Macbook Air a worthy upgrade from a 2015 MacBook Pro?

[bigpoppamac31]

So I have a 2015 15" MBP with 16gb ram and 1TB SSD. I was looking at either a MBA or 14" MBP. Are either of these worthy upgrades over my current MBP? The MBA is much more affordable for me.

Also my friend has a 2014 13" MBP (8gb, 512gb SSD) which I gave to her a couple years ago as she was long overdue for an upgrade from her very old and ridiculously slow Windows laptop. She's lives in France and I'm in Canada. It seems a fair bit cheaper for me to get one here and send it over to her. Especially if I use the discount from my brother cause he works for Apple. Think it's time for her to get an upgrade?

I know that neither laptop is eligible for any future OS updates. I'm on Monterey which is the latest I can get. I won't be able to get Ventura.

 

[russell_314]

Either one of those is significantly more powerful than what you have.

With your specs of 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB SSD it might make more sense to go with the Pro. I don’t know about pricing in your country but in the USA the pricing would be about the same. The only reason I could see going for the Air is if you value thin and light. There is a big difference between 14” Pro and 13” Air. Are you taking on a plane all the time and traveling significantly? If not, and you don’t care about a little bit extra weight, go with the Pro.

Also new Apple products are rumored to come out this month so you might want to wait because even if you don’t want the new version the older version will be cheaper.

 

[nick42983]

I have the same machine and the 13" version, albeit with 256GB SSDs. The question is what do you want to use it for? Unless you have an immediate need to upgrade you might wait at least until the new MacBook Pros come out to see what deals pop up. Not sure how it looks in Canada but there have been consistent discounts of $100-150 on the M2 Airs and $400 off on the Pros. I was surprised recently that my 2015 MBP was editing 4k videos in Final Cut very smoothly, the fans would turn on but it basically told me that I don't need to upgrade yet. The 2015 models will have Monterey support until the end of next year, so you might even wait until then to see what even better deals there are on M2 Airs before the next (and probably just very moderately spec-bumped) gen comes out.

If your friend can run Monterey until next year you might wait also, but I've heard good things about the M1 Airs and with your brother's discount it could be a good deal (though sometimes 3rd party merchants might even beat the employee discount). If I see an even better discount than the $400 off the MBPs that have been going on for a few months, I might jump on it. With a recession looming though and a currently capable machine, I'm not in a rush and prices might get slashed even more in a few months, depending on the economic outlook and if the Christmas shopping season is weaker than expected.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

Either one of those is significantly more powerful than what you have.

With your specs of 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB SSD it might make more sense to go with the Pro. I don’t know about pricing in your country but in the USA the pricing would be about the same. The only reason I could see going for the Air is if you value thin and light. There is a big difference between 14” Pro and 13” Air. Are you taking on a plane all the time and traveling significantly? If not, and you don’t care about a little bit extra weight, go with the Pro.

Also new Apple products are rumored to come out this month so you might want to wait because even if you don’t want the new version the older version will be cheaper.

The Pro is at least $1,000 more than the M2 Air. And that is not including any upgrades at purchase. That's a big jump. I bought my 2015 used and put a 1TB SSD into it. 512GB would not be enough as I'm close to that already. A majority of that is music from importing CDs (yes I still buy those). Otherwise I just web browse, email, listen to my music. I don't do any video or photo editing.

 

[Ray2]

I went from a 2015 MBP (3.1 GHz i7) running Mojave to an M1 MBA (2TB, 8 core, 16). Just do it. The responsiveness, fluidity of the OS and pure crunch power for my only intensive operation, Photoshop, is like night and day. Battery, while nowhere near Apple's suggested life, is multiples of the MBP's (again nowhere near Apple's imaginative spec) and zero noise. Very solid, as all my Airs have been, vs the 2015's flexible case.

Between my wife and I we’ve had at least one of almost every Air and maybe a half dozen Pro's (company $'s other than the 2015). My experience is Air's have far fewer problems than Pro's. I can’t recall a single issue requiring service with an Air. Definitely can’t say the same for Pro's.

 

[russell_314]

The Pro is at least $1,000 more than the M2 Air. And that is not including any upgrades at purchase. That's a big jump. I bought my 2015 used and put a 1TB SSD into it. 512GB would not be enough as I'm close to that already. A majority of that is music from importing CDs (yes I still buy those). Otherwise I just web browse, email, listen to my music. I don't do any video or photo editing.

