Am I ok with the base 15in MBA?

[Mainsail]

Get the max 24 GB RAM for sure. Mass storage should be about 2x your needs to idealize SSD operation. SSD can be added externally but RAM cannot.

RAM needs have always increased constantly, and Apple's offering of 96 GB in the MBPs gives us an idea where Apple expects RAM demands to go over the life cycle of a new box. 24 GB of RAM is not some huge amount; I put 4x that in my M2 MBP.

Many folks will be "happy with the base model" today, but we configure a new box for the life cycle of the box, not for today. Apple's Mac OS will allow base model RAM to function, but at some point it will likely be sub-optimal. Spending $1k on a computer and intentionally configuring it to be sub-optimal in the future makes no sense to me unless one plans a really short life cycle for some reason.

I guess it all depends on what you consider the useful life of the computer. All of my kids went through college with base MBA without any problems whatsoever. They continued to use them for two or three years afterwards. The OP's requirements: MS Office plus media consumption can easily be done on a 7 y.o. base MBA model.

Tripling the RAM and doubling the storage will add about $600 to a $1,299 base 15in MBA. Not sure if that is warranted for such basic user requirements.

Edit: Also, base models tend to go on sale with deeper discounts than upgraded models, so the price difference might be more substantial if you are willing to wait for a good deal.

 

[helloapple1]

I guess it all depends on what you consider the useful life of the computer. All of my kids went through college with base MBA without any problems whatsoever. They continued to use them for two or three years afterwards. The OP's requirements: MS Office plus media consumption can easily be done on a 7 y.o. base MBA model.

Tripling the RAM and doubling the storage will add about $600 to a $1,299 base 15in MBA. Not sure if that is warranted for such basic user requirements.

Edit: Also, base models tend to go on sale with deeper discounts than upgraded models, so the price difference might be more substantial if you are willing to wait for a good deal.

Truly well said. Thank you. This is my reasoning for the base model.

 

[kp98077]

I have a base 15 air, have been pushing it pretty hard no slow downs or stutter. Impressive - complex medical data modeling, hundreds of emails, power points, papers, web, music, video all at the same time really no issues... glad i didnt spend the extra $$ and got it at best buy for $1050 as a plus member!

 

[helloapple1]

I have a base 15 air, have been pushing it pretty hard no slow downs or stutter. Impressive - complex medical data modeling, hundreds of emails, power points, papers, web, music, video all at the same time really no issues... glad i didnt spend the extra $$ and got it at best buy for $1050 as a plus member!

Awesome! Is it using a lot of swap?

I noticed my base 15 last night was using about 1.8gb swap. Is that a lot?

 

[kp98077]

Awesome! Is it using a lot of swap?

I noticed my base 15 last night was using about 1.8gb swap. Is that a lot?

I am not one of those who looks at that i just look at general performance lol.. seems fine to me.. in 4-5 years no one will want it anyway!

 

[helloapple1]

I am not one of those who looks at that i just look at general performance lol.. seems fine to me.. in 4-5 years no one will want it anyway!

True!! I’m the same. I just made a new thread about swap memory

 

[lcseds]

Super strange.

I consider 16/1TB the sweet spot of configurations.

 

[Jessemtz25]

I bought MBA M2 14 8gb 256gb for learning code (and want to change role/ line of job) and my previous job is use for 3d work (Architect), SketchUp, Vray, Photoshop. And I has amazing how crazy macOS was. 8GB of ram I can render Vray scene and Can open multi app with not have problem same as windows have. But I recommend if you have more budget you should choose more storage 512GB or 1TB because I not want to use external M.2 SSD type C to store more datafile or app (Battery drain and not agile thick thunderbolt cabl

The 15” MBA is insanely capable, light af and whisper quiet. I’ve been using Macs of most every iteration, for 3o years and my 15” MBA has been my favorite to use yet. It’s fun. The only thing to potentially consider is your MBP screen is better. If you have the means, it might be worth a side by side so you can see what you think. Otherwise, the MBA is BA. Cheers.

That's a good idea, I'll do a side by side first! Thanks!

 

[Bazza1]

I have a base M2 Mini for SOHO use, but heck, I've still got my Intel base 2017 Air (256 / 8 and the last year with all the ports) for mobile / work - and that includes Office, some basic photo manipulation, video editing, wandering the internet and streaming - and it's still fine. I recently replaced the battery and the Genius commented on how well it's working. I can't imagine the M2 Air would struggle - and I know some would even say your M1 is a better bet for all that you note.

Your M1 is capable of running the same OS as the M2, and that will still be the case later next week with Sonoma.

Beware Apple's practice of relying on the PT Barnum School of Retail Humbug and the Macolytes who insist every iteration of a device makes last version rubbish. The only thing that does do is tank the trade-in value of a perfectly-functioning item you already have - especially exacerbated once any chance of AppleCare is done.

