Is the M1 13" MBA really today's best-value-for-money Air at the moment?

[pullman]

Hello everyone

My wife has been using her 11" MBA since new in 2011 but it's no longer charging so she's looking to upgrade. She uses her computer for word processing, email and internet, thus nothing very taxing.

I checked Everymac to get an idea about the differences between the M1, M2 and M3 MBA models.

It seems the M1 is the best value for money, could that be? They aren't far from each other in Geekbench, battery is more or less the same and there are only very small differences in connectivity.

It feels like I've missed something a 4 year old M1 shouldn't be so competitive, but is it?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Philip

 

[Bigwaff]

It seems the M1 is the best value for money,

On the used market, no argument. New or refurb, M2 MBA best value.

 

[russell_314]

The M1 is just fine if you’re on a tight budget. Anything with a M in it is going to be more than powerful enough for general computing. Even the base model M1 will work. I have a family member that still uses the original base M1 Air with the 7 core GPU. It works like a charm.

What I would consider, though is look at the M2 Air. It was redesigned with a better and slightly larger screen, and it looks better in my opinion. The M1 design looks really dated. None of this matters if you’re on a tight budget and need a functioning MacBook. It’s just something to consider if you can afford the extra cost.

 

[pullman]

Thank you very much both. It's interesting to look at Apple's pricing, it follows the exact same model that it did when I last bought a new Mac in 2015.

I didn't know the M1 looks different from the other two, but a bigger screen is always good. When we discussed today she indicated that she'd actually prefer the M3 for longevity reasons so it may be that she'll get that actually.

Thanks again

On the used market, no argument. New or refurb, M2 MBA best value.

The M1 is just fine if you’re on a tight budget. Anything with a M in it is going to be more than powerful enough for general computing. Even the base model M1 will work. I have a family member that still uses the original base M1 Air with the 7 core GPU. It works like a charm.

What I would consider, though is look at the M2 Air. It was redesigned with a better and slightly larger screen, and it looks better in my opinion. The M1 design looks really dated. None of this matters if you’re on a tight budget and need a functioning, MacBook. It’s just something to consider if you can afford the extra cost.

 

[DeepSix]

I would say M2 is best value right now

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I like M2, for the MagSafe charger if nothing else (2 USB plus charger, vs. two INCLUDING charger on M1)

 

[throAU]

Hello everyone

My wife has been using her 11" MBA since new in 2011 but it's no longer charging so she's looking to upgrade. She uses her computer for word processing, email and internet, thus nothing very taxing.

I checked Everymac to get an idea about the differences between the M1, M2 and M3 MBA models.

It seems the M1 is the best value for money, could that be? They aren't far from each other in Geekbench, battery is more or less the same and there are only very small differences in connectivity.

It feels like I've missed something a 4 year old M1 shouldn't be so competitive, but is it?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Philip

Thoughts:
In terms of outright purchase price vs. performance the M1 air is hard to beat. If you need to spend minimum $ today - go for it.

HOWEVER - the M1 is a few years old now, if you're planning to keep the device for some years, you're already 4 years into its software support lifetime, which is typically something like 7 years?

Don't expect to keep getting new versions of macOS for it beyond 2027.

If you're fine with that, go for it.

If you're worried about that (i.e., you want to spend less money on average over the next 5 years whilst keeping current with macOS), consider an M2 Air instead, or even better wait for the M4.

Personally, at this point, if she can wait a few months - I'd strongly suggest waiting for the m4 Air. M4 is a BIG step, it will come with 16 GB of RAM and be supported for the next 7 years, instead of the next 3.

 

[JPack]

In general, no. Because the M1 MBA is already 4 years old. Apple typically offers 6-7 years of major macOS updates for Mac products. This means it's already 2/3 of the way through the lifecycle.

M3 is best bet at this point because of the newer chip with AV1 support and faster 256GB NAND compared to M2 models.

 

[pullman]

Thank you very much.

I would say M2 is best value right now

 

[pullman]

Thank you, I hadn't realised this actually. That's truly handy.

I like M2, for the MagSafe charger if nothing else (2 USB plus charger, vs. two INCLUDING charger on M1)

 

[pullman]

Thank you very much @throAU and @JPack. The longevity aspect has turned out to be very important in our discussions. My wife, as can be seen from the fact that she's used the 2011 MBA since new, doesn't buy new computers often. I'm happy to run OCLP and things like that to keep my Macs alive and kicking, but she's not comfortable with that. So getting one that can last as long a time as possible is a key point for her.

