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Buy 14in MBP now or wait for new M2 Air?

TechnoLawyer

TechnoLawyer

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 7, 2021
118
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I was hoping for an M2 Air to be released during the March event, but no such luck. Now I question whether the M2 will even be released in 2022.

I don't actually need a new laptop, so this is want, not need. My workload is standard office fare, so I don't need the power of a pro or pro-max. I was hoping to hold out for the M2. My complaint about the current Air is the huge bezels and the garbage webcam (and I actually have to do video calls regularly, sometimes when not at a docking station), otherwise an M1 with 16gb ram would be able to handle anything I could conceivably throw at it.

So, given that the Air might not even be updated this year, should I just get a base model 14in MBP? It's certainly a nice upgrade in screen and webcam over the Air.

Cost really isn't a concern.

What do you bros and she-bros think?
 
If you are not in a hurry...just wait.

Macbook Air m1 will be 2 years old by november...MBP M1 Pro 14" 16gb will last for sure more than an Air at this point, I'd prefer that option if I have to choose between m1 air and m1 pro
 
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eyetic said:
If you are not in a hurry...just wait.
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I stuck $5k in my expense account to be used for tech purchases this year, and that's use it or lose it money. Some of that will go for an iphone 14 pro max, but that leaves a whole lot left.

I don't actually need a damn thing, I just like playing with new tech. I have a Ryzen 9 based laptop that I dock with 4k 32in monitors at both my office office and my home office, a Fold 3, and an 11in ipad pro.

The only thing stopping me from just getting the 14in pro is that I really like the super thin form factor and light weight of the Air.
 
Wait for possible Air update, then decide, if you are looking for its thinness, you might not regret.
 
Mike Boreham said:
Commendably honest ! ..... and unusual in these forums....most of us indulge in elaborate justifications and buy kit more powerful than we need.?
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It's liberating to admit you're just being a pig... and then roll around in the mud anyway.
 
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Is this even a question? If you don't care about cost, get the 14" MBP w/32gb.

it'll always be better than the m1 or m2 Mbair. The main downside is .7 pounds in weight.

Other than that, better screen, better sound, better processor, better webcam, more ports, better everything,
and you can have it now.
 
dieselm said:
Is this even a question? If you don't care about cost, get the 14" MBP w/32gb.

it'll always be better than the m1 or m2 Mbair. The main downside is .7 pounds in weight.

Other than that, better screen, better sound, better processor, better webcam, more ports, better everything,
and you can have it now.
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Yeah, pretty much this.

The Air will only have a single advantage over the Pro, and that's size and weight. (Oh, and colourful enclosures, if that's something you care about).

If you carry your machine a lot and you really care about weight, or you really really want a pink, orange, or blue computer (no hate from me on that, I think the iMac colours rock), then I would wait.

Otherwise, you have nothing to lose by getting the Pro now.
 
Get the 14" and be happy. It is way better than the air in every way except weight!
 
If I could afford it I’d get the 14” Pro for sure. that screen is gorgeous.
 
Yeah, weight is the big thing. Since you're already familiar with the Air, head to an Apple store and play around with the 14" MBP. If the additional size/weight doesn't bother you - that's definitely the direction I'd go.

I ended up going with an Air because I found the MBP to be a bit hefty for all the traveling I do, but if that's not a problem for you I definitely think the base MBP is a better buy.
 
dieselm said:
Is this even a question? If you don't care about cost, get the 14" MBP w/32gb.

it'll always be better than the m1 or m2 Mbair. The main downside is .7 pounds in weight.

Other than that, better screen, better sound, better processor, better webcam, more ports, better everything,
and you can have it now.
Click to expand...

My workflow is Office 365, Visio, Teams, Zoom, Acrobat, CAD viewers (just viewers), and browsing. 32gb seems crazy overkill, given that I have no issue upgrading in 2-3 years if I feel like it. But maybe it's a good hedge against future slowdown in that time?

Y'all certainly have me leaning toward the 14mbp though. Plus I could probably find one tonight at Best Buy...

Last time I compared them, I really, really liked how light and thin the Air was, but I thought the 14 was plenty thin and light anyway. The screen blew me away compared to the Air's. And the screen of the 16, good god. I could actually work all day on that thing and not mind.
 
TechnoLawyer said:
My workflow is Office 365, Visio, Teams, Zoom, Acrobat, CAD viewers (just viewers), and browsing. 32gb seems crazy overkill, given that I have no issue upgrading in 2-3 years if I feel like it. But maybe it's a good hedge against future slowdown in that time?

