Get the 13-Inch M2 MacBook Air for the Record Low Price of $799

[turbineseaplane]

You are right it could be more but I wouldn’t take any risk…

I appreciate you at least admitting "we don't really know" yet

You could be right -- but we should wait to see how Apple behaves with support cutoffs on their own ASi chips for Macs

This is new territory

 

[Astuces iOS]

I appreciate you at least admitting "we don't really know" yet

You could be right -- but we should wait to see how Apple behaves with support cutoffs on their own ASi chips for Macs

This is new territory

In my opinion, someone buying a new Mac shouldn’t take this risk… it could be very sad to see that your Mac isn’t supported after 2.5(for m1) or 3.5 (for m2) years… That’s why I would wait until M4 release to buy a m3 cheaper… With M3 you will get at least 5 years ! And by the way around 1.5 more faster (since M2 is similar to m1 because of slow ssd but m3 has fixed the slow ssd)

 

[turbineseaplane]

In my opinion, someone buying a new Mac shouldn’t take this risk… it could be very sad to see that your Mac isn’t supported after 2.5(for m1) or 3.5 (for m2) years… That’s why I would wait until M4 release to buy a m3 cheaper… With M3 you will get at least 5 years ! And by the way around 1.5 more faster (since M2 is similar to m1 because of slow ssd but m3 has fixed the slow ssd)

It's more complicated than that on the value front

If you get a great price up front (as you REALLY should in the modern Apple era w/ resale values that tank), you can simply get a newer machine a year sooner.

That's likely to be more of a net benefit for a user than overspending on "the latest release"

Additionally, it makes ZERO sense on the value side to buy anything beyond stock models as "base" as you can for your needs.

Apple's own trade-in system gives you basically zero credit for spending through the nose on BTO options up front.

 

[Astuces iOS]

It's more complicated than that on the value front

If you get a great price up front (as you REALLY should in the modern Apple era w/ resale values that tank), you can simply get a newer machine a year sooner.

That's likely to be more of a net benefit for a user than overspending on "the latest release"

Additionally, it makes ZERO sense on the value side to buy anything beyond stock models as "base" as you can for your needs.

Apple's own trade-in system gives you basically zero credit for spending through the nose on BTO options up front.

I mean in 5 years for example if you want to resell your Mac, you might get a better value with the m3!

 

[sw1tcher]

Well first of all, don’t forget the m2 has a slower ssd on the base model (so we need to buy a 512gb model or higher) otherwise we can get similar performances to M1… and second well that’s around the range I change my Mac…


Years and years and years isn’t a lot… this Mac starting at macOS Monterey got
-Monterey
-Ventura
-Sonoma
-Sequoia

Maybe an extra 3 other years and that’s it !

While Apple might not officially support this M2 MBA with a new version of macOS after 3 years, that doesn't mean it will stop working or it won't be supported with security and bug updates which is most important.

I have a 2015 MBA that came with Yosemite (OS X 10.10). While it cannot officially be updated beyond macOS 12 Monterey, Apple still supported it last year. The last Monterey update was 12.7.6 on July 29, 2024.

If you don't need the latest macOS, then people will be fine with this MBA for well beyond the next 3 years.

 

[Polinsky]

Buying an almost 3 year old Mac would hurt me !

I've never been hurt by a computer.
How would it hurt you? Please be specific.

 

[ThailandToo]

Yeah -- as post #2 up above pointed out, Amazon had this lower in November 2024 and MR even advertised it at the time!!
(screenshot via CCC)


View attachment 2477043

Yeah. MR makes money by selling these as an Amazon affiliate. Being honest or making mistakes are easy. But even when I saw it I was like seen these cheaper than that multiple times. Not nice to destroy credibility for a few dollars - bad faith.

 

[Astuces iOS]

I've never been hurt by a computer.
How would it hurt you? Please be specific.

Paying a big amount of money for a 3 years old (almost machine) doesn’t seams a good purchase for me… since I know I will need to change it soon !

 

[Astuces iOS]

While Apple might not officially support this M2 MBA with a new version of macOS after 3 years, that doesn't mean it will stop working or it won't be supported with security and bug updates which is most important.

