M2 MacBook Air may actually be the BEST value for air users, and people who want the latest chip in a cheaper package

[Technerd108]

I know you can get a MBP 14" base model for $1599.....Okay I got it.

However that is not the retail price and they are a year old at this point. The new M2 MBP 14" will cost at least $1999 at launch so when compared you would save around $400 for the air and it is possible with inflation there might be a price increase of $100 but I kind of doubt it. However $400 and tax is not chump change at least not for me.

So if we are comparing Devices with the same series cpu M2 to M2 then the air is priced much more reasonably.

Now there are sacrifices that come with that choice but at least for me in the past-specially with Intel processors and the older design I would have NEVER considered an Air.

It is the re-design and the M2 that is a game changer to me. This new design gets so much right and the new M series chips-all of them-are so much faster and efficient than anything Intel was ever producing that now you can have decent level of performance from a thin and light fanless design laptop.

Now my choice is not always having to buy the most expensive laptop Apple makes to have a decent performing device. I can get an air and be happy.

I will admit compared to the M1 MBP 14" and 16" there are compromises. The speakers aren't as good but they are clear and louder. The screen isn't as good in some ways BUT the screen on the M2 is one of the best high resolution IPS displays I have seen. It has decent blacks and wide color gamut. Video content looks fantastic on the M2 air and it gets plenty bright. The speakers are not as dynamic as the Pro's and lack bass but they get loud enough and are clear.

The air is so light and sized so well I want to use it. I don't feel like I am missing anything and no fans is actually pretty cool. The MBP M1's were pretty silent most of the time but no fan is almost eery. Like how is this delivering so much performance and I don't hear fans spinning up. The size and weight really can't be stressed enough. So many people say it is only a pound of difference but any laptop under 3lbs. is such a joy to use anywhere-not just on a desk.

So while a lot of people think the MBP 14" is the best value I think the M2 MBA is the best value. Sure it is not the cheapest but it is a really well made and nice device and you pay for what you get. I am happy for people to be able to score a good deal on an M1 MBP 14" or 16". They are without a doubt the best Pro Laptops Apple has made possibly ever and at least for a very long time. But to me just like the M1 MBP was such an amazing change and re-desing this Air is the same in it's own right.

Personally I hated everything about the M1 and Intel MBA. The wedge design, the bezels, Only two ports and one had to be used for charging, the color choices and with the exception of the M1-the performance.

Now you have a MBA that looks just as good as the Pro models, has slim bezels and a bright display, has MagSafe and two usable ports although it would be nice if they put a usb c on both sides of the laptop instead of just the left side, A great keyboard and decent webcam.

So in my opinion the best value Mac ever are these new M2 MacBook Airs as you don't feel that you are missing so much that you have to get the Pro. The Pro line now truly feels like it is made for real Pro's. The delineation between the products seems clear but not like if you get the Pro you miss out on too much portability and if you get the air you don't feel like you are missing so much performance and features. I think both product lines are perfectly balanced for the needs of the target audience.

Once a year passes by then these airs might be more heavily discounted like the M1 airs and be an even better value for most people.

I am so happy Apple made the new M2 air for the entire package.

So while I understand all the threads complaining about the M2 MBA I think it is all about perception. A lot of early YouTube reviewers distorted in my opinion the greatness of the M2 MBA. Instead of criticizing it for not being a Pro machine or delivering Pro performance in every scenario or category they should have praised it for what it is-an incredible re-design and re-imagining of the MacBook Air. A device you can use anywhere and actually get some work done. Not some gimped slow dual core Intel CPU that can barely render webpages in a decent timeframe. Not some huge bezel, low light LCD panel. Some new color options and just a great all around laptop for most people.

I would really like Apple to get some more bright and saturated colors like Mac's of the past. An electric blue, purple, orange, etc.

Overall I am happy I didn't have to spend over 2k to get a decent Apple laptop. With discounts and gift cards it is a very competitive laptop in price when compared to a lot of high or mid end thin and light Windows laptops.

Value is a personal choice and I respect everyones opinion on what they value. I know what I value and glad Apple made a choice for me.

 

[Zest28]

No it is not. The 14” MBP is by far the best value now.

You will never see an iPhone SE or iPhone Mini being more expensive than the iPhone Pro for the same storage.

I’m happy you want to pay more for an iPhone SE or iPhone Mini rather than a cheaper iPhone Pro, but if the iPhone Pro is cheaper, it is an absolute steal.