Y'all certainly have me leaning toward the 14mbp though. Plus I could probably find one tonight at Best Buy...

Last time I compared them, I really, really liked how light and thin the Air was, but I thought the 14 was plenty thin and light anyway. The screen blew me away compared to the Air's. And the screen of the 16, good god. I could actually work all day on that thing and not mind.
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Go to BestBuy or an Apple store and get the 14" then test it out since you can return it for 14 days or longer depending where you buy it. Then you will know for sure. I had a 14" before I got my 16" and it is not heavy in my opinion but rather solid feeling. I mean the ports, the screen, the speakers, the more powerful cpu and 16gb ram standard it is a no brainer in my opinion!! I bet if you get the 14" you won't return it!!

I would just get the 14" base model as I think it is plenty powerful enough for your needs and you won't over spend and still have 3k left in your budget!! Lol
 
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Technerd108 said:
Go to BestBuy or an Apple store and get the 14" then test it out since you can return it for 14 days or longer depending where you buy it. Then you will know for sure. I had a 14" before I got my 16" and it is not heavy in my opinion but rather solid feeling. I mean the ports, the screen, the speakers, the more powerful cpu and 16gb ram standard it is a no brainer in my opinion!! I bet if you get the 14" you won't return it!!

I would just get the 14" base model as I think it is plenty powerful enough for your needs and you won't over spend and still have 3k left in your budget!! Lol
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I really wish the studio display was 32in. I prefer one 32in to, say, two 27ins.
 
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TechnoLawyer said:
I really wish the studio display was 32in. I prefer one 32in to, say, two 27ins.
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You could get the studio display and 14" MBP and have money left over out if you don't need portability the studio seems like a solid bet again at base model with an M1 Max and studio display. I bet with the quality of the mini led display you won't notice it being a few inches smaller although I totally get your point as larger display with high resolution is always better. Now you got some choices to make!! Have fun testing!!
 
Technerd108 said:
You could get the studio display and 14" MBP and have money left over out if you don't need portability the studio seems like a solid bet again at base model with an M1 Max and studio display. I bet with the quality of the mini led display you won't notice it being a few inches smaller although I totally get your point as larger display with high resolution is always better. Now you got some choices to make!! Have fun testing!!
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I'll often have three text windows (one word, one pdf, one browser) open side by side. Not sure I want to strain my eyes enough to deal with that on a 27in, as interesting as the studio display is.

B&H (as well as Amazon) currently have $150 off the 10-core M1 14in mbp with 16gb/1tb.

I do need portability. I sometimes work at home, sometimes at my office, sometimes travel (admittedly not all that often). Plus sometimes I'll have my laptop out back and work a little while watching the kids playing.

In a max spendy world, I'd get a base model studio, two studio displays, and a base model 14 for travel (lol). Beyond ludicrous overkill for what I do.
 
Then I think you have your answer. I would buy from Amazon over B&H for sake of returns. You can get a pretty decent high res and high refresh rate monitor at 32" off Amazon too. The config with $150 off seems pretty good!!
 
Technerd108 said:
Then I think you have your answer. I would buy from Amazon over B&H for sake of returns. You can get a pretty decent high res and high refresh rate monitor at 32" off Amazon too. The config with $150 off seems pretty good!!
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Even easier -- multiple best buys in my area have in stock the same SKU as the one that is $150 off on Amazon and B&H, and best buy will price match via chat. In theory, I can do a price matched order set up for curbside down the street from me, and not even have to get out of the car.

Hey honey, going to go pick up Chick-Fila for the kids...
 
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TechnoLawyer said:
Even easier -- multiple best buys in my area have in stock the same SKU as the one that is $150 off on Amazon and B&H, and best buy will price match via chat. In theory, I can do a price matched order set up for curbside down the street from me, and not even have to get out of the car.

Hey honey, going to go pick up Chick-Fila for the kids...
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You already bought it in your mind when you started this thread. Just a matter of picking it up. ;-).
 
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Best buy in my area had a space grey entry model (binned, 512gb) for $200 off. I figure, how much would an M2 Air with 16gb/512gb be? That's what, $1400 on the current Air?

So, with the price down to $1800, I pulled the trigger, although somehow my wife demanded a 2022 iPad Air in purple out of the deal, so I have that on pre-order now. The laptop is updating now to the latest version of macos.

Then to install everything and test.

Thus far, I don't like the keyboard. I assume I'll adjust. Keys have like 1µm of travel. Last time I used a mac was in law school in the early 'aughts!
 
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