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My First MacBook Air in Years - TDS Photography Podcast
This is The Digital Story Podcast #990, March 11, 2025. Today's theme is, "My First MacBook Air in Years." I'm Derrick Story.
Opening Monologue
The last time I bought a MacBook Air was over a decade ago. It was the super nimble 11" model that I could slide in my camera bag to manage web pages and answer email while on the go. The screen wasn't anything to write home about, but it was so compact. Fast forward to 2025 and a substantial update to a 13" M4 Air. Why am I doing this? Find out on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 990
Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!
Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher
Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In
My First MacBook Air in Years
My current laptop is a 14" 2021 M1 MacBook Pro. This laptop has served me well in the studio and on the road. It has 1 TB of SSD storage, 16 GBs of RAM, 3 USB-C ports, MagSafe power, HDMI, and an SD Card reader. This was my first M Series Mac, and it forever changed my world.
My only real complaint with it is that it's a bit thick. When I pick up Theresa's M-Series Air at home, it feels like a feather. And when Apple made two serious moves recently, I began to consider the Air again.
The first move was the just-announced M4 Air with improved video conferencing. Plus, Apple reduced the price $100 from the previous model.
The second move was a turbo-charged trade-in program that would apply to a new purchase. Out of curiousity, I submitted the serial number for my 2021 MacBook Pro and was delighted with a return of $810 for my aging laptop. That was far more than I expected.
So I began to price out a brand new M4 Air with the specs I wanted: upgraded processor, 24 GBs RAM and 1 TB SSD. The price: $1,599 plus tax minus 3 percent rebate from my Apple Card. So, for $789 plus tax, I could upgrade to an M4 with more RAM and less weight.
I slept on it over night then set up the trade in and made the purchase the next morning.
You may be thinking about the features that I'm giving up going from the MacBook Pro to the Air. Let's take a look at the specifics.
(Feature comparison of the two machines.)
Based on my experience with the M processor, I'm pretty excited about the new machine. Will let you know how it goes once it arrives.
Camera Industry News
Why does everyone love CCD sensor cameras so much? on AmateurPhotographer.com.
The OM-3 Isn't a Successor to the Pen F: A New Pen is Still Coming on Petapixel.com.
You (Probably) Don't Need Lenses of the Best Possible Quality on FStoppers.com.
Virtual Camera Club News
Schedule a My TDS Moment Recording Session
If you want to participate in our 1,000th Podcast Celebration, here's how it's going to work. I've set up a Meeting Calendar for Friday appointments. If there's an open slot, you can sign up for it. On that date, we will connect via Zoom and I will record your TDS Moment. I hope you can join us in the festivities!
TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.
The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.
Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.
Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.
If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at [email protected].
The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.
Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.
Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.
See you next week!
You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.
View all episodes
By Derrick Story
4.7
257257 ratings
This is The Digital Story Podcast #990, March 11, 2025. Today's theme is, "My First MacBook Air in Years." I'm Derrick Story.
Opening Monologue
The last time I bought a MacBook Air was over a decade ago. It was the super nimble 11" model that I could slide in my camera bag to manage web pages and answer email while on the go. The screen wasn't anything to write home about, but it was so compact. Fast forward to 2025 and a substantial update to a 13" M4 Air. Why am I doing this? Find out on today's TDS Photography Podcast. I hope you enjoy the show.
Digital Photography Podcast 990
Tune-In Via Your Favorite Podcast App!
Apple Podcasts -- Spotify Podcasts -- Stitcher
Podbean Podcasts -- Podbay FM -- Tune In
My First MacBook Air in Years
My current laptop is a 14" 2021 M1 MacBook Pro. This laptop has served me well in the studio and on the road. It has 1 TB of SSD storage, 16 GBs of RAM, 3 USB-C ports, MagSafe power, HDMI, and an SD Card reader. This was my first M Series Mac, and it forever changed my world.
My only real complaint with it is that it's a bit thick. When I pick up Theresa's M-Series Air at home, it feels like a feather. And when Apple made two serious moves recently, I began to consider the Air again.
The first move was the just-announced M4 Air with improved video conferencing. Plus, Apple reduced the price $100 from the previous model.
The second move was a turbo-charged trade-in program that would apply to a new purchase. Out of curiousity, I submitted the serial number for my 2021 MacBook Pro and was delighted with a return of $810 for my aging laptop. That was far more than I expected.
So I began to price out a brand new M4 Air with the specs I wanted: upgraded processor, 24 GBs RAM and 1 TB SSD. The price: $1,599 plus tax minus 3 percent rebate from my Apple Card. So, for $789 plus tax, I could upgrade to an M4 with more RAM and less weight.
I slept on it over night then set up the trade in and made the purchase the next morning.
You may be thinking about the features that I'm giving up going from the MacBook Pro to the Air. Let's take a look at the specifics.
(Feature comparison of the two machines.)
Based on my experience with the M processor, I'm pretty excited about the new machine. Will let you know how it goes once it arrives.
Camera Industry News
Why does everyone love CCD sensor cameras so much? on AmateurPhotographer.com.
The OM-3 Isn't a Successor to the Pen F: A New Pen is Still Coming on Petapixel.com.
You (Probably) Don't Need Lenses of the Best Possible Quality on FStoppers.com.
Virtual Camera Club News
Schedule a My TDS Moment Recording Session
If you want to participate in our 1,000th Podcast Celebration, here's how it's going to work. I've set up a Meeting Calendar for Friday appointments. If there's an open slot, you can sign up for it. On that date, we will connect via Zoom and I will record your TDS Moment. I hope you can join us in the festivities!
TDS Photography Workshops! Reserve your spot now. We have an exciting slate of online and in-person events. If you have any questions, use the Nimble Photographer Contact Form. I will get back to you ASAP.
The Nimble Photographer Newsletter is now publishing every Thursday. Readers will enjoy a variety of content spanning from short photo essays, to commentary on weekly events, to reviews of the latest and coolest photo gear.
Inner Circle Members: A big thanks to those who support our podcast and our efforts! We are having a blast at our new Inner Circle hangout, the private group I've set up at DerrickStoryOnline. We'd love it if you join us. You can become an Inner Circle Member by signing up at our Patreon site. You will automatically be added to the new hangout.
Great Photography Articles on Live View - If you check out our publication and appreciate what you see, be sure to follow us and clap for those authors. You can find us at medium.com/live-view.
If you're interested in writing for Live View, drop me a line at [email protected].
The New Donation Kit for Carefree Shipping of Found Film Cameras - If you've discovered a film camera that's no longer being used, our new Donation Kit makes it easy to pack and ship. Just visit the Contact Form on thenimblephotographer.com, click the box next to Donating a Film Camera, and let me know what you have. In your note, be sure to include your shipping address.
Affiliate Links - The links to some products in this podcast contain an affiliate code that credits The Digital Story for any purchases made from B&H Photo and Amazon via that click-through. Depending on the purchase, we may receive some financial compensation.
Red River Paper - And finally, be sure to visit our friends at Red River Paper for all of your inkjet supply needs.
See you next week!
You can share your thoughts at the TDS Facebook page, where I'll post this story for discussion.
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