Dilemma: Keep or return new 14" M1 Pro MBP?

[Sagnet]

I just received a 14" MBP M1 Pro from the Apple Store less than a week ago. I'm within the 14 days return window, where I can get a full refund if I return it. Part of me wants to do that, and order the new M2 Pro instead, which would cost me an additional $150. Is it worth it? I will hardly use it for any processor intensive tasks. Some occasional photo editing in Lightroom will be the most demanding work, which the M1 Pro will most likely handle with ease for years to come.

What other reasons could there be for me to go through the process of returning and replacing the M1 Pro with an M2 Pro?

Edit: Some more context, that might be relevant: this is a work computer that i bought myself, but got the costs reimbursed in full by my employer. Because of tax regulations, I might have to process the return through my employer, so that the invoices and other paperwork are correct. That might be a hassle, and a reason why it might not be worth it. They might ask if the M1 is not good enough for my usage, which it most likely will be for the next 4-5 years to come.

 

[kp98077]

for sure worth it! I got mine for 1500 and I likely will still return mine..

 

[Ctg44]

I would 100% do it. Even without any sort of speed increase or improvements, I’d exchange it for the latest model As it would ”only” be another $150 for you.

 

[Shadowbech]

definitely worth returning since you are still within the return window.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Aren't they $400 off at Best Buy? If I got that level of a deal, I'd probably keep it. But if you paid full price from the Apple Store then I would 100% definitely return it.

 

[JPack]

How is this a dilemma? The moment M2 models were launched, the M1 Pro models dropped by $100 at the Apple Store. Anybody who bought from Apple Store paid full retail or full edu.

 

[floral]

150 dollars is hardly a noticeable sum if you're jumping an entire processor generation. Take advantage of the return!!!

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Agreed, jump at it unless you got a heck of a deal on the M1 (eg Refurbished)

 

[PO2345]

I just received a 14" MBP M1 Pro from the Apple Store less than a week ago. I'm within the 14 days return window, where I can get a full refund if I return it. Part of me wants to do that, and order the new M2 Pro instead, which would cost me an additional $150. Is it worth it? I will hardly use it for any processor intensive tasks. Some occasional photo editing in Lightroom will be the most demanding work, which the M1 Pro will most likely handle with ease for years to come.

What other reasons could there be for me to go through the process of returning and replacing the M1 Pro with an M2 Pro?

I'd return.
But given your uses, I probably wouldn't even get a Pro. I think the new MBA would be just fine for you & pocket the extra money back.

 

[reallycantcode]

If you're in the UK, it's a big price jump and not worth it

 

[thadoggfather]

yeah I would personally for that little difference in price, relatively speaking

 

[floral]

I would return for 2 reasons:

1. Resale value. The M1 is years old and the M2 just came out. You will have a much more valuable machine for the extra $150.

2. Longevity. Again, M1 is older and as technology wanes, you will be happier with the newer machine.

Yes, a lot of benchmarks prove that M2 is a good amount faster than M1, which really cuts the time in stuff like video exports and loading projects.

 

[Sagnet]

Some more context, that might be relevant: this is a work computer that i bought myself, but got the costs reimbursed in full by my employer. Because of tax regulations, I might have to process the return through my employer, so that the invoices and other paperwork are correct. That might be a hassle, and a reason why it might not be worth it. They might ask if the M1 is not good enough for my usage, which it most likely will be for the next 4-5 years to come.

 

[VaruLV]

Personally I would return it just for that additional hour(in theory, but still) of battery life and 8K HDMI output.
M2 Pro or M1 Pro doesnt matter to me.

EDIT: Even more so, if youre not paying for it yourself and you will be working on it for 4-5 years, Id say go for it and return, upgrade so to speak.

 

[GMShadow]

If your employer is paying for it and it seems like it’ll be a hassle to return I’d just stick with the build you got. Especially since it might be a bit before you can get an M2.

 

[james2538]

(All prices listed are with education discount)

I'm in a similar dilemma. I bought an 14" M1 Pro from the refurb store last Friday for $1538. With the new ones out, that same model is now listed at $1385. I'm assuming Apple will price match without me having to bother returning?

