M2 Configuration

[Ellen]

Hi, for those of you with M2’s I would love to know your configurations.

I currently have a 2018 MacBook Pro 15” with 256GB hard drive & 16GB RAM. I purchased Pros for a long time because when I was working my company subsidized our laptop purchases, but I am now retired and don’t need a “work” machine. I’m not a gamer and don’t do video editing etc.

Admittedly, my current laptop works fine tho I sometimes see messages on Zoom and a few other websites that the page is using a lot of memory.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[OAG7]

MBA M2 10 GPU 24GB Mem 512 SSD SG. Way more than I need (I Guess). I could get along with 8 GPU 16GB Mem and 512 SSD; and saved a lot of $$. I am a surfer, do a few Spreadsheets, Taxes and other accounting things and also not a gamer.

 

[maka344]

I’m a basic user (internet browsing, email, office, YouTube) and changed from a MBP 14” M1 10 core 16GB/1TB to initially the 8GB/512GB M2 MBA and I noticed that my swap was running at around on average 1GB.

So went with the 16GB/1TB MBA M2 and no longer see any swapping - performance is identical between 8GB/16GB RAM.

 

[1BadManVan]

16/512 is a great config for those that want to keep their devices for a long time, it seems you use some apps and pages that use a lot of memory so I would definitely go for the 16gb model. Storage is dependant on how much you keep on your Mac.

i went with the 10c/16gb/1Tb config as I love to store all my pictures, videos and music locally and want to keep this for as long as it’s usable.

 

[Ellen]

Thanks. Yes I definitely will get 16GB - I feel like going down to 8GB would be a true downgrade for me at this point. As for the hard drive, 256GB has been more than enough storage for me (most of my data and media is now in iCloud, plus I have a small, portable 1GB external drive that I use for Time Machine backups). But I admit I am afraid of the throttling issue I have read about

 

[1BadManVan]

Thanks. Yes I definitely will get 16GB - I feel like going down to 8GB would be a true downgrade for me at this point. As for the hard drive, 256GB has been more than enough storage for me (most of my data and media is now in iCloud, plus I have a small, portable 1GB external drive that I use for Time Machine backups). But I admit I am afraid of the throttling issue I have read about

You really aren’t going to experience it doing regular tasks, it’s more if you’re doing constant large file transfers which it sounds like you won’t be. More then likely the 256gb drive in the m2 is either as fast or fast then what’s in your 2018 as is.

Apple has great return policies, you can always test it for yourself first and you got 2 weeks to return it

 

[Ellen]

Thanks. I guess I would like it to be faster.....

(Until I decided to buy myself a belated birthday gift I was thinking of waiting another year and then saw the Midnight color (once upon a time I had the black MacBook). Which is funny because I probably would wind up buying Silver.)

 

[1BadManVan]

Thanks. I guess I would like it to be faster.....

(Until I decided to buy myself a belated birthday gift I was thinking of waiting another year and then saw the Midnight color (once upon a time I had the black MacBook). Which is funny because I probably would wind up buying Silver.)

I started with the midnight and ended with the silver lol. As much as I love the midnight look, I was too worried how it would age. And I dont blame you for wanting the faster drive, im sure it will help it feel faster later down the road as well. You will definitely feel a big speed boost vs what you have now.

 

[Dealmans]

it's not a car lol

 

[Technerd108]

Thanks. I guess I would like it to be faster.....

(Until I decided to buy myself a belated birthday gift I was thinking of waiting another year and then saw the Midnight color (once upon a time I had the black MacBook). Which is funny because I probably would wind up buying Silver.)

I would think the 512 gb ssd with 16gb ram and 8 core gpu would be the best config based on what you have said so far.

Get the color you like most.

The above configuration is what I have in midnight.

 

[Zapdoc]

I would think the 512 gb ssd with 16gb ram and 8 core gpu would be the best config based on what you have said so far.

Get the color you like most.

The above configuration is what I have in midnight.

16GB RAM 2Tb 8 core for me

 

[geta]

10c GPU, 16GB, 512GB SSD is the sweet spot, coz the price difference between 8c & 10c GPU is not big and also you getting faster or dual charger.

 

[ilikewhey]

if you are in the 16gb 512gb storage territory take look into the base mbp 14 for 1599 at bestbuy and walmart, you get alot more for your money spec wise than a BTO air with same spec, and its only .4kg or .8lb heavier.

 

[Odessa]

I got 16gb/256gb and Im using my previous laptop as a linux homeserver for extra storage. (it has 1.5tb and could add an extra drive later...) i like to have low storage on my laptop it forces me to keep things neat and organized.

 

[geta]

if you are in the 16gb 512gb storage territory take look into the base mbp 14 for 1599 at bestbuy and walmart, you get alot more for your money spec wise than a BTO air with same spec, and its only .4kg or .8lb heavier.

Not everyone lives in the US and can get the base 14” MBP at these prices… and i know its had to believe, but some people prefer the MBA over MBP even if it cost the same.

 

[1BadManVan]

Not everyone lives in the US and can get the base 14” MBP at these prices… and i know its had to believe, but some people prefer the MBA over MBP even if it cost the same.

no way! This kind of thinking is unacceptable! lol

 

[IJBrekke]

10c GPU, 16GB, 512GB SSD is the sweet spot, coz the price difference between 8c & 10c GPU is not big and also you getting faster or dual charger.

I would argue that the 8c is more than enough for what the Air does well. The vast, vast majority of users will never notice the difference between 8c and 10c. Faster charger is a $20 up charge on the cheaper model.

