Help me decide: 15" MBA 16/256, 13" MBA 16/512, 13" MBP 16/256

[prehmo]

I really should go to the apple store and take my old laptop and see how it compares with the new MBA, but anyway, just before heading there, what are your impressions on this decision.

This is all based on the same price point of €1330-1390. Also all M2, in case it wasn't clear.

I really was doubting in the beginning between both 13 inchers at the same price, but I was convinced otherwise asking on reddit, discord, here and there, that the extra "power" of the MBP wasnt worth it compared to losing the extra screen size, port, and half the size and speed SSD of the MBA. That the magic touch bar was a gimmick, and the extra battery unneeded and so on. And that the extreme portability of the 13" MBA was really nice.

But then I saw the 15" MBA, again, same price, just half the SSD size. It also has better graphics, better speakers...

I'm coming from a small 13" laptop which is as heavy as the 15 inch air, and I also have a 10 inch android tablet with a keyboard, the mi Pad 5, in case I want something extremely portable for something quick a dirty.

So now i'm thinking between my desktop, and my tablet, the 15" fits better. At the point, you still have to carry it in a bag, so I don't see how much of a drawback the extra size and weight is.

Maybe the only drawback is that i have to be more careful with fitting it in my motorbike's trunk.

 

[Darren.h]

15 INCH MBA M2 16 GB. 512 . 256 WAY TOO SMALL. 1 TB EVEN BETTER.

 

[prehmo]

15 INCH MBA M2 16 GB. 512 . 256 WAY TOO SMALL. 1 TB EVEN BETTER.

the extra storage is €200 more expensive. I'm trying to remain within my budget.

 

[Saturn007]

Really depends on what your computing and storage needs are!

You may want to consider the 8/512 combo instead of the 16/256. I know I would if money were tight, especially given how well the M-series laptops handle RAM. It should be just about the same cost.

Also, given that you'd be holding on to the laptop for several years, you should also consider stretching your budget a bit and getting both upgrades! Going 16/512 isn’t that much more money, but could provide a much better experience. To put this in perspective, divide the extra cost by the 48-60 months you'd have the laptop!

In the U.S., for example, 512GB would be only $200 more, so that would be only about $3-4 more a month. Surely, your budget can accommodate that.

The old saying, “Penny wise, pound foolish” applies here!

 

[prehmo]

I just came back from the Apple Store. A few thoughts.

The 15" is MASSIVE. I wasn't expecting that big of a difference. After many years managing with my 13", definitely looks too big and much less portable. Then again, i just said that portability for quick and dirty trips isn't my main goal, and once i carry a backpack i don't see much point in having the small one.

But fitting in my motorbike, that's definitely a stretch. I might need to carry a smaller helmet to fit the 15inch laptop.

The 13" MBP just became a tad more interesting. The extra power seems a very reasonable addition in comparison with a tad smaller screen than the 13" MBA. I can see having that laptop many years and holding up very wall with many challenges. I might not need it for gaming or heavy multitasking/video editing now, but who knows in a few years.

In case i can decide to opt for the Macbook in exchange for my tablet for a trip, a quick and dirty use in a plane or train, I dont' see many drawbacks for the MBP. It's just heavier, that's it.

The 13" MBA, well. It ****ing looks like a Goldilocks case. The screen is a little big bigger, but i can see it becoming very noticeable on the long run. I can see me taking it and just forgetting my tablet except for very specific pencil use (i just bought the Xiaomi official keyboard, which sadly doesnt include a trackpad, and the extra convenience on lap use of the trackpad instead of touch seems a big drawback for continued use, ie. a long trip)

The thing is, it just seems like a ripoff to pay the same price for the three items. Only the 13" Air is like 50€ cheaper. And, except for the twice as big SSD, its definitely is the worst contender performance-wise. Either the extra cooling of the pro, or the 2 extra cores of the GPU seem like an investment in performance for just the drawback of a smaller and slower SSD which i might not notice unless i am very sloppy with my file management.

I have 1TB one drive subscription, and SDs, pen drives and external ssds are always an option.

So again, Idk what to do.

Might just wait for a very good offer for the 256Gb or the 512Gb MBA that helps me take the bullet for the sacrifice in performance in the future.

 

[maerz001]

If u stay 13“ get it from apples refurb store. So u get the 512 for the money of the new 256.

The 15“ isn’t there yet.

 

[prehmo]

If u stay 13“ get it from apples refurb store. So u get the 512 for the money of the new 256.

The 15“ isn’t there yet.

I have student discount access as well, but the cheapest option by far is this website i found here in Spain.

shopdutyfree.es

For example, the new Macbook Pro 13" with twice the amount of RAM is the same price as the refurbished apple one with only 8gb.

 

[mattopotamus]

Only you can decide if 256gb storage is enough for you. Personally, I don't even hit 100gb for storage, and probably will be another few years before I do.

 

[FuriousD]

You can obviously get an good external drive for larger files, photos, music etc