Ive just purchased a MacBook Air M4 but im starting to wonder if I should have waited until next week when they might launch a new Air with the m5 chip. Im thinking im okay if it's only the processor they update as I only really use the MacBook for light tasks and probably never even push it to its full capability. im just paranoid I've rushed into the wrong purchase
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Just purchased a MacBook Air M4 should I have waited?
- Thread starter stevej26uk
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gymrat2k
macrumors member
https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#mac has 13 and 15" MBA as "Don't Buy, Updates Soon".
www.macrumors.com
"Processor Upgrade
The benchmark suggests Apple has focused on modest clock speed increases and core-level efficiency improvements for the M5 chip, rather than an architecture overhaul. In other words, the M5 will be similar to the step-wise performance upgrade from M3 to M4. Expect 10-15% faster CPU speeds, a slightly more powerful GPU, and better efficiency, potentially leading to even longer battery life.
Display and Other Possible Changes
If there are any physical changes, they'll likely be subtle. Think improved webcam quality, or tweaks to accommodate the next generation of wireless connectivity (such as Wi-Fi 7 or Bluetooth LE Audio). You never know – Apple could even offer the machine in a new color, just like it did this earlier year with the M4."
M5 MacBook Air: Release Date, Features, and Performance Predictions
The MacBook Air is Apple's most popular laptop – a thin, fanless machine that wields quiet power thanks to the efficiency of Apple silicon. While the M4 model isn't exactly old, attention is already turning to its successor. Apple doesn't telegraph new product launches ahead of time, but we can...
www.macrumors.com
"Processor Upgrade
The benchmark suggests Apple has focused on modest clock speed increases and core-level efficiency improvements for the M5 chip, rather than an architecture overhaul. In other words, the M5 will be similar to the step-wise performance upgrade from M3 to M4. Expect 10-15% faster CPU speeds, a slightly more powerful GPU, and better efficiency, potentially leading to even longer battery life.
Display and Other Possible Changes
If there are any physical changes, they'll likely be subtle. Think improved webcam quality, or tweaks to accommodate the next generation of wireless connectivity (such as Wi-Fi 7 or Bluetooth LE Audio). You never know – Apple could even offer the machine in a new color, just like it did this earlier year with the M4."
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aihpcfl
macrumors regular
I wouldn't worry unless the new MBA has something you need. If you don't know, then more reason not to worry.
JPack
macrumors P6
Of course.
M4 would have dropped in price even if you didn't need the M5. It's like buying an iPhone during the last week of August.
M4 would have dropped in price even if you didn't need the M5. It's like buying an iPhone during the last week of August.
Boppi
macrumors regular
The Nvme read/write speeds of the base M5 pretty much doubled in performance over the M4. That is a significant jump.
I don't understand the MacRumors write-up on the GPU. The GPU increase is significant - more on the order of 30%+ if I recall. Definitely more future proof when Apple decides to introduce a new bloated LiquidDonkey reskin of the interface that makes everyone's system hitch.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
The M4 has the ability to run Sequoia.
Some would say that is priceless.
Some would say that is priceless.
Thanks for the replies l got it for £779 so a reasonable saving over the normal asking price I was actually thinking of waiting and getting the rumoured cheap MacBook so if anything I have more power that I need. Im in two minds over whether I've made the right choice.
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Enjoy the fact that you have purchased a great Mac which will last you for years.
Ps. Any thought of returning it and getting better would based on choosing one with a larger SSD (I assume yours is minimal) and not on the slightly faster M5 CPU/GPU.
dmr727
macrumors G4
It definitely doesn't suck to be able to sit on the sidelines as Apple works through Tahoe's problems!
To the OP - enjoy your M4 Air. The upcoming M5 model will be an incremental upgrade for your use case, and that deal you got won't be available on the new models for quite some time anyway. 🙂
conmee
macrumors 6502a
There's no rational reason to think you made a bad choice. You received a good price for the M4 Air which will exceed your performance needs for years (based on you considering the anticipated budget MacBook which will clearly be inferior to the M4 Air based on all rumors to date). The M5 will only offer modest (and likely not noticeable) improvements to a system which is already providing more performance than you need. And I guarantee that you'll pay more than £879 for a new M5 Air... assuming the Air is even updated next week. So I'd say keep it.
