*Brand new* Macbook Pro 15 (Mid 2015 with AMD) or *Brand new* Macbook Air M1 8GB

[Mean_Machine]

Hello community, glad to be here!
I need to make a quick decision regarding a Macbook purchase.
I'll be using it for iOS and macOS app development.

Brand new Macbook Pro 15" (mid 2015) vs Macbook Air 13" M1 8 GB
First of all, I'm aware of all the aspects of both laptops.
Macbook Pro 15" advantages:
16GB vs 8GB on the Air
More ports
Bigger screen
MagSafe charger
512 GB SSD vs 256 on the Air
Cheaper by 200 pounds
*Note: I just noticed the SSD issue being thrown around (for M1 laptops), not sure what an impact will that have on the M1 series

Macbook Air 13 advantages:
M1 far better than i7
Better significant battery life
Space Gray available
Neural graphics vs AMD on the Macbook Pro (I hate discrete graphics on a laptop, especially on Macbook. Nothing good comes out of it)

My only concern are the updates, for how long will be the Macbook Pro mid 2015 being allowed to get the latest. (if its 4 years, than great)
Also, I would appreciate every user experience, especially for the Macbook Pro 15 2015.
I so want to purchase the Macbook pro 15 (mid 2015) because its never been used, but we are 2021 now.
And, will the 8 GB suffice, if I decide on the Air. Or should I consider 200 pounds upgrade, which will bring the price difference between the two, to 400 pounds.

Thanks in advance for all the replies.

Cheers!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Looks like you already have the answer that is best for you.

 

[chrfr]

A 2015 MacBook Pro is not brand new. It may be unused but it’s no less than 2 and a half years old. The battery may have failed by now, and I wouldn’t expect it to get 4 more years of OS upgrades.
I would not buy any Intel Mac now unless you have a very specific need for the Intel platform.

 

[Mac... nificent]

Have owned both. Both will work, but the M1 will be faster and supported longer.

 

[Mean_Machine]

Looks like you already have the answer that is best for you.

Thanks for the reply! I didn't mention that I plan to use it for 6 years at least, until refresh. Will it be updated with the latest software. I' am leaning towards Pro, but since i will spent a significant amount of money, I would like to be a more long term investment

 

[Apple_Robert]

Thanks for the reply! I didn't mention that I plan to use it for 6 years at least, until refresh. Will it be updated with the latest software. I' am leaning towards Pro, but since i will spent a significant amount of money, I would like to be a more long term investment

Given this reply, I think it would be best to go with the M1.

 

[Mean_Machine]

Have owned both. Both will work, but the M1 will be faster and supported longer.

Do you own the 16GB or 8GB version?

 

[Mean_Machine]

Given this reply, I think it would be best to go with the M1.

I know, and the battery statement from @chrfr scares me too

 

[Brian1230]

I have the base model m1 air and it is perfect for me. I also have a 2015 11 inch intel air and it was good too with 128 ssd and 4gb on Big Sur

 

[Mean_Machine]

I have the base model m1 air and it is perfect for me. I also have a 2015 11 inch intel air and it was good too with 128 ssd and 4gb on Big Sur

Do you use it for app development, or general use. Thanks

 

[Kinzojusti]

ok so this is my dilemma as well! lol im a user of macs, and i build my own pc's. Right now im studying and soon going into a boot camp my whole idea is as well to grab a MBP now with a intel late-2019, like a i7 or i9 with 32gb and AMD 5300 or 5500 4gb. that should be cool? in todays normal standards and that's pretty high wouldn't you all agree?
Currently im using a MBP mid 2015 IG 16gb with 500gb stock SD. I have a Sabrent 1tb rocket 3.0 so just wanted to know what some of you might think?

 

[TiggrToo]

Hello community, glad to be here!
I need to make a quick decision regarding a Macbook purchase.
I'll be using it for iOS and macOS app development.

Brand new Macbook Pro 15" (mid 2015) vs Macbook Air 13" M1 8 GB
First of all, I'm aware of all the aspects of both laptops.
Macbook Pro 15" advantages:
16GB vs 8GB on the Air
More ports
Bigger screen
MagSafe charger
512 GB SSD vs 256 on the Air
Cheaper by 200 pounds
*Note: I just noticed the SSD issue being thrown around (for M1 laptops), not sure what an impact will that have on the M1 series

Macbook Air 13 advantages:
M1 far better than i7
Better significant battery life
Space Gray available
Neural graphics vs AMD on the Macbook Pro (I hate discrete graphics on a laptop, especially on Macbook. Nothing good comes out of it)

My only concern are the updates, for how long will be the Macbook Pro mid 2015 being allowed to get the latest. (if its 4 years, than great)
Also, I would appreciate every user experience, especially for the Macbook Pro 15 2015.
I so want to purchase the Macbook pro 15 (mid 2015) because its never been used, but we are 2021 now.
And, will the 8 GB suffice, if I decide on the Air. Or should I consider 200 pounds upgrade, which will bring the price difference between the two, to 400 pounds.

Thanks in advance for all the replies.

Cheers!

I love my 2015 MBP. Brought it in late 2016 and am really glad I did.

Today? Today I’d buy an M1 in a nanosecond unless I needed the x86 support.

 

[Kinzojusti]

I love my 2015 MBP. Brought it in late 2016 and am really glad I did.

Today? Today I’d buy an M1 in a nanosecond unless I needed the x86 support.

I hear you! I just think for another long haul i could grab a new mac, maybe just keep it at a intel based for the next 3 to 5 years and then upgrade into the new pro lines and use this one as a back up and stack it out.

 

[Mean_Machine]

Thanks for all the suggestions that you provided. Really appreciated. I ended up buying Mac mini refurb base model, from the USA (one colleague was there at the time) and I got it for $589. I know that it's not what I have planned, but waiting got me analyzing the use, my pocked depth, and the reasons why I decided on Mac mini are the following:

• Cheaper, the cost of my whole setup is $920 -> (rotating monitor: 24" Philips 242S1AE, keyboard: Logitech Wireless K380, mouse: Logitech Gaming G102, Mac mini: M1 8GB 256GB, dongle: UGREEN 9 in 1, external: Samsung T7 500GB and + I have another 21.5" Philips full HD monitor which I use as a second now)
• Modular, this gives me flexibility (if I decide to upgrade in 3-4 years period, I will only purchase the Mac mini)
• Thermally is better even from MBP 13"
• Greater display landscape, for coding

As for the MBA, I will leave it for now. If I manage to stay on track with iOS development, I'm pretty sure that the need for a portable machine will be inevitable. My favorite is the MBP 16. But even then, it will have to come from the US because here (Macedonia), they are expensive as hell.

Have a great one guys, and again, thanks to everyone!