You could even go down to the M1 Air if it's worth the savings although directly from Apple it might still be rather overpriced.
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MBA 13" worth buying NOW?
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Now is fine to buy an M2 model. The M1 model is good too, though, I'd go with Apple's "Apple Certified Refurbished" models as the price there will be much better (and you might have the option of the 8-core GPU, should that be important to you). Apple likely isn't releasing an M3 model for the next 6-12 months.
Apple doesn't verify your eligibility for academic discounts in most countries. If you are a student, I see no reason to not shop through the education site. Even if you buy an Apple Certified Refurb model (which will be lower than and therefore not take advantage of the academic discount), you can still get academic discounts on AppleCare+ plans.
As for RAM and storage; make sure you have ample amounts of both (you can't upgrade either after the fact). I have M1 Macs with both 8GB and 16GB of RAM; 16GB is definitely more comfortable. I've had the 8GB models choke on more than five apps and more than 15 browser tabs; YMMV.
Stick with M2 Air. The M2 Air screen can get brighter, and you will notice the improvement in bright places. That's why I avoided the M1.
8GB RAM with 256 is actually fine for most people. And the 256 “issue” will very likely not even be an issue for most people for everyday use.
But if one absolutely has to have more RAM and storage, while trying to save some money, then a good option is to consider one of Apple’s refurbished units. They have a good reputation and they treat the device like it’s new with a full warranty. You can even buy AppleCare on it.
But if one absolutely has to have more RAM and storage, while trying to save some money, then a good option is to consider one of Apple’s refurbished units. They have a good reputation and they treat the device like it’s new with a full warranty. You can even buy AppleCare on it.
I'd absolutely buy it. It's a fantastic machine (I have the M1 and my wife the M2), and I don't think you'll see any updates until 2024 anyway.
Agreed the M2 MBAs likely won’t see any updates until around mid to late 2024. A question hanging in the air, though, is what will become of the M1 Air—how long will Apple keep it around? When will they eventually retire the classic Air and slot the current new 13 Air into its place?
I want to get the 16/512 13" MBA M2 as my daily carry along...but am convincing myself to wait for the inevitable price drop when the M3 Air releases (whenever that is). In the meantime, I'll keep lugging my 2012 MBP around. At least it still has Windows BootCamp...something Apple's new Silcon tablets don't.
😎 👍🏽 ✅
LOL over the “only”. That could a HUGE benefit — faster, more efficient, and even longer battery life.
Great reminder! Thanks for that.
Really? Which apps? First I’ve ever heard of an 8GB M1 choking on 15+ tabs! I have an 2015 13” MBA and can easily have 20+ tabs open in Safari…
I agree, but it could be ready this fall — and would help juice Christmas sales.
The M3 could be such a huge leap that buying now, if you really don't need to, could lead to regrets in 4-8 months And, a costly sell-buy upgrade!
Not happening.
If you follow news about the M3 chip, all signs point to no M3 chips until early 2024, and unlike most cycles, it’s the imac and MacBook Pro looking to launch first with the updated air coming after.
By all accounts the M3 air is at least 8 months away.
If you need it now, just buy it!
Apple is working on at least a dozen new devices set to launch between late 2023 and early 2024, according to an updated product roadmap shared by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman explained that Apple is planning to launch two Apple Watch Series 9 models and a second-generation Apple Watch Ultra alongside the iPhone 15 lineup this fall.
Substantial updates to the Mac lineup will launch starting later this year or in early 2024, encompassing new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, a refreshed 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 chip, two new MacBook Air models, and new 24-inch iMac models. In addition, Apple is said to be "conducting early work" on an all-new iMac model with a display larger than 30 inches in size.
Gurman reiterated that an updated iPad Air to replace the current M1-based device and two new iPad Pro models with OLED displays are on the way for 2024. Third-generation AirPods Pro, a refreshed Apple TV with improved specifications, and other "home equipment" such as smart displays are also in early development. A new generation of Apple's Vision Pro headset is unlikely to arrive until 2025, he added.
Article Link: Apple Product Roadmap 2023–24: Over 15 New Devices in Development
If you don't need it exactly now and want to/can wait, read above "two new MacBook Air models" late 2023 or early 2024.
Sounds like you have made your decision. Now, buy it and enjoy!