You got to be crazy not to take advantage of this insane price right now. This never happens and best to take advantage of this right now before it is gone.

A cheaper iPad Pro is also a much better value than a more expensive iPad Mini too. Let’s not kid ourselves here.

 

[maka344]

I know you can get a MBP 14" base model for $1599.....Okay I got it.

However that is not the retail price and they are a year old at this point. The new M2 MBP 14" will cost at least $1999 at launch so when compared you would save around $400 for the air and it is possible with inflation there might be a price increase of $100 but I kind of doubt it. However $400 and tax is not chump change at least not for me.

So if we are comparing Devices with the same series cpu M2 to M2 then the air is priced much more reasonably.

Now there are sacrifices that come with that choice but at least for me in the past-specially with Intel processors and the older design I would have NEVER considered an Air.

It is the re-design and the M2 that is a game changer to me. This new design gets so much right and the new M series chips-all of them-are so much faster and efficient than anything Intel was ever producing that now you can have decent level of performance from a thin and light fanless design laptop.

Now my choice is not always having to buy the most expensive laptop Apple makes to have a decent performing device. I can get an air and be happy.

I will admit compared to the M1 MBP 14" and 16" there are compromises. The speakers aren't as good. The screen isn't as good BUT the screen on the M2 is one of the best high resolution IPS displays I have seen. It has decent blacks and wide color gamut. Video content looks fantastic on the M2 air and it gets plenty bright. The speakers are not as dynamic as the Pro's and lack bass but they get loud enough and are clear.

The air is so light and sized so well I want to use it. I don't feel like I am missing anything and no fans is actually pretty cool. The MBP M1's were pretty silent most of the time but no fan is almost eery. Like how is this delivering so much performance and I don't hear fans spinning up. The size and weight really can't be stressed enough. So many people say it is only a pound of difference but any laptop under 3lbs. is such a joy to use anywhere-not just on a desk.

So while a lot of people think the MBP 14" is the best value I think the M2 MBA is the best value. Sure it is not the cheapest but it is a really well made and nice device and you pay for what you get. I am happy for people to be able to score a good deal on an M1 MBP 14" or 16". They are without a doubt the best Pro Laptops Apple has made possibly ever and at least for a very long time. But to me just like the M1 MBP was such an amazing change and re-desing this Air is the same in it's own right.

Personally I hated everything about the M1 and Intel MBA. The wedge design, the bezels, Only two ports and one had to be used for charging, the color choices and with the exception of the M1-the performance.

Now you have a MBA that looks just as good as the Pro models, has slim bezels and a bright display, has MagSafe and two usable ports although it would be nice if they put a usb c on both sides of the laptop instead of just the left side, A great keyboard and decent webcam.

So in my opinion the best value Mac ever are these new M2 MacBook Airs as you don't feel that you are missing so much that you have to get the Pro. The Pro line now truly feels like it is made for real Pro's. The delineation between the products seems clear but not like if you get the Pro you miss out on too much portability and if you get the air you don't feel like you are missing so much performance and features. I think both product lines are perfectly balanced for the needs of the target audience.

Once a year passes by then these airs might be more heavily discounted like the M1 airs and be an even better value for most people.

I am so happy Apple made the new M2 air for the entire package.

So while I understand all the threads complaining about the M2 MBA I think it is all about perception. A lot of early YouTube reviewers distorted in my opinion the greatness of the M2 MBA. Instead of criticizing it for not being a Pro machine or delivering Pro performance in every scenario or category they should have praised it for what it is-an incredible re-design and re-imagining of the MacBook Air. A device you can use anywhere and actually get some work done. Not some gimped slow dual core Intel CPU that can barely render webpages in a decent timeframe. Not some huge bezel, low light LCD panel. Some new color options and just a great all around laptop for most people.

I would really like Apple to get some more bright and saturated colors like Mac's of the past. An electric blue, purple, orange, etc.

Overall I am happy I didn't have to spend over 2k to get a decent Apple laptop. With discounts and gift cards it is a very competitive laptop in price when compared to a lot of high or mid end thin and light Windows laptops.

Value is a personal choice and I respect everyones opinion on what they value. I know what I value and glad Apple made a choice for me.

I totally agree with you. I have never considered the Air range previously - I've always been a Pro buyer (for the reasons you outlined above) but never a Pro user - I've always preferred the higher specs that the Pro range offered even though my use case is web browsing, YouTube, office docs and a little bit of photo editing. I've seen references to the new M2 Airs being called "Pro Mini" which resonates.

