MacBook Air 13" 2020 Review

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.

MacWise version 20 Released

MacWise version 20 has been released.
This is the year 2020 release

This is our new policy for releasing version numbers that match the year.
We started this in 2019 with version 19.

There is an upgrade charge for versions prior to version 20
During the 2020 year, incremental upgrades will be free for users who have already purchased version 20. (version 20.1 for example)

The exception would be for site licenses of 10 or more that require the license to be re-compiled for the specific number of users.
There is a $75.00 charge for that.

Upgrade Order Form

If you are getting the message, "This app will not work with future versions of MacOS"

The next version of MacOS (10.15) will not work with 32-bit apps.
MacWise versions prior to version 19 are 32-bit apps.

You will need to upgrade to MacWise version 19 which is a 64-bit app.

MacWise version 19

SSH Secure Shell Connections with MacWise and High Sierra

If you cannot connect to a host using secure shell (ssh) with MacWise, it could be a problem with High Sierra and cipher keys.
You may get a message similar to this when trying to connect to the host:

Unable to negotiate with xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx port 22: no matching cipher found. Their offer: aes128-cbc,3des-cbc,blowfish-cbc,cast128-cbc,arcfour,
aes192-cbc,aes256-cbc,rijndael-cbc

This is not a problem with MacWise. It is an issue with MacOS High Sierra 10.13
You can get around this problem by specifying a cipher in the Secure Shell Connection settings in MacWise.

Select Secure Shell Connection... from the Connection Menu in MacWise.
Then enter a cipher by using the -c option in the Additional Login Options field.
For instance, -c aes256-cbc
That option would use the  cipher, aes256-cbc

Currently, High Sierra supports these ciphers:

3des-cbc

aes128-cbc

aes192-cbc

aes256-cbc

rijndael-cbc@lysator.liu.se

aes128-ctr

aes192-ctr

aes256-ctr

aes128-gcm@openssh.com

aes256-gcm@openssh.com

chacha20-poly1305@openssh.com

You can verify this by opening the terminal app and entering

ssh -Q cipher

Your host may not support all of the ciphers that High Sierra supports.

So, when you connect to the host and it responds with "no matching cipher found", you can look at the list of ciphers that it offers and use one of those that high sierra also supports.

Crash when upgrading to High Sierra from older versions of MacWise

Upgrading to High Sierra with versions of MacWise prior to 16.2.3 could possibly cause abnormally large window sizes and a crash that corrupted the MacWise settings file.

It is unknown why this happens and it seems to be a problem on a low percentage of Macs.

Version 16.2.3 or later fixes this problem by detecting incorrect window sizes and sets them back to default sizes.

If possible, you should upgrade to MacWise 16.2.3 or later before installing Mac OS High Sierra or later to avoid the crash.

Function Keys and Arrow Keys with MacWise using Telnet and Kermit

MacOS High Sierra 10.13 removed telnet.
By default, MacWise version 16 now uses Kermit for telnet connections when it detects MacOS 10.13 or later.
It also enables two Kermit options by default:
"Use SLnet options for Kermit"  and "Echo Kermit Characters"

Not all host servers work properly with those two options.
If you are getting double characters on your screen, then uncheck "Echo Kermit Characters"

If your arrow keys and function keys do not work, then uncheck "Use SLnet options for Kermit"
Note that other factors can cause arrow keys and function keys not to work.

If you cannot log into your host, then put a checkmark on "Use SLnet options for Kermit"
You may see the following errors when opening a connection if it is unchecked:

Negotiations...

The Telnet server is not sending required responses

Telnet waiting for response to WILL KERMIT

Telnet waiting for response to DO KERMIT

MacWise 16.0.8 Compatible with Mac OS High Sierra and telnet

Apple, in their infinite wisdom, has removed Telnet from Mac OS High Sierra 10.13

If you have been using MacWise version 16.0.6 or earlier with telnet and upgrade to High Sierra, you will not be able to connect to your host because the telnet command is missing from High Sierra.

The solution is to install Kermit.

MacWise version 16.0.7 or later includes a Kermit Installer.

Version 16.0.8 has the Kermit Installer built into MacWise.

Run MacWise and select Kermit Installer from the Help Menu.

Put a checkmark on Kermit under the Connection Menu in MacWise

You will now be able to open a Telnet Connection with MacWise.

MacWise Function Keys with Touch Bar on MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar does not have real function keys.
Instead, it displays function keys in the Touch Bar.
By default, the function keys are not displayed in the Touch Bar when you run MacWise.

