Help me decide on which MacBook, student use

[arjusmc]

Good evening all,

I’m looking for some advice. In 2014 I went back to school and purchased a 2014 MBA, base model. It served me well but the last two years it’s has started really slowing down. Recently I was accepted to medical school and I need a new MacBook, I just don’t know which one. I want something that will be able to complete my tasks for 4-5 years. I see all kinds of YouTube videos about which one to get for video editing and gaming etc... I don’t do any of that. I plan on using my MacBook on the go and at home with a larger display in clamshell mode. I have a 27 widescreen monitor that I run 3-4 programs all on while studying, a browser with the lecture, PowerPoint for lecture slides, word, and a flash card app named anki. I know any MacBook I get now will do that today, but how about in 4-5 years? My 2014 MBA struggles at times with the video in that setup. With those programs going should I be concerned with some of the thermal issues? I’m considering a base 13” MBP, but it’s kinda ehh. Also thinking about an I5 MBA with extra ram and without extra ram. Do I need to just go with the upgraded $1700 13” MBP?
Sorry about the long post.

 

[Lucas284]

Base MBP will be fine. It will last you at least 5 years.

 

[arjusmc]

Base MBP will be fine. It will last you at least 5 years.

Thx, how much of a benefit would I get in longevity by upgrading to the $1800 version. I’m considering because of storage space for lecture/study guide videos

 

[coffeeplease]

For your use, you could go for either i5 MBA or base MBP, both would be around the same price range. It seems like MBA does run hotter and fans kick in for certain tasks over the MBP so take that into account. If you do get the base MBP, upgrade to 16gb of RAM as it's only a $100 upgrade.

 

[hobowankenobi]

The most important thing to remember is that unlike previous times, you can't (easily) upgrade new Mac portables.

In bygone times, one could buy a machine, and some years later add RAM, and improve (bigger/faster) storage if you were handy.

For general purpose use, it is unlikely that you will see any issues with CPU or GPU. As time goes by—at least historically—both OSes and software tend use and benefit from more and more RAM. Because of this, I would warn about any great deals on Macs with 8GB of RAM. 16GB should be the minimum.

For storage, every current portable is solid state only, which is great. Only choice is the amount of space.

If you go 13" MBP, the biggest choice is base model with an older 8th gen CPU, vs the higher end models with 10th gen CPU. If you really want to maximize life, the 10th gen is the way to go. A big bump in price, but the 10th gen could get several years more usefulness.

If you go MBA, then order with 16GB of RAM.

Between the two, I would probably pick the 13" MBP with 10th gen CPU and 16GB of RAM. Nobody can predict the future, but historically, a config like that has lasted up to a decade. Case in point: mid-tier 2011 15" MBP (with RAM and SSD upgrade) is still very usable for everyday general computing, even though it is running an older OS and cannot updated anymore.

 

[arjusmc]

Thanks everyone. I’m either going to go MBP with the ram upgrade or the $1800 variant. I’ll just have to wait and see if I get hit with any random expenses.
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Plus I just found out I can get a student discount, that helps.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'd get the 4-port 2020 MBP 13".
Particularly since you're going to be using it with an external display.

That way you can have the display and charger connected, and still have 2 ports "free".