I currently have the M2 Air in 10C/16GB/1TB Midnight (which looks incredible) for £1500 which is a little cheaper than the MBP 14 from Costco. However, with the Pro being the price it is (£1679), it's making me question whether I should get the Pro for the £179 difference for the "speakers, screen and ports". However, the battery, portability and lightness of this device stops me from ordering the Pro from Costco.

 

[0906742]

I currently have the M2 Air in 10C/16GB/1TB Midnight (which looks incredible) for £1500 which is a little cheaper than the MBP 14 from Costco. However, with the Pro being the price it is (£1679), it's making me question whether I should get the Pro for the £179 difference for the "speakers, screen and ports". However, the battery, portability and lightness of this device stops me from ordering the Pro from Costco.

I'd consider this in your case so that do you find MBA M2 size and weight making you difference compared to MBP 14" so that you actually carry MBA M2 with you and you find that difference really the only thing causing that? Or is MBA M2 still a bit too big and heavy or inconvenient for that use for some other reason, I mean about 1.2kg is not really ultraportable like MacBook 12" was, there are under 1kg machines out there.

Have you considered option to get MBP 14" and iPad Air 5 or Pro 11"? Those are much lighter and so much more portable, plus touch screen. Also you can combine them with the Logitech Combo Touch or Magic Keyboard (both have their advantages, I got Logitech for my needs) so they practically work as laptop for the most tasks on the go anyway. Just a thought. I myself actually replaced my MBA M1 and Mini M1 with MBP 14". It is now for me 100% used when ever I need desktop or fast laptop (my MBA M1 spent most of its time in a cabinet). My sofa surfing machine is iPad Air 5, for many reasons I prefer it over laptop (did so with MBA M1 too that was practically as light and equal size as MBA M2, but I had iPad Air 3 at that time and preferred it still).

 

[gpat]

$1599 for a 14" is crazy value.
Apple laptops haven't been this recommendable since the 2014-2015 era.

 

[0906742]

$1599 for a 14" is crazy value.
Apple laptops haven't been this recommendable since the 2014-2015 era.

Exactly! Even if new MBP 14"/16" M2 Pro comes out soon, it is not gonna sell at a discount right away. So you for the best case need to pay 1999USD for it. Also those like me outside USA where currency value against USD has dropped like a rock, we have seen hefty price increase in your currency (EUR) already in every updated products and even some older like MBA M1 has gone up to currency devaluation adjusted price (meaning Apple is not hiking price what they get for it but just to compensate that our value is not worth what it was before). Anyway, I got mine with nice discount over here and if I consider new MBP 14" will be at least sold at a full retail price when it comes out and it will likely also get few hundred increase in EUR, this is a huge bargain because MBP 14" M1 Pro is more than fast for everything I do, plus has already 16/512 in base model. When I finally resell this, it is less loss for me selling decent MBP base model than MBA with 16/512 options since you will not get the same price for those extra options in relation to the base unit price, it only sells faster but with just little premium over base model...

 

[gpat]

Exactly! Even if new MBP 14"/16" M2 Pro comes out soon, it is not gonna sell at discount right away. So you for the best case need to pay 1999USD for it. Also those like me outside USA where currency value against USD has dropped like a rock, we have seen hefty price increase in your currency (EUR) already in every updated products and even some older like MBA M1 has gone up to currency devaluation adjusted price (meaning Apple is not hiking price what they get but just to compensate that our value is not worth what it was before). Anyway, I got mine with nice discount over here and if I consider new MBP 14" will be at least sold for full retail price when it comes and it will likely also get few hundred increase in EUR, this is a huge bargain because MBP 14" M1 Pro is more that fast for everything I do, plus has already 16/512 in base model. When I finally resell this, it is less loss for me selling decent base model that MBA with 16/512 option since you will not get the same price for those in relation to base unit price, it only sells faster but with just little premium over base model...

I'm European as well and I can get a base 14" for 1829€.
Still crazy value for a laptop with those specs and miniLED.
I've gotten my base 16" for just under 2200€, worth every last €.
M2 is going to come out soon, it will be a nice speedbump but no big deal really.
The real level up is going to be represented by M3.

 

[0906742]

I'm European as well and I can get a base 14" for 1829€.
Still crazy value for a laptop with those specs and miniLED.
I've gotten my base 16" for just under 2200€, worth every last €.

Wow, that is a crazy value for a brand new MBP 14". You got even better bargains over there compared to us up northern EU. However, what I paid for mine in EUR is pretty much the same as US 1599USD price converted to EUR + my local VAT added to that, so can't complain and I'm happy with that.