The Air will be fine for what you do. It’s weird the price is like that in your country. In the USA, the Air is only much cheaper if you get the base spec.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

I went from a 2015 MBP (3.1 GHz i7) running Mojave to an M1 MBA (2TB, 8 core, 16). Just do it. The responsiveness, fluidity of the OS and pure crunch power for my only intensive operation, Photoshop, is like night and day. Battery, while nowhere near Apple's suggested life, is multiples of the MBP's (again nowhere near Apple's imaginative spec) and zero noise. Very solid, as all my Airs have been, vs the 2015's flexible case.

Between my wife and I we’ve had at least one of almost every Air and maybe a half dozen Pro's (company $'s other than the 2015). My experience is Air's have far fewer problems than Pro's. I can’t recall a single issue requiring service with an Air. Definitely can’t say the same for Pro's.

Should I wait for the next spec update on the Air? Supposedly there's an update coming soon. Does it make sense to just get the base model M2 Air and upgrade the ram and SSD?

The Air will be fine for what you do. It’s weird the price is like that in your country. In the USA, the Air is only much cheaper if you get the base spec.

Well Canadians get ripped off in many ways. It's what happens when numb nuts like Trudeau get elected.

 

[1BadManVan]

Should I wait for the next spec update on the Air? Supposedly there's an update coming soon. Does it make sense to just get the base model M2 Air and upgrade the ram and SSD?



Well Canadians get ripped off in many ways. It's what happens when numb nuts like Trudeau get elected.

there's no spec update coming soon for the air, they just redesigned it.

And trust me, I get it, I live in bc Canada. I took advantage of the back to school educational discount with apple and the gift card. Got the air and not looking back, still a big upgrade over you 2015 by a long shot

 

[bigpoppamac31]

there's no spec update coming soon for the air, they just redesigned it.

And trust me, I get it, I live in bc Canada. I took advantage of the back to school educational discount with apple and the gift card. Got the air and not looking back, still a big upgrade over you 2015 by a long shot

Better to get the M2 over the M1?

 

[1BadManVan]

Better to get the M2 over the M1?

I personally think so yes. I prefer the design, larger screen, thinner bezels, brighter, better webcam etc. Overall its a nice upgrade and very quick

 

[Ray2]

Should I wait for the next spec update on the Air? Supposedly there's an update coming soon. Does it make sense to just get the base model M2 Air and upgrade the ram and SSD?

You’re asking the wrong person. Tech evolved to a point beyond my needs years ago. I now buy used generations old iPhones and scour refurbs or used for Macs. The M1 Air (bought new at the end of the M1 cycle) will be around far beyond Apple's flavor of the day. Though I do tend to buy max'd out specs.

 

[Deedeekay]

So I have a 2015 15" MBP with 16gb ram and 1TB SSD. I was looking at either a MBA or 14" MBP. Are either of these worthy upgrades over my current MBP? The MBA is much more affordable for me.

Also my friend has a 2014 13" MBP (8gb, 512gb SSD) which I gave to her a couple years ago as she was long overdue for an upgrade from her very old and ridiculously slow Windows laptop. She's lives in France and I'm in Canada. It seems a fair bit cheaper for me to get one here and send it over to her. Especially if I use the discount from my brother cause he works for Apple. Think it's time for her to get an upgrade?

I know that neither laptop is eligible for any future OS updates. I'm on Monterey which is the latest I can get. I won't be able to get Ventura.

I upgraded from a 2017 13” and I’m very happy. I especially love the touch ID. Very underrated feature. I was concerned that the notch might bother me but I use everything full screen so it’s barely ever even noticeable.

 

[steve217]

Just to stir the pot a little... but if you can live with a 2-year old design - albeit a VERY GOOD design....

You can save a boatload of cash with this refurb.

The M1 has a long life ahead of it.

*EDIT -from your usage description as well ("Otherwise I just web browse, email, listen to my music. I don't do any video or photo editing."), you would be quite happy with 8GB.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

Just to stir the pot a little... but if you can live with a 2-year old design - albeit a VERY GOOD design....

You can save a boatload of cash with this refurb.

The M1 has a long life ahead of it.

*EDIT -from your usage description as well ("Otherwise I just web browse, email, listen to my music. I don't do any video or photo editing."), you would be quite happy with 8GB.

Keep in mind I'm in Canada so it would be more like this for that refurb.
https://www.apple.com/ca/shop/produ...883eb0119f578c14112a7b4f1840ce305e936019cc634

In any case my brother who works at Apple says it would be better to get the M2 if I get the Air.

