16 MBP sold for M1

[Dragomer]

Appreciate some feedback on this!

I purchased a 2019 16 inch MBP base model with AppleCare + for grad school and professional use. I have had it almost one year now and while I love the screen real estate, the battery life leaves a lot to be desired. Additionally, work has added a nice 24 inch monitor to my office which makes the screen size negligible. When I purchased the laptop I was not doing much travel for work, but now am on the road multiple times a month and this is quite the beast to lug around.

With the addition of the refurbished M1s today, the 1TB 16 GB MBA for 1399 is catching my eye. With another 300 for Apple Care + I am at roughly 1700. Considered adding a Mac mini with the leftover cash?

Does it make sense to sell my 16 inch MBP that retails for 2400, plus Apple Care + to swap out for the M1 MBA? I payed roughly 2700 for it new. Assuming a fair price with 2 years apple care reaming would be around 2100?

Appreciate any thoughts or comments.

The primary concern is from a value perspective. Sell now for same/better performance, smaller screen, bigger SSD, better battery life and some extra cash left over, or hang on?

 

[rawweb]

If you don't need the screen real estate and technology loaded in the 16", then get rid of it.

I personally need the screen, 64GB and 5600m for intense video editing, plus my 2tb SSD. I'm plugged in a lot of the time. I picked it up in November to replace a 2013 Mac Pro and have never looked back.

I've never fully understood the complaint about the 15 or 16" being difficult to lug around. Once apple went TB3 and made this thing razor thin in 2016, I wondered why anyone would want a 13". But I'm from an era where the 17" PowerBook G4 was an actual chore to lug around. I somehow managed that thing around college, lol. It didn't really bother me much, but I always have a laptop backpack, not a carry case or anything like that.

For most users the M1 is more than enough Mac, and if you keep it docked on that 24" screen a lot of the of the time, I think you've answered your question. Also, if battery life is important, no reason to have a portable workhorse that eats electricity like this intel 16" does.

 

[VaeVictis]

I personally am waiting for M1X.

 

[iStorm]

When in the office, are you doing a dual monitor setup (external display and built-in display)? Or just the external one with the MacBook closed? Something to keep in mind is that M1 Macs cannot run more than one external display. So if you wanted to run two large external displays to compensate for the smaller built-in display, you'd be out of luck. I'd love to get an M1 Mac, but I need my dual or triple monitor setup. Hopefully the next version addresses this issue.

 

[Dragomer]

When in the office, are you doing a dual monitor setup (external display and built-in display)? Or just the external one with the MacBook closed? Something to keep in mind is that M1 Macs cannot run more than one external display. So if you wanted to run two large external displays to compensate for the smaller built-in display, you'd be out of luck. I'd love to get an M1 Mac, but I need my dual or triple monitor setup. Hopefully the next version addresses this issue.

Did not know this! I run doubles. TY!

 

[ght56]

Without knowing the specifics of your situation, I would not go with an Apple Silicon Mac for professional use just yet.

If everything you do is cloud-based or using Apple software, then obviously that is fine and dandy, but if not, then you could still potentially run into compatibility issues, and the ability to run Windows 10 on the ASi Macs is still very much in its infancy, as is Microsoft's own version of Windows 10 that is capable of running on these systems.

 

[richinaus]

Without knowing the specifics of your situation, I would not go with an Apple Silicon Mac for professional use just yet.

If everything you do is cloud-based or using Apple software, then obviously that is fine and dandy, but if not, then you could still potentially run into compatibility issues, and the ability to run Windows 10 on the ASi Macs is still very much in its infancy, as is Microsoft's own version of Windows 10 that is capable of running on these systems.

Totally agree with this.
Check all your apps work before shifting over.
Mine dont so I am staying with my 16” for this reason, and also the GPU and 32gb ram [and bigger screen].

I will buy a 14” though for personal use when launched as the M’s seem great for all Apple apps.

 

[jmoore5196]

I've had the same thought - ditching my 2019 16" MBP for a 13" M1 MBP. The problem is twofold: First, emulation always slows down CC apps, which I use heavily, and from time to time, I find myself in need of more than 2 TB3 ports. I haven't yet bought a dock, and I think I'd need one if I were to make the move.

I also wonder how the speakers in the 13" MBP compare with the terrific audio capabilities in the 16".

I imagine a 14" MBP would be something of a sweet spot machine for a lot of us ... much easier to carry around than the 16" MBP, but bringing back some higher level of port usefulness. Whether we'll ever see a 14" remains a question.