M2 is going to come out soon, it will be a nice speedbump but no big deal really.
The real level up is going to be represented by M3.

Yeah, that is what I assumed too while making my decision. There will be some speedbumb + more heat + more price over M1 Pro, so I did rather took a hefty discount, I don't find that worth to wait and pay many hundred EUR more for that. Later on M3 will be a huge upgrade but I don't think we will see that very soon, so was not option for me to wait for it. Carpe diem...

 

[Technerd108]

No it is not. The 14” MBP is by far the best value now.

You will never see an iPhone SE or iPhone Mini being more expensive than the iPhone Pro for the same storage.

I’m happy you want to pay more for an iPhone SE or iPhone Mini rather than a cheaper iPhone Pro, but if the iPhone Pro is cheaper, it is an absolute steal.

You got to be crazy not to take advantage of this insane price right now. This never happens and best to take advantage of this right now before it is gone.

A cheaper iPad Pro is also a much better value than a more expensive iPad Mini too. Let’s not kid ourselves here.

How is the base model M2 air more expensive than the M1 MBP 14" base model? If we go by current sale prices $1099 vs $1599-that is $500 cheaper than the Pro with a newer chip. If we consider the discounted price of the M2 air at same configuration of base model MBP at $1499 plus $150 Apple gift card that is a $250 difference. If we are comparing the same chip the M1 air is even less expensive. I don't understand how the air is more expensive. People have an odd concept of cost.

 

[Technerd108]

The power of the force is strong with this one.......M1 MBP 14"

Poor M2 MBA can't catch a break no way, no how....Lol

I totally agree with you. I have never considered the Air range previously - I've always been a Pro buyer (for the reasons you outlined above) but never a Pro user - I've always preferred the higher specs that the Pro range offered even though my use case is web browsing, YouTube, office docs and a little bit of photo editing. I've seen references to the new M2 Airs being called "Pro Mini" which resonates.

I currently have the M2 Air in 10C/16GB/1TB Midnight (which looks incredible) for £1500 which is a little cheaper than the MBP 14 from Costco. However, with the Pro being the price it is (£1679), it's making me question whether I should get the Pro for the £179 difference for the "speakers, screen and ports". However, the battery, portability and lightness of this device stops me from ordering the Pro from Costco.

If you get the M1 MBP 14" from Costco then you could compare it to your M2 MBA and have 90 days to return(at least that is the return policy is the states). Then you could do an honest comparison and keep the one you like best depending how long you have to return your air from Apple.

If you just read these forums and comments you will feel emotionally swayed to only get the Pro and a fool if you get the air. I think it is best to actually try them or at least look at them in person. If you buy it and test it out then you can actually feel how it is to use it in different scenarios.

I think people should be happy with whatever they get and although I clearly prefer the M2 air I am not trying to force my opinion on anyone else.

 

[Zest28]

How is the base model M2 air more expensive than the M1 MBP 14" base model? If we go by current sale prices $1099 vs $1599-that is $500 cheaper than the Pro with a newer chip. If we consider the discounted price of the M2 air at same configuration of base model MBP at $1499 plus $150 Apple gift card that is a $250 difference. If we are comparing the same chip the M1 air is even less expensive. I don't understand how the air is more expensive. People have an odd concept of cost.

Spec the M2 MBA Air with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, and the 14" MBP is cheaper.

And it is not even a fair comparison as the 14" MBP has a SSD that is twice as fast, so the SSD is a more expensive one inside the 14" MBP.

 

[Technerd108]

Wow, that is a crazy value for a brand new MBP 14". You got even better bargains over there compared to us up northern EU. However, what I paid for mine in EUR is pretty much the same as US 1599USD price converted to EUR + my local VAT added to that, so can't complain and I'm happy with that.


Yeah, that is what I assumed too while making my decision. There will be some speedbumb + more heat + more price over M1 Pro, so I did rather took a hefty discount, I don't find that worth to wait and pay many hundred EUR more for that. Later on M3 will be a huge upgrade but I don't think we will see that very soon, so was not option for me to wait for it. Carpe diem...

I don't know if people who say the M2 is just an overclocked M1 or that you should wait for M3 because it is going to be such a huge difference have actually used a device with M2? Compared to M1 the M2(not talking Pro M series) is a pretty big difference in single and multi core. It is a difference you can actually see and feel in use.

Of course compared to M1 the M3 will be a big difference as it will have another 10-20% perf. bump over M2.

