I think it more likely that the iMac will be the first Mac to use the M3. It‘s currently the only Mac in the lineup that is still on M1 and not using any variant of the M2 (except the still sold previous generation MacBook Air).
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MBA 13" worth buying NOW?
- Thread starter DiscordUser
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Agreed. This us far more likely. The iMac and MacBooks are not direct competitors given buyers are usually predisposed to a laptop or desktop when they start looking for a new computer. And the iMac is long overdue for its upgrade.
Yes, iMac and MBA (non-pro-M3) but not before Spring 2024 (although I‘d prefer sooner…).
I would recommend to buy 13 only if you are portable everyday outside your home. Else 15 works pretty good.
It depends. For example, I often use the MBA connected to an external display, so I prefer the 13" to carry it from place to place. Of course, when I use it only with its monitor, I would like the 15" but I think in the end, in my case, portability is preferable to the convenience of a larger screen.
Im the same. The 13 M1 MBA is new perfect to connect to monitor's, both at home and at work. Whilst out all day and travelling it seems to be the perfect size. I barely feel it in my rucksack. Said it before I think pound for pound it's the best machine Apple have ever built.
Guys... I went to the Apple Store (hopefully for the last time before purchasing the MBA) and I'm having second thoughts.
The 13" is the perfect compact size, but the 15" is so much... More? More speakers, more screen, more GPU (even though I won't have any use for it), 70w charger is a "free" upgrade (vs. the 20$ they would charge on the 13").
Why did I go into the Store... 😅
The 13" is the perfect compact size, but the 15" is so much... More? More speakers, more screen, more GPU (even though I won't have any use for it), 70w charger is a "free" upgrade (vs. the 20$ they would charge on the 13").
Why did I go into the Store... 😅
Mail, Messages, Notes, Calendar, Facebook Messenger (all of which are Apple Silicon native Mac apps), with the occasional Battle.net App use (the only Intel-only app in semi-regular use). That and more than 15 Safari tabs open and I'll definitely feel the Mac start to slow down. Activity Monitor will show a yellow or red color on the memory pressure and I'll frequently get out of memory warnings.
To be fair, my 8GB of RAM M1 Macs are primarily meant for testing software installers and MDM deployments, with consulting odds and ends (such as using all of the aforementioned apps, sans B.net). I ought to be more strict about using my 16GB of RAM M1 Macs for the heavier recreational workloads. But, it's easily conceivable that I'll do research for a friend or client that requires more than 15 tabs open at once. Next time I buy machines for consulting/testing, I'll probably get 16GB of RAM in those.
Same for me (on a base model M1 Mac mini): Mail, Calender, Contacts, iTunes, Word, EyeTV (Rosetta 2) and opening 15 or 20 browser tabs, while playing 3 video streams simultaneously - no issue at all.
Hmm... looks like those in this thread who speculated that a Fall M3 MBA release was "possible" may turn out to have been right, after all!
Apple's First M3-Powered Macs Likely to Launch in October
Apple's First M3-Powered Macs Likely to Launch in October
Apple's first M3-powered Macs could arrive as early as October, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On...
www.macrumors.com
We'll see what happens...
Sweet. One step closer to Apple marking down the 13" M2 MBA.Hmm... looks like those in this thread who speculated that a Fall M3 MBA release was "possible" may turn out to have been right, after all!
Apple's First M3-Powered Macs Likely to Launch in October
Apple's First M3-Powered Macs Likely to Launch in October
Apple's first M3-powered Macs could arrive as early as October, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On...
We'll see what happens...
Apple rarely marks down, but Best Buy already has the M2 Air base for $999 rn - and it feels like for much of the past month.
With the M1 Air base going on sale more often at $749 (as it is @BB rn), that is the much better buy.
With the M1 Air base going on sale more often at $749 (as it is @BB rn), that is the much better buy.
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I doubt this is going to happen and if it does I doubt the 13” Air will be announced, I expect at most it will be the iMac and MacBook Pro 13”Hmm... looks like those in this thread who speculated that a Fall M3 MBA release was "possible" may turn out to have been right, after all!
Apple's First M3-Powered Macs Likely to Launch in October
Apple's First M3-Powered Macs Likely to Launch in October
Apple's first M3-powered Macs could arrive as early as October, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On...
