Buying an intel macbook vs m1 macbook pro

[SnazzyIslander]

Dear members,

I am trying to decide whether buying an intel macbook pro 16 2019 16GB is worth at this time.

I am a programming student and I also manage a few small businesses. Hence, I have to move and go to different places around the city often.

My budget is at around $1200. I'm fully aware that Apple chips are the future but at this budget I can only afford a 13 inch m2 macbook pro which will have a too small screen for programming. At this point if I go for 13 inch, I will definitely will have to buy a monitor which will again be a burden.

I do not need the fastest computer as I do web programming which does not require much power. However, I do wish the updates will follow for a few more years?

I am having trouble deciding. I would be happy if the 16 inch macbook pro can last 4-5 years.

Should I got for intel 16 inch macbook pro or wait for m1 pro macbook pro 16 inch price to drop?

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

You will NEVER see an M1 Pro MBP 16" price drop to $1200 for literally years so get whatever you can afford. I would argue that if you're traveling portability can play a huge factor and there are lots of full time programmers that use "normal" size laptops for travel. Not trying to be rude but if programmers with decades under their belt can manage a smaller laptop while roaming around a student should be able to especially if you're on a strict budget.

 

[SnazzyIslander]

Though I am a (part time) student right now to further increase my knowledge, I already can write web applications and have been doing so for a few years now by teaching myself. Therefore personally for me screen size is vital. I can manage with a 13 inch but it decreases my productivity massively.

I understand that M1 Pro MBP 16" price may not drop to $1200 but a few more months of saving, I may be able to probably increase my budget to $1600-$1700. But then again, it is also a lot of time lost.

 

[thv]

The 2019 MBP should be supported for at least a few years, so if you want size over the latest & greatest and the price isn't bad then it could be worth it for you. ✨And the touchbar oooooohhh✨

Personally - I'll very happily deal with an extra pound in my travel bag in exchange for a bigger screen. You're the one who knows how important that is to you. I would only up my budget and wait longer if I thought I was going to be happier with the new result, not just to have the newest fastest thing if I don't need it. Just get what's in your budget & useful for you.

 

[russell_314]

Normally I would say never buy an Intel Mac but if you need the 16” screen and have a budget then buy what you can afford. It’s not like they suddenly become garbage now that Apple Silicon has arrived. For your use case the only downside will probably be battery life but I’m sure you can manage that. I think Intel max will be getting OS updates for at least five years from when they came out and security updates much longer. There might be features that are not compatible with Intel but I don’t suspect those will be show stopping as in something you need to get your work done.

If you don’t need portability you can get an M1 Mac mini pretty cheap.

 

[jav6454]

Dear members,

I am trying to decide whether buying an intel macbook pro 16 2019 16GB is worth at this time.

I am a programming student and I also manage a few small businesses. Hence, I have to move and go to different places around the city often.

My budget is at around $1200. I'm fully aware that Apple chips are the future but at this budget I can only afford a 13 inch m2 macbook pro which will have a too small screen for programming. At this point if I go for 13 inch, I will definitely will have to buy a monitor which will again be a burden.

I do not need the fastest computer as I do web programming which does not require much power. However, I do wish the updates will follow for a few more years?

I am having trouble deciding. I would be happy if the 16 inch macbook pro can last 4-5 years.

Should I got for intel 16 inch macbook pro or wait for m1 pro macbook pro 16 inch price to drop?

For $1,200 USD, get the M1 MBA. You will not be able to afford a 16" machine with a budget as limited as the one you stated.

 

[thv]

For $1,200 USD, get the M1 MBA. You will not be able to afford a 16" machine with a budget as limited as the one you stated.

$1204 with tax refurbished on Amazon for that 16", if OP wants a 16" screen any time soon that's the answer

 

[Yebubbleman]

Dear members,

I am trying to decide whether buying an intel macbook pro 16 2019 16GB is worth at this time.

I am a programming student and I also manage a few small businesses. Hence, I have to move and go to different places around the city often.

My budget is at around $1200. I'm fully aware that Apple chips are the future but at this budget I can only afford a 13 inch m2 macbook pro which will have a too small screen for programming. At this point if I go for 13 inch, I will definitely will have to buy a monitor which will again be a burden.

I do not need the fastest computer as I do web programming which does not require much power. However, I do wish the updates will follow for a few more years?

I am having trouble deciding. I would be happy if the 16 inch macbook pro can last 4-5 years.

Should I got for intel 16 inch macbook pro or wait for m1 pro macbook pro 16 inch price to drop?

The Intel 16" MacBook Pro is formidable but only really worth it if you want or need things that are only possible on Intel and the x86-64 architecture (i.e. virtualization, Boot Camp, gaming, etc.). I'd otherwise go with something based on Apple Silicon, provided it's not an M2 MacBook Pro with 8GB of RAM and/or 256GB of storage. If a 13" screen is too small for you and an external monitor is out of the question, I'd save up for a refurbished M1 Pro equipped 16" MacBook Pro.

 

[jav6454]

$1204 with tax refurbished on Amazon for that 16", if OP wants a 16" screen any time soon that's the answer

Well, OP didn't mention refurb.

 

[r0k]

I considered the 16 in MBP. When M1 came out, I snapped up an M1 mini not long after it launched to replace my truly ancient Intel mini, but my main machine was still an aging 2011 15 in MBP. I decided to buy 14 in MBP. First I ordered a base 14 in MBP upgraded to 1TB through Apple in June but the ship date was late August. At the time I ordered, no local stores had inventory.

Both the 14 and 16 in models came in stock recently at my local Microcenter. Both were somewhat discounted, but well over $2k each, as the list price for the 14 in 1TB model is $2499 and for the 16 in 1TB model is $2799.

I went for the 14 in because I did not need the large screen, and I wanted a smaller machine so I could resume closing the cover on my roll top desk, which I haven't been able to do since way back when I got my late 2011 15 in MBP.

Another alternative for someone who wants a more screen real estate is an AppleTV. Simply screencast to the AppleTV for a second screen, which can be any TV. 4K TV's are cheaper than 4K monitors right now. I've done this from my M1 Mac mini, and the TV screen does not have to be a clone of whatever is on my main screen.

 

[David Hassholehoff]

I suggest you find an Intel 16" and try typing on it before you buy. If it has butterfly keyboard and touch bar, that could either be something you like, or something that makes you want to throw the thing out through the nearest window. I can't use those things without connecting an external keyboard, they're absolutely disgusting to type on. I actually made a serious attempt to buy a PC laptop in 2016 and run BSD or GNU on it because of all the wrong choices Apple were making at the time, but finally bought a used 2014 MBP 15" which I am still using today.