 

[Technerd108]

Spec the M2 MBA Air with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD, and the 14" MBP is cheaper.

And it is not even a fair comparison as the 14" MBP has a SSD that is twice as fast, so the SSD is a more expensive one inside the 14" MBP.

Did you not read what I said? MBA with 16gb ram and 512gb ssd is $1499 with edu discount plus you get a $150 apple gift card- $250 difference and the air is cheaper! I mean the MBP is on sale so it is only fair to compare sale prices. If we want to compare retail prices the MBP 14" is still $1999 from Apple.

Here we go, double the ram bandwidth too-you forgot. If we are just going to quote specs then on paper the MBP will win every time. It is a better specced device hands down. But those specs only matter if they affect your daily use. If I don't actually feel a difference because I don't push my device to those limits and never will then what is the point?

Do we want to really go down the specs game? 120hz pro motion mini led screen, 6 speaker sound system, more ports, more cores on cpu and more cores on gpu. Is that about it?

All of that doesn't make the MBP a better machine if I don't actually use those specs? But that is all people on here can see. It is like a horse with blinders. More specs same price or close so it is always better no matter the use case. Lol

 

[Zest28]

Did you not read what I said? MBA with 16gb ram and 512gb ssd is $1499 with edu discount plus you get a $150 apple gift card- $250 difference and the air is cheaper! I mean the MBP is on sale so it is only fair to compare sale prices. If we want to compare retail prices the MBP 14" is still $1999 from Apple.

Most people are not students, so most people cannot buy it. Everybody can go to BestBuy and buy 14" MBP for $1599.

What's next? You are going to use senior discounts or something to get even lower prices, while most people are not super old people and thus cannot make use of it?

That's just silly using a discount only a very small group of people qualify for and you know it.

If you want to play this game, I am sure that employees of BestBuy can buy the 14" MBP with special employee discount for much lower than $1599 too. However I am not even going there, because we cannot make use of those discounts.

 

[Technerd108]

Most people are not students, so most people cannot buy it. Everybody can go to BestBuy and buy 14" MBP for $1599.

What's next? You are going to use senior discounts or something to get even lower prices, while most people are not super old people and thus cannot make use of it?

That's just silly using a discount only a very small group of people qualify for and you know it.

If you want to play this game, I am sure that employees of BestBuy can buy the 14" MBP with special employee discount for much lower than $1599 too. However I am not even going there, because we cannot make use of those discounts.

No it is silly to compare a 1 year old discounted Pro machine to a newly released air. I am not going to get into the weeds with the terms of discounts but there are discounts on the air too. But you want to compare a custom config to a base model instead of the two base model which are both on sale widely available......

Anyway your argument is old and misses the point. When I wrote the post I already clearly acknowledged the current price of the MBP 14"

My point is that Apple has released an Air that is more capable and modern than every before. This means that when the M2 MBP 14" and 16" come out I personally won't feel the need to spend $2k or more on a new Pro machine because the new air is finally a good enough device. That is the argument and not the value of the current M1 MBP 14" on sale. It has been an argument made and played to death.......Let it die already. We got it-$1599 MBP 14" is the best deal ever and NO one should ever even consider the MBA M2. Got it!! I assure you.

 

[Zest28]

No it is silly to compare a 1 year old discounted Pro machine to a newly released air. I am not going to get into the weeds with the terms of discounts but there are discounts on the air too. But you want to compare a custom config to a base model instead of the two base model which are both on sale widely available......

It doesn't matter if it is 1-year old, the 14" MBP is a more powerful machine with superior hardware than the M2 MBA while being cheaper. You get a superior product for less money.

The price of the 14" MPB is a price that everybody can get. If anyone wants to buy a 14" MBP, he or she pays $1599 for it.

This does not apply with your silly education discount, because the vast majority people are not students. We cannot get these prices from Apple. So $1499 for a M2 MBA 16GB RAM and 512 SSD is not the current market price.

You don't need to be Einstein to understand this.

 

[Technerd108]

It doesn't matter if it is 1-year old, the 14" MBP is a more powerful machine with superior hardware than the M2 MBA while being cheaper.

The price of the 14" MPB is a price that everybody can get. If anyone wants to buy a 14" MBP, he or she pays $1599 for it.

This does not apply with your silly education discount, because the vast majority people are not students. We cannot get these prices from Apple. So $1499 for a M2 MBA 16GB RAM and 512 SSD is not the current market price.

Misses the point again.....Okay you are right. Feel better?

