Anyone bought the M2 MBA & having buyer's remorse, after the M2 MBP announcement?

[The Cockney Rebel]

Interested in the perspective of others, that's all.

If possible, could you please extend on your vote but giving a little insight into your decision/view?

Stay well.

 

[1BadManVan]

Interested in the perspective of others, that's all.

If possible, could you please extend on your vote but giving a little insight into your decision/view?

Stay well.

No? I think most people buying an air aren’t buying it to replace the m1 or m2 pro series. Never was the intention of the air in the first place.

The m1 pros were already the better heavy duty machines, so really nothings changed for people who own an m1 or m2 air

 

[Technerd108]

No not at all. The M2 MBA has completely changed my perspective and what used to think I need. I don't know if I could go back to a device with fans? I really like not having to worry about vents. I really like the battery life. I like the portability and overall design a lot as well as new colors!

A M2 MacBook Pro is now even more a Pro machine than ever. For those that use their Laptops professionally I think these are great. For everyone else besides the larger screen in the 16" they are just overkill. Which I think is the point. However for me the extra weight is not worth it.

I would like some features to trickle down like ProMotion but I think the new MBA are really well equipped, extremely fast, and have excellent battery life.

Now when the M3 MBA get's released ask me the same question

 

[marstan]

I haven't bought either one yet but am leaning strongly toward the 14" M2Pro because of price.

To get an M2 MBA with 500gb SSD (a minimal configuration in my opinion esp. since the 256 SSD is gimped at something like half speed on an already old PCIe 3.0 bus) costs $1500 and another $200 for 16GB ram. At those prices you might as well go to the 14" MBP unless a little less than pound of extra weight and a fraction of an inch more footprint is too much. Not for me so the decision makes itself.

To be clear I don't need the power of the MBP any more but the pricing of the MBA pushes me toward it. If the M2 MBA w 500GB SSD and 16GB ram were priced at $1300, I would probably buy it.

 

[1BadManVan]

No not at all. The M2 MBA has completely changed my perspective and what used to think I need.

A M2 MacBook Pro is now even more a Pro machine than ever. For those that use their Laptops professionally I think these are great. For everyone else besides the larger screen in the 16" they are just overkill. Which I think is the point. However for me the extra weight is not worth it.

I would like some features to trickle down like ProMotion but I think the new MBA are really well equipped, extremely fast, and have excellent battery life.

Now when the M3 MBA get's released ask me the same question

Im guessing the M3 air will see a few nice upgrades. But going to have to be a lot to make me move from my M2 machine. I doubt I will, I got no complaints

 

[Technerd108]

I haven't bought either one yet but am leaning strongly toward the 14" M2Pro because of price.

To get an M2 MBA with 500gb SSD (a minimal configuration in my opinion esp since the 256 SSD is gimped at something like half speed on an already old PCIe 3.0 bus) costs $1500 and another $200 for 16GB ram. At those process you might as well go to the 14" MBP unless a little less than pound of extra weight and a fraction of an inch more footprint is too much. Not for me so the decision makes itself.

It costs $1599 with $512gb ssd and 16gb Ram and 8 core GPU? That is a considerable difference from the $1999 base model M2 14" MBP? Most people would at least get the $2499 model of the 14" as well since it won't have a binned chip.

16" base is $2499 too.

So the difference is close to $1k and that is a lot of money. If you have the money and need the extra features and don't care about the weight then the M2 MBP should be an amazing machine.

Personally I won't consider a MBP until they start putting the Micro-Led screens in them around 2024 or later and by that time it will have an m3 or m4 processor.

Of course the air is all I really need but a 15" model with m3 or m4 would be really tempting!

Also if you are going to compare base model based on pricing then you should compare both base models. $999 at BestBuy for M2 MBA vs $1999 for the M2 MBP or decent spect of both $1599 vs $2499. No matter how you slice it there is a considerable difference in cost.

 

[1BadManVan]

It costs $1599 with $512gb ssd and 16gb Ram and 8 core GPU? That is a considerable difference from the $1999 base model M2 14" MBP? Most people would at least get the $2499 model of the 14" as well since it won't have a binned chip.

16" base is $2499 too.

So the difference is close to $1k and that is a lot of money. If you have the money and need the extra features and don't care about the weight then the M2 MBP should be an amazing machine.

Personally I won't consider a MBP until they start putting the Micro-Led screens in them around 2024 or later and by that time it will have an m3 or m4 processor.

Of course the air is all I really need but a 15" model with m3 or m4 would be really tempting!

