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Tenashus1

macrumors 6502a
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Jul 27, 2011
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I currently have a 13" MBA M1 with 16 GB of ram, and 512GB of storage. I use the machine for business data entry, searching the web, streaming music and movies, and moderate word processing. What would be a good reason to jump to the 13" M2 with the same specs? I'm trying to see if someone has a reason that I have not thought of myself. At this point, my main reason would be future proofing. If I wait to upgrade, the trade in value of my M1 will diminish. Thanks.
 
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I currently have a 13" MBA M1 with 16 GB of ram, and 512GB of storage. I use the machine for business data entry, searching the web, streaming music and movies, and moderate word processing. What would be a good reason to jump to the 13" M2 with the same specs? I'm trying to see if someone has a reason that I have not thought of myself. At this point, my main reason would be future proofing. If I wait to upgrade, the trade in value of my M1 will diminish. Thanks.
none, you literally have no reason 😂
unless you like spending money? as for future proofing, the m2 is a marginal bump to the m1 and they both derive from the same architecture so most likely same EOL.
 
Most justifiable reason would be preference for the new external shell, not the chip. The performance difference between M1 and M2 is negligible and comes with heat and power efficiency trade offs. You definitely don’t need to make a change, spec-wise.

M1 Air has remained on sale and barely budged in price since 2020. That tells you all you need to know.
 
i like the design thats about it. My 2 MBP's (13 & 14) work just fine, are in mint shape to boot... So i may just trade in the M1 13 for a 15.
 
Best time to jump from M1 to M2 would be when your M1 no longer does what you specifically need it to do.

I have a M1 Max and have no intention of changing it in the near future, since it does everything I need perfectly well.
 
I currently have a 13" MBA M1 with 16 GB of ram, and 512GB of storage. I use the machine for business data entry, searching the web, streaming music and movies, and moderate word processing. What would be a good reason to jump to the 13" M2 with the same specs? I'm trying to see if someone has a reason that I have not thought of myself. At this point, my main reason would be future proofing. If I wait to upgrade, the trade in value of my M1 will diminish. Thanks.

No reason. No need to think, really.
You've paid extra in order to futureproof yourself with more RAM and SSD, just enjoy it.
 
If you want to lose the heat sink (yes M2 has no cooling system) and have a warmer computer, get an M2
 
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While I don't agree there is no reason, I would wait for the M3 since it will be due to release later this year or early next year. The new M3 MBA might be here around November for pre-order or early next year. Your M1 MBA should be perfectly fine until then.

Since M3 will be a smaller process, better GPU cores, and I think more cores on regular M chip it might be worth waiting a little longer.

The difference between M1 and M2 are about a 15% improvement to speed on single and I think a 20% lift in multicore. Better GPU cores and faster and more efficient efficiency cores. Also with M2 MBA you get a better designed laptop(subjective of course) with a slightly bigger screen and no bezels, MagSafe, better battery life, better speakers(subjective of course), a brighter screen, better webcam, more colors.

Now that Apple has lowered the price on M2 MBA and if you qualify for a edu discount or can find a sale it might also be a good idea to buy since you will get one at the best price possible.

There are a lot of reasons to upgrade but you are not going to see year over year improvements like we had from Intel to M1. Also I think the M1 is still a very capable chip and the M1 MBA while pretty dated with the huge bezels is still a great laptop with an iconic design that some people still prefer.
 
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Technerd, are you having heat issues with your M2?
Never. Now I don't run Pro level apps that push the GPU, some stuff I do taxes the CPU and some light gaming but I do multitask with a bunch of different programs open and browser with a ton of tabs.

The laptop has never slowed down or even gotten warm.

It is surprisingly fast laptop. I have 8 core GPU model with 512gb SSD and 16gb of ram so I am sure all of that helps with heat.

I can say having a laptop without a fan has been extremely liberating. Having a completely silent laptop that I don't have to constantly worry about blocking vents has really been a great experience that I don't think you can realize until you experience it.

Of course if heating was an issue which it isn't a cheap laptop cooler with a fan would help or even a reusable ice pack with a towel would probably be a cheap and easy solution.
 
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The only reason would be to get the new 15 inch screen. Might help for the data entry you mentioned?

But no, there is no reason to upgrade to the M2 from the M1. Apple even knows that. Did you notice they were making comparisons to the intel Macs during the WWDC video?
 
Best time to jump from M1 to M2 would be when your M1 no longer does what you specifically need it to do.

I have a M1 Max and have no intention of changing it in the near future, since it does everything I need perfectly well.

When M1 no longer does what someone specifically needs it to do... they'd more likely be jumping from M1 to Mnumberyouneedtwohandstocount than to M2.
 
I currently have a 13" MBA M1 with 16 GB of ram, and 512GB of storage. I use the machine for business data entry, searching the web, streaming music and movies, and moderate word processing. What would be a good reason to jump to the 13" M2 with the same specs? I'm trying to see if someone has a reason that I have not thought of myself. At this point, my main reason would be future proofing. If I wait to upgrade, the trade in value of my M1 will diminish. Thanks.
FOMO would be the reason to go to an M2
 
It looks like the majority of people here thinks it's not necessary to move from the M1 to the M2. That's good information. Thank you all for sharing.
When it's time for you to upgrade, you'll know because your M1 will no longer be doing what you need efficiently.

Each time you update the OS and the software it will all demand a little more of the machine's resources. Eventually, maybe 3, 4, 6 years from now, you'll get to the point where it feels conspicuously draggy. Then you'll get a new one, and eventually that one will start feeling slow... and the cycle of life continues.

Alternately, they'll intro some new feature that's super compelling, or new Macs will come out with some feature an M1 Mac can't handle.
 
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M1 MBA should last 5-6 years easily. I have an M1 Max MBP, I will probably upgrade m4/m5, at least 5 years from the day I bought M1. Hoping M4/M5 max can support 256 GB RAM.
 
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I'm waiting for the M3 laptops. My Air does everything I need it to, though a little more speed would be nice.
 
I currently have a 13" MBA M1 with 16 GB of ram, and 512GB of storage. I use the machine for business data entry, searching the web, streaming music and movies, and moderate word processing. What would be a good reason to jump to the 13" M2 with the same specs? I'm trying to see if someone has a reason that I have not thought of myself. At this point, my main reason would be future proofing. If I wait to upgrade, the trade in value of my M1 will diminish. Thanks.

I run both M1 and M2 units in our business. The differences are minor. You don’t need to upgrade to M2. The expected difference to M3 should be much greater due to 3NM production.

I would wait.

BTW - the main reason we have any M2 Macs is due to timing of our churn, not specifically choosing M2.
 
I run both M1 and M2 units in our business. The differences are minor. You don’t need to upgrade to M2. The expected difference to M3 should be much greater due to 3NM production.

I would wait.

BTW - the main reason we have any M2 Macs is due to timing of our churn, not specifically choosing M2.
That's the same reason I'm waiting. The jump from M1 to M3 will be much more apparent than M1 to M2. I'm a sucker for getting the shiny new iPhone every year though for no logical reason other than it's ... shiny.
 
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