From my first post,

"
I know you can get a MBP 14" base model for $1599.....Okay I got it.

However that is not the retail price and they are a year old at this point. The new M2 MBP 14" will cost at least $1999 at launch so when compared you would save around $400 for the air and it is possible with inflation there might be a price increase of $100 but I kind of doubt it. However $400 and tax is not chump change at least not for me.

So if we are comparing Devices with the same series cpu M2 to M2 then the air is priced much more reasonably." Lol

You can keep going on and on. I have heard it all. I am happy for you if you got an MBP 14" -great enjoy. I am not trying to force my opinion down your throat. I am sharing a different perspective no one else seems to consider. I am wrong for your needs and wants- I get it and that is okay but you have to consider your point of view is not everyones point of view even if it is the majority point of view. Specs don't always equate into better as hard as it may be for you to understand. If specs are all that matter to you then enjoy your specs and let me enjoy my weak machine. Lol

 

[Zest28]

Misses the point again.....Okay you are right. Feel better?

From my first post,

"
I know you can get a MBP 14" base model for $1599.....Okay I got it.

However that is not the retail price and they are a year old at this point. The new M2 MBP 14" will cost at least $1999 at launch so when compared you would save around $400 for the air and it is possible with inflation there might be a price increase of $100 but I kind of doubt it. However $400 and tax is not chump change at least not for me.

So if we are comparing Devices with the same series cpu M2 to M2 then the air is priced much more reasonably."

Lol

You are missing the point. If I buy a new laptop today, what can I buy? Today, the 14" MBP is the best value Apple laptop on the market.

The market doesn't care that you find it unfair to also consider M1 chips as a potential laptops to buy over the M2.

 

[Technerd108]

You are missing the point. If I buy a new laptop today, what can I buy? Today, everybody can buy a 14" MBP for $1599.

The market doesn't care if you find "this not a fair comparison", these are the current prices today. And today, the 14" MBP is by far the best value to buy.

No you are missing the point. Value is in the actual use of the computer. If I don't need the specs then it has no real value. Value is subjective based on use case. There is no inherent value just in more specs but Apple and every OEM will market specs as value to get you to pay more. But this will go on forever since you can't even consider my point of view so again you are right. Are we done?

 

[Zest28]

No you are missing the point. Value is in the actual use of the computer. If I don't need the specs then it has no real value. Value is subjective based on use case. There is no inherent value just in more specs but Apple and every OEM will market specs as value to get you to pay more. But this will go on forever since you can't even consider my point of view so again you are right. Are we done?

It's objective as the 14" MBP has no business being cheaper than a MacBook Air. Just like how:
- an iPhone Pro has no business being cheaper than an iPhone Mini
- an iPad Pro has no business being cheaper than an iPad Air or iPad Mini.
- A Mac Pro has no business being cheaper than a Mac Mini.

 

[Technerd108]

Objectively the M2 air is not cheaper than the pro even when comparing a custom confirmation to a base model. The MBA M2 when configured up to the base M1 MBP is $1599 no discount. The M1 MBP base is on sale for $1599. Same price???

As for comparing actual base models to each other the M2 air base model is on sale for $1099 compared to the MBP base model at $1599 on sale.

But no one likes just the base so a 10 core 14” with all other base specs is $2299 and equally configured M2 air is $1599.

The air is cheaper when compared properly but even when comparing a base model on sale to a custom configuration model that isn’t on sale the prices are the same.

So then it is just a matter of preference.

If you like the extra features of the 14” MBP m1 and feel it fits your needs than it is a better value to you. Makes sense and the sale price makes the base model 14” an amazing value because of the $400 discount at third party retailers not direct from Apple.

So enjoy. But can’t what I have said about the m2 air also be true for user who don’t need or want the Pro model?

 

[ilikewhey]

Did you not read what I said? MBA with 16gb ram and 512gb ssd is $1499 with edu discount plus you get a $150 apple gift card- $250 difference and the air is cheaper! I mean the MBP is on sale so it is only fair to compare sale prices. If we want to compare retail prices the MBP 14" is still $1999 from Apple.

Here we go, double the ram bandwidth too-you forgot. If we are just going to quote specs then on paper the MBP will win every time. It is a better specced device hands down. But those specs only matter if they affect your daily use. If I don't actually feel a difference because I don't push my device to those limits and never will then what is the point?

Do we want to really go down the specs game? 120hz pro motion mini led screen, 6 speaker sound system, more ports, more cores on cpu and more cores on gpu. Is that about it?

