Limitations of the base M4 14-inch Macbook Pro (16GB RAM; 512GB storage) for my preferences?

[kinsamani]

[LONG READ AHEAD]

I'm planning to buy a base M4 14-inch MBP with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, the only model I could buy with my budget, I can't go past $1700 (about ₱100,000 in my country, the Philippines—a developing country).

I'm about to graduate in college now with one more year remaining, and I'm planning to use this machine for at least 7+ years for professional use, with: [1] a lot of productivity, management, and leadership work (emails, documents, spreadsheets, project management, reading academic and legal texts, etc.); [2] creative work that's not that intensive (i.e. photo/video editing, graphic design, etc.); and [3] entertainment for recreation and downtime (usually just Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify).

I really don't do gaming, I only program and code casually based on my own personal interest, and I don't see myself doing graphics work in the future as intensive as say, 3D modeling or CGI VFX.

I also travel a lot and tend to always be on-the-go, so the 16-inch MBP just can't be an option in terms of portability, plus I also need as many ports as I could have without dongles (again, on-the-go lifestyle) as well as active cooling for sustained performance, so the 13 and 16-inch M3 MBA can't also be options.

I have never owned a Macbook before, and am still a Windows user until I get that base M4 14-inch MBP. I'm really certain that macOS can allow me to be the most productive I could be. Windows is just the worst for the type of work that I do, with those annoying updates hampering how I accomplish tasks.

My current laptop is an HP 15-inch laptop with an AMD Ryzen 5 CPU with Radeon Graphics; 8GB RAM; and 512GB storage—again, the laptop I could buy with my budget (just about $400) in 2022, when I was just in my second year of college.

Here's the question:
Since it seems that the base M4 14-inch Macbook Pro is the most viable option so far with my budget and usage, what limitations should I expect with this machine when I buy it?

I hope anyone could respond with as much insight, I could really use the help to be more informed with my decision. Any response is valid—even the ruthless ones.

 

[Teletypewriter]

I just bought a refurb base M4 MacBook Pro from Apple two weeks ago. I received the standard 15% off, or about $400 off retail. The nano-texture feature was not available on my M1 iPad Pro with Liquid Retina XDR display and I survived, so I did not order the feature for my laptop either with the same display.

I like the black finish, but in a dark room at night, it is frustrating trying to plug a cable into the side of the computer with a black background. A silver finish would have been easier to see.

I have only heard the fan once or twice, and that was when I transcoded a file from one video format to another.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Without being too demanding on the tech and since you are constrained by a hard-capped budget but want a Mac, "think different" and consider MBair. Yes, it lacks as many ports but you can get one for a lot less than your budget and add a port-loaded hub in the bag. It will feel even more portable. You could also add the extra inch to the screen size. It should do all you want to do just about as well... but either cost less or let you spec it up a bit more for your budget. More RAM in particular could be most key to your "use it for 7+ years" goal.

"Think different" Option #2: Mac Mini plus a portable screen and use it like a laptop. It comes with many ports but the hub idea could work here too. Portable monitors can be had for dirt cheap and thus you could go for larger size- even towards 17" if you like. With keyboard and mouse or trackpad, this would all be just about as portable as MBpro. Of course, it wouldn't easily offer a battery-based mode, so if you need to use it in spots unplugged, it's probably not an option. But if most work spots offer power, it could be a tangible alternative. It would be easy to carry a Mini around.

The savings in both ideas could give you at least a good start on buying a desktop monitor to use with either. A nice big(ger) screen will be handy in getting many things done. For example, you can probably allocate enough savings with either of the above ideas to have much of the budget towards a new ASUS 5K monitor. Or many 4K monitors can be had for considerably less than that ASUS. Some of your intended tasks will be nicer to do on a screen bigger than only 14-15".

Option #3: refurb or education store for either of the above to get them for a little less than full price.

Option #4: other than maybe the programming (which might stay on your existing HP), perhaps an iPad Air with keyboard case to fake a laptop-like setup? Your intended uses work fine on iPad and a keyboard can make it feel like a laptop. HP could step in for any true laptop computer needs.

 

[IowaLynn]

Consider refurbished.
MacBook Air M2 2022. $1,049.00
Also, you could run Windows VM if needed even if just while you transition.

Refurbished 13-inch MacBook Air Apple M2 Chip with 8‑Core CPU and 10‑Core GPU - Midnight - Apple

Originally released July 2022|13.6-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology1|16GB unified memory|512GB SSD 2|1080p FaceTime HD camera|Two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports

www.apple.com

 

[ashman70]

I just got a brand new base 14 inch MBP in space black, if you need portability, this machine is the one to get. If I had to recommend one upgrade, I would suggest upgrading the base RAM to 32GB other than that, I think you should be fine. The machine is wicket fast and should last you a good long time. I would also recommend Apple Care, the annual option is great choice as it never expires until you cancel it.

 

[Mactech20]

Any of these would be a better option for you. BHPhoto is a very reputable seller and I have had many Macs ordered from them.

Refurbished 14-inch MacBook Pro Apple M3 Pro Chip with 11âCore CPU and 14âCore GPU - Space Black

Originally released October 2023 14.2-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina XDR display;1 3024-by-1964 native resolution at 254 pixels per inch 18GB unified memory 512GB SSD2 Touch ID 1080p FaceTime HD camera Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports

www.apple.com

Loading…

www.bhphotovideo.com

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1793624-REG/apple_mrx33ll_a_14_macbook_pro_with.html

Loading…

www.bhphotovideo.com

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Any of these would be a better option for you. BHPhoto is a very reputable seller and I have had many Macs ordered from them.