Also if you are going to compare base model based on pricing then you should compare both base models. $999 at BestBuy for M2 MBA vs $1999 for the M2 MBP or decent spect of both $1599 vs $2499. No matter how you slice it there is a considerable difference in cost.

I have to laugh some days at the twisted math equations some people try to come up with to justify their decisions. As you said, there's a big price difference now between the air and pros now that they are both updated. Which us rational people have been trying to say for months now lol.

Go buy what you like, but dont fool yourself that you're getting a better value anymore, thats gone. Now it's down to personal preference. I will happily take the much thinner and lighter machine thats fanless any day of the week over the pros because I dont need their extra heft for the power.

Today ive been on and off my MacBook all day long all over the house, had a 2 hour conference call while screen sharing with splash top and several apps running for accounting and book keeping. Max temp I ever seen was 42c, barely warm and im sitting at 80% battery still hours later while I type this out on the couch.

 

[Technerd108]

I have to laugh some days at the twisted math equations some people try to come up with to justify their decisions. As you said, there's a big price difference now between the air and pros now that they are both updated. Which us rational people have been trying to say for months now lol.

Go buy what you like, but dont fool yourself that you're getting a better value anymore, thats gone. Now it's down to personal preference. I will happily take the much thinner and lighter machine thats fanless any day of the week over the pros because I dont need their extra heft for the power.

Today ive been on and off my MacBook all day long all over the house, had a 2 hour conference call while screen sharing with splash top and several apps running for accounting and book keeping. Max temp I ever seen was 42c, barely warm and im sitting at 80% battery still hours later while I type this out on the couch.

I agree. Buy what you want and be happy. Price and specs are not all that matters. I mean people said the MBA was not a good value and that is why you should get the Pro. Now they are saying that despite the MBA being much cheaper that price is not important because the pro is just several hundred more??

I think that people have been deeply trained to always want Pro no matter if they need it. It is just human nature I guess.

 

[1BadManVan]

I agree. Buy what you want and be happy. Price and specs are not all that matters. I mean people said the MBA was not a good value and that is why you should get the Pro. Now they are saying that despite the MBA being much cheaper that price is not important because the pro is just several hundred more??

I think that people have been deeply trained to always want Pro no matter if they need it. It is just human nature I guess.

thats becoming quite apparent these days

 

[marstan]

It costs $1599 with $512gb ssd and 16gb Ram and 8 core GPU? That is a considerable difference from the $1999 base model M2 14" MBP? Most people would at least get the $2499 model of the 14" as well since it won't have a binned chip.

16" base is $2499 too.

So the difference is close to $1k and that is a lot of money. If you have the money and need the extra features and don't care about the weight then the M2 MBP should be an amazing machine.

Personally I won't consider a MBP until they start putting the Micro-Led screens in them around 2024 or later and by that time it will have an m3 or m4 processor.

Of course the air is all I really need but a 15" model with m3 or m4 would be really tempting!

Also if you are going to compare base model based on pricing then you should compare both base models. $999 at BestBuy for M2 MBA vs $1999 for the M2 MBP or decent spect of both $1599 vs $2499. No matter how you slice it there is a considerable difference in cost.

$1700 at Apple for M2MBA 512 + 16.

Base model at Best But may be cheap but 256 SSD unacceptable. So price difference at Apple for desired spec is $300-$500 depending on whether you would sacrifice ram upgrade. That is too close to the MBP. I also have a reservation about buying at BB.

 

[Technerd108]

$1700 at Apple for M2MBA 512 + 16.

Base model at Best But may be cheap but 256 SSD unacceptable. So price difference at Apple for desired spec is $300-$500 depending on whether you would sacrifice ram upgrade. That is too close to the MBP. I also have a reservation about buying at BB.

Unacceptable to who? This is your opinion. And price difference if I go by your logic of unacceptable I would think the 14" base model is unacceptable because it has binned(slower) chip??

Price at Apple for M2 MBA with 16gb ram, 512ssd and 8 core GPU is $1599! $1599-$2499 is $900 lets try to be fair. Otherwise comparing the two base models from apple $1199-$1999 is $800. That is a lot of money. Is it worth it? Sure for those who need it and if you can afford it but let's not get into the idea that one is a better value because or cost because if you do then the M2 MBA will always come out ahead.

 

[1BadManVan]

$1700 at Apple for M2MBA 512 + 16.

Base model at Best But may be cheap but 256 SSD unacceptable. So price difference at Apple for desired spec is $300-$500 depending on whether you would sacrifice ram upgrade. That is too close to the MBP. I also have a reservation about buying at BB.