All of that doesn't make the MBP a better machine if I don't actually use those specs? But that is all people on here can see. It is like a horse with blinders. More specs same price or close so it is always better no matter the use case. Lol

thats not correct, retail price is what brick and mortar stores like bestbuy or amazon have at the moment, msrp price is what you're talking bout.

you can downplay it all you want. but 120hz pro motion mini led alone is worth 250 bucks difference, nevermind the speakers and 2 external monitors and all the rest of them.

edit, i'm not sure why you even made this thread consider its basically the same debate you been throwing at in the mba vs mbp thread, the bottom line from that thread is that mba is a good value, but when you start BTO the mbp base is a better value, are you doing all this to justify your purchase?

 

[ilikewhey]

No you are missing the point. Value is in the actual use of the computer. If I don't need the specs then it has no real value. Value is subjective based on use case. There is no inherent value just in more specs but Apple and every OEM will market specs as value to get you to pay more. But this will go on forever since you can't even consider my point of view so again you are right. Are we done?

lol the real question is are you done, seems like you're not consider you could've just wrote all this in the mba vs mbp thread but you wanted to make a whole new thread about it. literally every point and counter point has been made there, are you still not satisfied?

 

[Technerd108]

I guess not and it is all opinions anyway.

I don’t need to justify anything.

I could write volumes more but it would all go on deaf ears because you are all locked in your arguments.

If anyone is justifying anything it is people who already bought there M1 MBP a while ago and can’t get the discount screaming why everyone else should get one.

I have my personal experience with all of the MacBooks and I could have kept any of them. Anyone who buys near the initial release of any tech product will pay more that is just a fact and as the product ages the more it will be discounted.

Personally with my experience with the M2 air if I wanted a Pro machine I would get the M2 MBP 14” because I value the difference the M2 actually makes but I don’t need or want the Pro machine.

Also all of your points of something being better are subjective and need to be considered in context.

But if you like what you like that is fine, no problem what bothers me is why everyone who argues can’t see that two things can be true at the same time based on likes and wants.

For example the battery life on the M2 air is better than any of the M1 pro machines and way better than M1 max. That is really important to me.

The plain old M2 is faster than my previous M1 Max based machines in some use cases not all of them, while being several times lighter and having better battery life.

The screen is really good for an IPS screen. I really honestly don’t see a difference in scrolling and animations on the air compared to the Pro with Promotion. And it was something I was sure I was going to miss but to my surprise I don’t. The contrast is also really good. Content really looks amazing. The IPS glow is very minimal. I tested it.

The speakers may not be as “good” as either pro but again the sound is really impressive for such a small laptop and I like it not having the speaker grills which were hard to clean. The sound stage on the air is like magic. Listening to music you can hear instruments kind of move around. The stereo separation is incredible as is the clarity of each instrument.

The design of the M2 air is so simple but also I just really like it. I want to use it instead of find an excuse not to.

These are my personal values for what I want in a laptop. Weight is really a big deal but if you go too low the machine feels cheap and fragile while with the M2 air it feels super solid as I can pick it up from a corner with no flex or creaking. Yet it is very light in my opinion- the perfect balance of strength and weight.

All of this with a processor that is blazing fast with NO fan. I don’t have to worry about blocking air flow when I use it. I don’t hear fans ramping up. It is really cool yet at the same time it is not some y series dual core Intel processor of the past that could barely do anything.

Sure this is NOT going to compare well to the new M2 MBP because those pro M2 processors are going to be even more blazing fast with more gpu and ram and bandwidth. But it is really amazing what a regular M2 can do.

I always liked M1 but in single core uses it stil felt a bit slow to me. With the M2 I don’t feel that way. Even multi threaded performance is very good and then when consider this is coming from a fanless thin and light device it just impresses even more.

The air IS a fantastic value in its segment. There is no way to argue that. It is so much better in every way to the M1 air. It is so much better than many Windows laptops in the same segment.

But all anyone can say is MBP 14” has better specs so it is a better choice. It is a better choice and a killer deal for those that need those capabilities but it doesn’t negate the fact the new M2 Air is a great machine with great value for what it is and in its category of laptops.

Why can’t the M1 MBP be a great deal for those who want it and the M2 MBA be a heck of a deal for those who want an air type device?

 

[ilikewhey]

I could write volumes more but it would all go on deaf ears because you are all locked in your arguments.

mate if you accuse us of being locked in our argument you are pretty much in the same boat, i have no problem admitting the mba m2 is a fantastic machine for the value, but as soon as you add any BTO the value/dollar drops significantly consider a base 14 is almost the same price. i'm really running out of different ways of saying that.