 

[MSO1980]

This thread is my issue as well. I am typing this on my only macbook - it's old, but it's still working. Intel C2D Mid-2009, 4gb RAM (upgraded from 2). El Capitan 10.11.6. I removed the optical drive some years ago, put my HDD there (time machine drive), and put in a 128 GB SSD that's been fine as my operating drive, and it's made this thing last and last.

Mail crashes now every time I try to open it, so I can't use that anymore, and it's long not been supported, so I suppose it's time to upgrade.

My only usage anymore is online and word processing, etc. The base 15" MBA is on sale at a local warehouse for $1,100. I was thinking about picking that up and just avoiding applecare, etc., since obviously apple engineering is incredible, but with the understanding that I might want to replace it sooner. I'm at a better place in life (not a student anymore), so I don't feel like I need to get the insane near 15 years I've gotten from this (I have been looking for a reason to upgrade for about a year - otherwise I just haven't cared that much), HOWEVER, since I'm dropping over a grand either way, it's a reasonable question - by upgrading to 16gb, will it make the MBA last substantially longer? How long? (and I would probably just go w/ 512 if I go the customizing route, either way no sale pricing win for me and the added charges, meh, but such is life with big purchases).

And if customizing, do you guys do apple care?

Curious - if just base, how many years would your educated guesses be before it starts feeling slower than it should? I don't want to be annoyed with a machine that cost me over a grand if it's slow or annoying in a year or two. I don't discount the possibility of gaming a little bit in the future I guess, but nothing crazy, I have consoles for that.

Anyways, I remember visiting here very often when I was getting this first time around - a very helpful bunch, so thanks for any educated guesses or insights!

 

[satchmo]

Did anyone find the 15” to be too heavy as a portable device? Or is more of desktop-type laptop for those that don’t lug it from room to room?

Debating between it and the 13” MBA which I find very portable.

 

[Bazza1]

This thread is my issue as well. I am typing this on my only macbook - it's old, but it's still working. Intel C2D Mid-2009, 4gb RAM (upgraded from 2). El Capitan 10.11.6. I removed the optical drive some years ago, put my HDD there (time machine drive), and put in a 128 GB SSD that's been fine as my operating drive, and it's made this thing last and last.

Mail crashes now every time I try to open it, so I can't use that anymore, and it's long not been supported, so I suppose it's time to upgrade.

My only usage anymore is online and word processing, etc. The base 15" MBA is on sale at a local warehouse for $1,100. I was thinking about picking that up and just avoiding applecare, etc., since obviously apple engineering is incredible, but with the understanding that I might want to replace it sooner. I'm at a better place in life (not a student anymore), so I don't feel like I need to get the insane near 15 years I've gotten from this (I have been looking for a reason to upgrade for about a year - otherwise I just haven't cared that much), HOWEVER, since I'm dropping over a grand either way, it's a reasonable question - by upgrading to 16gb, will it make the MBA last substantially longer? How long? (and I would probably just go w/ 512 if I go the customizing route, either way no sale pricing win for me and the added charges, meh, but such is life with big purchases).

And if customizing, do you guys do apple care?

Curious - if just base, how many years would your educated guesses be before it starts feeling slower than it should? I don't want to be annoyed with a machine that cost me over a grand if it's slow or annoying in a year or two. I don't discount the possibility of gaming a little bit in the future I guess, but nothing crazy, I have consoles for that.

Anyways, I remember visiting here very often when I was getting this first time around - a very helpful bunch, so thanks for any educated guesses or insights!

It sounds like you Frankenmodded your old Macbook as far as you can possibly go! I'd probably put the crashing of Mail down to a buggered OS than the hardware, though. Still, as you say, its probably time to upgrade!

As a mobile computing option, I'm still not convinced by 15". The whole original point of the Air (remember the envelope) was its slimness, overall size and weight. 13" still works as my mobile option. As far as where to buy and what to spend, I'm always a big fan of Apple's own online Refurb store as to where to check first. Its buried in the fine print at the bottom on the Apple Store website - and I note current stock (US Store) show M1 Airs starting at $849, M2 at $929. Regular warranty applies and these are eligible for AppleCare+. Free delivery. Not sure what your 'local warehouse' has - or their reputation...

RAM? Well, as has always been the case, more considered better - but really, unless someone is doing some fairly hardcore photo, video or animation manipulation, multitasking a whack of docx and excel sheets, or spending time on fast-moving, heavy-duty games, I'm hard pressed to understand the value in cranking up the RAM to 16, 32 or beyond on any computer. And 3 - 5 years from now, you'll probably not realize any benefit in the cost spent vs the trade-in value.

