14in M4 MBP 16/512 vs 15in M4 MBA 24/256

[UltraAppleFan]

Title says it all.

With edu pricing the MBA is $1299. Certified refurbished base M4 MBP is $1359

Use Case: web browsing, emails, streaming, excel, light video editing, and light gaming with AAA titles mixed in

Torn between the 24GB ram in the air vs the pro 16GB ram. Biggest upside on the pro for me is the screen and I guess the fans?

Would love to hear your opinions! Looking to make the purchase in the next week.

 

[TechRunner]

I faced the same conundrum and opted for the MBP you listed (I got it last Friday). I paid $1399 new from B&H Photo, though I did consider the refurb from Apple for the $1359 until the sales started popping up. I've always had great luck with Apple refurbs.

I don't game, but for everything else on your list either one will do the job. I plan on getting back into photography (shopping cameras now) so the MBP just felt like the better fit for my specific needs.

 

[UltraAppleFan]

I faced the same conundrum and opted for the MBP you listed (I got it last Friday). I paid $1399 new from B&H Photo, though I did consider the refurb from Apple for the $1359 until the sales started popping up. I've always had great luck with Apple refurbs.

I don't game, but for everything else on your list either one will do the job. I plan on getting back into photography (shopping cameras now) so the MBP just felt like the better fit for my specific needs.

Is the screen really that much better compared to a MBA?

 

[TechRunner]

Is the screen really that much better compared to a MBA?

For general use it's probably not great leaps better, but for photo editing it will be. Peak brightness on the MBP being much higher would probably the biggest difference for the general purpose user, IMO.

 

[dizmonk]

For general use it's probably not great leaps better, but for photo editing it will be. Peak brightness on the MBP being much higher would probably the biggest difference for the general purpose user, IMO.

And the difference in the speakers.

 

[TechRunner]

And the difference in the speakers.

I didn't try the speakers on the MBA, but the ones in the MBP are pretty impressive for the size of the laptop, for sure.

 

[Climb14er]

I looked at both and it was the display that sold me. Both computers are fast and smooth. The MBP’s screen is crisp, clear and well lit.

 

[oasantos1]

Personally, I'd go MBP for screen alone.