512gb or 1 Tb with MacBook air 15"?

[MountainPeak]

Hi all. Looking to buy my first MacBook after strictly being a pc user for decades. My current Dell laptop has a 256 SSD that is nearly full including what looks like about 70 gb of backed up iCloud photos. I'm sure I could delete a bunch of old files before transfer but even so, my 512 gb SSD will be starting life about half full. Originally I figured that would OK seeing as it has taken about 5 years to use 256 gb - until the other night that is when I was reading that folks have observed the Mac System files using more and more hard disk space as their laptop ages - over 100 gb has been reported. Supposedly, it only uses about 20 gb or so factory fresh. If true now that means I could be ultimately left with 512 - 256 - 100+ = 150 gb or so. ?? I know I can use an external hard drive but would rather not mess with that. Looks like price difference between the two Macbook Air 15" (each with 16 gb ram) is about $300. That's OK, but just not convinced I need the 1 Tb especially if excessive memory consumed by System files has been solved by Apple or has other easy solutions. Fiinally, I'm not doing photo or video editing requiring large amounts of storage space - just Word documents, pdf's and occassional Excel or PowerPoint files. Current iphone by the way is 64 gb and shows about 59 gb used and therefore can't download current iOS.

 

[erihp]

Hi all. Looking to buy my first MacBook after strictly being a pc user for decades. My current Dell laptop has a 256 SSD that is nearly full including what looks like about 70 gb of backed up iCloud photos. I'm sure I could delete a bunch of old files before transfer but even so, my 512 gb SSD will be starting life about half full. Originally I figured that would OK seeing as it has taken about 5 years to use 256 gb - until the other night that is when I was reading that folks have observed the Mac System files using more and more hard disk space as their laptop ages - over 100 gb has been reported. Supposedly, it only uses about 20 gb or so factory fresh. If true now that means I could be ultimately left with 512 - 256 - 100+ = 150 gb or so. ?? I know I can use an external hard drive but would rather not mess with that. Looks like price difference between the two Macbook Air 15" (each with 16 gb ram) is about $300. That's OK, but just not convinced I need the 1 Tb especially if excessive memory consumed by System files has been solved by Apple or has other easy solutions. Fiinally, I'm not doing photo or video editing requiring large amounts of storage space - just Word documents, pdf's and occassional Excel or PowerPoint files. Current iphone by the way is 64 gb and shows about 59 gb used and therefore can't download current iOS.

Not sure what you want someone else to tell you.

 

[Bigwaff]

until the other night that is when I was reading that folks have observed the Mac System files using more and more hard disk space as their laptop ages - over 100 gb has been reported.

Unfortunately, macOS has a poor UI for displaying how much internal storage is used for what purpose, which generates more questions than answers. Typically, these "system files" are classified as "purgeable", which means the operating system will manage the deletion of them if storage space is needed for user files. If you can afford it, get 1TB, otherwise, feel confident 512GB should be sufficient.

 

[MountainPeak]

@erihp I probably should have been a bit more specific in my question. My main concern was after reading some posts about System file space increasing with time which, according to some, is due to prior versions of iOS not being cleared out. If I assume I do my file transfer of close to 256gb, if I have to give up another 100+ gb for system files, that swings the pendulum towards the 1 Tb option. I was looking for clarification from members here as to my System file question.

@Bigwaff Thanks. I had assumed that like a pc, any new OS updates overwrite/delete previous versions but it seems from what you are saying old versions or fragement are retained but there is some sort of auto-purge if and when space is needed to delete them.

 

[erihp]

You stated you dont want to use an external, and $300 isnt out of your budget, and going 1TB will leave you plenty of headroom... get the 1TB.

 

[Bigwaff]

I had assumed that like a pc, any new OS updates overwrite/delete previous versions but it seems from what you are saying old versions or fragement are retained but there is some sort of auto-purge if and when space is needed to delete them.

Old versions of the operating system are not "retained" upon an update or upgrade. macOS will handle purging system files as needed.

 

[kschendel]

I haven't noticed storage space growing over time, except for what I put there.

You can probably get away with 512GB with good storage discipline. If you want enough space that you don't have to think about it, get 1 TB.

 

[mdcmdcmdc]

Unfortunately, macOS has a poor UI for displaying how much internal storage is used for what purpose, which generates more questions than answers. Typically, these "system files" are classified as "purgeable", which means the operating system will manage the deletion of them if storage space is needed for user files. If you can afford it, get 1TB, otherwise, feel confident 512GB should be sufficient.

I use Disk Inventory X to "see" graphically what's on my disks. It hasn't been updated since 2019, but it seems to work fine under Tahoe 26.2. It lets you examine an entire disk or specific folders.

A similar program GrandPerspective, which has the advantage that it's currently being supported and updated. I use Disk Inventory X because I've been using it for many years and it's what I'm used to, but if you don't currently use either program, it probably makes sense to go with GrandPerspective since it's being actively developed.

Disk Inventory X

Disk Inventory X, disk usage utility for Mac OS X

www.derlien.com

GrandPerspective

grandperspectiv.sourceforge.net

EDIT: Corrected "GrandPerspective" to one word.

 

[wonderings]

I would get the most you an afford to right now. Better to have too much then not enough as there is no upgrading, not even through the Apple Store, what you order is all you can do with the computer.