I'm intrigued by the M4 personally but she needs a computer now. Sure, we could get a new charger to see if that solves the charging problems, or bring it to the  geniuses but there's a likelihood of no solution being found with that option. I've also tried to reset SMC (including in the old-fashioned way by pulling out the battery connector and pressing the power button) and PRAM and I've generally inspected the inside of the computer. But I find nothing that looks out of the ordinary.

So all this boils down to the M3. We'll up the RAM to 16GB but go for the smaller SSD since external drives are considerably cheaper than the premium Apple charges for the 512GB drive.

Cheers
Philip

Thoughts:
In terms of outright purchase price vs. performance the M1 air is hard to beat. If you need to spend minimum $ today - go for it.

HOWEVER - the M1 is a few years old now, if you're planning to keep the device for some years, you're already 4 years into its software support lifetime, which is typically something like 7 years?

Don't expect to keep getting new versions of macOS for it beyond 2027.

If you're fine with that, go for it.

If you're worried about that (i.e., you want to spend less money on average over the next 5 years whilst keeping current with macOS), consider an M2 Air instead, or even better wait for the M4.

Personally, at this point, if she can wait a few months - I'd strongly suggest waiting for the m4 Air. M4 is a BIG step, it will come with 16 GB of RAM and be supported for the next 7 years, instead of the next 3.

In general, no. Because the M1 MBA is already 4 years old. Apple typically offers 6-7 years of major macOS updates for Mac products. This means it's already 2/3 of the way through the lifecycle.

M3 is best bet at this point because of the newer chip with AV1 support and faster 256GB NAND compared to M2 models.

 

[throAU]

So all this boils down to the M3. We'll up the RAM to 16GB but go for the smaller SSD since external drives are considerably cheaper than the premium Apple charges for the 512GB drive.

You'll be happy to learn that the m3 (new ones!) now comes standard with 16 GB as well now since apple bumped everything on sale to 16 GB Mac wise as a baseline.

 

[russell_314]

You'll be happy to learn that the m3 (new ones!) now comes standard with 16 GB as well now since apple bumped everything on sale to 16 GB Mac wise as a baseline.

I noticed even the M2 models have 16 GB. That makes sense because if not they would have to price the M2 $200 lower right out the gate not including the CPU upgrade. They discontinued the M1 on the Apple website.

 

[geta]

If she plans to keep it for the next 10+ years, consider the base M3 MBA that comes standard with 16GB of RAM.

 

[John_Blackthorne]

Thank you very much @throAU and @JPack. The longevity aspect has turned out to be very important in our discussions. My wife, as can be seen from the fact that she's used the 2011 MBA since new, doesn't buy new computers often. I'm happy to run OCLP and things like that to keep my Macs alive and kicking, but she's not comfortable with that. So getting one that can last as long a time as possible is a key point for her.

I'm intrigued by the M4 personally but she needs a computer now. Sure, we could get a new charger to see if that solves the charging problems, or bring it to the  geniuses but there's a likelihood of no solution being found with that option. I've also tried to reset SMC (including in the old-fashioned way by pulling out the battery connector and pressing the power button) and PRAM and I've generally inspected the inside of the computer. But I find nothing that looks out of the ordinary.

So all this boils down to the M3. We'll up the RAM to 16GB but go for the smaller SSD since external drives are considerably cheaper than the premium Apple charges for the 512GB drive.

Cheers
Philip

"or bring it to the  geniuses"

Homie, that model is Obsolete in Apple land.

"Obsolete", in this context, means a product that Apple stopped selling over seven years ago.

It means they won't work on it.

You can buy a charger off Amazon, but that is about all you can do for that machine.

Get an M3.

 

[bellflyer14]

Thank you very much both. It's interesting to look at Apple's pricing, it follows the exact same model that it did when I last bought a new Mac in 2015.

I didn't know the M1 looks different from the other two, but a bigger screen is always good. When we discussed today she indicated that she'd actually prefer the M3 for longevity reasons so it may be that she'll get that actually.

