Laptop purchase advice

[mpb2000]

I am long overdue for a new laptop. I have been comparing the Air and Pro models and want to see if there would be a reason to go with the pro given my usage. The most taxing activities would be photo and video editing, but that would only be in Photos and iMovie, with video editing being for home movies from camcorders.

While the extra battery life, additional ports, and larger screen size (16” rather than 15”) would be nice, the added weight and higher price point would not.

I’ve been considering something like 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD, which is $1800 for the M4 Air vs. $2700 M4 Pro Pro.

Would the 24GB RAM be appropriate? Would going down to 16GB or up to 32GB be a worth considering?

I have a lot of music, photos and video that take up a ton of space, so I wouldn’t want to go smaller than 1TB. I’m not sure I need to spend the extra $400 to jump to 2TB.

I will certainly be waiting for the next cycle of whichever model I end up choosing. I had been resigned to opting for the Pro when the Air could only drive one external display, but it’s back in play now that it can drive two. I was also trying to wait for the big Pro update coming late 2026/early 2027, but I just don’t think I need it, especially if the touchscreen, which I’m not particularly interested in, is the big draw, as it will undoubtedly be a big price driver.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Bigwaff]

Based on stated use cases and budget constraints, consider a refurb/used M2/M3 Pro MBP. More bang for the buck, especially in 3-6 months after M5 Pro/Max MBP released. If you like warranties, most include options to add or you can try add to AppleCare One.

 

[maflynn]

I’ve been considering something like 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD, which is $1800 for the M4 Air vs. $2700 M4 Pro Pro.

Personally, I'd opt for the Pro over the Air, it gives you more performance head room, and superior cooling.

The M5 pro is rumored to be released sooner then later - do you want to wait a month or two to see if that occurs?

A counter point to waiting is the skyrocketing price of ram (and storage). At the moment, apple hasn't increased pricing but that may change once the M5 comes out - other computer manufacturers have raised their prices significantly because of this issue. My point is,that waiting may turn out to be a more expensive endeavor.

Would the 24GB RAM be appropriate? Would going down to 16GB or up to 32GB be a worth considering?

You're doing image and video editing, I think the more ram the better, especially given the fact that you cannot add ram post purchase.

consider a refurb/used M2/M3 Pro MBP

At this point I don't think a M2 or M3 is worth the money, the M4 represents such a nice jump especially vs the M2. Now with the M5 on the horizon, I think its better to consider a M4 Pro refurb

 

[Bigwaff]

At this point I don't think a M2 or M3 is worth the money, the M4 represents such a nice jump especially vs the M2. Now with the M5 on the horizon, I think its better to consider a M4 Pro refurb

For a casual user with occasional “pro” use cases and budget concerns wanting higher memory and storage specs, a refurb/used M2/M3 Pro MBP is a really good value. The M2/M3 Max even more so. There is a perfectly spec’ed M-class MBP released in the last 5 years for just about anyone, on any budget.

 

[maflynn]

is a really good value.

I disagree, I think its a short term fix that may force the OP to consider a newer purchase sooner then if he opted for a M4 Pro (new or refurb)

The adage of by once cry once makes sense here in this situation

 

[MBAir2010]

I read somewhere on the internet that  will develop a 2 sided coin for such dilemmas.
the introduction price is $29.99.

 

[Fishrrman]

Just some thoughts.

Consider buying from Apple's online refurbished site (if they have that where you are).
You can save 10-15% this way.
I've bought that way twice, very satisfied each time.

You might consider the m4 (non-pro) version.

Check the benchmarks on both the m4 -and- m4pro for "single-core" performance.

I originally thought I'd want an m4Pro Mini, just because it was "pro".
Then I found out that the single-core performance was the same.
I bought the m4 and am quite happy with it.

 

[maflynn]

Check the benchmarks on both the m4 -and- m4pro for "single-core" performance.

I originally thought I'd want an m4Pro Mini, just because it was "pro".
Then I found out that the single-core performance was the same.
I bought the m4 and am quite happy with it.

Both image and video editing relies on GPU cores, which the pro series gives you more then the non-pro version of the M4 SoC

 

[JPack]

Get the Air and save $900 for your next MacBook replacement.

What you’ve described is mundane home photo and video work. It’s standard 4K stuff and M4/M5 with 24GB will fly through it.

 

[AdamNC]

My wife does pretty much your exact type of workload. I got her the 15 inch MBA M4 with 32gigs and 1T SSD. She loves it, nothing slows it down.

 

[eRondeau]

Practically speaking, nothing you do will come close to taxing any computer you’re considering. You might use 10% of the capability of a MacBook Pro and 15% of the capability of a MacBook Air. Either way, you’re driving a Ferrari to the grocery store and back. Instead consider the form factor of both. If you travel a lot and you’ll take it with you, get the Air. If your laptop will spend most of its life on a desk get the Pro. I would further recommend sticking with the base 16GB RAM and spend the extra $$$ on a fast external backup drive.

 

[JamesMay82]

My wife does pretty much your exact type of workload. I got her the 15 inch MBA M4 with 32gigs and 1T SSD. She loves it, nothing slows it down.

I have same work load and I have same apex but I went with 2TB SSD as I like to keep as much local as possible.

I did nearly get an old M1 Max pro 16 inch for the same money with 4TB but it had sold out last minute… it’s worth checking for older stock in case you can find a bargain

 

[mpb2000]

Well, that certainly makes it difficult to decide. There are responses across the spectrum, from the Air would even be overdoing it to a Pro is needed. I was expecting the Air to be enough for my use case. What would be the performance difference observed when doing basic photo and video editing in Photos and iMovie with the Air versus the Pro as spec’d?

 

[Alameda]

Well, that certainly makes it difficult to decide. There are responses across the spectrum, from the Air would even be overdoing it to a Pro is needed. I was expecting the Air to be enough for my use case. What would be the performance difference observed when doing basic photo and video editing in Photos and iMovie with the Air versus the Pro as spec’d?

No need to overthink it. A 24GB Mac will last long into the future.

I have a MacBook Pro with the M1 and 16GB, and I’ve edited 4K video and I routinely edit 45 megapixel RAW photos with ease. So honestly anything would be good for you.

 

[Falhófnir]

Well, that certainly makes it difficult to decide. There are responses across the spectrum, from the Air would even be overdoing it to a Pro is needed. I was expecting the Air to be enough for my use case. What would be the performance difference observed when doing basic photo and video editing in Photos and iMovie with the Air versus the Pro as spec’d?

If it's just a few photo touchups and 1080p (or realistically even light to moderate 4K) video I think it's bad advice to recommend the pro over the air for the extra power. The M4 air is already more than capable of handling it, and the M5 will be even more so. Personally I probably wouldn't even bother going to 24GB RAM, 16 is likely to be enough unless you're doing really heavy 4K video editing, more the sort of thing you'd be doing in final cut than iMovie. The Air is fanless, so it regulates it's temperature by dialling back performance, but it's usually 10% or so, it might not even be noticeable for what you're doing, it would be more for things that really load the cpu and gpu like gaming, 3D animation, or very heavy video rendering.

There is an argument for going to the Pro, but it's more that the display has a couple of key advantages - full HDR capability (dark areas of an image can be truly dark, and highlights can be individually ramped up in brightness), 120Hz support for high refresh videos (the latest iPhones now support 120fps video, though older models maxed out at a standard 60) and it's a larger panel with a greater resolution and overall pixel density. You do mention you want to run external monitors, though, so this may be of less value to you. IMO you'd be hard pressed to justify a full extra grand for this in any case.