Help - Buying An M Series Mac in Aug 2024

[Dadcelo]

Hi everyone,

My 2018 MBP is running slower and slower and I think it's finally time to upgrade.

I'm leaning between these two options and wondering your thoughts.

Option 1: NEW M2 MacBook Air - 16GB - 1TB SSD - ~U$1,500
Option 2: NEW M2 Pro MacBook Pro - 16GB - 1TB SSD - ~U$1,600
Option 2: REFURB M3 MacBook Pro - 16GB - 1TB SSD - ~U$1,700

I lean more towards the Air and the M3 Pro simply for the darker color, but it isn't a deal breaker (in the case of the M2 Pro).

Thoughts?

 

[IJBrekke]

What are the main things you want to use it for?

 

[Dadcelo]

What are the main things you want to use it for?

Sorry, should have added more info on the OP.

Mostly used as my main driver. I used it for graphic design and video editing for work, but not exclusively on it.

I'm looking more for long term reliability, something that would get me at the very least as long as my current MBP has (so going on 7 yrs). If my work demands change might need some additional power I didn't expect before, so a little flexibility on "power" would be nice.

 

[apostolosdt]

[...] I'm looking more for long term reliability, something that would get me at the very least as long as my current MBP has (so going on 7 yrs). [...]

In that case, do NOT consider Option 1.

 

[brerlappin]

For graphic design, I’d say the M2 Pro

 

[bellflyer14]

My vote is 14" M3 Pro MBP at Best Buy new on sale currently for $1699 18/512. Even the 16" M3 PRO MBP 18/512 is $500 off making it $1999.

 

[Dadcelo]

My vote is 14" M3 Pro MBP at Best Buy new on sale currently for $1699 18/512. Even the 16" M3 PRO MBP 18/512 is $500 off making it $1999.

I was just concerned that 512GB in a couple of years will start feeling like it isn't enough, but I guess with a dedicated SD slot I can bump up the storage for cheap without needing a dongle or something, so that could work.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Are you aware that new M4 and M4PRO MacBook Pros are "just around the corner"?
That is, coming before the end of the year (maybe Oct/Nov)?

If you can "hold out" a little while longer, you could take "a bigger jump forward".

I predict that if you buy an m2Pro NOW, by January you'll be unhappy that you didn't wait.

Of course, I realize the old saying applies:
If you absolutely NEED a replacement NOW, then BUY now.

 

[dmccloud]

I was just concerned that 512GB in a couple of years will start feeling like it isn't enough, but I guess with a dedicated SD slot I can bump up the storage for cheap without needing a dongle or something, so that could work.

I picked up a MicroSD Adapter that sits flush with the case of the MBP and added a 1TB MicroSD. That way I don't have to worry about potentially breaking the card and can just leave it in the Mac.

 

[Dadcelo]

OP:

Are you aware that new M4 and M4PRO MacBook Pros are "just around the corner"?
That is, coming before the end of the year (maybe Oct/Nov)?

If you can "hold out" a little while longer, you could take "a bigger jump forward".

I predict that if you buy an m2Pro NOW, by January you'll be unhappy that you didn't wait.

Of course, I realize the old saying applies:
If you absolutely NEED a replacement NOW, then BUY now.

I do, but I think for my needs the M2 Pro or M3 Pro will do me just fine. And precisely because the M4 is coming soon, there are some great deals on "older" machines, and for the price I think not getting the newest and greatest will do me just fine. As long as the M3 Pro gets me 8 years of updates, run fine and the price is right I think it should work.

In that case, do NOT consider Option 1.

That's what I feared. I like how small and light it is, but I would not compromise longterm performance for that.

 

[Dadcelo]

I picked up a MicroSD Adapter that sits flush with the case of the MBP and added a 1TB MicroSD. That way I don't have to worry about potentially breaking the card and can just leave it in the Mac.

That's awesome, thanks for the tip! Def tips things more in favor of the 512GB model and saves me some coins!

 

[Zaydax333]

I was just concerned that 512GB in a couple of years will start feeling like it isn't enough, but I guess with a dedicated SD slot I can bump up the storage for cheap without needing a dongle or something, so that could work.

Personally this is what I would do. The $1699 price on the M3 Pro models brand new is really nice. Storage can also be expanded on later on via portable ssds and etc. How much storage do you use today?