 

[ilikewhey]

Not everyone lives in the US and can get the base 14” MBP at these prices… and i know its had to believe, but some people prefer the MBA over MBP even if it cost the same.

ok does the OP live outside the us? if so sure. i know its hard to believe, but i made a suggestion, i said take a look, let the OP decide whats good for him/her, you got a problem with me suggesting something other than an mba?

 

[Technerd108]

ok does the OP live outside the us? if so sure. i know its hard to believe, but i made a suggestion, let the OP decide whats good for him/her, you got a problem with me suggesting something you don't like?

Well the OP was specifically asking about the M2 MBA and said they didn’t need a “Pro” device anymore. They probably already know about the M1 MBP 14/16 otherwise they would have asked a different question.

However we don’t know for sure. The OP might want a MBP 14 but your answer seemed a bit off topic.

No problem you trying to help others make an educated decision though in my mind.

Also we have no idea where the OP lives so maybe just suggesting that the MBP 14 might be on sale in your country and might be worth checking out might be a better option?? IDK?

 

[1BadManVan]

This is a post asking for m2 air configs, not the pro, why is that so hard to grasp that some people dont want the pro?

 

[ilikewhey]

Well the OP was specifically asking about the M2 MBA and said they didn’t need a “Pro” device anymore. They probably already know about the M1 MBP 14/16 otherwise they would have asked a different question.

why don't you let the OP answer it instead. don't let the "pro" moniker let you believe pro is only for professionals. they probably don't know as well.

However we don’t know for sure. The OP might want a MBP 14 but your answer seemed a bit off topic.

mate don't start, you want to overblown my suggestion thats on you.

No problem you trying to help others make an educated decision though in my mind.

Also we have no idea where the OP lives so maybe just suggesting that the MBP 14 might be on sale in your country and might be worth checking out might be a better option?? IDK?

so you're saying my comment is irrelevant cause the OP might not be in the us? but your comment is? double standard.

 

[ilikewhey]

This is a post asking for m2 air configs, not the pro, why is that so hard to grasp that some people dont want the pro?

cause the pro can do everything the same spec air can do for the same price, IF the OP lives within the us. again, i'm just suggesting OP takes a look at the pro, go ahead and report me if my original comment was out of line. but i doubt it. 😂

edit: also the OP said they don't "need" a pro, but if OP lives in the us where same spec cost the same, why not have a look at it. lol you guys are crazy to be jumping on my comments for merely suggesting. and yet you guys have the audacity to be calling me a troll? thats a bit rich.

 

[Ellen]

ok does the OP live outside the us? if so sure. i know its hard to believe, but i made a suggestion, i said take a look, let the OP decide whats good for him/her, you got a problem with me suggesting something other than an mba?

I am in the US - and will check out the MBP but am not sure I would replace my laptop now if the new one looks basically the same - notwithstanding the vastly improved specs. That’s just me. 😂

 

[ilikewhey]

I am in the US - and will check out the MBP but am not sure I would replace my laptop now if the new one looks basically the same - notwithstanding the vastly improved specs. That’s just me. 😂

thank you! the slacks i get for just suggesting a 14inch pro at 1599 from bestbuy and walmart is astonishing. literally i only suggest maybe you wanna see an alternative since a BTO m2 air 16gb 512gb spec is the same price as a base 14inch, but with 14inch you get much better screen, speakers, more ports, faster ssd, etc.

you coming from a 2018 mbp 15inch? the 14 mbp about .5lb lighter than your current mbp, the m2 mba is about .8lb lighter than the 14 mbp, so up to you if you feel the difference is enough to justify, either way if you choose a mba or mbp, the apple silicon will last a pretty long time before you feel the need to upgrade.

 

[Technerd108]

Just to add my experiences coming from a M1 16" MBP I really like the M2 MBA.

All of the new released m series Macs are great. If you need Pro level performance like heavy photo editing or video editing or 3d manipulation or image creation then the MBP 14/16 are better suited but if you are not doing those things then the M2 MBA is much better for several reasons.

The 14" is almost a pound heavier and the 16" is almost 5 pounds. They also have fans. The M2 MBA is 2.7 pounds and has no fans so it is very portable and you don't have to worry ever about blocking the vents.

The M2 MBA has a bright screen and is very color accurate. It is very fast in browsing and loading applications. It has a great keyboard and because it is smaller the keyboard is easier to type on than the larger Pro models.

The M2 has great battery life that lasts me on average 2 days of heavy use and 3 days of light use, nothing I could get from the Pro models.

The speakers on the M2 air are great with excellent stereo separation and sound stage.

The new design is really great on the M2 Air and I love the new colors. I kind of never considered an air before because I didn't like the wedge design and chunky bezels and always felt they were underpowered but with the M2 and new design I love both the look and performance of the M2 MBA.

I don't miss the 16" Pro at all and actually use my Mac a lot more now because I love the design and weight.

This is not to say that the M1 MBP 14/16" are bad in any way and they are an excellent value for an older machine. There are new MBP M2 14/16 going to be released in the next few months so if you are considering them it might be worth waiting just a little while to see what improvements they give but the cost might be higher. Considering what you were using a M1 MBP would be a huge upgrade in performance, battery life and feature. It has more ports than the air as well and if you don't see the blooming which I found off putting the blacks/contrast and vivid colors of the M1 MBP 14/16 is really nice. Promotion does work but not that great in browsing or motion blur as the response time on the screens is poor negating some of the benefits of 120hz.

In your use case I honestly think the M2 MBA would be the best choice for you but I think it would be worth it to go to the apple store and look at the M1 14" MBP and the M2 MBA and compare them in real life to see what they feel like and look like and a brief look at the performance between the two. I think that is the only way you can see for your self by seeing them I person and picking them up and feeling the difference. Everyone is different and prefers different things and this way you can see the different colors and screens and speakers and see what you prefer.