We'll see what happens...
James, that’s a bet — you vs. Gurman!
We'll know in a few months…
I'll wager that if it doesn’t happen by October, it will happen later! 😁
We'll know in a few months…
I'll wager that if it doesn’t happen by October, it will happen later! 😁
If I were a student with a busy active life and $1500usd+ to spend, I would seriously consider getting both a laptop and a desktop. Something like a used M1 iMac or Mini and M1 Macbook Air or Pro. The M1 is a fantastic processor, even the basic version, and it can do all basic stuff without breaking sweat, even with 8GB ram. And the wonderful operation of macOS sync between apple devices would be great. Anything on one machine always reflected on the other.
I think with the expected usage that OP outlined, I wouldn't think I'd ever regret not getting M2 and 16GB of ram. Also the M1 macs will be supported and not drop much in value for many years.
I think with the expected usage that OP outlined, I wouldn't think I'd ever regret not getting M2 and 16GB of ram. Also the M1 macs will be supported and not drop much in value for many years.
I agree about the M1 so why not a MBA only to (eventually) connect to an external monitor and save even more money? For a student, I don’t see the need to get 2 Macs.
The nice thing about apple is they have a great return policy, so if you want to try one out, grab one and you got it for 2 weeks. Get both and return the one you dont want at the end of it. Gpu i dont see being much of a factor if you're going for a base model anyways. if you bump to a 512gb storage 13" air, its the same 10 core gpu in it as well.
I got my 13" for the form factor, i have a 16" windows laptop, purposely choose the larger screen as i was tempted but the extra screen real estate but i still almost always grab my 13" instead. It depends how you're using it at the end of the day
There's nothing rumored to replace the current 13-inch MacBook Air this calendar year. I'd say that you ought to just pull the trigger now.
As for what to buy, your instincts to avoid both 8GB of RAM and the base 256GB SSD are spot on. Though, I'd consider getting one size larger SSD than you think you'll need and buying as much RAM as you can afford (whether that be 16GB or 24GB) since the opportunity to do so later will never come without you selling and wholesale replacing the machine. I will say that, for heavier gaming, the M1 MacBook Air will get warm, if not hot to the touch. The M2 is a hotter chip and the M2 MacBook Air has a less effective cooling solution than the M1 MacBook Airs did.
It won't overheat to the point of being worrisome, but if this is the kind of thing you think you might do lots of, I'd probably try to steer you to a 13-inch or 14-inch MacBook Pro instead.
Otherwise, for your stated use cases, I'm going to guess that this machine will serve you well and that you're, more or less, already on the right path to success here.
After many shenanigans with Apple's website, my bank, my browser, etc, my MBA 15 arrives today.
Like I said on my last post on this subject: I went to the Apple Store and kind of fell in love with the 15" and decided to pull the trigger: Space Gray MBA 15" with 24/512, 70W charger and keyboard in my language (I plan on giving this to my parents when it reaches its end of life).
Like I said on my last post on this subject: I went to the Apple Store and kind of fell in love with the 15" and decided to pull the trigger: Space Gray MBA 15" with 24/512, 70W charger and keyboard in my language (I plan on giving this to my parents when it reaches its end of life).
Hmm…
There is, indeed, speculation that a 13” M3 MBA is coming this fall.
See
Apple M3 Macs coming this fall: Everything you need to know
The M3 lineup is expected to include a new iMac, a 13-inch MacBook Air, and a 13-inch MacBook Pro.
me.mashable.com
and
Top Stories: M3 Macs as Early as October, Beats Studio Pro, and More
While it was a relatively quiet week for Apple news and rumors, we did learn that the first Macs with the as-yet-unannounced M3 chip could be just...
www.macrumors.com
(Same source for both stories.)
However, that's now moot as Discord has bought a 15”!
However, it could help others contemplating buying a 13” M2 MBA this close to Apple's fall product launches. I'd strongly recommend holding off a few months.
It's hard for me to believe that Apple would launch a major new Mac chip (M3) during a fall Mac event.
WWDC, as it was in the past, seems much more likely.
November 2020 M-series launch seems like an anomoly.
My bet for Mac this fall is for the iMac to be updated with M2.
