What is a 'base model'?

[shenfrey]

I see this mentioned all the time and I don't understand what they mean.

Do they mean they have the lowest available ram?

 

[Fishrrman]

Slowest CPU
Smallest SSD
Smallest amount of installed RAM

This does not necessarily mean "bad".
I have a base model MacBook Pro 14" and it's just dandy (does all I need).

 

[Ridge Racer]

It just means the lowest spec model that Apple offers, without any optional CPU, RAM or Storage upgrades.

 

[shenfrey]

Thanks guys.

Wish macrumors had some kind of discord server so I didn't need to make an entire thread to ask a simple question.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

Base model means the default configuration, which is the laptop that is mass produced. The spec above the default usually gets a retail presence too, but anything else after that has to be a custom order

 

[Ben J.]

I don't think there is an empirical answer to the question.
I call my Mini 'base model' even though I got it with 16GB ram.
I'm thinking it means 'not Pro', 'not Max' etc., and drive and memory size has nothing to do with it.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

It's basically the cheapest model (the minimum configuration) that Apple sells.

 

[dmccloud]

I don't think there is an empirical answer to the question.
I call my Mini 'base model' even though I got it with 16GB ram.
I'm thinking it means 'not Pro', 'not Max' etc., and drive and memory size has nothing to do with it.

The base model is the lowest priced configuration for a given product. For both the 14" and 16" MBP, that base configuration includes an M2 Pro, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. For an Air, that base config includes an M2, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD.

 

[shenfrey]

The base model is the lowest priced configuration for a given product. For both the 14" and 16" MBP, that base configuration includes an M2 Pro, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. For an Air, that base config includes an M2, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD.

Thanks for the response.

I see alot criticism on base models which is why I was wondering what they were talking about, but looking at the M2 Pro 'base model' it seems quite decent in terms of its specs.

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

It’s the one you don’t want

I have met manny people who bought the base model (car computer whatever) and wished they got higher model

I have never met a person who got a higher model and wished they got the base model



“Buy once cry once”

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I was wondering what they were talking about, but looking at the M2 Pro 'base model' it seems quite decent in terms of its specs."

It is.
Unless you really know why you might need "more".

I bought the 2021 MBP 14" a few months after it was introduced. The base model (16gb RAM, 512gb SSD) was actually "more than enough" for me, as I use it as a "second, walk-around" Mac and don't really keep much that's "important" on it.

It works just fine.

My previous MBP was a 2015 13", again a base model, and it, too, was fine until I picked up the new one (and gifted the 2015 to a sister).

Again, one might need "more" depending on what it was going to be used for.
But for me, the entry-level model was enough.

 

[dmccloud]

It’s the one you don’t want

I have met manny people who bought the base model (car computer whatever) and wished they got higher model

I have never met a person who got a higher model and wished they got the base model



“Buy once cry once”

There are a lot of people who buy the base model of a given Mac model and are perfectly happy with it, because their usage patterns don't require more than that configuration. This is not even in the same category as a car.

 

[Fishrrman]

"I have met manny people who bought the base model (car computer whatever) and wished they got higher model"

I'm on my third MacBook Pro (2010, 2015, 2021).
All bought in base configurations.
They did what I needed to do (granted, my "needs" were "basic").

Just offered as "one user's experience..."