sips power, but today's LED backlights don't. If you crank the display up full, there's a noticeable -- 2-3 hour -- reduction in battery life. Better than Intel MacBooks, but this is why Apple is pushing micro-LED backlighting. ### Backups may not work at all This is something that pros especially should be aware of: bootable backups are possible, but if your internal SSD completely dies, that bootable backup will fail too. I'm still investigating the issue, and Apple doesn't have a clear statement of direction, but this may mean the end of third-party backup utilities. Also: [How to easily connect an internal SSD to a USB-C port on your PC or Mac](https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-easily-connect-an-internal-ssd-to-a-usb-c-port-on-your-pc-or-mac/) The workaround? A second Mac. Suboptimal, but it works. [![M1 MacBook Air](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/5404849fa2a9d0cd3204808d6515613e94ae221f/2022/01/14/3d3a04df-7ecb-4a03-802c-b622dd593d39/m1-macbook-air.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&height=172.5&width=294) M1 MacBook Air \$764.95 at Best Buy](https://cc.zdnet.com/v1/otc/00hQi47eqnEWQ6T9d4QLBUc?element=BODY&element_label=M1+MacBook+Air&group_uuid=8e8ae59a-5c57-455a-9ddf-f554a8ab583a&module=BUTTON&object_type=commerce-promo&object_uuid=f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c&object_version=70ed7fac-44c4-40c7-bc91-48d02130ed93&position=1&product_uuid=0436664e-3821-4ada-ab4a-e8d0ebf77e51&template=article&track_code=__COM_CLICK_ID__&view_instance_uuid=03cfe35a-1dd3-4be7-9994-d03422b1793c&url=https%3A%2F%2Fbestbuy.7tiv.net%2Fc%2F159047%2F2711001%2F10014%3Fprodsku%3D12062339%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.bestbuy.com%252Fproduct%252Fmacbook-air-13-3-laptop-apple-m1-chip-8gb-memory-256gb-ssd-space-gray%252FJJ8ZHP82L3%26intsrc%3DCATF_21610%26subId1%3Dzd-__COM_CLICK_ID__-dtp) Comments welcome. Apple will have to really up the ante on future Macs to compete with the MacBook Air. But if you see things differently, let me know in the comments. #### Featured reviews [![Google Pixel 10a](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/2d1cebe1ef28eb35d52ace17b698bdf6ade416c7/2026/02/16/1eda2ae6-c4e6-4cbc-8cf9-98ac7e6d2d53/dsc09321.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) Google Pixel 10a review: Should Android users consider anything else at this price?](https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-pixel-10a-review/ "Google Pixel 10a review: Should Android users consider anything else at this price?") [![The Buetti Pioneer Na is compact and hefty.](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/51a02e0c4b95aec4f2ade5e7ca45903723e6ff4e/2026/03/03/a41eee13-0a0f-4fad-a356-33a6bcc7a539/img-2715.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) I stuck this power station in a freezer to test its subzero claims - here's what happened next](https://www.zdnet.com/article/bluetti-pioneer-na-power-station-review/ "I stuck this power station in a freezer to test its subzero claims - here's what happened next") [![MacBook Neo](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/f3f55d43d6f081650b2ae2422c72fb2f6d9120d4/2026/03/04/bcef1935-f3ae-4a45-89e2-08c698a6264d/img-2021.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) Apple's \$599 MacBook Neo hands-on: The budget laptop we've all been waiting for?](https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-new-599-cheap-macbook-neo/ "Apple's $599 MacBook Neo hands-on: The budget laptop we've all been waiting for?") [![Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Matte Glass variant with Xiaomi 17 Ultra on a table.](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/6bba61b4a62b13b0a6b52fa31546305510dc33c8/2026/03/01/0f1317ec-d4fd-4ee0-8919-c026934f5663/1000051857.jpg?auto=webp&fit=crop&frame=1&height=238.5&width=459) I tested Xiaomi's matte-glass tablet for a month, and it effectively replaced my iPad](https://www.zdnet.com/article/xiaomi-pad-8-pro-matte-glass-version-review/ "I tested Xiaomi's matte-glass tablet for a month, and it effectively replaced my iPad") - [![Google Pixel 10a]() Google Pixel 10a review: Should Android users consider anything else at this price?](https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-pixel-10a-review/ "Google Pixel 10a review: Should Android users consider anything else at this price?") - [![The Buetti Pioneer Na is compact and hefty.]