April 8, 2020
Rich Love
Carnation Software
(Updated April 9, 2020 with adaptor and cable info)
This is the MacBook Air I have been waiting for.
2020 MacBook Air 13"
I have been using an Early 2014 MacBook Air 13" for several years now and it has worked great for me. But I have aways wanted a retina display.
The 2014 MacBook Air had a great keyboard with scissor keys, but no retina display.
And for the past few years, the MacBook Air had a retina display. But its butterfly keyboard had issues - plus, it didn't have the same feel as the scissor keyboard.
So, I was very happy to get the new MacBook Air 13" with retina display and scissor keyboard.
I purchased the model that has an i5 processor with 512 GB SSD and 8 GB memory.
Display
Very nice display. Deep, rich colors and sharp.
Keyboard
I like this keyboard. It is similar to the 2014 MacBook Air keyboard and has slightly more tactile feedback. (Hard to explain but it feels natural)
Speed
Much faster than the 2014 MacBook which had the i5 processor but was dual core.
This new MacBook has a quad core i5 processor.
(Note that the base model has an i3 processor.)
Size and weight
This 2020 model is smaller than the 2014 model but has the same screen size.
Both are almost identical weight, with the 2020 model being 2 ounces lighter.
( I weighed them on my postal scale)
2014 model 2 lbs 15 oz
2020 model 2 lbs 13 oz
Sound
This new 2020 model has much better sound than the 2014 model.
The speakers are located to the left and right of the keyboard so you get good stereo separation.
And the sound is very spacial sounding.
Touch ID
I love this. You can use your fingerprint instead of your password to wake your MacBook up.
And it works to log into many websites and pay for things.
Websites that support ApplePay work with your fingerprint also.
Transferring your data from old to new MacBook
I was amazed how fast this process was.
When you start up your new MacBook Air, it asks if you want to transfer your data from another Mac. Answer yes and then connect your old MacBook to your new one with a Thunderbolt cable in Target mode. It only took one hour to transfer about 260 GB of data. Amazing!
To set up your old MacBook in Target mode, go to System Preferences and click on Startup Disk.
Then click the lock icon to unlock and click on Target Disk Mode...
Of course you need an adaptor. My old MacBook had a thunderbolt 2 connector instead of USB-C
So you need a USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adaptor (and a Thunderbolt cable)
Adaptors that I purchased
nonda USB C to USB Adapter(2 Pack),USB-C to USB 3.0 Adapter
Ordered from Amazon
shorturl.at/azJ13
These adaptors work with the Apple CD / DVD and other devices.
You get two of them, but I actually only needed one.
VANMASS USB C Hub, Premium 9 in 1 USB C Adapter with 4K HDMI, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet Port, 4 USB 3.0 Ports, TF/SD Card Reader 90W PD Port
Ordered from Amazon
shorturl.at/nEFTX
This is a really nice hub at a good price.
It also has a charging port so you still have an extra USB-C connector available on your MacBook to use when this hub is plugged in.
Note: the USB ports do not work with the Apple CD / DVD.
Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter
This adaptor lets you use your old Thunderbolt adaptors.
It also lets you transfer your data from your old Macbook to the new one, using your old thunderbolt cable.
Apple Thunderbolt cable
You may already have one of these. I did.
It lets you transfer data from your old MacBook to the new one when used in combination with the above adaptor.
Cons
The charger cord is now a USB-C connector.
It takes two hands to plug the charger into the MacBook because you need to hold the MacBook with one hand and plug the cable in with your other hand.
I liked the old magnetic charger much better.
Less ports:
Not a huge deal but it was nice having a camera card slot and USB ports on the old MacBook Air.
Now you just get two USB-C connectors.
That means you need to order some adaptors to use some of your old external devices.
Bottom Line
I think you will be very happy with this 2020 MacBook Air.
I know I am.
