My MacBook air is slow as molasses

wilked

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Jul 17, 2005
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MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014)

Used to be great. In the last year+ it has run like shit. I thought it might be that the SSD was nearly full so bought a bigger one, installed a clean version of the OS, and it still runs like shit.

Is it obsolete? Think I'm running Big Sur on it.

Is it time to get a new one? I don't mind, just need to be sure before dropping the $800
 

Red Sox Physicist

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Jul 15, 2005
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How much RAM does it have? Apple's default configuration was 4 GB, but it was configurable to 8 GB. 4 GB is substandard these days and could cause it to be painfully slow if it runs out of RAM and starts swapping to disk instead.
 

wilked

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Jul 17, 2005
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How much RAM does it have? Apple's default configuration was 4 GB, but it was configurable to 8 GB. 4 GB is substandard these days and could cause it to be painfully slow if it runs out of RAM and starts swapping to disk instead.
ntro. April 29, 2014 Disc. March 9, 2015
Order MD760LL/B* Model A1466 (EMC 2632)
Family Early 2014 ID MacBookAir6,2
RAM 4 GB VRAM 1.5 GB
Storage 128, 256 GB SSD Optical None*
 

canderson

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Jul 16, 2005
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Yup, it's a RAM issue. Upgrade your RAM or upgrade the machine. I personally wouldn't put money into that machine that is very close if not already ruled obsolete for OS updates.
 

wilked

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Jul 17, 2005
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Yup, it's a RAM issue. Upgrade your RAM or upgrade the machine. I personally wouldn't put money into that machine that is very close if not already ruled obsolete for OS updates.
RAM is not upgradable anyway

OK, will get a new unit - thanks!
 

TenCentBeerNight

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Jul 11, 2009
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Yup, it's a RAM issue. Upgrade your RAM or upgrade the machine. I personally wouldn't put money into that machine that is very close if not already ruled obsolete for OS updates.
The RAM on a macbook air will be soldered directly to the motherboard, so upgrading it isn't an option I think.
 

Scott Cooper's Grand Slam

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Jul 12, 2008
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Whatever Mac you buy (MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or iMac) definitely get one with the M1 chip. It’s so fast and so efficient. The M1 MacBook Air is the best computer I’ve ever used.
 

nighthob

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Having just upgraded to an m1 Pro laptop I'll concur, these things are psychotically fast.
 

Devizier

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The forced* OS upgrades have fucked the <2015 Macs. I have three of them and I'm still fighting an upgrade whenever possible.

*My work desktop had to endure one in order to stay connected to the Pitt network.
 

nighthob

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My 2015 MacBook Pro handled the last upgrade. But it was also the (then) top of the line 15” model.
 

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa

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My 2015 MacBook Pro handled the last upgrade. But it was also the (then) top of the line 15” model.
Yeah, 8GB RAM can mitigate some of the impact of the OS update on the older machines (I assume your top of the line has 8 or 16GB RAM). I can't stand how bloated MacOS has become.

The forced* OS upgrades have fucked the <2015 Macs. I have three of them and I'm still fighting an upgrade whenever possible.

*My work desktop had to endure one in order to stay connected to the Pitt network.
I also have several machines going, and I've been fighting off the upgrade too. Kind of annoyed that as of last month Microsoft Office is no longer providing updates for systems still on Mojave. I have a basic 2016 Macbook Pro 13" that I use at work sometimes, and it's my guinea pig for MacOS updates. I let it get OS updates, and Big Sur probably slowed it down about 20%.
 
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Tokyo Sox

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I'll probably buy a new MacBook laptop this week. My old one is fine-ish but a bit slow, and for some infuriating reason frequently drops the connection to our home wifi, which none of our other (much newer) devices ever do.

Questions -- do I need an M1 Pro? M1 Max? Do I need 1TB of SSD storage, or is 512GB plenty?

Mostly I use it for email, browsing internet stuff, home admin, some online classes, MLB TV, and streaming Disney+. A little bit of work, some video calls, etc. I don't have a ton of pictures or songs or movies downloaded.

