Help - Buying An M Series Mac in Aug 2024

[bellflyer14]

Decided to return my new one and ordered an Open Box - Excellent instead for $1,413. Saved an extra $90 and it looks literally new, came with the parchment paper and cable/charger unused and qualifies for Apple Care. Add my trade in of $367 and my final price for the 14” MacBook Pro M3 Pro 18GB/512GB was an amazing $1,046!!!

That is awesome, did you pick it up, or have to order it?

 

[Dadcelo]

That is awesome, did you pick it up, or have to order it?

I ordered online on Monday and it was delivered today. The box wasn’t in the best condition, but the device itself is mint and battery only has 2 cycles. Totally worth saving $90!

 

[dolphin2421]

So I jumped the gun and got the M3 Pro 14” with 18GB/512gb for $1699 at Best Buy plus they took in my 2018 MacBook Pro for $367, so it ended up costing me $1,332 for that amazing machine, can’t wait to get home and enjoy it! Thank you all for the suggestions, I really appreciate it. Let me know if there’s anything I should learn about the new toy that you’ve discovered.

Can't wait to read your impressions.

 

[Dadcelo]

Can't wait to read your impressions.

Had a few rough days where the read/write speeds were absolutely awful. Trying to transfer 3GB into an external SSD was taking 3 hours! But then after some research I found out the issue was usually related to restoring Intel Macs from a backup into an M series Mac. After I reset it and started from scratch, the machine is FLAWLESS. No complaints at all. One minor observation is that the ports all seem a bit flimsy? The cables all seem to move around a bit more than my last MBP, and the HDMI seems to be the one most noticeable. But no issues with losing connection, so all good.

Super happy with the purchase, especially after retuning it for an Open Box in perfect new condition, and then getting another $200 in price adjustment after the sale. Xmas in August!

 

[dolphin2421]

I'm still loving mine. It is a quantum leap from the Intel machine in every way. And you got a smoking deal on yours! Right on.

 

[Mainsail]

I would also suggest the MBP. The MBA is a terrific computer, and some people have pushed it for video editing and the like....but, the MBP is the better tool for that purpose. MBA does not have a fan, so if you get into some serious media work, I think you will be happier with the MBP.

 

[Dadcelo]

I would also suggest the MBP. The MBA is a terrific computer, and some people have pushed it for video editing and the like....but, the MBP is the better tool for that purpose. MBA does not have a fan, so if you get into some serious media work, I think you will be happier with the MBP.

I ended up going with the 14" MBP M3 Pro. The price was hard to say no to at $1499 brand new vs the Air. Very happy with my choice

 

[bellflyer14]

I ended up going with the 14" MBP M3 Pro. The price was hard to say no to at $1499 brand new vs the Air. Very happy with my choice

Awesome, congrats!! I did the same thing. The MBA would have been fine for me and my work load, but I couldn't pass up that deal for the MBP since I was in my return window. So I picked up the M3 Pro MBP for $1499 at Best Buy. Screen is slightly smaller than the 15" MBA but I'll adjust....I don't really use split screen

 

[specialstyle]

I ended up going with the 14" MBP M3 Pro. The price was hard to say no to at $1499 brand new vs the Air. Very happy with my choice

This is what I got too and I've been thrilled with it. It's a very powerful little machine and fits perfectly for travel. My old 15" was a bit too heavy and difficult to squeeze into my gear bag

 

[Dadcelo]

This is what I got too and I've been thrilled with it. It's a very powerful little machine and fits perfectly for travel. My old 15" was a bit too heavy and difficult to squeeze into my gear bag

Awesome, congrats!! I did the same thing. The MBA would have been fine for me and my work load, but I couldn't pass up that deal for the MBP since I was in my return window. So I picked up the M3 Pro MBP for $1499 at Best Buy. Screen is slightly smaller than the 15" MBA but I'll adjust....I don't really use split screen

Coming from a 13" MBP this was a nice little bump in screen real estate without feeling like a made a huge jump into 15/16" territory. And of course, when it comes to performance I have no issues at all.

 

[bellflyer14]

Coming from a 13" MBP this was a nice little bump in screen real estate without feeling like a made a huge jump into 15/16" territory. And of course, when it comes to performance I have no issues at all.

My wife has the 16" MBP. There are times when I feel like I'm missing out and should have gone 16" but I really don't think I need it

 

[MPclk2006]

Awesome, congrats!! I did the same thing. The MBA would have been fine for me and my work load, but I couldn't pass up that deal for the MBP since I was in my return window. So I picked up the M3 Pro MBP for $1499 at Best Buy. Screen is slightly smaller than the 15" MBA but I'll adjust....I don't really use split screen

I literally just did the same thing, picked one up on Sunday. I almost went for the 15'' Air because of the bigger screen and it was enough for what I need it for but couldn't get past the "dead space" on either side of track pad and also that for a couple hundred bucks I could have so much more.

 

[MPclk2006]

Had a few rough days where the read/write speeds were absolutely awful. Trying to transfer 3GB into an external SSD was taking 3 hours! But then after some research I found out the issue was usually related to restoring Intel Macs from a backup into an M series Mac. After I reset it and started from scratch, the machine is FLAWLESS. No complaints at all. One minor observation is that the ports all seem a bit flimsy? The cables all seem to move around a bit more than my last MBP, and the HDMI seems to be the one most noticeable. But no issues with losing connection, so all good.

Super happy with the purchase, especially after retuning it for an Open Box in perfect new condition, and then getting another $200 in price adjustment after the sale. Xmas in August!

I'll have to remember that if I have an issue with transfer rates. I'll try it tomorrow, I also set up my M3 MacBook Pro from an Intel Mac backup.

 

[DSTOFEL]

I literally just did the same thing, picked one up on Sunday. I almost went for the 15'' Air because of the bigger screen and it was enough for what I need it for but couldn't get past the "dead space" on either side of track pad and also that for a couple hundred bucks I could have so much more.

Ditto! I had narrowed it down to both the 15 inch M3 Air and the 14 inch M3 Pro. I bought both, kept them unopened for a week while trying to decide which to keep. Tough decision as I’m coming from a 15 inch 2018 MBP and love the 15 inch screen size. Finally decided to keep the MBP and returned the Air today. I wasn’t aware of the dead space on either side of the trackpad for the Air. That doesn’t sound good!

I think they sold a lot of these 14 inch MB Pros at this $1,499 price.

 

[leifp]

Nah… I say too much too often anyhow…

 

[MPclk2006]

Ditto! I had narrowed it down to both the 15 inch M3 Air and the 14 inch M3 Pro. I bought both, kept them unopened for a week while trying to decide which to keep. Tough decision as I’m coming from a 15 inch 2018 MBP and love the 15 inch screen size. Finally decided to keep the MBP and returned the Air today. I wasn’t aware of the dead space on either side of the trackpad for the Air. That doesn’t sound good!

I think they sold a lot of these 14 inch MB Pros at this $1,499 price.

I passed down my MacBook Pro 2017 13'' to my kid...if she likes it enough I'll send it in for repair to replace the battery. Yeah I bet they did move a few products during that sale, I'm happy with my choice!