Thanks again

If she is wanting to get the M3 for longevity reasons, you can't beat the current sales at retailers, such as Best Buy. Apple recently did away with the base model 8gb memory and went with 16gb. You can get a great M3 13" mba at Best Buy right now with 16gb ram/memory and 256ssd for $849 brand new. That is my vote

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Put in another vote for the M3 with 16 GBs.
Given that the computer came out in March 2024, it should receive macOS upgrades until at minimum 2030, and it won’t be marked obsolete by Apple until 2032 at the earliest.
However, given the longevity of M chips I would even expect it to get longer support than even that.
Coming from a 2011 MacBook Air, this is going to be a beyond massive upgrade.

 

[Acronyc]

If I were to buy now, I'd also get the M3. My wife and I are both using M1 Airs with 16GB of RAM and we don't feel the need to upgrade yet (she's been using hers as her main computer for three years, while mine is a travel Mac). But if wee needed one now, I'd get the M3 over the M1 or M2 not only for the increased support but also for the dual external monitor support (as long as the Mac is in clamshell mode).

 

[pullman]

Yes this is excellent news, we placed an order yesterday night from Coolblue.nl for a 16GB base model with 256 SSD and it just arrived. I have a feeling she'll be very happy with that computer.

You'll be happy to learn that the m3 (new ones!) now comes standard with 16 GB as well now since apple bumped everything on sale to 16 GB Mac wise as a baseline.

 

[pullman]

Thank you, yes I noticed that the M1 is gone. Me being me am wondering if I will at some point get an M1 just because it's the first of the new era. Perhaps a bit silly.

I noticed even the M2 models have 16 GB. That makes sense because if not they would have to price the M2 $200 lower right out the gate not including the CPU upgrade. They discontinued the M1 on the Apple website.

 

[pullman]

Yes this is the idea, she buys computers very infrequently. So hopefully it will last it not a full decade a least a good chunk of it.

If she plans to keep it for the next 10+ years, consider the base M3 MBA that comes standard with 16GB of RAM.

 

[pullman]

That's a very good price, is that with VAT? Here in the Netherlands the Black Friday deals for the base 13" MBA with 256SSD is 1099 Euro with VAT. That's 200 Euro less than the list price.

If she is wanting to get the M3 for longevity reasons, you can't beat the current sales at retailers, such as Best Buy. Apple recently did away with the base model 8gb memory and went with 16gb. You can get a great M3 13" mba at Best Buy right now with 16gb ram/memory and 256ssd for $849 brand new. That is my vote

 

[pullman]

The two-monitor support was something I hadn't thought of. That's a good thing to have actually. I think she will like that.

If I were to buy now, I'd also get the M3. My wife and I are both using M1 Airs with 16GB of RAM and we don't feel the need to upgrade yet (she's been using hers as her main computer for three years, while mine is a travel Mac). But if wee needed one now, I'd get the M3 over the M1 or M2 not only for the increased support but also for the dual external monitor support (as long as the Mac is in clamshell mode).

 

[pullman]

So tell me more about the longevity of M chips. Are they meant to be competitive (if that's the right term) longer than the Intel chips? I hadn't realised this.

I think we'll have to do a speed test this evening and see which computer boots fastest lol.

Put in another vote for the M3 with 16 GBs.
Given that the computer came out in March 2024, it should receive macOS upgrades until at minimum 2030, and it won’t be marked obsolete by Apple until 2032 at the earliest.
However, given the longevity of M chips I would even expect it to get longer support than even that.
Coming from a 2011 MacBook Air, this is going to be a beyond massive upgrade.

 

[throAU]

So tell me more about the longevity of M chips. Are they meant to be competitive (if that's the right term) longer than the Intel chips? I hadn't realised this.

Too early to tell but the signs so far is that they are extremely competitive ; the M1 series was a massive, massive leap from intel performance, heat and noise. The m2, m3 and m4 are more incremental improvements, but those increments are say 15-30% per year - previously with intel we'd get 5% annually.

The M1 chips are still FAST and if they were guaranteed to get long term software support I'd still recommend people buy them. But based on prior history, that's less likely, hence the recommendation for something more current.


Seriously though if you haven't run an M chip before and are coming from intel.... it's almost like these are the chips apple was expecting from intel when they started their ultra thin line of machines like the MacBook 12" - and intel just failed to deliver the product apple was promised to fit into those ultra thin machines.