Given the advent of the new macbooks, I've decided on the m1 macbook air. I'm fairly certain that the display size is a bit too cramped, but I think it will be workable for at least a while. this would also allow me to get the redesigned 16" in a year or so without much of a financial loss (student discount & high resale value). I might change my order to the pro 13" if the performance difference turns out to be significant (>20%).