My other options:

1. Get a more optioned out refurb M1 Pro (10 core with 1TB is now only $1736 vs $2500 original MSRP!)
2. Pickup a new base M2 Pro at $1799 which would technically be more expensive and less powerful than the upgraded refurb. I really wanted WiFi 6E and 120Hz HDMI output though.

Other wrench in this is that these aren't the 3nm chips. The rumors are already saying that will arrive in 2024, which is when we should see some much larger performance/efficiency gains. Along with an OLED display rumored in 2024/2025.

I feel like the M2 MacBook Pro generation might be a short lifecycle.

 

[ruddyman]

Another thing to think about: Likely at least one more year of OS updates over the m1 pro.

 

[james2538]

Personally I would return it just for that additional hour(in theory, but still) of battery life

I'm kind of wondering where this extra hour of battery life they're claiming is coming from. Both laptop batteries are the exact same size and the chips are still on the same fabrication process. The main difference is we're getting two more efficiency cores but I can't imagine web browsing/video watching is really using that much power to begin with.

 

[transphasic]

My MBP for $2,839 (refurb); given that Apple's pricing is only $40 more than I paid for mine new in October, and the M2s for the same specs are $3,499 - you'd have to be crazy not to buy the refurb. The speed difference between the notebooks is negligible, and for $600 of savings a no-brainer.

Refurbished 14-inch MacBook Pro Apple M1 Max Chip with 10‑Core CPU and 32‑Core GPU - Space Gray

M1 Pro takes the exceptional performance of the M1 architecture to a whole new level for pro users. Even the most ambitious projects are easily handled with up to 10 CPU cores, up to 16 GPU cores, a 16‑core Neural Engine, and dedicated encode and decode media engines that support H.264, HEVC...

www.apple.com

 

[iObama]

I got a month-old base 14" M1 Pro used for $1550 including tax and shipping last month (~$600 discount from retail, and still a ~$150 discount from refurb). As much as I wish I had the money to go M2, I don't I'm still so happy with my purchase.

Those of you who recently purchased M1s at a discount – unless you need the extra processing, keep what you have! You saved a bunch of money and our machines don't kick any less ass than they did yesterday.

For everyone ordering an M2 Pro/Max today, congratulations!! Super exciting.

 

[kp98077]

honestly i'd return it even if you saved $350 because if you keep it it will depreciate easily that much right away

 

[jerryk]

I already ordered my M2 14" MBP Pro. Same base config when I bought it in November from Amazon. At $1999 the new system is $400 more than I paid from Amazon. I have until Jan 31 to return my unit to Amazon for a full refund.

The new system should have a higher trade in value in 2 years when I upgrade and should be a bit faster and have better battery life.

 

[MallardDuck]

I just received a 14" MBP M1 Pro from the Apple Store less than a week ago. I'm within the 14 days return window, where I can get a full refund if I return it. Part of me wants to do that, and order the new M2 Pro instead, which would cost me an additional $150. Is it worth it? I will hardly use it for any processor intensive tasks. Some occasional photo editing in Lightroom will be the most demanding work, which the M1 Pro will most likely handle with ease for years to come.

What other reasons could there be for me to go through the process of returning and replacing the M1 Pro with an M2 Pro?

Edit: Some more context, that might be relevant: this is a work computer that i bought myself, but got the costs reimbursed in full by my employer. Because of tax regulations, I might have to process the return through my employer, so that the invoices and other paperwork are correct. That might be a hassle, and a reason why it might not be worth it. They might ask if the M1 is not good enough for my usage, which it most likely will be for the next 4-5 years to come.

Return, no question. While it's not worth spending the money to upgrade and M1 to and M2, the incremental performance difference in RAM, CPU and HDMI 2.1 are well worth it.

That hassle will get you at least one more year's use of it.

 

[Saturn007]

OP, you need to talk to the people at your company who approve such purchases — and who approved the M1! After all, they're the ones paying for it.

If you don't need all the power for your job, you shouldn't have them paying for the more expensive system!

I faced something similar years ago vis-a-vis storage for a work computer. I really wanted 512 GB because of my personal photography work, but that would not have been fair or proper to have them pay for it when it wasn’t job related.

 

[robertosh]

I see no dilema. If you care about it, then you should do it. And you are here in an specialized forum asking for that, so..