 

[Dadcelo]

Personally this is what I would do. The $1699 price on the M3 Pro models brand new is really nice. Storage can also be expanded on later on via portable ssds and etc. How much storage do you use today?

My current MBR is only 256GB and it is at its limit. Hate having it always plugged in to an external HD. I can see myself getting close to 512GB fairly quickly in a few yrs.

 

[Zaydax333]

My current MBR is only 256GB and it is at its limit. Hate having it always plugged in to an external HD. I can see myself getting close to 512GB fairly quickly in a few yrs.

Fair enough!
I just really don't wanna pay apple $200 for a jump from 512GB to 1TB if I'm buying new.

I'd recommend the M2 Pro used one or the M3 Pro new. You should compare the two and see which one you want.

I think there really isn't much difference between the two. The M3 GPU has some newer features like ray tracing but if you don't use them then no big loss. It also has AV1 decode which is good for like, watching videos online.

Single core perf is much better on the M3 but multicore isn't a huge jump.

If you get the M3 though, you can get that space black color!


Edit: link to compare page.

Mac - Compare Models

See what makes each Mac laptop and desktop different. And find the one that’s perfect for your life, your work, and your budget.

www.apple.com

 

[ignatius345]

If you're going with the Pro, I think the refurbished M3 MBP is a no-brainer at only $100 more than the new M2 MBP. I'd eliminate that middle option.

My current MBR is only 256GB and it is at its limit. Hate having it always plugged in to an external HD. I can see myself getting close to 512GB fairly quickly in a few yrs.

Yep. I had a base model M1 Air and the 256 GB SSD really made it almost unusable once I started using it for design work. I use iCloud Drive, and it was just constantly purging files I needed so I had to download them over and over. I personally consider 512 to be the floor at this point.

 

[Dadcelo]

Fair enough!
I just really don't wanna pay apple $200 for a jump from 512GB to 1TB if I'm buying new.

I'd recommend the M2 Pro used one or the M3 Pro new. You should compare the two and see which one you want.

I think there really isn't much difference between the two. The M3 GPU has some newer features like ray tracing but if you don't use them then no big loss. It also has AV1 decode which is good for like, watching videos online.

Single core perf is much better on the M3 but multicore isn't a huge jump.

If you get the M3 though, you can get that space black color!


Edit: link to compare page.

Mac - Compare Models

See what makes each Mac laptop and desktop different. And find the one that’s perfect for your life, your work, and your budget.

www.apple.com

Yeah def going with the 512GB, $200 for that upgrade is robbery. The SD card should work out fine for capacity boost. Def leaning more towards the M3 at this point, that Space Black looks damn sexy.

If you're going with the Pro, I think the refurbished M3 MBP is a no-brainer at only $100 more than the new M2 MBP. I'd eliminate that middle option.


Yep. I had a base model M1 Air and the 256 GB SSD really made it almost unusable once I started using it for design work. I use iCloud Drive, and it was just constantly purging files I needed so I had to download them over and over. I personally consider 512 to be the floor at this point.

I've been flirting with the idea of buying this refurb, but I don't know if risking it being a Geek Squad refurb is worth the $169 difference vs the Apple Store Refurb or Best Buy new at $1699

[Future DadCelo Edit: It in indeed a Geek Squad Refurb, model number starts with GSRF]

Apple Refurbished MacBook Pro 14" Laptop M3 Pro chip 18GB Memory 14-core GPU 512GB SSD Space Black GSRF MRX33LL/A - Best Buy

Shop Apple Refurbished MacBook Pro 14" Laptop M3 Pro chip 18GB Memory 14-core GPU 512GB SSD Space Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.

www.bestbuy.com

I regretted buying the base MBP pretty quickly, 256GB is nothing today.

 

[apostolosdt]

With all due respect to other members' responses above, I wonder (once again!) why people need anything more than a 512 GB internal drive. MacOS, even Sequoia, does not occupy more than 90 GB, give or take. Installing demanding apps like PS, FCP, or Matlab will require around 45 GB; the rest of the 360 GB is more than enough for all the other apps.

As for the docs, files, and photos, it is much more economical---and safer, as well---to store them in a Cloud server. Today, such services are cheap, like $100 per year for 2 TB and more. No need to backup them and worry every time an upgrade is needed. A simple external platter disk of, say, 2 TB can serve as a Time Machine, just in case.