If anyone is justifying anything it is people who already bought there M1 MBP a while ago and can’t get the discount screaming why everyone else should get one.

i just got a maxed out m1 max 64gb 2tb 2 months ago, there are zero discounts on these no matter where in the life cycle the mbp is in. and i have zero need to justify my 4k+ purchase cause its a fantastic machine and the m1 platform is more than enough for my workflow. i and others don't need to scream, but when asked i will say the base mbp 14 is a better deal than a specced up mba m2.

Personally with my experience with the M2 air if I wanted a Pro machine I would get the M2 MBP 14” because I value the difference the M2 actually makes but I don’t need or want the Pro machine.

yeah i'm sure you do, however you want to justify that 10% difference on average in synthetic benchmark.

Also all of your points of something being better are subjective and need to be considered in context.

its not subjective, its a fact that mbp 14 has better screen, which you are looking at 100% of the time when you use the machine so it pretty much fit in any context, its also a fact that mbp 14 has better sound, more ports on both side, more cores, better sustained single and multi core performance. the list literally goes on.

But if you like what you like that is fine, no problem what bothers me is why everyone who argues can’t see that two things can be true at the same time based on likes and wants.

because the major questions people ask is what is a better deal, a specced up mba m2 or a base mbp 14.

The plain old M2 is faster than my previous M1 Max based machines in some use cases not all of them, while being several times lighter and having better battery life.

really, well in what manner did your m2 outperform your "old" m1 max, cause the only thing i can think of is burst single core performance, the m1 pro ate the m2 for breakfast in everything else.

The screen is really good for an IPS screen. I really honestly don’t see a difference in scrolling and animations on the air compared to the Pro with Promotion. And it was something I was sure I was going to miss but to my surprise I don’t. The contrast is also really good. Content really looks amazing. The IPS glow is very minimal. I tested it.

really good ips screen is still not miniled pro motion 120hz 1000 nits screen. thats a false equivalency. i noticed that right away when i stepped up from my wife's m1 mba, i even had my mbp 14 side to side next to my buddy's m2 mba and it was night and day under the sun.

The speakers may not be as “good” as either pro but again the sound is really impressive for such a small laptop and I like it not having the speaker grills which were hard to clean. The sound stage on the air is like magic. Listening to music you can hear instruments kind of move around. The stereo separation is incredible as is the clarity of each instrument.

the speakers on the mba is trash, not pc laptop trash but still tin cans banging against each other, sure the treble is decent mids frequency is pretty subpar. also the new speaker position loses out. you can rave about the mba speakers as much as you like but even you can't deny the mbp speakers is just so much better.

These are my personal values for what I want in a laptop. Weight is really a big deal but if you go too low the machine feels cheap and fragile while with the M2 air it feels super solid as I can pick it up from a corner with no flex or creaking. Yet it is very light in my opinion- the perfect balance of strength and weight.

the m1 mba and the mbp 14 never had flex in the first place so not sure why this needs to be mentioned. they all are well designed.

All of this with a processor that is blazing fast with NO fan. I don’t have to worry about blocking air flow when I use it. I don’t hear fans ramping up. It is really cool yet at the same time it is not some y series dual core Intel processor of the past that could barely do anything.

and with that you got a laptop that thermal throttle when you really push it, testings has shown again and again that the m2 mba loses out against the m2 mbp in a sustained encoding/decoding environment.

The air IS a fantastic value in its segment. There is no way to argue that. It is so much better in every way to the M1 air. It is so much better than many Windows laptops in the same segment.

the air is a fanastic value at its base, there are plenty of ways to argue about that when you start BTO. we're not comparing the mba m2 to the mba m1, and we're not comparing to the pc laptops either.

But all anyone can say is MBP 14” has better specs so it is a better choice. It is a better choice and a killer deal for those that need those capabilities but it doesn’t negate the fact the new M2 Air is a great machine with great value for what it is and in its category of laptops.

because these are the facts 😂 even you admit it, no one is arguing that the m2 air is a crap machine, i feel like you lose your own narrative the longer you beat your drums.

Why can’t the M1 MBP be a great deal for those who want it and the M2 MBA be a heck of a deal for those who want an air type device?

because so far the ones asking which one they should get are always asking which one is a better deal. if someone is set on getting the air no matter how BTO it is they won't be asking.