MBA M2 to M5 any benefits

[KaliYoni]

@Zapdoc

Something to consider: Apple is improving its Mac hardware security beginning with the M5 processors. The feature is called Memory Integrity Enforcement (it's already in the A19 and A19 Pro). If you are technical, Apple has a blogpost about it here:

Memory Integrity Enforcement: A complete vision for memory safety in Apple devices - Apple Security Research

Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE) is the culmination of an unprecedented design and engineering effort spanning half a decade that combines the unique strengths of Apple silicon hardware with our advanced operating system security to provide industry-first, always-on memory safety protection...

security.apple.com

For everybody else, MIE is a feature that is considered a must-have by many security professionals.

 

[1BadManVan]

Do you guys buy AC for your MacBook Air? I have like 2 weeks left to decide. Last handful of machines I have gone without, my 2016 NTB MacBook Pro I got it.

Can you even get 3 years anymore or just the $85/yr annual until you cancel? Guess that allows for more flexibility.

I do for the peace of mind. Haven’t had to use it yet but I almost did last year. Put my Mac in my sleeve, walked out the door, forgot to zip it closed and it fell right out onto the gravel outside. Luckily just a small mark on the corner of the case and no other damage. Just got lucky the way it landed

 

[Howard2k]

@Zapdoc

Something to consider: Apple is improving its Mac hardware security beginning with the M5 processors. The feature is called Memory Integrity Enforcement (it's already in the A19 and A19 Pro). If you are technical, Apple has a blogpost about it here:

Memory Integrity Enforcement: A complete vision for memory safety in Apple devices - Apple Security Research

Memory Integrity Enforcement (MIE) is the culmination of an unprecedented design and engineering effort spanning half a decade that combines the unique strengths of Apple silicon hardware with our advanced operating system security to provide industry-first, always-on memory safety protection...

security.apple.com

For everybody else, MIE is a feature that is considered a must-have by many security professionals.

Mythos partially broke this already. It’s still worthwhile but crazy how fast things change.

 

[SmOgER]

Have MBA M2 16Gb and 2Tb but considering MBA M5 with 24 Gb and 1 ir 2 Tb - usage mainly usual stuff web/e mail/Office - doing Medicolegal reports large docs with lots of references etc some photography in Photos form my iPhone 17 Pro

Please advise would I see much difference - felt like new MBA and considering it

Please advise

I'm sure you realize for your usage your current machine is more than enough. Perhaps overkill even. Do you need an upgrade? You tell me.

If you 'feel like it' then sure, but then upgrade to a bigger screen or a different line (as in Pro with higher refresh rate and more ports) altogether, or wait for a refresh in the lineup that is expected to happen soon. Otherwise it's pointless and just waste of money.

 

[Acronyc]

I moved from an M2 to an M4, the biggest reason being native dual monitor support. The added RAM was nice, too (got the 24GB model), but for my day to day office work, there's not a huge difference.

 

[macbookj0e]

Agree with others. If you're staying with MBA then I'd hold off personally, especially if the M2 isn't showing any botllenecks for your workload.

Though if you were going MBA to MBP I'd say upgrade. The portability trade off obviously gives you ports, better screen, bandwidth, power and the best speakers I've ever heard on a laptop.

Either way I understand your desire for a shining new toy as I'm the same!

 

[thadoggfather]

Though if you were going MBA to MBP I'd say upgrade.

13 inch MBA to 14 inch MBP seems like a good one if you can deal with added thickness.

15 inch MBA is in a pickle though: 14 inch MBP doesnt seem like a straight upgrade, screen quality upgrade aside.
and 16 inch seems like more Mac than one would need, with significantly more weight / reduced portability.

I'm still glad to upgrade 15M2 to 15M5, but if I didn't have base specs I probably would've stayed put.
8/256 to 24/1 seems worth it to me 🙂 and slight color change from silver to starlight, but nothing groundbreaking.

Just don't need the extra ports or active cooling to justify it to the Pro, for the much bigger price of a 24/1 config and a smaller screen: I like the 15 inch real estate.