With all that said, if you already have doubts/FOMO then return the M4... IF... a new M5 Air is announced next week and you can afford it and are willing to wait a little longer to get it. No need to live with a nagging voice of doubt in your head about your laptop choice. Again, I think you are good to stick with what you have, but if you are still of "two minds" despite the good advice already given in this thread, then return the M4 Air and get ready for a macOS Tahoe experience. 🙂
With all that said, if you already have doubts/FOMO then return the M4... IF... a new M5 Air is announced next week and you can afford it and are willing to wait a little longer to get it. No need to live with a nagging voice of doubt in your head about your laptop choice. Again, I think you are good to stick with what you have, but if you are still of "two minds" despite the good advice already given in this thread, then return the M4 Air and get ready for a macOS Tahoe experience. 🙂
chrfr
macrumors G5
If the M5 Air is released next week, then the M4 is worth less, so with luck you can either return it or get a refund for the difference in price. There is also the possibility that the M5 goes up in price so M4s continue to sell at about what they are now.
Bungaree.Chubbins
macrumors 65816
Buy your computer when you need it. I got my M3 Pro not heaps long before the M4 MacBook Pros launched. No regrets. There's not much that I can do to stretch this machine, it still runs super well.
i think it will prove to have been a wise choice for you to have bought the M4 now, and not wait.
i predict that the M5 (even though only a processor upgrade over the M4) will increase the price of the base configuration (to account for the latest processor + increased memory costs).
merit for you buying an M4 vs M5 machine in terms of processor difference is minimal.
but for M4 MacBook Airs, apple did something that they only do every so often when timing and cycle makes sense for them: they increased storage and memory for the base configuration of the M4 but left the price virtually unchanged in most markets. it was a great deal for the buyer when the machine came out, and, its an even better deal now in light of memory costs increasing in the M5.
on the matter of an M4 coming down in price after the M5 is launched, good luck for people who think that.
i think M4 stocks will dwindle to record lows for transitioned models and only second hand (refurbs) will be slightly discounted. unsold M4s will retain their value more than past situations because M5 new machines will be a lot more expensive than equivalent M4 configurations with minimal processor speed increase.
Vincent Hanna
macrumors regular
Worst case is you could've gotten that same M4 even cheaper next week.
But now you know not to buy an Apple gear in the days or weeks before an announced event.
But now you know not to buy an Apple gear in the days or weeks before an announced event.
I personally would have waited for m5 release and bought it on sale. Got a 1 TB M4 cellular 13 inch nano iPad Pro on sale for 1049 last month when Costco was unloading M4 iPad pros. I expect similar dump of m4 MBA.
crococarbs
macrumors member
Waiting would have been ideal potentially, *BUT* the M4 is already blazing fast and you got a really great little machine.
My M1 macbook air is still doing pretty good even with only 8gb of ram as my secondary computer.
The new M5 one will be faster, but I bet it won't make a huge difference on your day to day use, maybe not even noticeable depending on what you are doing.
So just enjoy your M4!
My M1 macbook air is still doing pretty good even with only 8gb of ram as my secondary computer.
The new M5 one will be faster, but I bet it won't make a huge difference on your day to day use, maybe not even noticeable depending on what you are doing.
So just enjoy your M4!
Astuces iOS
macrumors 68020
RETURN THE MACBOOK NOW !! New MacBook Air m5 is going to release in 4-6 days ! M5 is worth and also just for the resell value of longer macOS support !
Sounds like you have exactly the computer you need and at a decent price. If the new Air is just an incremental speed bump, I can’t imagine how that would matter. Macs are so freaking good these days it’s honestly hard to go wrong with anything that’s out now.
ClaraStahlbaum
macrumors 6502a
Apple_Robert
Contributor
That is terrible advice. First of all, resell should not be a part of the buying decision. And the reason for that is 1) If buying a new Mac requires money from a resell, that means you shouldn’t be buying a Mac you can’t afford 2) Resell is nothing more than losing money. Far too many people on MR (like you) like to use the resell rhetoric to try and justify spending too much on a Mac.
The M4 the OP bought will serve him well for many years. There is no need to return it just so he can claim to have an M5. That the mindset of kids of the playground. We are supposed to be adults here.
SevenTheGamingKitty
macrumors member
I always wait... and then keep waiting..... I lack any real new devices