I am not a apple fan boy. I do not like the iPhones, But this device is miles different from its phone counterparts. While Android beats iPhone for me, Windows is nowhere close to macbook. This is not a bais, it is simply a fact that was visible, after I purchased a Macbook Air.
Before I begin a product review, I would like to give a grand Kudos to Amazon.com and the Seller Silcare to deliver this product to me in 2 business days. Ordered on 14th of March, with the Macbook arriving at my place by 16th afternoon. That’s blazing fast!
Coming to the review, I won’t be placing any details of specs and performance, since most of these info are already available online and with other reviewers.
My review would be focussed more on the User POV, ranging on the ecosystem of macbook and ups and downs of the OS, hardware and Apple community.
Overall feel
The Macbook air simply feels premium. It feels like it was made with every single inch of precaution and well worked thought process. The design is simply stunning and feel of object seems perfect. The aluminium covering feels a little weak though, scratches will easily stick if not taken care. Hence, I would suggest you take a high quality cover for your macbook. I bought a black Rubberized case(Images attached for your reference). I also bought a micro sd to expand its memory. The issue over here is that the Adapter for the microSD is not a latch on adapter, instead a press fit one. This implies that, unlike most laptops, it does not have the usual press to attach and remove. You simply insert and it starts. This is good but it is too easy to remove the MicroSD without the system latching on to it. To add to the Woe, the Adapter sticks out, a lot I should say.(images attached for your reference).
The 128GB Apple storage is blazing fast, topping at 1.32 GB/s! that is unbelievably fast. No issues at all from write or read speeds from this device.
OS
The OS is an absolute breeze. If you are new to the ecosystem, don’t sweat. It might take you about a week or so to get used to, but by then you would appreciate the common sense Apple has used while making this product.
The trackpad gestures are amazing and convenient for internet browsing and photo editing situations like Photoshop, illustrator etc. while also being super duper accurate.
The keyboard to me seems standard, but in a lot of ways using the keyboard requires some pre training, because the shortcuts are different from the windows ones and they can be hassle in case you are new. Yet, It is not rocket science. The best part is you can configure the keyboard to your liking and change whatever, so much as to assign new ones through 3rd party apps like Alfred.
Speaking of Apps. Macbook has lots of important and useful apps to support you. SHAREit, facetime, iMessages, Pages, Keynote, Numbers, Alfred, Airdroid, etc, are few to speak of, having tremendous value to your Macbook. These apps feel rigid and well made. You also have your core apps like Adobe Suite, Office 2016, UTorrent, VLC etc. Adobe Suite is so much better in a Macbook than windows. It just feels perfect with the keyboard combinations and trackpad of this quality.
Office 2016, though, is the biggest concern for the OSX; It simply does not work! Macbook itself has a good native applications for Word, Excel and powerpoint objects. But, in case you have too much liking of it, Office 2016 has huge concerns and I simply did not move forward with it. I came up with a different solution.(Will discuss later in this review).
Lastly, If you have HDD with NTFS on it, you have another issue in your hand. NTFS HDDs can only be read, They cannot be written, unless a 3rd party app is purchased. Just letting you know before you buy this.(It isn’t a big deal for me though).
Flexibility,
Here is where Macbook shines like a beacon. Macbook gives complete authority, to the user, to install Windows 10 in it, without any constraint or void of warranty. This is super cool! Apple themselves are endorsing this. Windows 10 is much much much better on a mac than on any other manufacturer and booting windows 10 is marvellously easy, with zero hassles.
The trackpad and keyboard are great in windows 10. You can get all keyboard combination right off the bat, if you install the right software. I installed my office 2016 on this OS to avoid any particular issues of MacOSX. For me this is the ultimate peak of success of an ecosystem. To let other OS be installed in yours with absolute confidence. Kudos to Apple for this!
Battery life is a mindblowing average of 7-10 hours for me. The lightweight of the Macbook is simply a plus to the this incredible feat achieved. The endorsed is 12hr. It does go upto 11.5 if I dont use WiFi. I get up 7 if do use WiFi. Upto 5 if I use Wifi and high brightness. For me these numbers are simply amazing. Having a laptop with battery of your phone is simply amazing.
Accessories
Because the macbook is mostly standard, you can Tons of accessories for your macbook, from Sleeves to Skins. Cases to keyboard guards. Docks, Adapters, and even apple cut out Decals to stylize your macbook. No other laptop can achieve this.
Final note, this laptop is meant for casual users. Don’t even waste time on this machine, if gaming is on your mind. This device is too specific to wander to that universe.
Macbook Air is simply fantastic piece of device. I simply cannot endorse and reinstate the fact that you would never ever regret buying this device. Never!
Summary:
Plusses:
Device seems utter premium. Design is marvellous.
Hardware is absolute solid; Keyboard, trackpad, camera are top notch.
Battery life is top of the class at 7-11 hours daily.
OSX is super easy to understand and has loads of useful elements created with a lot of common sense.
SSD storage is crazy fast at 1.32GB/s read speed. Write speed tops at 0.8 GB/s. Enough IMO.
You can boot up windows 10 without void of warranty. Apple completely endorses and accepts this.
Apps like iMessages, Facetime, SHAREit are a great addition to the OS.
Screen feels good and sharp.
Lightweight. No concerns to put this in a bag.
Standardization has ensured that Macbook get plenty of accessories to stylize and protect your macbook.
Apple standard charger is lightweight and does not feel heavy.
Fantastic attention to details by Apple.
Speakers are quite loud. Very top notch performance there.
Cons:
Office 2016 just does not work in Mac OSX. Not sure if Apple’s or Microsoft’s fault here. In any case Apple’s own software is enough to do the work for the basic job.
Font size is too small but this isn’t Apple specific problem. Not giving rights to change font size of text is a Apple specific problem.
Aluminum cover on the entire device seems to be too delicate. Need to put a cover to protect it. Lots of good options from Rubber to Wood available in the market.
4 GB RAM seems slightly low. Needs more RAM to work multiple apps at the same time
microSD adapter sticks out a lot. You would need to buy one of those adapters which has minimal space to reduce this concern.
OS does have some nuisances which isn’t visible in Windows. This can solved by third party apps.
Most third party apps are not free or even cheap.
-No NTFS write for HDDs. No native support for Android phones.
No device is perfect, but Macbook still achieves to be just close to perfection. For me, There is simply no device which can matches upto this beautiful, marvellous, mesmerizing piece of beauty. Used by mere mortals, Meant for Gods.