If You Were Buying an M5 MacBook Air…

[Biro]

If you were buying an M5 MacBook Air… and it wasn’t your primary computer… would you buy the 16/512 base model and keep it as cheap as you can? Or would you bother worrying about future-proofing and memory pressure and option it up to 24/1TB?

And would you bother with AppleCare? Part of me finds that AppleCare - despite its uses - completely wipes out the value proposition offered by Apple’s least expensive devices. There’s more than a $400 difference in price between the two spec levels (whether buying on sale or paying MSRP) and Apple Care adds even more to that (assuming one adds it only to the more expensive MBA).

Uses for the MBA would be the usual travel and vacation duty: Web surfing, email, texting, creating documents, some streaming and a good deal of photo editing (personal, not professional).

 

[Corefile]

You can get the M5 MBA base model for 899$ from Costco or Amazon right now. 16/512 is enough for anything I need to do on a Mac such as Virtualization. I don't do Apple Care as I've not had any problems with any Macs in 20 years, but that's me.

 

[Biro]

You can get the M5 MBA base model for 899$ from Costco or Amazon right now. 16/512 is enough for anything I need to do on a Mac such as Virtualization. I don't do Apple Care as I've not had any problems with any Macs in 20 years, but that's me.

That’s exactly the model I’m looking at. If I really decided to go for the $400 more expensive MBA with 24/1TB, I might be tempted to do AppleCare for the first two years. But not on the base version. I’m definitely leaning toward your way of thinking.

 

[1BadManVan]

the base model seems to make the most sense for your use case and will still last year a number of years

 

[FreakinEurekan]

For the uses you list, sounds like 16/512 is plenty.

 

[agregson]

I always buy base model (other than Neo) and change more often. Though since M1 I haven't changed much. Currently have MBA M1, Mini M4 and soon to add MBN (TouchID which I think is invaluable).
I had AC on MBA for first 3 years. Also have AC on mini. Tend to have AC on devices where repair is expensive and damage/loss more of an issue so have it on iPhone Pro Max and iPad Pro. Don't have it on Mini and may not add on MBN as affects value. However AC is super useful when needed for repair and support.
I think 16/512 MBA would be a super computer and ideal. Change later if it becomes an issue - resale on the 16/512 will be strong. AC may be helpful if you value support and damage repair - I think I would add it.

 

[CSAppleFan]

I think for the majority of people the base model is more than enough. you see people using base m1 air's still and they work fine. always nice though to get more machine if you can

 

[Chevyguy2021]

Base model is a steal for $899 on Amazon US.
I do not buy apple care, ever 🙂 That's just me though.

 

[Mrbobb]

more ram/ssd will let you keep the laptop for an extra year or 2, but your usage indicates this is not critical, up to you.

Applecares... there must be 5 thousand tons of posts about the subject. 1/2 of the people swear you must get applecare or else you will regret it, and the other 1/2 tell you they never pay for extended warranty.

Extended warranty for electronics resembles a bit about extended warranty for cars. Ever analyze how much insurance you need for your car? because is a hunt of money. I only pay for liability because that's critical, I can hurt somebody and they will sue me for all I am worth, but I am not paying for collision because my car is old, I did pay for collision when it was newer, I also don't pay for collision now because I have a HONDA, is rare that Hondas break. So you have to ask yourself, are you careless with electronics, taken into consideration applecare is not covering you if they discover neglect, you drop the laptop, or liquid damage, they are on you and not covered. Applecare doesn't cover you bumper-to-bumper.

 

[dizmonk]

If it's not your primary machine then 16/512 is fine and I would not recommend AC. In my case my M5 air is the primary machine. I have 24GB/1TB and will be getting AC shortly.

 

[August West]

My M1 MBA 8/256 is more than adequate for my casual use. I wouldn't mind if it had 16GB but I really haven't had an issue with 8GB except see the memory pressure gets into the yellow at times. 512GB would be a waste since I haven't ever filled up the 256GB. I do go through it every year or two and do some cleanup. But this is only a very light duty machine.

I've never had AC or any other extended warranties and never will. My preference is to self insure since I tend to be pretty careful with my stuff and over the long run I'd rather have the money in my pocket.