Going to college, current MBP or wait for 14” MBP?

[theanimala]

My kid is about to be a first year college student so I wanted to send him off with a new laptop. I have two options, buy the current M1 MBP 13” or let him take my spare MBP 15” for a few months until the 14” is released. I want/expect this laptop to last for potentially 6 years of college (MBA). With his major I don’t expect his compute needs to be intense so I would think the 13” M1 would work just fine, but it is so hard buying something knowing a refresh is right around the corner. Anyone have a strong opinion on if I should buy now or wait?

Pro’s of current M1:
Cost - currently on sale everywhere and part of the Back to School promotion (free AirPods to boot).
Can get it now and have it set up for school
Won’t stand out as a new system - less tempting for theft

Pro’s of waiting for 14”
More powerful system - won’t take advantage of but should offer longer lifespan
Slightly bigger screen at the same package size.
More ports (rumored)

Anything I’m missing here? When I add the new suspected higher cost of the 14”, as well as the lack of sale price when released and no AirPods promotion I assume I will be paying at least $500 more for the new gen system.

 

[imp3rator]

Buy currently M1 model in sale. He probably never use 100% of power for 6 years in basic tasks (if you would buy 16/512)...

 

[velocityg4]

As Apple hasn’t replaced the high end Intel 13”. Chances are decent that the 14” will be a replacement for that model. While the cheaper model won’t be replaced until the Air is replaced. Which, as I recall, isn’t rumored until early 2022.

The current model is more than capable for college work for the next six years. I’d also go with the 16/512 config. Although I’d probably just go with the MBA 7 core with that config. Adding in a 128GB 8th gen iPad with the money saved. As the iPad is better for reading and note taking in some courses.

 

[JahBoolean]

As Apple hasn’t replaced the high end Intel 13”. Chances are decent that the 14” will be a replacement for that model. While the cheaper model won’t be replaced until the Air is replaced. Which, as I recall, isn’t rumored until early 2022.

The current model is more than capable for college work for the next six years. I’d also go with the 16/512 config. Although I’d probably just go with the MBA 7 core with that config. Adding in a 128GB 8th gen iPad with the money saved. As the iPad is better for reading and note taking in some courses.

I second that, Ipads are an invaluable tool for content consumption.

 

[leman]

Sounds like an MacBook Air would be a great fit. The 14” is probably an overkill, why pay more for a system if one will never properly utilize it?

 

[theanimala]

You all make great sense, thank you. Only reason I would do the pro is he really likes the touchbar. I know it’s dumb to pay more just for that but if this is going to be his next 6 year computer I might as well. Definitely doing the 16/512 route as well.

 

[JahBoolean]

The choice has been made for you, rumour has it that the next generation (14' and 16') won't have touchbars.

 

[jerryk]

I would not expect your son to keep the same laptop for 6 years of college.

I would suggest you also consider the M1 Air. It is less expensive, silent (important in lectures), and IMHO a better value than 13" MBP. Depending upon the cloud storage options deals available at your son's school you may want to get 512 GB of storage.

Regarding the touchbar, it is dead. Expect future Macbook to not have it.

 

[deeddawg]

Unless there's some specific thing about the current M1 MBP or MBA which you think would create a limitation for your son's usage, then there's no reason to wait. The next MBP release will (likely) supplant the upper-tier four+ port Intel systems and costs a bunch more than the current lower-tier two-port models. Particularly when you factor in the current back-to-school promos either via Apple direct or via the college's bookstore if they sell computers. https://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/back-to-school

BTW - I use a 14" intel laptop as my work computer next to my 13.3" MBP and I simply find no perceptible difference in screen size unless I specifically look for it. I honestly wouldn't put much weight onto that aspect.

 

[Never mind]

OP you may want to view this below……

 

[Maconplasma]

it is so hard buying something knowing a refresh is right around the corner. Anyone have a strong opinion on if I should buy now or wait?

Don't buy anything if you're going to chase the "next best thing". There's no said date as to when this alleged 14" will surface and Apple has not confirmed anything about it. Playing the waiting game is useless unless Apple announces an upcoming event where it's rumored that a new laptop is being introduced. Otherwise get what's current.

Pro’s of current M1:
Cost - currently on sale everywhere and part of the Back to School promotion (free AirPods to boot).