I have a 2015 MBA that came with Yosemite (OS X 10.10). While it cannot officially be updated beyond macOS 12 Monterey, Apple still supported it last year. The last Monterey update was 12.7.6 on July 29, 2024.

If you don't need the latest macOS, then people will be fine with this MBA for well beyond the next 3 years.

I have upgraded from this MacBook to the MacBook Air m1 (after the release of macOS Ventura)… Not only I upgraded to have the lasted features but the 2015 mba was not usable for me (very very very slow… for example with Final Cut Pro)

 

[sw1tcher]

I have upgraded from this MacBook to the MacBook Air m1 (after the release of macOS Ventura)… Not only I upgraded to have the lasted features but the 2015 mba was not usable for me (very very very slow… for example with Final Cut Pro)

The average MBA user isn't running apps like Final Cut Pro though which means most people will be fine with this.

You're too focused on your wants and needs. While this MBA might not work for you, it'll work for many (most?) people out there for years to come.

While the $799 price isn't that great (should be $699 or $749), it's a decent price for someone on a budget or who's looking for something not too expensive. Telling people to buy something newer such as current M3 MBA or wait until M4 MBA is released means paying $1,099 for it, or 37.55% more (unless you wait for a sale or use education discount where you'll save $100)

 

[Apple_Robert]

Paying a big amount of money for a 3 years old (almost machine) doesn’t seams a good purchase for me… since I know I will need to change it soon !

I would venture to say the average Mac user doesn't upgrade every 3 years or so. I think many keep it until it can't reasonably used anymore or breaks.

MR land is not representative of the average Apple user. In fact, I consider MR to be an extreme representation in many ways.

I think you are doing a disservice to the members and onlookers by trying to scare possible buyers with your rhetoric. There is nothing wrong with the machine and barring some kind of defect, will last many years to come.

 

[Astuces iOS]

The average MBA user isn't running apps like Final Cut Pro though which means most people will be fine with this.

You're too focused on your wants and needs. While this MBA might not work for you, it'll work for many (most?) people out there for years to come.

While the $799 price isn't that great (should be $699 or $749), it's a decent price for someone on a budget or who's looking for something not too expensive. Telling people to buy something newer such as current M3 MBA or wait until M4 MBA is released means paying $1,099 for it, or 37.55% more (unless you wait for a sale or use education discount where you'll save $100)

I know… I just gave one of my upgrade reasons… I just wanted to say that I fell it’s better to wait until M4 release and buy the M3 cheaper since I fell it’s a much better deal !

 

[Astuces iOS]

I would venture to say the average Mac user doesn't upgrade every 3 years or so. I think many keep it until it can't reasonably used anymore or breaks.

MR land is not representative of the average Apple user. In fact, I consider MR to be an extreme representation in many ways.

I think you are doing a disservice to the members an onlookers by trying to scare possible buyers with your rhetoric. There is nothing wrong with the machine and baring some kind of defect, will last many years to come.

I never said I would upgrade just after I would buy it but maybe in 2 years which is very fast ! (And makes sense to upgrade after 5 years)

 

[Siliconguy]

You will see since macOS Sequoia requires a MacBook Air from 2020 already (we drop this and the m1 and boom)

But the M1 was sold until last spring, (2024) so even if they cut it off after four years instead of the usual five that comes to 2028, plus the two years of security-only updates.

The M2 on sale is tempting, but I'll resist based on the 256 GB of storage. AI will hog ever more storage, and Linux isn't yet working on M2.

 

[Ateam043]

Well first of all, don’t forget the m2 has a slower ssd on the base model (so we need to buy a 512gb model or higher) otherwise we can get similar performances to M1… and second well that’s around the range I change my Mac…


Years and years and years isn’t a lot… this Mac starting at macOS Monterey got
-Monterey
-Ventura
-Sonoma
-Sequoia

Maybe an extra 3 other years and that’s it !

With all due respect this sounds like crazy talk. A MBP would easily last 8 years.

My 2012 Intel MBP went for a solid 8 years and was still running perfectly fine. Recently gave my M2 MBP to my son and that think works like a tank for what he will end up using it for (basic MS Office stuff).

Now if we are talking about video editing I can see a couple of years but for everyday use a person can reasonably get 6+ years out of a MBP.