You can get around this problem in four ways:

1. Since function keys are displayed at the bottom of the MacWise window, you can click on them with the mouse.

2. If you hold down the Fn key, the function keys will appear temporarily on the Touch Bar if you have the following option set in your Keyboard Preferences...
(You must always press Fn in combination with a Touch Bar fkey)

Select System Preferences from the Apple Menu.

In System Preferences, choose Keyboard.
Then click the Keyboard tab.

Change "Press Fn key to" Show F1,F2,etc. Keys

3. You can use the Option key in combination with number keys for function keys.
For instance Option 1 is Fkey 1

4. (Requires MacWise version 15.4 or later).

Select "Activate Touch Bar on Startup" from the Connection Menu.
Then follow the instructions.

Note: "Activate Touch Bar on Startup" menu item will only be available on Touch Bar MacBooks.

Now, each time you run MacWise, the FKEYS will appear in the Touch Bar and you do not need to hold down the Fn key.

www.macwise.com

MacWise and El Capitan

MacWise versions prior to 15.2 may have problems loading fonts with El Capitan (Mac OS 10.11)
You may get an error, " ActivateFontFromResourcesFile error -985 "
If you get that error, the MacWise font may not have loaded and can cause cursor positioning and screen clearing problems.

MacWise version 15.2 and later now attempts to load fonts from it's resources folder. If that fails, it looks for fonts in the MacWise Fonts folder.
The installer now has the option to drag MacWise Fonts to the Fonts folder (MacWise will alert you if that needs to be done)

If you are running MacWise version 14 or older, there is a $59.00 upgrade charge for version 15.

The order form is here...

http://www.carnationsoftware.com/carnation/Final_credit_card.html

The latest version of MacWise is here...

http://www.macwise.com/Download_MacWise.html

Mac Wireless Sleep / Wake Wireles Connection Problem and Fix

Since the release of Mavericks in October 2013, there has been a widespread problem with Macs that are unable to reconnect to a wireless network after waking from sleep. This is most prevelant on MacBooks because they are on battery power most of the time and are set to sleep after two minutes of inactivity by default. MacBooks are also mobile and can be used in many locations.

The problem is caused by an interaction with Bluetooth and specifically Bluetooth devices that use Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) which is used to stream bluetooth audio from devices such as Bluetooth headsets and Bluetooth speakers.

For more information and a fix...

Mac Wireless Sleep / Wake fix

Using MacWise with Parallels Access for iPad

Using MacWise with Parallels Access

Virtual Network Computing apps have been on the iPad since day one. And I have recommended them for use with MacWise. But there is a new kid on the block that really improves the experience with MacWise... "Parallels Access takes the virtual-computer experience to the next level. The new app goes beyond simply providing a window back to the other machine, taking into account things like screen resolution (the apps are resized for the iPad's aspect ratio) and user experience"...(from a Mashable Review)  "Tap an app icon and the software opens full-screen, cursor-free, and ready to accept a full range of gesture-based commands, including copy and paste, selection, or drag and drop. Scrolling is done with a finger, and the iPad keyboard is enhanced with additional commands for function keys, arrows, and more. To better maneuver desktop applications, Parallels Access offers a cursor-based tap-and-hold magnifying glass, while holding longer switches to selection tool instead. Coupled with "SmartTap" to make sure taps always execute as intended, Parallels Access deftly overcomes usability issues that have long plagued other remote access solutions"... (from a MacLife Review) Using MacWise on the iPad is now a pleasant experience. The MacWise window is full screen on the iPad and the touch controls are very nice. You can tap on the MacWise function keys or double tap to edit them. The text is crisp and easy to read. Launching MacWise is easy with the Parallels Access app launcher. It looks just like an iPad screen but has your Mac apps as icons on the screen instead of iPad apps. Copy and Paste works with MacWise. But remember that you are copying and pasting on your Mac (not between your iPad and your Mac) To copy, you tap and hold until a blue circle draws around the starting point. Then drag to select the area you want to copy. To paste, select Paste from the Edit Menu. One thing worth mentioning is the window sizes of apps you have running on your Mac. When you exit Parallels Access on the iPad, your Mac screen is returned back to normal resolution (It was 1080 x 768 before exiting). That can do some strange things to a large Mac monitor screen. Any windows that were open larger than 1080 x 768 will be reduced to 1080 x 768. So I recommend that you do not use the "24-Point font and largest window" size in MacWise. That window size is taller than 768 and will be resized smaller by Parallels Access. (That causes emulation problems). Using the 18-Point font window works fine. I am hoping that the Parallels techies can figure out how to make the windows all resize back to their original size in some future version. A very nice feature is that you can set a preference in Parallels Access to blank your Mac Screen while you are using MacWise from your iPad (so others in your office cannot see what you are doing). If you think that you can live with the window resizing issue, I would highly recommend using Parallels Access with MacWise. You can get a 14 day demo to try it out. The Parallels Access web page will get you started. Rich

Using Function Keys with MacWise

Function keys can be used from the keyboard or by clicking on the fkey with the mouse.
When you change your emulation type, you will also need to change the function keys being used.
If you are using Wyse or Viewpoint emulation, you can select "Wyse Function Keys" or "Viewpoint Function Keys" under the Emulate Menu.
If you are using any other emulation, you will need to load the function key set. This can be done by selecting "Function Key Sets" from the Emulate Menu. Then just double-click on the set you want.