Echoing what others have said, no reason to wait, this will be more than enough for your needs and you will be very happy with it! I have the 16/1tb model and its a beautiful peace of hardware and love using it on the couch
This thread actually got me thinking about getting a MacBook Air since I‘m annoyed at how limited iPadOS is (even on the 12.9“ iPad Pro) as a notebook replacement and I realized I don‘t need the power of the M2 Pro in my Mac Mini. So I ordered a 13“ M2 with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD to replace both of them. Should be delivered by mid July hopefully. 🤞
You’ll be very happy with it. I barely touch my iPad Pro now
I suppose that they are going to update the 15" and 13" at the same time.
Since the 15" was just released, that is probably not going to be before next year.
Apple and resellers are still selling the 2020 MacBook Air and advertising it quite prominently. There aren't signs of a yearly refresh cycle.
I also suppose that "next-generation" Apple Silicon series chips will eventually be introduced in their more premium "Pro" products, not their entry-level products (unlike the M1). And an M3 is not yet on the horizon.
Considering that the M2 MacBook Air can currently be bought at an all-time low price in my market, I'm thinking about getting one.
I think so. Year on year improvements won't probably ever reach the dizzy heights from intel to apple silicon. M2 is a beastly processor, even if it the most basic of apple's offerings. The design language will stay for a while so won't "look" outdated for some time.
Buy buy buy.
YMMV.
Buy buy buy.
YMMV.
Newer chips are more expensive to manufacture (unless you shrink them in size and performance/features). They often feature performance improvements upon their predecessors and new functionality. As such, they are good candidates for higher-priced products for product differentiation.
It does make sense to introduce in lower-priced products for less performance-conscious consumers - the exception being during the transition in a big architectural change (Intel -> ARM).
Apple's A16 in iPhones or the M-series SoC in iPads also did debut in their higher-end models.
I, on the other hand, think they will initially debut the non-Pro M-series models exactly like the M1 and M2, we shall see.
1. Didn't the M2s get introduced in the laptops first? In particular, the 13” Air and Pro?!
2. The M2 Air came out in July of *2022*. Is Apple really going to wait *two* years to upgrade the 13” to the M3? (I can easily see them staggering the M3 Air introductions to squeeze a few more months of sales out of the M2 15”.)
3. OK, so Fall may be extremely optimistic. But it was based in part of this:
www.techradar.com
4. My first instinct was Spring 2024, too.
5. Still, keep in mind that Spring 2024 is only 9 months away!
6. Let's remember that the M3 likely (surely?!)
7. No matter the time frame, my main point still holds true:
8. Even if you need a new laptop now, if you at all think you might upgrade next year to the M3 Air, then maybe the better move now is to go for the M1 MBA. Probably lose less on the upgrade, right?
2. The M2 Air came out in July of *2022*. Is Apple really going to wait *two* years to upgrade the 13” to the M3? (I can easily see them staggering the M3 Air introductions to squeeze a few more months of sales out of the M2 15”.)
3. OK, so Fall may be extremely optimistic. But it was based in part of this:
“Right now, the current wisdom is that the M3 chip will arrive inside a new 2023 Mac later in 2023 at best, with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggesting that mass production could begin in the second half of the year.”
Apple M3 chip: all the news, announcements, and rumors so far
What exactly will Apple's next chips be capable of?
www.techradar.com
But, as others have noted, that could be an iMac.
4. My first instinct was Spring 2024, too.
5. Still, keep in mind that Spring 2024 is only 9 months away!
6. Let's remember that the M3 likely (surely?!)
7. No matter the time frame, my main point still holds true:
(Amended with new date span.)
8. Even if you need a new laptop now, if you at all think you might upgrade next year to the M3 Air, then maybe the better move now is to go for the M1 MBA. Probably lose less on the upgrade, right?
Took them 11 months to go from launching M1 products to M1 Pro/Max. And another 5 months for the M1 Ultra.
Compared to 7 and 5 months respectively for M2 > M2 Pro/Max > M2 Ultra.
Statistically that may support your point for at least the next generation
Either way, I still think once the dust has settled, the newest generation will at some point end up in higher-priced product first.
Why not?
The M1 MacBook Air was released in November of 2020, the M2 version in June 2022 - that's 19 months. Closer to 24 months than 12. I can absolutely see them riding that M2 though the back to school and holiday season.
Selling the 15" and 13" with different generation chips, and the 15" with the older, "slower" chip at a higher price, would be an absolute mess though, in terms of lineup.
I agree, so I think that the M3 will be released not before Spring-Summer 2024 (on MBA first).