() I stuck this power station in a freezer to test its subzero claims - here's what happened next](https://www.zdnet.com/article/bluetti-pioneer-na-power-station-review/ "I stuck this power station in a freezer to test its subzero claims - here's what happened next") - [![MacBook Neo]() Apple's \$599 MacBook Neo hands-on: The budget laptop we've all been waiting for?](https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-new-599-cheap-macbook-neo/ "Apple's $599 MacBook Neo hands-on: The budget laptop we've all been waiting for?") - [![Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro Matte Glass variant with Xiaomi 17 Ultra on a table.]() I tested Xiaomi's matte-glass tablet for a month, and it effectively replaced my iPad](https://www.zdnet.com/article/xiaomi-pad-8-pro-matte-glass-version-review/ "I tested Xiaomi's matte-glass tablet for a month, and it effectively replaced my iPad") [Editorial standards](https://www.zdnet.com/editorial-guidelines/) Show Comments [Log In to Comment]() [Community Guidelines](https://www.zdnet.com/article/zdnet-community-guidelines/) ### Click to unmute ![Footer background image](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/63dc52c26fbff291c9b466bdd31bee7baf9312dc/2022/09/07/c9a7d0bb-7734-41d6-806a-00548beeff3a/zdnet-footer-background-2022-desktop.png?auto=webp&fit=cover&frame=1&height=1322&width=3200) [ZDNET](https://www.zdnet.com/) we equip you to harness the power of disruptive innovation, at work and at home. - [Topics](https://www.zdnet.com/topic/) - [Galleries](https://www.zdnet.com/pictures/) - [Videos](https://www.zdnet.com/video/) - [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://www.ziffdavis.com/ztg-privacy-policy/) - [about ZDNET](https://www.zdnet.com/about/) - [Meet The Team](https://www.zdnet.com/feature/meet-the-team-us/) - [Sitemap](https://www.zdnet.com/sitemap/) - [Reprint Policy](https://www.zdnet.com/reprints/) - Join \\| Log In - [Newsletters](https://www.zdnet.com/newsletters/) - [Licensing](mailto:brand_licensing@ziffdavis.com) - [Accessibility](https://www.ziffdavis.com/accessibility/) © 2026 ZDNET, A Ziff Davis company. 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Readable Markdown	This review was originally published on March 29, 2021, and was updated on July 29, 2022. Apple recently launched the [2022 refresh](https://www.zdnet.com/article/new-macbook-air-and-refreshed-macbook-pro-launch-with-apples-new-m2-chip/) of its lightest MacBook, but the 2020 version, with its M1 chipset, is still going strong for me. I bought a gold 8GB/256/7 core GPU [MacBook Air](https://cc.zdnet.com/v1/otc/00hQi47eqnEWQ6T9d4QLBUc?merchant=05kie42h3YvHwjr4G1w80Qq&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FApple-MacBook-13-inch-256GB-Storage%2Fdp%2FB08N5M7S6K&app_deeplink=1&tag=zd-buy-button-20&ascsubtag=__COM_CLICK_ID__%7C03cfe35a-1dd3-4be7-9994-d03422b1793c%7Cdtp&element=BODY&element_label=MacBook+Air&group_uuid=e80fded2-2a43-436e-9085-0cf31243542c&module=LINK&object_type=commerce-link&object_uuid=f796e235-90d1-4fcd-93a7-c108fce9c40c&object_version=70ed7fac-44c4-40c7-bc91-48d02130ed93&position=1&template=article&track_code=__COM_CLICK_ID__&view_instance_uuid=03cfe35a-1dd3-4be7-9994-d03422b1793c) in early January 2021, making it a year and a half of ownership since then. The MacBook Air form factor has always been my favorite -- the early '90s HP Omnibook 300 spoiled me for any notebook over three pounds -- and I've owned a half-dozen since the 2nd generation SSD version. Also: [The best Black Friday laptop deals live now](https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-black-friday-laptop-deals-2024-11-27/) This review on the 2020 MacBook Air is written from my perspective as an analyst and a writer. I do lots of research, and I commonly have two dozen or more open browser tabs, plus Mail, Messages, Preview, and a dozen more apps open. I also edit videos and make video calls, but I keep 25TB of storage attached to a desktop iMac for bigger projects. After spending a year and some with the M1 MacBook Air, here's what I wish I had known before buying one. Also: [The 6 best Macs: Is the Mac Studio or MacBook Pro right for you?](https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-macbooks/) ## First, the