I was just at the Apple store today and the 13"/14" MacBooks are so small. I'm so used to a 15" screen. An inch or two may not seem like much but it would definitely be an adjustment. Also the screen resolution numbers are so weird now. Not like before when it was 1280x800 or 1440x900 or 1680x1050 or 1920x1200. I just thought that was kind of weird. The notch for the FT camera would take getting used to as well.

 

[1BadManVan]

Keep in mind I'm in Canada so it would be more like this for that refurb.
https://www.apple.com/ca/shop/product/G1253LL/A/refurbished-133-inch-macbook-air-apple-m1-chip-with-8‑core-cpu-and-8‑core-gpu-space-grey?fnode=3117bb0b9c1c1a4bb1e76fadb8a582641f1f8dacf6bfe9bbb26ab676771ebaa50a3ea7a2a56cc771a37b410aaf05ae5de186d28ce7927899ac2883eb0119f578c14112a7b4f1840ce305e936019cc634

In any case my brother who works at Apple says it would be better to get the M2 if I get the Air.

I was just at the Apple store today and the 13"/14" MacBooks are so small. I'm so used to a 15" screen. An inch or two may not seem like much but it would definitely be an adjustment. Also the screen resolution numbers are so weird now. Not like before when it was 1280x800 or 1440x900 or 1680x1050 or 1920x1200. I just thought that was kind of weird. The notch for the FT camera would take getting used to as well.

its the 16:10 aspect ratio for the resolutions thats throwing you off. But I wouldn't trade this m2 air for anything. Great little machine and never even gets warm for any of my usage

 

[p33t3r]

Does it make sense to just get the base model M2 Air and upgrade the ram and SSD?

That won't work, I'm afraid - I suspect the M-models are even less upgradable than the Intels, so you need to get the ram and SSD you need when you buy it.

I'm in almost exactly the same position as you are, I have a 2015 MBP with a 1TB (self-installed) SSD, and here in Sweden at least the M2 Air with those specs will be just about the same price as the 14" M1 MBP. The M1 Air with the same specs will be about 5 000 SEK (about 600 CAD) cheaper (no refurbs in Sweden…)

There is also the question of ports - the MBP has 3 thunderbolt ports, 1 HDMI and one SDXC-slot, whereas the Airs only have 2 thunderbolt ports (and the M1 Air needs to use one of them for charging).

Also, when the new M2 MBP comes out, maybe the price for the M1 version will go down?

 

[steve217]

Keep in mind I'm in Canada so it would be more like this for that refurb.
https://www.apple.com/ca/shop/product/G1253LL/A/refurbished-133-inch-macbook-air-apple-m1-chip-with-8‑core-cpu-and-8‑core-gpu-space-grey?fnode=3117bb0b9c1c1a4bb1e76fadb8a582641f1f8dacf6bfe9bbb26ab676771ebaa50a3ea7a2a56cc771a37b410aaf05ae5de186d28ce7927899ac2883eb0119f578c14112a7b4f1840ce305e936019cc634

In any case my brother who works at Apple says it would be better to get the M2 if I get the Air.

I was just at the Apple store today and the 13"/14" MacBooks are so small. I'm so used to a 15" screen. An inch or two may not seem like much but it would definitely be an adjustment. Also the screen resolution numbers are so weird now. Not like before when it was 1280x800 or 1440x900 or 1680x1050 or 1920x1200. I just thought that was kind of weird. The notch for the FT camera would take getting used to as well.

I had overlooked that you are Canadian, but my point still stands; $1800 CD for the M1 1TB/16GB refurb is still $450 CD less than the similarly spec’d M2.

Your brother is right; overall the M2 is a better laptop than the M1. However, you can’t go wrong either way.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

That won't work, I'm afraid - I suspect the M-models are even less upgradable than the Intels, so you need to get the ram and SSD you need when you buy it.

I'm in almost exactly the same position as you are, I have a 2015 MBP with a 1TB (self-installed) SSD, and here in Sweden at least the M2 Air with those specs will be just about the same price as the 14" M1 MBP. The M1 Air with the same specs will be about 5 000 SEK (about 600 CAD) cheaper (no refurbs in Sweden…)

There is also the question of ports - the MBP has 3 thunderbolt ports, 1 HDMI and one SDXC-slot, whereas the Airs only have 2 thunderbolt ports (and the M1 Air needs to use one of them for charging).

Also, when the new M2 MBP comes out, maybe the price for the M1 version will go down?

Guess I should clarify that I meant upgrade at the time of purchase. I know I cannot do upgrades later on.

