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Gift for the wife: M1MBA vs M1 MBP 13"

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SNKETR

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 22, 2014
8
1
My wife is going to be getting her real estate license and needs her own laptop now. Looking at getting her either a M1 MBA or M1 MBP 13". What are y'alls recommendations between the two and how would you spec them out? 8gb vs 16gb RAM? I'm planning on getting either 512GB SSD, or should I get more storage and stick with 8gb RAM?

Don't know how intense the multimedia requirements are for a real estate agent. I would assume extremely light photo and video editing and mainly word/pdf/excel.
 
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svish

macrumors G4
Nov 25, 2017
11,683
29,711
For light photo/video work, word etc, Air works fine. 512GB SSD will do. 16GB RAM maybe better, but you could do with 8 GB
 
velocityg4

velocityg4

macrumors 604
Dec 19, 2004
7,336
4,726
Georgia
I don't think it will make any difference if she gets the MBA or MBP. So, I'd get the MBA to get better upgrades like RAM and storage.

8GB RAM is likely fine. 16GB should improve the useful life. So, I'd get 16GB.

Same with 256GB vs 512GB SSD. So, I'd probably get 512GB. But I think 16GB RAM is more important than 512GB storage. If it comes down to an either or choice.

You can also save money with the 7 core GPU. As I doubt 7 vs 8 cores will make any difference for her uses.

BHPhotovideo.com has these configurations in stock. $1,200 for Macbook Air, 7 core, 16GB, 256GB and $1,400 for Macbook Air 7 core, 16GB, 512GB. The 8 core is definitely not worth the extra $250. I'd put that towards a simple 4K Monitor for home office use (with displayport or better yet USB C/Thunderbolt input and docking functions).
 
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0128672

Cancelled
Apr 16, 2020
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Side note: if it's going to be her primary work laptop, adding Applecare+ to the gift would be really smart too.
 
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pmiles

macrumors 6502a
Dec 12, 2013
812
678
You could try asking one of her co-workers discretely as to what sort of computing needs she requires. She may require the ability to run PC based software at her business. Also, the business may provide a computer for her for security reasons. If she hasn't gotten to the point of having a job yet, inquire with a local real estate agent for input. Some industries have industry specific software that they must be able to interface with that isn't common knowledge to those not in said industry.
 
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Apple_Robert

Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
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iHorseHead

iHorseHead

macrumors 68000
Jan 1, 2021
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Currently I am doing fine with 8GB and would recommend it, but for example maybe her workplace will provide her a laptop.
At my company you can't do anything from your personal laptop. Not even sign in to your Office account, let alone install your own apps or VPNs etc and I know a lot of companies do that.
 
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TimothyJohn

macrumors regular
Mar 30, 2013
179
108
Md.
SNKETR said:
Thanks everyone. Ended up ordering her a M1 MBA, 16/512.
Click to expand...
Outstanding! In December, got that for my Wife too!! I also got one with 16/1tb that I would use til my Daughter needs it for school (which is right about now...). It's quick, powerful and SILENT!! The battery life is insane as well. And no matter what I throw at it, it has never even gotten warm!! What a difference from the Intel Macs. You've probably heard this already, but when installing an app, if it asks, "Install Rosetta 2?", Say YES... Can't say enough, how incredible the M1 Air is!!

There IS one app I highly recommend. It is also recommended by Apple. "CleanMyMac". Helps with keeping the SSD clean, lean and quick.

I need to acquire another soon, now that school is kicking in for my daughter; so the new MacBook Pros can't come soon enough. I record/produce music. The M1 Air is outstanding, but I'd love the extra ports.

Congrats, I hope she enjoys it!
 
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