Any thoughts about what is the most appropriate new MacBook for me? Thank you.
 

nighthob

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I bought the mid range 16” M1 Pro model. Mostly because it was the only model available in my necessary timeframe (my mother’s 2010 model finally went to the great laptop graveyard in the sky, and she needs one for her business, so she always gets my hand-me downs). It’s really fast. This one will likely go to my partner in a year’s time when the new M2 models hit the market (and, hopefully, the supply issues are worked out).
 

Seven Costanza

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I'll probably buy a new MacBook laptop this week. My old one is fine-ish but a bit slow, and for some infuriating reason frequently drops the connection to our home wifi, which none of our other (much newer) devices ever do.

Questions -- do I need an M1 Pro? M1 Max? Do I need 1TB of SSD storage, or is 512GB plenty?

Mostly I use it for email, browsing internet stuff, home admin, some online classes, MLB TV, and streaming Disney+. A little bit of work, some video calls, etc. I don't have a ton of pictures or songs or movies downloaded.

Any thoughts about what is the most appropriate new MacBook for me? Thank you.
Forget the M1 Pro or M1 Max. For anyone with your stated needs- get a M1 MacBook Air. That'll do you fine for the next several years. If all you do is stream, the 512 should be fine but if money isn't a big concern get the 1TB.

(Both the M1 Air and the 13" M1 Pro come in and out of stock on Apple Refurbished semi regularly. I picked up a refurb 13" M1 Pro a few months back and absolutely love it)
 
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wilked

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Jul 17, 2005
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OK, close to pulling the trigger

Mostly we use the laptop for general use, nothing heavy, but my wife jusssst got me a GoPro 9 for Xmas and I plan to do 4K video editing. Not a ton, but regular use, and just for home stuff

Secondly, I want this thing to last me at least 8 uears. I am willing to pay a little to future proof.

So what i see: I just missed the Microcenter deal for the MacBook Air M1 ($780 or so with basic setup, 256 SSD, 8GB RAM). I think that deal or similar will be back.

Today Costco has the 14 and 16" MB Pros on sale. 14" (1TB SSD, 16GB RAM) for $2250 and 16" (1TB SSD, 16GB RAM) for $2450

I can buy 3 Airs for the price of a Pro, which seems a little crazy.

Anyway, $2200-2500 is more than I wanted to spend, but I can afford it. Looking for thoughts...
 

Seven Costanza

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Both of those machines from Costco would be more than sufficient for what you need them for.

I'd be slightly wary about how 8GB of RAM will carry in to the future on the Air you mention.

Another plug from me for Apple refurbished- same warranty as a brand new product. The availability refreshes frequently, but this is available right now and would certainly do the trick for you: refurbished-133-inch-macbook-pro-apple-m1-chip-with-8‑core-cpu-and-8‑core-gpu-space-gray

The 14 and 16 inch MBPs have a variety of ports (HDMI, SD card, MagSafe power, 3 USB-C) and the MacBook Air and the one I just linked only have 2 USB-C ports. USB-C hubs aren't hard to come by, but if you hate the thought of dongles you may want to pony up for the more expensive options.
 

wilked

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Jul 17, 2005
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Both of those machines from Costco would be more than sufficient for what you need them for.

I'd be slightly wary about how 8GB of RAM will carry in to the future on the Air you mention.

Another plug from me for Apple refurbished- same warranty as a brand new product. The availability refreshes frequently, but this is available right now and would certainly do the trick for you: refurbished-133-inch-macbook-pro-apple-m1-chip-with-8‑core-cpu-and-8‑core-gpu-space-gray

The 14 and 16 inch MBPs have a variety of ports (HDMI, SD card, MagSafe power, 3 USB-C) and the MacBook Air and the one I just linked only have 2 USB-C ports. USB-C hubs aren't hard to come by, but if you hate the thought of dongles you may want to pony up for the more expensive options.
Screw it - just bought it

Thanks!