Another sign: Apple insists Vision Pro will be launched with M2, early next year; Apple will not launch a signature product without its signature chip (especially one that would be most energy-efficient (aka M3)).
That being said, and Apple being Apple, nothing is out of the realm of what is possible.
WWDC, as it was in the past, seems much more likely.
November 2020 M-series launch seems like an anomoly.
My bet for Mac this fall is for the iMac to be updated with M2.
Another sign: Apple insists Vision Pro will be launched with M2, early next year; Apple will not launch a signature product without its signature chip (especially one that would be most energy-efficient (aka M3)).
That being said, and Apple being Apple, nothing is out of the realm of what is possible.
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There's always speculation. Doesn't mean any of it is trustworthy.Hmm…
There is, indeed, speculation that a 13” M3 MBA is coming this fall.
See
Apple M3 Macs coming this fall: Everything you need to know
The M3 lineup is expected to include a new iMac, a 13-inch MacBook Air, and a 13-inch MacBook Pro.
and
Top Stories: M3 Macs as Early as October, Beats Studio Pro, and More
While it was a relatively quiet week for Apple news and rumors, we did learn that the first Macs with the as-yet-unannounced M3 chip could be just...
(Same source for both stories.)
However, that's now moot as Discord has bought a 15”!
However, it could help others contemplating buying a 13” M2 MBA this close to Apple's fall product launches. I'd strongly recommend holding off a few months.
I was responding to this.
As I pointed out, there is, in fact, something rumored to replace it — a 13” M3 MBA in October. ✅ The person who asked about buying should keep that in mind and read the stories I cited before deciding to buy right away.
I thought that particularly important to mention given your advice:
Unless someone desperately needs a 13” MBA right now, they'd be better off waiting just a couple of months to see what happens and whether the rumor pans out!
Indeed, Mac Rumors itself, in its buying guide, has a red flag saying DON'T BUY the 13” MBA right now. See
https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#mac
(scroll down the page to 13” MacBook Air)
Many people would agree with that advice!
As I pointed out, there is, in fact, something rumored to replace it — a 13” M3 MBA in October. ✅ The person who asked about buying should keep that in mind and read the stories I cited before deciding to buy right away.
I thought that particularly important to mention given your advice:
Unless someone desperately needs a 13” MBA right now, they'd be better off waiting just a couple of months to see what happens and whether the rumor pans out!
Indeed, Mac Rumors itself, in its buying guide, has a red flag saying DON'T BUY the 13” MBA right now. See
https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#mac
(scroll down the page to 13” MacBook Air)
Many people would agree with that advice!
While I can't attest to the 13" MBA of today I had one from mid 2012 and onwards that held up well with maxed out RAM and an SSD-disk up until the end of my university studies in early 2016. The main problem then was the battery as the computer could barely survive 30-45m on outside of being attached to the charger.
I have gone through a lot of computers, but Mac (which I've always favored) but also a lot of PC machines with random Windows or Linux on them etc and the MBA 13" is easily the best laptop I've ever head.
If you need a laptop and the 13" is enough it's an awesome computer. It was easy to pack into most bags, even bags not necessarily made for carrying laptops and just generally well made and just went on and on and on until the battery committed harakiri.
Edit: Typing is hard.
I have gone through a lot of computers, but Mac (which I've always favored) but also a lot of PC machines with random Windows or Linux on them etc and the MBA 13" is easily the best laptop I've ever head.
If you need a laptop and the 13" is enough it's an awesome computer. It was easy to pack into most bags, even bags not necessarily made for carrying laptops and just generally well made and just went on and on and on until the battery committed harakiri.
Edit: Typing is hard.
I have simplified my life by going M2 MBA + iPhone only. I have an inexpensive 1080p 23in external monitor that I occasionally use for big projects, but very rarely....otherwise it sits in the family room cabinet along with my iPad that only gets used on vacation. I don't even use AirPods anymore. Went back to the EarPods.....one less thing to charge.
Anyway, I would strongly recommend getting a new M2 MBA when a good sale comes along. I think Apple student pricing is $999 plus a $150 gift card. If you shop around, big box stores have sales as well.
Anyway, I would strongly recommend getting a new M2 MBA when a good sale comes along. I think Apple student pricing is $999 plus a $150 gift card. If you shop around, big box stores have sales as well.