 

[redfirebird08]

$800 is not the lowest price. I got a M2 MacBook Air with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage for $750 during Amazon's Black Friday sale.

 

[Astuces iOS]

With all due respect this sounds like crazy talk. A MBP would easily last 8 years.

My 2012 Intel MBP went for a solid 8 years and was still running perfectly fine. Recently gave my M2 MBP to my son and that think works like a tank for what he will end up using it for (basic MS Office stuff).

Now if we are talking about video editing I can see a couple of years but for everyday use a person can reasonably get 6+ years out of a MBP.

For normal stuff yes it could last 8 years… for professionals maybe not

 

[macfacts]

While Apple might not officially support this M2 MBA with a new version of macOS after 3 years, that doesn't mean it will stop working or it won't be supported with security and bug updates which is most important.

I have a 2015 MBA that came with Yosemite (OS X 10.10). While it cannot officially be updated beyond macOS 12 Monterey, Apple still supported it last year. The last Monterey update was 12.7.6 on July 29, 2024.

If you don't need the latest macOS, then people will be fine with this MBA for well beyond the next 3 years.

the mac isn't going to stop working, but you might not be able to use the latest 3rd party apps. someone in the forums was recently complaining they couldn't use their latest tax software program cause it needed the latest mac OS.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Sequoia has support going all the way back to the iMP (2017) -- 8 years ago

Buy the M2's with no fear at all

Get a great price and enjoy the great machine

Never seen so much unwarranted FUD about an objectively good piece of hardware

 

[redfirebird08]

Sequoia has support going all the way back to the iMP (2017) -- 8 years ago

Buy the M2's with no fear at all

Get a great price and enjoy the great machine

Never seen so much unwarranted FUD about an objectively good piece of hardware

Agreed. For many folks in the population, it's a great machine for a very good price. I bought mine a few months ago during Amazon's Black Friday sale. Zero regrets! Previously I had a 2012 MacBook Air that was running pretty slow, weak battery, and of course the fan noise was horrible on the Intel-based computers. This M2 Air is dead silent, which is amazing. Battery life is phenomenal. My old MacBook would only last a few hours of light usage. This new one lasts 20+ hours of light usage, which is insane.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Agreed. For many folks in the population, it's a great machine for a very good price. I bought mine a few months ago during Amazon's Black Friday sale. Zero regrets! Previously I had a 2012 MacBook Air that was running pretty slow, weak battery, and of course the fan noise was horrible on the Intel-based computers. This M2 Air is dead silent, which is amazing. Battery life is phenomenal. My old MacBook would only last a few hours of light usage. This new one lasts 20+ hours of light usage, which is insane.

Agreed on all that

I'll be putting my "money where my mouth is" at some point in the future on, likely, a 15" M2 or M3 MBA

Not soon - as my 2015 MBP continues to serve me very well for my laptop needs. I keep an eye on the landscape though and occasionally update my thoughts on "what I'd do if it died today"

 

[Astuces iOS]

Sequoia has support going all the way back to the iMP (2017) -- 8 years ago

Buy the M2's with no fear at all

Get a great price and enjoy the great machine

Never seen so much unwarranted FUD about an objectively good piece of hardware

Imac pro is like a Mac Pro, theses Mac usually gets few extra years compared to the same years Mac!

 

[redfirebird08]

Imac pro is like a Mac Pro, theses Mac usually gets few extra years compared to the same years Mac!

I have a regular iMac from 2017 and Apple is still putting out security updates for it. I don't need the latest operating system. Hell, I wish we could have stayed with some of the older operating systems. I seem to remember Snow Leopard was pretty damn good (reliable) back in the day.

 

[Astuces iOS]

I have a regular iMac from 2017 and Apple is still putting out security updates for it. I don't need the latest operating system. Hell, I wish we could have stayed with some of the older operating systems. I seem to remember Snow Leopard was pretty damn good (reliable) back in the day.

You will get security updates until this summer... After summer, you won't get any security updates !

 

[TigerNike23]

Really the only negative thing about the M2 base model is the single NAND chip for storage resulting in a somewhat slower performing SSD.

Other than that, the 16 GB of RAM makes this an incredible deal.