good news I had a [64GB 12.9" iPad Pro with Magic keyboard](https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-the-magic-keyboard-won-my-heart-and-my-wallet/) as my mobile workstation for over a year. Performance and battery life were great, with no fan noise, and ran almost every app I needed. But the MacBook Air does all that and more, in a lighter and less costly package. Better performance. Two times the memory and four times the storage. Dead quiet. Great battery life. Larger trackpad and display. Flexible multitasking and window layout. Excellent I/O options with Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4. But depending on how you prefer to work, there are some real deficits. No Apple Pencil. No touch screen. No Face ID. No 4k camera. No snapping off the tablet from the keyboard. None of these are deal killers for me, but they might be for you. I do miss Face ID, but thanks to the Air's Touch ID and Watch unlocking, not much. Now for specifics. ### No regrets with 8GB memory Apple charges an exorbitant \$25/GB for RAM. However, the excellent performance of the 4GB, 2020 [iPad Pro](https://www.zdnet.com/product/apple-ipad-pro-2020-12-9-inch/) gave me the confidence to buy the 8GB MacBook Air. One day I wanted to see what it would take to overwhelm 8GB of RAM, so I left every app, window, and tab open all day. Safari and Firefox each with a dozen tabs open, Mail, Messages, Preview, Calendar, one or more Notes apps, Scrivener, and Final Cut Pro, and utilities, including Copyclip, iStat Menus, Magnet, Default Folder, Typinator, Thesaurus, and a VPN. Also: [Best iPad: Which model should you buy?](https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-ipad/) After several hours of adding load, I started seeing beach balls. All it took was killing a few unused apps to settle things down. I interpret this casual test to mean that for other than all-day, heads-down Pro users, 8GB of RAM is plenty. If you're using the MacBook Air to make money, then splurge on 16GB. Everyone else, save your pennies. Considering that the [13-inch 2020 MacBook Pro](https://www.zdnet.com/article/product-review-apples-m1-macbook-pro-13/) performance is essentially identical, and its other specs -- 20% brighter screen, slightly better mics, 12% faster graphics, another couple of hours of battery life (with four ounce (110gm) more weight), the Touch Bar -- it isn't worth the 20% to 30% cost uplift to me. Maybe it is to you. I'll have another money-saving tip in a future piece. Stay tuned. ## The not-so-good news Despite all the goodness of the MacBook Air, there are issues. I'll save the worst for last. ### iOS apps and games The iOS apps that are available on macOS work pretty well. For example, the iOS video editor LumaFusion works well and costs a fraction of FCP X. If iOS games are your happy place, you'll find that touch interfaces don't transfer well to a trackpad and keyboard. Keep your iPad for gaming. ### Kernel extensions Changing security settings to add kernel extensions is a pain. Kernel extensions now require a reboot or two and some non-obvious navigation. It'll get harder as Apple enhances macOS security. ### Screen brightness eats battery life This is an FYI nit, or nits. Apple Silicon sips power, but today's LED backlights don't. If you crank the display up full, there's a noticeable -- 2-3 hour -- reduction in battery life. Better than Intel MacBooks, but this is why Apple is pushing micro-LED backlighting. ### Backups may not work at all This is something that pros especially should be aware of: bootable backups are possible, but if your internal SSD completely dies, that bootable backup will fail too. I'm still investigating the issue, and Apple doesn't have a clear statement of direction, but this may mean the end of third-party backup utilities. Also: [How to easily connect an internal SSD to a USB-C port on your PC or Mac](https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-easily-connect-an-internal-ssd-to-a-usb-c-port-on-your-pc-or-mac/) The workaround? A second Mac. Suboptimal, but it works. Comments welcome. Apple will have to really up the ante on future Macs to compete with the MacBook Air. But if you see things differently, let me know in the comments.
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