Refurbished 14-inch MacBook Pro Apple M3 Pro Chip with 11âCore CPU and 14âCore GPU - Space Black

Originally released October 2023 14.2-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina XDR display;1 3024-by-1964 native resolution at 254 pixels per inch 18GB unified memory 512GB SSD2 Touch ID 1080p FaceTime HD camera Three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports

www.apple.com

Loading…

www.bhphotovideo.com

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1793624-REG/apple_mrx33ll_a_14_macbook_pro_with.html

Loading…

www.bhphotovideo.com

Considering B&H’s computer return policy, I would not buy from them if I lived in the Philippines, like the OP does.

 

[razmanugget]

I think a macbook air is a no brainer in this case. You'll love the portability of it and you won't notice a decrease in processing power due to the lack of a fan. A MBP is more needed for graphics work

 

[Flyview]

I think a macbook air is a no brainer in this case. You'll love the portability of it and you won't notice a decrease in processing power due to the lack of a fan. A MBP is more needed for graphics work

Also if a higher quality higher refresh rate (Pro Motion) display is important, stick to the MacBook Pro. I think the MBP is more future-proof than the MB Air.

I would recommend looking to see what's available used in your area. You can find amazing deals for much cheaper than what Apple charges, and not enough has changed since the M1 to warrant going for a newer one just to spend hundreds more, especially if performance isn't critical. You can probably find a 14" MBP with 32GB RAM for under your budget. Of course you have to be patient in finding the right deal. Good luck.

 

[TechnoMonk]

I travel a lot with 16 inch, never really felt it wasn’t portable. For me 14 inch doesn’t have enough screen space. May be get mac book air 15. Look around for deals, I haven’t bought directly from Apple in a while. I just picked up 128 GB M4 max 4TB for $5099, almost 900 less than Apple and comparable to Apple refurbished pricing.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

[LONG READ AHEAD]

I'm planning to buy a base M4 14-inch MBP with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, the only model I could buy with my budget, I can't go past $1700 (about ₱100,000 in my country, the Philippines—a developing country).

I'm about to graduate in college now with one more year remaining, and I'm planning to use this machine for at least 7+ years for professional use, with: [1] a lot of productivity, management, and leadership work (emails, documents, spreadsheets, project management, reading academic and legal texts, etc.); [2] creative work that's not that intensive (i.e. photo/video editing, graphic design, etc.); and [3] entertainment for recreation and downtime (usually just Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify).

I really don't do gaming, I only program and code casually based on my own personal interest, and I don't see myself doing graphics work in the future as intensive as say, 3D modeling or CGI VFX.

I also travel a lot and tend to always be on-the-go, so the 16-inch MBP just can't be an option in terms of portability, plus I also need as many ports as I could have without dongles (again, on-the-go lifestyle) as well as active cooling for sustained performance, so the 13 and 16-inch M3 MBA can't also be options.

I have never owned a Macbook before, and am still a Windows user until I get that base M4 14-inch MBP. I'm really certain that macOS can allow me to be the most productive I could be. Windows is just the worst for the type of work that I do, with those annoying updates hampering how I accomplish tasks.

My current laptop is an HP 15-inch laptop with an AMD Ryzen 5 CPU with Radeon Graphics; 8GB RAM; and 512GB storage—again, the laptop I could buy with my budget (just about $400) in 2022, when I was just in my second year of college.

Here's the question:
Since it seems that the base M4 14-inch Macbook Pro is the most viable option so far with my budget and usage, what limitations should I expect with this machine when I buy it?

I hope anyone could respond with as much insight, I could really use the help to be more informed with my decision. Any response is valid—even the ruthless ones.

Your choice of an MBP is a good one. My business partner has an M2 14" MBP with 24 GB RAM and thinks it is great. If at all financially possible add as much RAM as possible up to the 32 GB maximum, because 16 GB RAM will be limiting before you reach the end of a 7-year life cycle. I would try to buy refurbished plus the edu discount if that is feasible while also adding RAM. Refurbished Macs are a great way to save.

Used M2 or M3 can be good with enough RAM [minimum 24 GB] but be really careful of unscrupulous sellers. But your edu discount and/or refurbished probably makes an M4 the best choice.

 

[SjoukeW]

Based on your usage description and MacBook Air has enough performance. 512 gb storage can be tight though. I would choose an air with more storage and ram over a pro.
Obsolescence will come earlier from lack of storage or lach if ram then computing power these days. Especially when doing a lot of office stuff.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Based on your usage description and MacBook Air has enough performance. 512 gb storage can be tight though. I would choose an air with more storage and ram over a pro.
Obsolescence will come earlier from lack of storage or lach if ram then computing power these days. Especially when doing a lot of office stuff.

I disagree and would far prefer a MBP. It is better than the MBA in every regard except weight. Mass storage needs to be properly managed via external storage to external SSDs and/or to HDDs and/or to the cloud. External SSD capacity is fast and inexpensive, easy to add. RAM however is both critical and forever limited; buy as much as you possibly can afford with a new box.