Anyone Ordering the Base M model?

[kp98077]

Just wanted to see who is ordering the $1599 base M version and what are you coming from? I am seriously thinking of selling my 15 MBA for one of these!

 

[AJB1971]

I would look for a deal on the old version of the 14-inch model with the M2 Pro chip. Apple is selling refurbished ones for $1,599/£1,689 and you may be able to find discounted new ones for less than that. It has twice the RAM and, I suspect, a faster processor.

A MacBook Pro for $1,599/£1,699, in what is nearly 2024, with only 8GB of RAM, seems crazy.

 

[MayaUser]

it is very strange since the M3 Macbook air will have probably the same weight as this 14" M3 so the only difference will be the price based on the better display/speakers etc But the performance, battery life and portability will be almost null

 

[mous94410]

I think M3 air will be like the M2 air. So the difference will be the weight, the screen, the ports, the speakers and the benefits of the fan.

 

[kp98077]

I would look for a deal on the old version of the 14-inch model with the M2 Pro chip. Apple is selling refurbished ones for $1,599/£1,689 and you may be able to find discounted new ones for less than that. It has twice the RAM and, I suspect, a faster processor.

A MacBook Pro for $1,599/£1,699, in what is nearly 2024, with only 8GB of RAM, seems crazy.

But it’s apple silicone which is not a fair comparison to a PC specs IMO 😀
I’ve been using the 15” air base model with zero issues doing complex biomedical work.

 

[AJB1971]

But it’s apple silicone which is not a fair comparison to a PC specs IMO 😀
I’ve been using the 15” air base model with zero issues doing complex biomedical work.

I'm not comparing it to PC specs, but I know what you mean.

I am specifically referencing the Pro models, which I would expect to come with more than 8GB of RAM. It's a point of differentiation between the Pro and Air models.

Looking back, Apple moved to base RAM of 8GB in the MacBook Pro Retina models, which were introduced in early 2013. That's a long time ago. The Airs moved to 8GB in 2017, and the MacBook Retina models had it when they launched in early 2015.

I'm still using an M1 Air with 8GB of RAM, but if I'm looking at buying a machine now, at these sorts of prices, longevity is a concern. It's good for us existing users that Apple is sticking with 8GB, but if I'm looking to upgrade, I think I'd rather wait until Apple makes the next step change in base RAM, as I suspect that will be to 16GB. In other words, if the M4 is likely to come with base RAM of 16GB, I'd rather skip the M3.

 

[Kendo]

Just wanted to see who is ordering the $1599 base M version and what are you coming from? I am seriously thinking of selling my 15 MBA for one of these!

Curious what the M3 MBP has where you weren't tempted by the M2 MBP from just a year earlier? If anything, I'd simply enjoy your M2 MBA now and upgrade to the M3 MBA a year later.

 

[CalMin]

Curious what the M3 MBP has where you weren't tempted by the M2 MBP from just a year earlier? If anything, I'd simply enjoy your M2 MBA now and upgrade to the M3 MBA a year later.

This is sage advise.

OP - You won't gain any capability over your Air for the amount of money you would be investing if you went to base M3 Pro. Sure - it's a heck of a machine, but it will do exactly nothing that your M2 Air can't already do. If you're seeking the 14" screen/chassis and I/O then you may be better served with the base spec. M2Pro - it's just more machine for your money if you can find a deal (and the deals will come).

 

[kp98077]

Curious what the M3 MBP has where you weren't tempted by the M2 MBP from just a year earlier? If anything, I'd simply enjoy your M2 MBA now and upgrade to the M3 MBA a year later.

for me its the screen, love the 15" size, don't love the lack of crispness that you have on the pro. Just my aging eyes! But yes, agree, I got such a good deal on the 15 MBA base for $900 USD its hard to not enjoy..

 

[kp98077]

I'm not comparing it to PC specs, but I know what you mean.

I am specifically referencing the Pro models, which I would expect to come with more than 8GB of RAM. It's a point of differentiation between the Pro and Air models.

Looking back, Apple moved to base RAM of 8GB in the MacBook Pro Retina models, which were introduced in early 2013. That's a long time ago. The Airs moved to 8GB in 2017, and the MacBook Retina models had it when they launched in early 2015.

I'm still using an M1 Air with 8GB of RAM, but if I'm looking at buying a machine now, at these sorts of prices, longevity is a concern. It's good for us existing users that Apple is sticking with 8GB, but if I'm looking to upgrade, I think I'd rather wait until Apple makes the next step change in base RAM, as I suspect that will be to 16GB. In other words, if the M4 is likely to come with base RAM of 16GB, I'd rather skip the M3.

Yeah, makes sense or go for the 14" 16 RAM model at a minimum.

 

[Devyn89]

I’m not ordering right away but I’m going to save up for one of these once I pay my friend back the money I owe him and I get a new Apple Watch from my series 4

 

[DesmoPilot]

Thinking a refurb M2 Pro would be better than a base M3, especially that the M3 needs to custom order 16GB RAM.

 

[satchmo]

Thinking as refurb M2 Pro would be better than a base M3, especially that the M3 needs to custom order 16GB RAM.

You're also not 'losing out' on the black colour model since it's not available to base M3.

 

[dizmonk]

I know Apple setting the base model with 8GB is a rip-off. I get it. Don't flame me... I know it is. But I wonder if the M3 improvements will allow 8GB to be sufficient for day-to-day simple computing. I'm working on 15 MBA with 16GB but according to iStat, I'm not close to using the full 16GB.

 

[kp98077]

I know Apple setting the base model with 8GB is a rip-off. I get it. Don't flame me... I know it is. But I wonder if the M3 improvements will allow 8GB to be sufficient for day-to-day simple computing. I'm working on 15 MBA with 16GB but according to iStat, I'm not close to using the full 16GB.

Yes, it will be fine. I’ve been using a base 15 air with 8gig no issues!

 

[Mcdevidr]

I know Apple setting the base model with 8GB is a rip-off. I get it. Don't flame me... I know it is. But I wonder if the M3 improvements will allow 8GB to be sufficient for day-to-day simple computing. I'm working on 15 MBA with 16GB but according to iStat, I'm not close to using the full 16GB.

I mean day to day computing would be fine on 8gb on almost any modern cpu chip. It’s fine on the surface laptop go 2 with an 11th gen intel and 8gb. I suppose where it becomes an issue is what people define as “day to day”.

 

[joshwithachance]

No. Because you're much better off buying a refurbished M2 Pro for the same price (double the RAM, much more power, better I/O, etc.). That is if you don't already have an M1 Pro model...

 

[Darajavahus]

I know Apple setting the base model with 8GB is a rip-off. I get it. Don't flame me... I know it is. But I wonder if the M3 improvements will allow 8GB to be sufficient for day-to-day simple computing. I'm working on 15 MBA with 16GB but according to iStat, I'm not close to using the full 16GB.

11,55Gb where half of this is just firefox, so you just duble the amount of tabs you have in firefox

 

[Apple_Robert]

I know Apple setting the base model with 8GB is a rip-off. I get it. Don't flame me... I know it is. But I wonder if the M3 improvements will allow 8GB to be sufficient for day-to-day simple computing. I'm working on 15 MBA with 16GB but according to iStat, I'm not close to using the full 16GB.

8GB if fine for the usual day to day computer. Don't let anyone tell you different.

 

[macduke]

It would be a neat machine at that price if it came with 16GB of RAM. But once you bump that up you may as well go with a refurb M2 Pro for the price. But it does have really good battery life!