Tag: MacBook Air

Many readers are often curious about what the editors at SSPAI actually buy. Through the “Editors’ New Stuff” column, we hope to introduce the interesting gadgets and products that our team members have recently started using — and let them personally share what the experience of using these “new stuff” has really been like.

Content Note: If any installment of the New Stuff column includes commercial content, it will be clearly marked as “Advertisement” within that entry.

@Sideface: MacBook Air 13 (M4)

• Reference price: ¥5599 (after government subsidy)

My MacBook Pro (2017), after eight years of loyal service, has recently started showing its age—its fans spin up loudly and frequently, several butterfly-switch keys no longer pop back up when pressed, and even with a full battery, it lasts less than an hour once unplugged… All signs, loud and subtle, are telling me this old fellow is ready to retire.

This year’s Double 11 wasn’t particularly exciting, but after browsing a few e-commerce platforms, I ended up buying an M4 MacBook Air base model on JD.com. After the subsidy, the actual price was ¥5599—roughly the same as an iPhone 17 standard model. The biggest reason I chose the base Air is that features that once required an extra ¥1500 upgrade—like 16 GB RAM—and the Retina display, which couldn’t even be added for extra money back then, are now standard across the entire lineup. Even the most entry-level configuration no longer has any significant compromises. The only downside is that the box contents are getting increasingly minimal: no Apple stickers this time, though thankfully the 30W charger is still included.

As one device replaces another, eight years have passed, and the MagSafe charging port, long-travel keyboard, and physical function row that were once removed have gradually returned—along with the somewhat awkward notch. Meanwhile, the once-trendy butterfly keyboard and TouchBar have quietly faded out with the rise of the M-series chips. For a true productivity tool, practical, durable, and easy to use matters far more than quirky innovation.

What I’m not entirely used to with this generation of Air is the shift from the wedge shape to a chunky rectangular slab. Whether visually or in hand, it just doesn’t feel that “Air.” Especially the top lid—so flat it lacks even a hint of curvature. Every time I glance at it, I mistake it for a 15-inch model. Holding it feels contradictory as well: it looks thick and heavy, yet feels surprisingly light. And while the black finish does attract fingerprints, it’s undeniably gorgeous.

Since the chips are different and my old laptop had accumulated a messy amount of files, I skipped migrating data and set up this Air as a brand-new device. Right after activation, the first thing I did was disable auto-update to keep macOS on version 15.6—preserving the now-discontinued Launchpad layout. Then I went to Settings → Accessibility → Display, turned on Reduce Transparency, and enabled Dark Mode so the black status bar blends nicely with the notch.

This is my first time using an M-series MacBook, and what surprised me most is that it can install iOS apps. I’ve been working on an article about the “HarmonyOS Star River Interconnection” iOS client, and on my Intel-based Pro, the App Store simply showed it as unsupported. The next day, I switched to the M-series Air, and suddenly the previously greyed-out button became a clickable Install—which felt pretty novel.

As for battery life—a major factor in my decision to upgrade—I’ve heard that M-series MacBooks can last an entire day unplugged. I haven’t used mine long enough to confirm this yet, but I’ll need more time before reaching a verdict.

@Microhoo: Osmo Action 6

• Reference price: ¥2998

The iPhone 17 series introduced a square front-facing sensor, enabling full-frame vertical capture without sacrificing image quality—a design that’s both practical and innovative, and quickly became a fan-favorite. Watching the keynote, the first thing that came to my mind was the 1/1.1-inch square sensor on the Osmo 360. If square sensors help simplify dual-lens stitching on 360° cameras, then for action cameras—devices that should never be constrained by orientation—a square sensor makes even more sense.

Unsurprisingly, that very sensor has now made its way into the Osmo Action 6. You no longer have to rotate the camera just to shoot vertical video; you’ll always get full-quality footage regardless. For an action camera that relies heavily on mounting accessories, flipping the camera isn’t just inconvenient—it’s often physically impossible due to how accessories are designed.

But vertical video is only one “convenience” brought by a square sensor. The real advantage shows up in stabilization and flexible cropping. We all know image stabilization is the defining strength of action cameras and a key factor in any comparison. But stabilization isn’t “free”—digital stabilization works by cropping the edges of the frame, sacrificing some field of view. Even if you maintain the same viewing angle, digital stabilization still has a physical limit. A square sensor, with larger surface area for the same diagonal size, widens that limit and gives stabilization more room to breathe.

And flexible cropping means you can choose horizontal, vertical, or any aspect ratio you need after shooting. Especially in extreme sports like cycling or diving—where it’s often difficult to predict your final output format—free-crop mode captures as much as possible so you can compose later without regrets.

Alongside the square sensor, the other major upgrade on the Osmo Action 6 is the new F2.0–4.0 variable aperture. Action cameras have a unique trait: they’re fixed-focus. This requires smaller apertures for sharpness across the frame, but bright apertures are still crucial—especially for low-light imaging, the Achilles’ heel of action cams. The variable aperture solves this physically: a wide aperture for cleaner night shots, and a smaller one for daytime sharpness and controlled motion blur.

To complement the larger aperture, DJI also introduced a new macro lens accessory. Once attached, it locks the aperture at F2.0 and shortens minimum focus distance to 11 cm, giving depth-of-field effects traditional action cameras simply can’t achieve. But where I think it shines most is in night shooting. I’ve never liked the “Super Night” computational mode—it brightens the scene and reduces noise, sure, but looks overly processed and imposes limits on resolution, stabilization, and Log compatibility.