Function Key sets as of 10/2/13 are:

Clinicare Fkeys - for hosts that using Clinicare software
Mac unix fkeys - Common commands for the Mac unix shell
NWMLS Fkeys - for Northwest Multiple Listing Real Estate Services and VT100 emulation
Sco Ansi Alphacom Fkeys - Sco Ansi fkeys for Alphacom hosts
Sco Ansi Fkeys- Standard Sco Ansi FKeys
Triad TV925 Fkeys - for Triad hosts and TV925 emulation
Triad Wyse Fkeys - for Triad hosts and Wyse emulation
Viewpoint Function Keys - Standard Viewpoint fkeys
Viewpoint Fkeys W/Page Up - has page up/down fkeys for Viewpoint emulation
VT100 Fkeys - Standard VT100 emulation fkeys
VT100 MLS Fkeys - Multiple Listing Service Fkeys for VT100
VT220 Alphacom Fkeys - VT220 fkeys for Alphacom hosts
VT220 Fkeys - Standard VT220 Fkeys
VT220 Fkeys W/Do Key
VT220 MLS Fkeys - Multiple Listing service Fkeys for VT220
Xymox Fkeys - for Xymox, Xytec hosts and Wyse 370 emulation
Wyse Fkeys - Standard Wyse fkeys

More Fkey info...
Only F1 thru F10 are displayed unless you are using the 24-point large window.

If your fkeys do not work from the keyboard...

If you are using a laptop, it will have a fn key in the lower left corner of the keyboard.
You need to hold the fn key down when pressing a function key to make it work.
You can get around this by opening the Keyboard & Mouse control panel.
Select Keyboard from the System Preferences Menu under the Apple Menu.
Click on the Keyboard tab.
There is an option that says, "Use all F1, F2, etc keys as standard function keys"
Put a check mark on that option. Now your function keys will work in MacWise.
If you want to use a function key to change screen brightness, sound, etc. then hold down the fn key.

Mission Control and Keyboard Shortcuts can override MacWise function keys.
Click on the Shortcuts tab (in System Preferences / Keyboard)
Change any function keys that conflict with the fkeys you use in MacWise.
If you change the fkey to a dash, it will disable that fkey entirely.

Also, in System Preferences / Mission Control, there are some keys you can change or disable.

NOTE:
MacWise actually supported fkeys in the old days when there were no fkeys on Mac keyboards.
If you do an option 1 you will get F1, Option - Shift 1 for Shiffed F1 etc.
Numbered keys from 1 thru 10 on the top row are F1 thru F10
F11 thru F16 are the qwerty keys.

Also, You can Edit all of the fkeys by selecting Edit Fkeys from the Emulate Menu.
You can move the function of a fkey from one fkey to another...
For instance, you could edit F12 and click the Copy button. Then edit another fkey that is visible on the screen and click the Paste Key. That makes that fkey have the function of F12.

MacWise Compatibility with 3ivx

Older versions of the 3ivx video codec may cause MacWise to crash.

Specifically, we have found that 3ivx version 5.0.3 crashes the app store version of MacWise when you select "Telnet Connection..." or Secure Shell Connection..." from the Connection Menu in MacWise.

3ivx is installed when you have a Flip Video Camera. That is the most-likely reason that you have 3ivx on your Mac.

MacWise does not use 3ivx but there is evidently some memory collision occuring with the older 3ivx codec.

The fix for crashing problems is to install the latest 3ivx video codec.

Here is the link for the latest 3ivx video codec
http://www.3ivx.com/download/macos.html

Note: 3ivx Technologies is an Australian company not associated with Carnation Software.

VT220 Fkeys

If you select "Function Key Sets" from the Emulate Menu in MacWise, it will open a Finder window with several sets of keys.
There is a set called "VT220 Fkeys W/Do Key"
Double click on that to load the fkey set.

Full article here...

