can't decide, need advice, please

[sturg]

So we just got new computers at work (13 inch MBA, 2020, 8GB Ram, 121GB Flash Storage, i3 processor) and I am looking to purchase a newer, more powerful computer, (some type of MAC) that I can use at home. I am open to any and all types of macs, but the more I read, the more confused I get. After reading about how the new M1 chip is so amazing, and is all the rage, then I see articles about them grinding up SSD's. So what am I to do? Purchase an Intel based computer and avoid the M1 chip altogether? Is the stuff I am reading true enough that I should be concerned about buying one? Any information is appreciated, ty.

 

[bsamcash]

M1 isn’t any rougher on SSDs than Intel. The concern is the amount of RAM to prevent page outs and the fact that the SSD isn’t upgradable. If you do a lot of multitasking, get the 16GB and cashing to the SSD will be minimized.

 

[MarkC426]

What is mac for, what is your budget?

 

[sturg]

What is mac for, what is your budget?

I am a teacher, so word processing, email, Microsoft teams chatting and live meetings.
I play a lot of music with it also. Just basic stuff really. Surfing the web. Not any huge video or picture files to deal with.

 

[Xak444]

M1 isn’t any rougher on SSDs than Intel. The concern is the amount of RAM to prevent page outs and the fact that the SSD isn’t upgradable. If you do a lot of multitasking, get the 16GB and cashing to the SSD will be minimized.

Yeah I read the article on them being rough on ssds but I have since read articles sayings that’s not actually a problem.

 

[MBAir2010]

I am a teacher, so word processing, email, Microsoft teams chatting and live meetings.
I play a lot of music with it also. Just basic stuff really. Surfing the web. Not any huge video or picture files to deal with.

Perhaps a Microsoft enabled laptop will fulfill your computer needs and you could save several hundred of dollars.
MacBooks are great, look nice and can do many things, but they could be a little too much for the average user.
Microsoft teams will be a nuance using that on a MacBook from what i read here and on other computer sites, if this is a main reason to purchase a laptop.
But act soon,
All last week, PC world, Forbes and other reputable tech sources are predicting shortages in digital comments and this will raise prices of laptops across the board and Tim Cook stated to the BBC that they fear a shortage and Industries around the world are struggling to meet a surge in demand for products such as cars, high-tech gadgets and smartphones. therefore you might consider what is exactly available and serviceable in the future.
-hope this helped!

 

[sturg]

Our district is mac everything. It's all we have been using for years, and I really like the quality of their products. So probably not going to be buying anything non-mac. But ty anyway.

 

[Apple_Robert]

So we just not new computers at work (13 inch MBA, 2020, 8GB Ram, 121GB Flash Storage, i3 processor) and I am looking to purchase a newer, more powerful computer, (some type of MAC) that I can use at home. I am open to any and all types of macs, but the more I read, the more confused I get. After reading about how the new M1 chip is so amazing, and is all the rage, then I see articles about them grinding up SSD's. So what am I to do? Purchase an Intel based computer and avoid the M1 chip altogether? Is the stuff I am reading true enough that I should be concerned about buying one? Any information is appreciated, ty.

With what you described, the base M1 MBA would suit your needs just fine, as well as the Intel 2020 MBA, or any of the 2018 and 2019 MBA and MBP models.

 

[Fishrrman]

Wait another couple of months until the "larger" m-series iMac is introduced.
Then you will have "choice options" between the 24" and the larger version.
The new one should have a more advanced CPU, as well.

 

[sturg]

Wait another couple of months until the "larger" m-series iMac is introduced.
Then you will have "choice options" between the 24" and the larger version.
The new one should have a more advanced CPU, as well.

but the m1 series imac is already out....are you talking about a NEWER version of the new one that's currently being delivered?

 

[pmiles]

Apple will be announcing new computers ALL YEAR LONG. The first ones released are not going to be the best ones to get. They learn from the current models and improve upon them in the next.

People say wait because it is like going to a store and seeing a "coming soon" sign and buying whatever is on the shelf because it's already available. The M1 Macs aren't going anywhere, you can still buy them a year from now... and likely cheaper. A lot of those who bought one of the new M1s are likely to replace them first.

Wait to see the full lineup before making a decision.

 

[Okta]

IMO I'd wait until September-October. You might have more options and in the worst case you might stumble on a better deal.

Rumors are there might be a M1X release in the fall.

 

[hobowankenobi]

but the m1 series imac is already out....are you talking about a NEWER version of the new one that's currently being delivered?

Yep. To be fair...there will always be something newer, right around the corner. And yes, we all expect beefier performance from higher-end iMacs and MBP models, and certainly for Mac Pro models. There are rumors of either an M2 or M1X chipset, with substantial performance gains (at a price premium) over the M1 units.

My take is that for any general-purpose computing, any of the current M1 Macs is the only option now. Intel Macs will not age well moving forward.

The only real questions with the current lineup are:

• Is 8GB enough RAM?
• Is 250GB enough storage?

I have an M1 Mini in testing, and it is impressive in every way.

I did go ahead and upgrade both RAM (to 16GB) and SSD (to 500), which may be overkill. It really depends on the workload anticipated.