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Buying help MacBook Pro 14in $1999 or MacBook Pro 16in $2499. Future proof or not?

C

Caliboy310

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 4, 2021
5
0
Hello Macrumors Members
I currently have a M1 MacBook Air base spec 8 core cpu and 7 core gpu. Should I upgrade to either $1999 Pro or $2499 Pro. Is the base model a significant enough upgrade with ports/1080p FaceTime/ screen upgrades like brightness, clarity, promotion. I don’t do anything on my Mac that would require a lot of ram/cpu or storage. But what I mentioned earlier is a significant usage bonus to my connected flash drives, zoom, some occasional light gaming, web surfing, and office apps. So should I future proof or stick with the base models of the $1999 pro.
Best
Caliboy310
 
IMO keep Macbook Air - you don't have any crazy needs unless you really want to game which doesn't make much sense on a mac.

The air is currently an incredible value compared to all other Apple products.

The 13" and 14" screens looked very similar to me in the store. If you want more screen either move up to 16" (huuuuge) or buy an external monitor.
 
nquinn said:
IMO keep Macbook Air - you don't have any crazy needs unless you really want to game which doesn't make much sense on a mac.

The air is currently an incredible value compared to all other Apple products.

The 13" and 14" screens looked very similar to me in the store. If you want more screen either move up to 16" (huuuuge) or buy an external monitor.
Click to expand...
Hi, nquinn
Thanks for the response I have slowly moved into the same conclusion as the air line is a great value. Interesting that the screens look similar I’ll have to check it out in person.
Thanks
 
Caliboy310 said:
Hello Macrumors Members
I currently have a M1 MacBook Air base spec 8 core cpu and 7 core gpu. Should I upgrade to either $1999 Pro or $2499 Pro. Is the base model a significant enough upgrade with ports/1080p FaceTime/ screen upgrades like brightness, clarity, promotion. I don’t do anything on my Mac that would require a lot of ram/cpu or storage. But what I mentioned earlier is a significant usage bonus to my connected flash drives, zoom, some occasional light gaming, web surfing, and office apps. So should I future proof or stick with the base models of the $1999 pro.
Best
Caliboy310
Click to expand...

I keep hearing that the screen is amazing. It was one of the reasons I upgraded, too. I was using the original M1 before.

If all you care about is the upgraded screen and a better webcam, my vote would be for the $1999 base model.
 
Apple_Robert said:
Your M1 MBA can already handle your current usage and much more. You aren't even scratching the usage surface. I wouldn't spend more money on the new MBP. You will be wasting money.

There is no such thing as future proofing when it comes to tech.
Click to expand...
Hi Apple_Robert
I agree in terms of pure stats cpu/ram storage my air is perfect. I really like the ports, display, and upgraded camera of the new pro. So yes future proofing at this price point when a new air will come out next year does not make sense. But I guess my question would be will next years Air have same ports/ display/ 1080p as these pro’s. Otherwise all im doing is delaying a purchase of the pro line.
Thanks
 
Caliboy310 said:
Hi Apple_Robert
I agree in terms of pure stats cpu/ram storage my air is perfect. I really like the ports, display, and upgraded camera of the new pro. So yes future proofing at this price point when a new air will come out next year does not make sense. But I guess my question would be will next years Air have same ports/ display/ 1080p as these pro’s. Otherwise all im doing is delaying a purchase of the pro line.
Thanks
Click to expand...
In regards to what the new Air will have, nobody here knows for sure. I am inclined to believe we will see a better camera. I don't really need extra ports as I have a OWC dock.

At this point, I would wait until the new Air is released. If you decide you want to upgrade and don't care for the new Air, you still have the new pro models to pick from. There is really no rush with the purchase. Be careful you don't get caught up in forum fever and buy something you don't really need. A lot of people around here fall into that trap all the time and end up returning the device.
 
CeleryMan said:
I keep hearing that the screen is amazing. It was one of the reasons I upgraded, too. I was using the original M1 before.