Well, that's what I do with all my Macs, desktops or MacBooks. Peace of mind.

 

[Dadcelo]

With all due respect to other members' responses above, I wonder (once again!) why people need anything more than a 512 GB internal drive. MacOS, even Sequoia, does not occupy more than 90 GB, give or take. Installing demanding apps like PS, FCP, or Matlab will require around 45 GB; the rest of the 360 GB is more than enough for all the other apps.

As for the docs, files, and photos, it is much more economical---and safer, as well---to store them in a Cloud server. Today, such services are cheap, like $100 per year for 2 TB and more. No need to backup them and worry every time an upgrade is needed. A simple external platter disk of, say, 2 TB can serve as a Time Machine, just in case.

Well, that's what I do with all my Macs, desktops or MacBooks. Peace of mind.

That's a good point. I do have 2TB of iCloud, but I rarely think of it as my main storage space, not sure why either. I guess the idea of having those files somewhere "physical" somehow feels safer.

Also, $100 a yr for 2TB is a lot more than $100 for 2TB for life (for an SD or external drive). But you make very valid points.

Def will be going with 512GB and trying to use the SD slot and cloud to my advantage. I currently use a 5TB external HD for Time Machine and everything else.

 

[Zaydax333]

Yeah def going with the 512GB, $200 for that upgrade is robbery. The SD card should work out fine for capacity boost. Def leaning more towards the M3 at this point, that Space Black looks damn sexy.


I've been flirting with the idea of buying this refurb, but I don't know if risking it being a Geek Squad refurb is worth the $169 difference vs the Apple Store Refurb or Best Buy new at $1699

Apple Refurbished MacBook Pro 14" Laptop M3 Pro chip 18GB Memory 14-core GPU 512GB SSD Space Black GSRF MRX33LL/A - Best Buy

Shop Apple Refurbished MacBook Pro 14" Laptop M3 Pro chip 18GB Memory 14-core GPU 512GB SSD Space Black at Best Buy. Find low everyday prices and buy online for delivery or in-store pick-up. Price Match Guarantee.

www.bestbuy.com

I regretted buying the base MBP pretty quickly, 256GB is nothing today.

Apple refurbished >> Best Buy Refurbished.

if you're buying from best buy there is no reason to buy the refurbished one.

 

[ignatius345]

I've been flirting with the idea of buying this refurb, but I don't know if risking it being a Geek Squad refurb is worth the $169 difference vs the Apple Store Refurb or Best Buy new at $1699

Ohhh. I didn't realize it wasn't Apple Refurbished. Can't really vouch for Best Buy refurbished, have never dealt with them.

If you want to track Apple's own refurbished channel, I highly recommend Refurb Tracker, which will let you set a search criteria and then alert you when something you want comes in stock.

 

[Dadcelo]

Ohhh. I didn't realize it wasn't Apple Refurbished. Can't really vouch for Best Buy refurbished, have never dealt with them.

If you want to track Apple's own refurbished channel, I highly recommend Refurb Tracker, which will let you set a search criteria and then alert you when something you want comes in stock.

Thank you! Will keep an eye out. I can't find confirmation that the MBP on that Best Buy link isn't an Apple Refurb. All the other ones specifically mention Geek Squad, except that one. But don't know if I want to risk it vs just buying it straight new or from Apple.

Edit: Can confirm that Refub is actually Geek Squad. Model number begins with GSRF

 

[Algr]

Thoughts?

Once you buy a new Mac and get your software working, it is important that you stop reading Macrumors or similar sites! They will just drive you nuts. Just concentrate on doing what you actually bought your Mac for. After a year or so you can come back.

 

[Timpetus]

Thank you! Will keep an eye out. I can't find confirmation that the MBP on that Best Buy link isn't an Apple Refurb. All the other ones specifically mention Geek Squad, except that one. But don't know if I want to risk it vs just buying it straight new or from Apple.

I might be wrong, but I believe Best Buy offers extended warranties if you have their membership, and it also lets you access a lot of good discounts. Might be worth it, if you weren't planning on AppleCare...

 

[Dadcelo]

How quickly will they drop prices on the MBP M3 Pros once the M4s come out in the fall? I might be able to hold out for a few months if I could snag the same machine for $100 or more less.

 

[Rychiar]

I wouldn't buy any Mac that wasn't M4 the rest of this year. they'll be here soon enough