Buying Help - Macbook Pro 14 - Storage

[porkupine]

I am a Windows user considering an M4 Macbook Pro given the dismal state of Windows laptops. I've ruled out the Airs, because I want a screen larger than 13" but I do not want a 15" (I have a 15: XPS). This is a secondary computer, I intend to use for running a few VMs, YouTube, web surfing and some command line work to support my homelab. I've pretty much decided that I need 24GB to be safe, but am lost on the storage side. My XPS has a 1TB drive and it's about 40% used - if I clean it up I can probably get it down to 300GB used. I have access to a NAS for storage as well. Considering the following:

1. Macbook Pro M4 - 24GB, 1TB
2. Macbook Pro M4 Pro - 24GB, 512GB

Pros for the M4 Pro are the better CPU and the dual fans. Pro for the M4 is the extra storage. Both are probably overkill.
I've only ever used Windows and would probably either buy 1TB or upgrade the SSD when needed on Windows machine, but I have no experience with storage on a Mac.

Would appreciate any thoughts on the two options.
Thanks.

 

[russell_314]

My XPS has a 1TB drive and it's about 40% used - if I clean it up I can probably get it down to 300GB used. I have access to a NAS for storage as well. Considering the following:

1. Macbook Pro M4 - 24GB, 1TB
2. Macbook Pro M4 Pro - 24GB, 512GB

Pros for the M4 Pro are the better CPU and the dual fans. Pro for the M4 is the extra storage. Both are probably overkill.
I've only ever used Windows and would probably either buy 1TB or upgrade the SSD when needed on Windows machine, but I have no experience with storage on a Mac.

Would appreciate any thoughts on the two options.
Thanks.

Go with the 1TB. Storage on MacBooks is not upgradable

 

[TechRunner]

I have access to a NAS for storage as well.

Then I would go for the extra horsepower of the M4Pro. But they're both great machines. My base 14" 16/512 M4 MBP is an amazing piece of kit. I had a 15" XPS 9510 as a secondary machine for three years, and it was heavy. You'll appreciate the weight difference moving to the MBP too!

 

[Technerd108]

I am a Windows user considering an M4 Macbook Pro given the dismal state of Windows laptops. I've ruled out the Airs, because I want a screen larger than 13" but I do not want a 15" (I have a 15: XPS). This is a secondary computer, I intend to use for running a few VMs, YouTube, web surfing and some command line work to support my homelab. I've pretty much decided that I need 24GB to be safe, but am lost on the storage side. My XPS has a 1TB drive and it's about 40% used - if I clean it up I can probably get it down to 300GB used. I have access to a NAS for storage as well. Considering the following:

1. Macbook Pro M4 - 24GB, 1TB
2. Macbook Pro M4 Pro - 24GB, 512GB

Pros for the M4 Pro are the better CPU and the dual fans. Pro for the M4 is the extra storage. Both are probably overkill.
I've only ever used Windows and would probably either buy 1TB or upgrade the SSD when needed on Windows machine, but I have no experience with storage on a Mac.

Would appreciate any thoughts on the two options.
Thanks.

For what you are saying you use a Mac for, or better said your experience with Windows PC's the workload is not crazy demanding and I don't think you would need the M4 Pro in your case. You do already have close to 500gb storage and possibly less but in that case as you use your new computer you will need more space so the storage is really important-UNLESS you offload all that content to a external hard drive. You could also move all the files from your windows computer now onto the portable hard drive. Then you just need to buy the size drive you think you might need. Either way the simplest way and best would be to just buy the larger 1 tb storage so you are safe in my opinion.

The M4 is very fast. You might be wise to check out a 15" air with no fans. I know you said you ruled them out but just pick one up in your hand and feel it on your lap and test it out in a store. Test out the Pro too. I am sure you will love the Pro no matter what. I can guarantee it right now you will want a Pro 14" over any air. But if you are going to get a regular m chip anyway, maybe you don't need all the extra's either. They are nice but if you compare them I real life you might be surprised how fast and silent the air is and everything else is pretty nice too even if it is not "Pro" level.

Just my opinion. Hope you enjoy whatever you decide to get!!!