Speed? Feeling slower? Hard to judge. Depends on the software you install, as well as the accumulated patches (sorry...'upgrades) and named OSs Apple provides. Each OS seems to make demands on the hardware that often seem to me are ''Squirrel!' software and feature updates, distracting us from unresolved issues in last versions. But the upshot, over time, yes, it may feel slower. Beyond not moving from the software and OS that a device originally came with.
But I don't think you have anything to fear if you're thinking a 'a year or two'. I mean, I still have my 2017 Air (running Monterey) for travel and mobile work - and while it may be slower than when I first bought it (and is notably slower than my M2 Mini sitting at home), it still does all I need of it without me being frustrated by its 'speed'.

 

[MSO1980]

It sounds like you Frankenmodded your old Macbook as far as you can possibly go! I'd probably put the crashing of Mail down to a buggered OS than the hardware, though. Still, as you say, its probably time to upgrade!

As a mobile computing option, I'm still not convinced by 15". The whole original point of the Air (remember the envelope) was its slimness, overall size and weight. 13" still works as my mobile option. As far as where to buy and what to spend, I'm always a big fan of Apple's own online Refurb store as to where to check first. Its buried in the fine print at the bottom on the Apple Store website - and I note current stock (US Store) show M1 Airs starting at $849, M2 at $929. Regular warranty applies and these are eligible for AppleCare+. Free delivery. Not sure what your 'local warehouse' has - or their reputation...

RAM? Well, as has always been the case, more considered better - but really, unless someone is doing some fairly hardcore photo, video or animation manipulation, multitasking a whack of docx and excel sheets, or spending time on fast-moving, heavy-duty games, I'm hard pressed to understand the value in cranking up the RAM to 16, 32 or beyond on any computer. And 3 - 5 years from now, you'll probably not realize any benefit in the cost spent vs the trade-in value.

Speed? Feeling slower? Hard to judge. Depends on the software you install, as well as the accumulated patches (sorry...'upgrades) and named OSs Apple provides. Each OS seems to make demands on the hardware that often seem to me are ''Squirrel!' software and feature updates, distracting us from unresolved issues in last versions. But the upshot, over time, yes, it may feel slower. Beyond not moving from the software and OS that a device originally came with.
But I don't think you have anything to fear if you're thinking a 'a year or two'. I mean, I still have my 2017 Air (running Monterey) for travel and mobile work - and while it may be slower than when I first bought it (and is notably slower than my M2 Mini sitting at home), it still does all I need of it without me being frustrated by its 'speed'.

Yeah I don’t really need it to be a mobile computing solution. It’s really a home device.

I’m between the base 15 for 1099 at Costco or upgraded on the refurb store for 1269 (16gb) or 1439 (16 gb/512gb). Hmm….

 

[Mainsail]

Best Buy has the base 13.6in M2 MBA on sale for $899. That's a pretty good deal! I paid $1,050 for mine about 1 year ago and thought it was a good deal at the time.

 

[MSO1980]

Best Buy has the base 13.6in M2 MBA on sale for $899. That's a pretty good deal! I paid $1,050 for mine about 1 year ago and thought it was a good deal at the time.

Yeah just checked. Costco has that. And also the M1 base for $750. Oh boy.

 

[thadoggfather]

Yeah just checked. Costco has that. And also the M1 base for $750. Oh boy.

its even deeper if you have a Best Buy plan, $849

 

[MSO1980]

its even deeper if you have a Best Buy plan, $849

Decent. I think I still want 15” though so it’s tough. I like the MagSafe and the speakers seem a nice feature.

 

[thadoggfather]

Decent. I think I still want 15” though so it’s tough. I like the MagSafe and the speakers seem a nice feature.

open box excellent condition 15 base M2 MBA silver specifically is $842.99 if you can find it in stock on site or locally

I got one delivered yesterday

 

[StoneJack]

open box excellent condition 15 base M2 MBA silver specifically is $842.99 if you can find it in stock on site or locally

I got one delivered yesterday

thats a steal!

 

[geta]

I typically just use my device for office work and basic media consumption.

I’m currently using a base M1 MBA.

Should I get the base model or upgrade the RAM or Storage?

Anyone happy with the base model?

For your needs it’s not necessary, but if you can afford why not.

 

[MSO1980]

Ordered refurb 15” MBA M2 16/512. Got it to replace my 2009 Intel C2D 2.26 4gb RAM. It’s ancient. Made it last by removing optical drive, moving hard drive into there, replacing HDD with SSD. It was good for a long time. Mail will no longer open. Lol. But yeah I also finished off an old gift card that had almost $400 on it so that helped!

Looking to use this for home use and mostly word processing, so should get a few years out of it. Fingers crossed!!!

 

[Bazza1]

Ordered refurb 15” MBA M2 16/512....I also finished off an old gift card that had almost $400 on it so that helped!

Well that old gift card certainly helps make the purchase palatable! Enjoy!