Well thats a personal matter between you and Best Buy then If you rather pay more based on principle but sure never stopped anyone for months throwing the Best Buy deal around on the pros to shame those who chose an air instead.

Again, go buy your pro and enjoy. There's no "wrong" choice, it's what's more important to YOU. But you're not going to convince many here about "value" of the pros for someone who doesn't need it now that they have been updated and are full price. A proper apple to apple comparison now, I feel they are priced now appropriately for what they offer, still apple taxed of course but the price gap is reasonable

You're still talking about several hundred bucks and worse battery life, mark my words on that. The 14" m1 pros were already quite behind the airs, you think a more powerful M2 pro will be better? Not a chance. Exact same chassis, probably same size battery, maybe even smaller if they had to make more room fore extra thermals. We'll know soon enough

 

[marstan]

thats becoming quite apparent these days

Unacceptable to who? This is your opinion. And price difference if I go by your logic of unacceptable I would think the 14" base model is unacceptable because it has binned(slower) chip??

Price at Apple for M2 MBA with 16gb ram, 512ssd and 8 core GPU is $1599! $1599-$2499 is $900 lets try to be fair. Otherwise comparing the two base models from apple $1199-$1999 is $800.

You are right; it is the 8 core that is $1599. Still only $400 from the MBP for a much better machine. Plus I am coming from an old 15" MBP that weighs 5.5 lbs. so I am used to a larger screen but would gladly lose two pounds for the MBP. As to the binned chip I wouldn't think a binned GPU chip compares to a 1/2 speed extremely small SSD.

 

[Technerd108]

Well thats a personal matter between you and Best Buy then If you rather pay more based on principle but sure never stopped anyone for months throwing the Best Buy deal around on the pros to shame those who chose an air instead.

Again, go buy your pro and enjoy. There's no "wrong" choice, it's what's more important to YOU. But not going to convince many here about "value" of the pros for someone who doesn't need it. Still talking about several hundred bucks and worse battery life, mark my words on that. The 14" m1 pros were already quite behind the airs, you think a more powerful M2 pro will be better?

Well let's be fair. We don't know battery life until they hit the street. If we are talking the 12 core with 4 efficiency cores I think battery life will be a lot better. Same with 10 core model if it uses the same 4 efficiency cores.

I actually think that battery life is one area the Pro's might be a lot better this year.

 

[Technerd108]

You are right; it is the 8 core that is $1599. Still only $400 from the MBP for a much better machine. Plus I am coming from an old 15" MBP that weighs 5.5 lbs.

Well my regular M2 is much faster than that. Also the slow SSD you talk about is still very fast. It is only a problem with large file transfers.

I think for you the M2 MBP 14" even a binned 10 core model would be a HUGE upgrade and it would be worth the money. The weight would be about 2 pounds less.

Just get the Pro if you can afford it!

 

[1BadManVan]

Well let's be fair. We don't know battery life until they hit the street. If we are talking the 12 core with 4 efficiency cores I think battery life will be a lot better. Same with 10 core model if it uses the same 4 efficiency cores.

I actually think that battery life is one area the Pro's might be a lot better this year.

I have reservations on that. The m2 air had new efficiency cores as well and reports were still saying it fell short of the M1's when they were brand new. But im not sure if that was more because of macOS software or what.

We'll know soon enough, but I would be surprised if they can outlast the air in real world usage. Apple only claims an extra hour on the new M2 pro's vs last years.

 

[1BadManVan]

Well my regular M2 is much faster than that. Also the slow SSD you talk about is still very fast. It is only a problem with large file transfers.

I think for you the M2 MBP 14" even a binned 10 core model would be a HUGE upgrade and it would be worth the money. The weight would be about 2 pounds less.

Just get the Pro if you can afford it!

Some people just have their minds made up. If he wants to blow several hundred more to make himself feel better then all the power to him lol. Just dont know why they are so determined to continue to push their own agenda like it should be the standard for everyone.

 

[Technerd108]

They should have the same efficiency cores as our M2. The old M1 Pro only had two. Now they are getting four which should allow more processes to run on efficiency cores than power cores giving better battery life. On top of that the M2 efficiency cores are more efficient and more powerful than M1. They don't fall short, they are better which is why are M2 MBA are both more powerful and still have great battery life.

I am guessing that this generation of M2 Pro will be significantly better in terms of GPU and battery because of M2. All the people I heard saying that M2 was just an overclocked M1 really had no idea what they were talking about. M2 is a significant upgrade across platforms and M3 will be even better. I also said M2 cores would still be on 5nm and all these people kept saying they would be on 3nm etc, etc.

