I am torn. I don’t know if I should get the $799 M1 8GB ram and 256GB SSD or M2 with same specs but more money? I am not a power user and looking for basic use general tasks. I keep reading 16GB ram is the way to go?
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M1 vs M2 Air for basic user advice?
- Thread starter FattiesGoneWild
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M1 will be perfectly adequate for what you want but I suggest 16Gb, I have no doubt you'll get people posting saying that 8Gb will be enough and it's a fair point because it probably will at this time. However, in two or three years, you might find things getting bigger and bigger and so it could well become a bit of a bottleneck for you.
In your shoes, I'd buy a base M1 with 16GB RAM rather than the M2.
In your shoes, I'd buy a base M1 with 16GB RAM rather than the M2.
Open to 16GB. Problem is it’s $400 more. I am purchasing at Best Buy and they don’t have 16GB model. Directly through Apple yes but again, at $1,200 compared to $799 8GB model at BB.
16GB is not worth a 50% increase in cost, if those are your only two options. In that case it would be better to save the $400 and put it towards a new computer in 3 years.
I decided on the $799 M1. I was at Best Buy going back and fourth. The M2 looked nicer to me but the price ugh knowing the 256GB is gimped and I would have to step up to 512GB. I just didn’t want to pay it at the end.
I have the M1 Air with those same specs. It's more than sufficient for general use.
I originally skimped on RAM and SSD space because it was going to be only for writing, web use, watching videos and the like. I hadn't anticpated using it for heavy Illustrator and InDesign work, and as it turned out it's totally fast enough for that, too.
Fair enough. Been using it now for a few hours and its perfect for what I need with basic use.
I have an M1 with 8GB and this thing is awesome for normal office and home use!
Hmm...for a basic user, I would prioritize storage space first. Get something bigger than 256GB if you intend to keep the laptop for a while. The storage space is not internally upgradeable so better to get something a bit roomier.
I have an intel MacBook Pro with 8gb RAM which has been more than sufficient since I got this in 2017. Storage space of 512GB was fine back then but now I'd want something closer to 1TB. I'm not exactly a basic user, but at this point also no longer a power user.
I say go m2. Even as a basic user, I believe you would appreciate the cleaner design.
congrats on the purchase, i personally much prefer the m2 air design overall. I also knew i needed more storage so the dilemma didnt mean much to me for the speed
Because of the architecture of the Apple Silicon Macs 8Gb Ram is like having 16Gb on an intel. I'd say you will be fine with basic M1. Both my kids are Uni students with M1 MacBook Airs with 8Gb Ram. They do video editing, sound editing and it handles it fine. If you are upgrading in 3 years time by then 16Gb will probably be the basic model. So save your money. I'd invest in the biggest SSD you can afford.
Im not a power user either. Bought the Air in 2012...then an Intel powered 13" MBP in end 2018.
With the MBP, I customised the machine to the highest available RAM at the time.
The Air still runs well altho it's more of a backup machine for non-core activities.
The intel MBP is running so well that I really don't see myself needing to replace it anytime soon.
I keep it on Mojave so it's still a zippy little machine.
The M3 MacBook Air intrigues me and if I do get it, I will max out the RAM.
There are so many good deals on the base M1 right now. I’ve been doing a lot of traveling lately for work and have been bringing my 14-inch M1 Max with me, but for most of my work while traveling it’s just been regular office, Internet, and Remote Desktop. I love my 14-inch, but I’ve realized bringing it with me all the time for travel is overkill. Plus I spent a lot on it and would rather not it get lost or stolen while traveling.
Because of this I’ve been wanting a secondary Mac just for my travel needs. I decided to pick up the base M1 on sale at about $820. It works perfectly for what I need it to. Sure the 16GB of RAM would have been nice, but I couldn’t find a deal on that config any cheaper than $1200 where I live. It’s just not worth it for a secondary travel laptop for me.
I’ve been really surprised how well it manages with just 8GB of RAM. I don’t do anything intensive on the road and it’s good enough for me. So much better than the older Intel Macs I’ve had.
Because of this I’ve been wanting a secondary Mac just for my travel needs. I decided to pick up the base M1 on sale at about $820. It works perfectly for what I need it to. Sure the 16GB of RAM would have been nice, but I couldn’t find a deal on that config any cheaper than $1200 where I live. It’s just not worth it for a secondary travel laptop for me.
I’ve been really surprised how well it manages with just 8GB of RAM. I don’t do anything intensive on the road and it’s good enough for me. So much better than the older Intel Macs I’ve had.
I would get the M2 Air, new design with better hardware overall. The M1 Air design was introduced in 2018, nothing wrong with it tho.
I have the M2 base model and mainly use it with the Studio Display. I am very happy with it.
I have the M2 base model and mainly use it with the Studio Display. I am very happy with it.