I had overlooked that you are Canadian, but my point still stands; $1800 CD for the M1 1TB/16GB refurb is still $450 CD less than the similarly spec’d M2.

Your brother is right; overall the M2 is a better laptop than the M1. However, you can’t go wrong either way.

Keep in mind my brother gets discounts as he works for Apple. So perhaps the M2 with the discount is a better buy over a refurb M1 with a discount. I checked out the MacBooks in the Apple store yesterday. The Air (old or new design) is so light it's like there's nothing inside. The Pro feels more sturdy. Plus I can't get over how small the screen is compared with my 15" or the current 16". I would love a 16" Pro even if I don't need that much power. But it's ridiculously expensive. Apple overall has gotten more expensive over the years.

 

[steve217]

Keep in mind my brother gets discounts as he works for Apple. So perhaps the M2 with the discount is a better buy over a refurb M1 with a discount. I checked out the MacBooks in the Apple store yesterday. The Air (old or new design) is so light it's like there's nothing inside. The Pro feels more sturdy. Plus I can't get over how small the screen is compared with my 15" or the current 16". I would love a 16" Pro even if I don't need that much power. But it's ridiculously expensive. Apple overall has gotten more expensive over the years.

Relative discounts! FTW!

If you're mulling a 16" MBP just to get a bigger screen, you are looking at a machine that is overkill for your usage.
("Otherwise I just web browse, email, listen to my music. I don't do any video or photo editing.")

 

[Ray2]

Keep in mind I'm in Canada so it would be more like this for that refurb.
https://www.apple.com/ca/shop/product/G1253LL/A/refurbished-133-inch-macbook-air-apple-m1-chip-with-8‑core-cpu-and-8‑core-gpu-space-grey?fnode=3117bb0b9c1c1a4bb1e76fadb8a582641f1f8dacf6bfe9bbb26ab676771ebaa50a3ea7a2a56cc771a37b410aaf05ae5de186d28ce7927899ac2883eb0119f578c14112a7b4f1840ce305e936019cc634

In any case my brother who works at Apple says it would be better to get the M2 if I get the Air.

I was just at the Apple store today and the 13"/14" MacBooks are so small. I'm so used to a 15" screen. An inch or two may not seem like much but it would definitely be an adjustment. Also the screen resolution numbers are so weird now. Not like before when it was 1280x800 or 1440x900 or 1680x1050 or 1920x1200. I just thought that was kind of weird. The notch for the FT camera would take getting used to as well.

A definite adjustment with an unknown outcome. You might want to take the time to resolve your screen size and aspect ratio expectations before considering what 13” Air you want to buy.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

Looking at these three here there's not much difference between them that I would notice in day to day use. Except for MagSafe on the Air M2.

Mac - Compare Models

See what makes each Mac laptop and desktop different. And find the one that’s perfect for your life, your work and your budget.

www.apple.com

 

[ignatius345]

Either one of those is significantly more powerful than what you have.

With your specs of 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB SSD it might make more sense to go with the Pro. I don’t know about pricing in your country but in the USA the pricing would be about the same.

Especially if you find your Pro on the Apple Refurb site -- and there were plenty up there last I checked.

The only reason to go with the M2 Air (with those stepped-up specs) is if you really want a thin and light machine. Otherwise, the 14" Pro is better in every measurement.

 

[russell_314]

Especially if you find your Pro on the Apple Refurb site -- and there were plenty up there last I checked.

The only reason to go with the M2 Air (with those stepped-up specs) is if you really want a thin and light machine. Otherwise, the 14" Pro is better in every measurement.

for some reason, those pricing metrics don’t apply in some countries. In the USA you are totally right. My M2 Air was about the same price I could’ve gotten the Pro for. I just wanted thin and light. The spec sheet doesn’t do justice how much different they are.

 

[1BadManVan]

for some reason, those pricing metrics don’t apply in some countries. In the USA you are totally right. My M2 Air was about the same price I could’ve gotten the Pro for. I just wanted thin and light. The spec sheet doesn’t do justice how much different they are.

I completely agree, for some reason many are in denial of that fact. “Oh it’s only .8 lbs” uh yea, on a device that weighs less than 3 lbs? That’s over 30% added weight.

 

[ignatius345]

I completely agree, for some reason many are in denial of that fact. “Oh it’s only .8 lbs” uh yea, on a device that weighs less than 3 lbs? That’s over 30% added weight.

True. You really have to handle both machines side by side to appreciate.