If all you care about is the upgraded screen and a better webcam, my vote would be for the $1999 base model.
Click to expand...
Hello CeleryMan
Interesting, that you also decided to upgrade and had M1. Did you trade yours in or kept it? Because that easily will knock if what $500. I’ll have to check it out in person at store.
Thanks
 
Apple_Robert said:
In regards to what the new Air will have, nobody here knows for sure. I am inclined to believe we will see a better camera. I don't really need extra ports as I have a OWC dock.

At this point, I would wait until the new Air is released. If you decide you want to upgrade and don't care for the new Air, you still have the new pro models to pick from. There is really no rush with the purchase. Be careful you don't get caught up in forum fever and buy something you don't really need. A lot of people around here fall into that trap all the time and end up returning the device.
Click to expand...
Hey Apple _Robert
Very true this is in no means a time sensitive purchase I can wait. Interesting insight about the fever of the forums. I guess I’ll wait to see if and what rumors come out regarding the air. Well I guess I should go back to work. Thanks for everyone’s reply.
Thanks
 
Caliboy310 said:
Hello CeleryMan
Interesting, that you also decided to upgrade and had M1. Did you trade yours in or kept it? Because that easily will knock if what $500. I’ll have to check it out in person at store.
Thanks
Click to expand...

I still have my M1 because the delivery date for the new one is so far off, and I need a laptop until then. I am actually going through the same dilemma trying to decide what to do with my current M1. Including tax, I spent $1800 on the M1 and it looks like the trade in value is only $880. I may be able to find someone in the family who can use it.
 
Caliboy310 said:
Hi Apple_Robert
I agree in terms of pure stats cpu/ram storage my air is perfect. I really like the ports, display, and upgraded camera of the new pro. So yes future proofing at this price point when a new air will come out next year does not make sense. But I guess my question would be will next years Air have same ports/ display/ 1080p as these pro’s. Otherwise all im doing is delaying a purchase of the pro line.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Nope ,the new air won't have the same display nor ports ,not next year,not in 2 years either

The display on the new MBA will be mini led apparently,but most likely much cheaper.not same manufacturer,not as many LEDs(so blooming perhaps) ,not as bright,no pro motion
As for ports,I doubt it'll get HDMI or SD card.magsafe is likely tho
 
I dont think it will have less dimming zones. It will use the lcd of the ipad pro 2021 12.9". It's cheaper.

16 vs. 32 gb are in my opinion the spec which are making the most important difference. I would never buy, after my experience with 16 gb, 16 gb versions again.

16 gb soldered ram are ok, for a entry level laptop for below 1000 Euros, with dedicated gpu (with own vram).
For so much money i wouldn't rely on the much slower swap.

14 inch would be excluded because of less battery life and much higher noise levels. Also the screen and the keyboard are to small for me.

If you don't have the money or you have a very bad feeling about the value, i wouldn't buy the new mbp. This macbook configs are a trap. The really useable config starts at ~3400 Euros (M1 Pro/32 gb/1 tb/ 16").
 
Last edited:
CeleryMan said:
I still have my M1 because the delivery date for the new one is so far off, and I need a laptop until then. I am actually going through the same dilemma trying to decide what to do with my current M1. Including tax, I spent $1800 on the M1 and it looks like the trade in value is only $880. I may be able to find someone in the family who can use it.
Click to expand...
Same .I am wondering if it's worth it at this point .the new MBP isn't cheap,and losing so much on my MBA pisses me off very badly
 
Buying a larger display is not "future proofing".

All it is, is... buying a larger display.

(the entire concept of "future proofing" doesn't mean much, anyway, in my opinion)
 
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Fishrrman said:
Buying a larger display is not "future proofing".

All it is, is... buying a larger display.

(the entire concept of "future proofing" doesn't mean much, anyway, in my opinion)
Click to expand...
Oh come on. You know that in the future, 16" screens will be required. Anyone who doesn't have 16 inches will not be allowed to use a computer. Same for RAM. No 32GB, no computer usage allowed. Hard drive too. No 1TB or more, no usage.
 
ASX said:
14 inch would be excluded because of less battery life and much higher noise levels. Also the screen and the keyboard are to small for me.
Click to expand...
IMO the noise levels of the 14 are probably way... overblown :) Only really heavy loads would get those fans running and for most daily use they would never kick in.
 
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