 

[marstan]

Well thats a personal matter between you and Best Buy then If you rather pay more based on principle but sure never stopped anyone for months throwing the Best Buy deal around on the pros to shame those who chose an air instead.

Again, go buy your pro and enjoy. There's no "wrong" choice, it's what's more important to YOU. But you're not going to convince many here about "value" of the pros for someone who doesn't need it now that they have been updated and are full price. A proper apple to apple comparison now, I feel they are priced now appropriately for what they offer, still apple taxed of course but the price gap is reasonable

You're still talking about several hundred bucks and worse battery life, mark my words on that. The 14" m1 pros were already quite behind the airs, you think a more powerful M2 pro will be better? Not a chance. Exact same chassis, probably same size battery, maybe even smaller if they had to make more room fore extra thermals. We'll know soon enough

How much worse in battery life? A few hours? Not meaningful enough when both laptops have runtimes in the teens.

 

[1BadManVan]

They should have the same efficiency cores as our M2. The old M1 Pro only had two. Now they are getting four which should allow more processes to run on efficiency cores than power cores giving better battery life. On top of that the M2 efficiency cores are more efficient and more powerful than M1. They don't fall short, they are better which is why are M2 MBA are both more powerful and still have great battery life.

I am guessing that this generation of M2 Pro will be significantly better in terms of GPU and battery because of M2. All the people I heard saying that M2 was just an overclocked M1 really had no idea what they were talking about. M2 is a significant upgrade across platforms and M3 will be even better. I also said M2 cores would still be on 5nm and all these people kept saying they would be on 3nm etc, etc.

I hope you're right, I hope all their products are successful for those that actually need the pros that they get their moneys worth.

 

[Technerd108]

Some people just have their minds made up. If he wants to blow several hundred more to make himself feel better then all the power to him lol. Just dont know why they are so determined to continue to push their own agenda like it should be the standard for everyone.

It is a pretty common misperception based I believe on Intel CPU's. Most of us had to get a gaming laptop with a quad core CPU if we wanted any serious performance on a laptop. That is just not the case anymore.

I think as more people start to buy and use the regular air laptops that perception will change but it is pretty ingrained in a lot of us. I would have never even considered an air several years ago having had the same thinking. Honestly until I bought the M2 MBA I would have thought the same thing.

The M2 MBA was a game changer for me. So unless you have had that experience I can forgive people a little bit but I don't care for the generalized opinions without knowing what they are talking about when it comes to the M2 MBA.

 

[1BadManVan]

How much worse in battery life? A few hours? Not meaningful enough when both laptops have runtimes in the teens.

Well go search up a few of those complaint threads ive seen as recently as a few days on on the pro forums on battery life, make sure to tag me in them when you'll them to quit their complaining then lol

 

[Technerd108]

How much worse in battery life? A few hours? Not meaningful enough when both laptops have runtimes in the teens.

Those are Apple specs and the M1 MBP-specially the 14" certainly did not last that long and if you got an M1 Max forget teens. That thing used a lot of juice just at idle but still all M series chips lasted a lot longer than Intel!

Coming from a 13" M1 MBP the battery life in the M1 MBP 14" was considerably worse. Same with 16" M1 Max. The sweet spot was the base 16".

 

[marstan]

Well my regular M2 is much faster than that. Also the slow SSD you talk about is still very fast. It is only a problem with large file transfers.

I think for you the M2 MBP 14" even a binned 10 core model would be a HUGE upgrade and it would be worth the money. The weight would be about 2 pounds less.

Just get the Pro if you can afford it!

I am sure it is fast enough compared to what I am coming from but it is also the size; kind of absurd to have anything less than a 512 in a laptop these days. You want to know what I am replacing? An early '08 MBP w a 512 SSD and 6GB ram (added by me). Still works but some web pages don't display right and videos can be choppy not to mention security concerns from old OS (Yosemite). Usually when I buy something I have a range I am willing to stretch if I see value in it but I understand if some people have an absolute limit.

 

[marstan]

Those are Apple specs and the M1 MBP-specially the 14" certainly did not last that long and if you got an M1 Max forget teens. That thing used a lot of juice just at idle but still all M series chips lasted a lot longer than Intel!

Coming from a 13" M1 MBP the battery life in the M1 MBP 14" was considerably worse. Same with 16" M1 Max. The sweet spot was the base 16".

I am going by the numbers reported by NotebookCheck for the M2 Air and 14" M1MBP; of course nothing yet on the M2 MBPs.