VT220 Function Keys

Fix - MacWise Quits Unexpectedly

MacWise versions 12.2.7 through 12.3.1 had an intermittent problem where MacWise would quit unexpectedly. Many users will never see this problem because it only happens when you scroll more than 970 lines of data on the screen (about 40 pages)and most host programming erases the screen and refreshes it with a new one (instead of scrolling).

However, if you have this problem, it has been fixed starting with MacWise version 12.3.2


Another problem was fixed with version 12.3.2
When pasting large amounts of data to the host, data could be shifted over or missing on the screen as it rapidly scrolled by. This did not affect the data that arrived at the host but was distracting to see on screen.

The current version of MacWise can always be found here:
http://www.macwise.com/Download_MacWise.html

MacWise Graphic Drawing Characters

If your MacWise screen should be displaying boxes drawn with graphic lines but instead has letters or numbers instead of graphic lines, then here are some things to try.

1. First lets see if your MacWiseFont is installed.
Type the zero key in MacWise. The zero should have a slash though it. If not, you need to install the MacWise font. The MacWise installer installs the font automatically, but some older Macs may have not run the font installer. You can install the font by opening the MacWise 12 folder. Look in the Fonts folder for the MacWiseFont Installer.
Quit MacWise if it is running and run the MacWiseFont Installer. Then run MacWise and type the zero key. You should now see a slash through the zero.

Note that when MacWise is purchased from the Mac App Store, the font is built into MacWise.

If you now see a slash zero when you type the zero key then proceed to step 2.


2. For Wyse emulation...
If Wyse graphics do not work and display letters like D and Z instead of the graphic characters, you need to uncheck Strip 8th bit and use IBM Set 2.
Also need hidden attributes enabled for Wyse 60.

For all emulations...
Those H characters that you see instead of graphic lines are sent to your Mac from the host to be converted into graphic lines.
There are several possibilities why it is not working.
First, try unchecking Strip 8th Bit and then use IBM Set2 as your font set (Emulate Menu, International Characters)
If that does not work, there are two other options for graphic characters (DEC or Wyse Multinational characters).
You will just need to experiment with different settings.
Normally, if you use IBM Set2 you do not strip 8th bit.
DEC or Wyse multinational usually are used with 8th bit stripped.

3. Another thing that can cause this problem is the settings in the Telnet Connection Window.
Select Telnet Connection... from the Connection Menu.
Then put a checkmark on Unix Raw Mode.
Click OK
Then log out and close the connection.
Open the connection again and see if that makes a difference.

The terminal type you enter in that window is also important.
It is possible that the host does not think you can support graphic drawing lines because of the terminal type being reported back to it.
For instance,
If you are using Wyse 50, the terminal type defaults to wy50
But your host might want to see a custom terminal type entered there.
You would need to contact the host administrator to find out which terminal type names are supported.

4. If you are using SCO ANSI mode with the terminal type "ansi", you will need MacWise 12.2.8 or later to display graphic drawing lines correctly.

The MacWise blog has moved to his new location

This is the new link
http://macwisesupport.blogspot.com/

Using MacWise with the Telnet -K Option to avoid skip past login

PROBLEM: When you log into your host, it always skips past the Login prompt and displays the Password prompt. Then you must hit return to get the Login prompt.

SOLUTION: Use the -K telnet option.
The -K option specifies no automatic login to the remote system.

Select Telnet Connection... (Under the Connection Menu in MacWise)
and then enter the -K option.

VPN Connection with MacWise

SYMPTOM: you are unable to make a telnet connection to your host after connecting with a VPN connection.

SOLUTION: Select Kermit from the Connection Menu and follow the instructions for installing Kermit.
(Some hosts will not allow you to open a telnet connection via VPN unless you use the Kermit option)

Using MacWise with Cisco Routers

When you log into a Cisco Router with telnet, you may need to tell the router how many lines of data that the MacWise screen is set to.

The symptom is this:
When you list several pages of text to the screen, the listing should stop at each page and have -more- at the bottom of the screen. When you hit the space bar, it should show you the next page.

If instead, it just scrolls through the entire document without stopping, here is the solution:
At the Cisco Router prompt, enter the following:
terminal length 24
(that will tell the router that MacWise is set to a 24-line screen).

You can use Connection Scripts in MacWise to automatically send the terminal length command during login.

A NOTE ABOUT THE TAB KEY
Cisco routers use the tab key
MacWise versions prior to 14.2 had a problem with the program freezing with the tab key.

Pressing the "TAB" key (which in Cisco IOS automatically completes the CLI command) freezes the program and the interface

If MacWise appears to hang when you use the tab key, it is caused by a System keyboard preference in OS X preferences.
Here is the fix...
http://www.macwise.com/data/blog/2008/03/macwise-version-11-function-keys.html