That shouldn't be a consideration if you are debating buying the next new model. The freebees and deals honeymoon wears off quickly especially if the next new model offers a lot more.

Can get it now and have it set up for school

THAT'S why you should buy the current model. It's here, there's no rumors, it's guaranteed.

Won’t stand out as a new system - less tempting for theft

The only people knowing if something is new are Mac heads. To a thief a computer is a computer.

Pro’s of waiting for 14”
More powerful system - won’t take advantage of but should offer longer lifespan

Power doesn't guarantee longer lifespan. Sorry but this doesn't make any sense. Apple can easily flip the switch and offer new features on forthcoming models that do more with forthcoming iPhones that will wipe away the "longevity" of this new 14". They've done it quite often.

Slightly bigger screen at the same package size.

That's not factual.

More ports (rumored)

Anything I’m missing here?

Yes, don't live on rumors. Live on facts. Often when people are waiting for the next best thing from Apple due to rumors they tend to be let down a bit because all the rumors didn't turn out to be correct.

When I add the new suspected higher cost of the 14”, as well as the lack of sale price when released and no AirPods promotion I assume I will be paying at least $500 more for the new gen system.

I don't see where any of this makes any sense. No guarantee of the 14" being a higher cost. If this 14" actually surfaces it will be replacing the 13" and there's no reason for Apple to up the price. Also I don't think your math is fair. You're comparing an older model that is being discounted due to age coupled with Apple's back to school offer due to them clearing out older models. Your math is no different than comparing a 2015 used model to the next new model and saying, "I'm paying $500 more to get a new one".

Personally I think you should buy what's current. There's no way your son can't get along through college without a hitch with the current 13". More importantly you should buy what your son wants rather than what you want since it will be his computer. Pardon my bluntness but it sounds like you're buying for your needs rather than his.

 

[apparatchik]

I second considering the M1 MBA, with edu pricing ($899), it's faster than anything in its price-range, it's completely silent, has best-in-class battery life, and he could switch to a more modern M3 or M4 MBA in 3-4 years as the initial cost won't be as high.

Due to its lightness and portability, MBA are basically unmatched in university/college settings, and personally I would upgrade to the most recent MBA in 3-4 years and not 6 years time, just so you can still sell it for about 50% its value in 3 or so years and get the latest MBA at the time.

 

[haralds]

You all make great sense, thank you. Only reason I would do the pro is he really likes the touchbar. I know it’s dumb to pay more just for that but if this is going to be his next 6 year computer I might as well. Definitely doing the 16/512 route as well.

I personally also like the TouchBar. We have both (and a bunch of other Macs,) the MacBook Pro is my favorite. I also like sound and mikes, important for me.
Get the highest config you can afford, they last a long time. At least 16GB/512GB, but better 1TB. I have 16GB/2TB and it is great. My wife is very happy with her 16GB/1TB Air.

 

[haralds]

I personally also like the TouchBar. We have both (and a bunch of other Macs,) the MacBook Pro is my favorite. I also like sound and mikes, important for me.
Get the highest config you can afford, they last a long time. At least 16GB/512GB, but better 1TB. I have 16GB/2TB and it is great. My wife is very happy with her 16GB/1TB Air.

Based upon the dorm situation, you might consider a monitor/keyboard/mouse. My daughter laughed at me when I set her up. A month later she sheepishly admitted it was great for her writing tasks and also movies!

 

[Javi74]

I would not expect your son to keep the same laptop for 6 years of college.

+1

Remember how crazy we were and how we used to treat things at that age...

 

[DHagan4755]

MacBook Air. Thanks to the MacRumors deals page, I see some places are having great sales, like BestBuy. In about 2-3 years time, upgrade to whatever is the latest & greatest.

 

[Queen6]

Another for the M1 Air; it's tried and proven, many got bitten by the Butterfly Keyboard fiasco. The next generation of 14" may or may not have issue and that generally takes a while to surface. I also tend agree that purchasing the current base Air and an iPad is a better solution than waiting on a sole 14" MBP. If relying on the hardware for work or education reliability is one of the major considerations.

Q-6

 

[cardfan]

Got my kid a base m1 air and didn’t think much of it. Does she like the touch bar more or other bs? I don’t care lol. When she actually pays for one then all that can be more relevant.