When shooting in normal mode—especially if you want to maintain proper ISO and shutter speeds—aperture becomes the single most important variable. Since the default manual mode tops out at F2.6, the macro lens becomes incredibly useful by allowing F2.0 throughout the shot. Here’s a quick demonstration of brightness differences between F2.0, F2.8, and F4.0 under fixed ISO and shutter:

Square sensor and variable aperture are the two upgrades I find most meaningful on the Action 6, but realistically, their improvements are incremental on paper. So if your only question is: “Is the Action 6 a massive leap over the Action 5 Pro?” then the discounted previous generation might offer better value.

But if you have specific shooting needs and care about image quality, the Action 6 is arguably a milestone product in the action-camera category—a device that establishes a new technical direction for action cams aiming at professional workflows, while retaining the classic form factor.

Especially now, when smartphone video quality is soaring and thumb-sized “micro cameras” are quickly gaining traction, action cameras face an increasingly awkward position. In this context, the Action 6 feels like a bold self-reinvention. I’m genuinely curious to see how the Action series will build upon these optical foundations to hold its ground in future generations.

@Lotta: Tidying Time

• Reference price: ¥29.7

A cozy simulation game that had been teased for a year or two finally launched on Steam last week. A friend thought I’d like it and grabbed it for me while it was on release discount. I was initially drawn in by its adorable art style, though I assumed the gameplay would be monotonous. But once I actually started playing, I got unexpectedly hooked—telling myself “just one more level” while blasting through twelve in a row.

The core gameplay is all about sorting and placing: turning messy gray items into “lit-up” ones, categorizing them, and arranging them neatly in each scene. Following the little black cat, you progress through 20 levels—pet supply shop, a travel vlogger’s window nook, student dorm room, office desk, private kitchen, refrigerator, and more—no two scenes are repeated.

Between levels, short dialogue-driven story bits reveal what’s going on with each scene’s owner. The environments are impressively detailed: a breakfast cart with a QR payment code, childproof outlet covers in a nursery, travel gear with long/short camera lenses, lens caps, lens pouches… Even every book and magazine has its own title. Every object comes with a brief description.

This design has pros and cons. On the plus side, it makes immersion easy and the experience richer; on the downside, the gameplay can feel repetitive when you’re placing every single egg back into its carton or fitting every steamed bun into its basket. And each time you start a level and see that mountain of clutter, there’s a moment of panic—but finishing the arrangement brings real relief and satisfaction… before you voluntarily dive into the next level (panic all over again).

So whether it counts as a “relaxing” game depends on the player. But as something to play casually during small breaks, it’s genuinely fun. Each level includes three hidden-object achievements triggered by placing special items correctly (e.g., placing a car key into the car). Beyond that, placements are not restricted—anywhere in the scene counts as long as everything is inside. You can breeze through by tossing things anywhere, or carefully design your own layout. A great pick for players who enjoy decorating in Animal Crossing.

@Tp: “Moonlight Zoo” Concert Tickets

• Reference price: ¥780 × 2

After wrapping up the Twenty Years, One Moment tour earlier this year, Sodagreen’s pianist Gong Yuchi not only released his second solo album The Moonlight Zoo, but also began a concert tour of the same name in November. Both the album and the tour are rooted in his longing for his departed pets—imagining a “Moonlight Zoo” where all lost animals could find their way home again.

During the album’s pre-release phase, several tracks were revealed in advance. Among them, “The Moonlight Zoo” and “Stairway To Light” left a particularly strong impression on me from the very first listen. So while preordering the album, I also made up my mind to attend the Guangzhou stop of the concert tour.

Perhaps because concerts (as opposed to pop concerts) are more niche, the ticket-buying experience was unbelievably smooth—I got two ¥780 VIP tickets without any trouble. The seats were dead center, which made the overall experience fantastic. When the performance ended past 10:30 p.m., I still felt a lingering sense of wanting more.

The thematic execution of this concert was truly impeccable. The stage was decorated with silhouettes and lighting inspired by various animals, creating the atmosphere of a “zoo.” Gong and the string ensemble performed as if surrounded by these shadowy creatures. Lighting effects shifted to express different moods and scenes, drawing the audience powerfully into the story. The opening track even featured a burst of light that radiated from the center of the stage outward—it felt as if we were stepping into a time tunnel and truly entering the “Moonlight Zoo.”

Between pieces, a simple narrative unfolded through dialogues between Gong and a little dog, giving the entire concert the charm of an old-school Disney animation: a warm, straightforward storyline paired with beautiful classical arrangements, like a fairytale dedicated to pet lovers. Every audience member received a random wristband printed with an animal, symbolizing that we were all visitors to this magical zoo. During the song-request segment, requests were made based on the animal on your wristband—it was a delightful touch.

Since we bought VIP tickets, we received not only the program booklet but also an extra signed card—something genuinely meaningful as a keepsake.

Before entering, I worried I might get sleepy during the show. But the moment the very first note sounded, I was instantly pulled into this “Moonlight Zoo.” By the time I checked my watch at the final bow, I couldn’t believe that two and a half hours had passed so quickly.