Is it worth it to sell my Macbook Air M1 to update to MBA M2 or M3? (Will be used for school)

[Ompopo]

So, just to inform, I have a 16" Macbook Pro M1 Max at home with 32GB Ram, so this is not my only laptop (but the one I use most).
+ all dollar values are calculated with todays exchange rate against NOK on August 5th and are just meant as a measure to show prices

So I went back to school last year as an older student in my 30’s and are currently studying for a 3 yearbachelor in Frontend and mobile development.

I bought a Macbook Air M1 (base model) that I’ve used at school since August last year since I found it a lot easier to carry with me.

I bought it for around $910 (calculated with todays exchange rate, it was probably more then, but the dollar has gotten really strong the last year against the norwegian krone/NOK).

Now there is a Back2School sale on MBA’s and I can buy the Macbook Air M2 (base model) for around $999 or the 13" Macbook Air M3 (base model) for $1144.

I think I might be able to sell my Macbook Air M1 for $770-$820 (battery is 96%).

I have the money for the difference (though only for the base model, so I can’t go up in RAM even though I would like 16GB), but I’m not sure if it is worth it. Or if I will get much from it. I’ll start with Android app development and web development this semester (both front and backend). Next fall we’ll have iOS app development (so a mac is mandatory for the education - though I’m all into Apples ecosystem for the last decade anyway).

I use the MBA almost every day and need a light machine I can use for coding and programming (mostly frontend).

Not too updated on the differences between M1, M2 and M3 for normal use.

In advance, thanks a lot for all your thoughts and input.

 

[johannnn]

macOS gets more memory intensive each year. And especially now with all the AI they're putting into macOS starting this fall. Even though your base model Air have served you fine, I think you will greatly benefit from 16GB after some memory intensive macOS updates and starting Android development.
If you can afford the M3 base model, can't you get the M2 16GB option which is roughly the same price?
Looks like the M3 base model is 14 090 NOK, and the M2 16GB is 15 290 NOK. Yes it's 1 200 NOK more, but you won't regret it when you start Android development.

 

[bellflyer14]

I wouldn't sell your M1 just to get another base model M2 or M3. I think I would wait until I could save up for 16gb version and just keep using your M1 until that point. Just my .02

 

[Biro]

Unless you go for at least an M3 with 16GB of RAM, I wouldn’t upgrade at all. There isn’t going to be much in terms of truly useful AI during the first year of Apple Intelligence. Waiting another year (and saving more money while doing so) for an M4 machine with 16 or 24GB of RAM might be the best option of all. This is assuming your current machine is still working fine.

EDIT: After reading your update about your main machine at home, I think there is even less reason for you to upgrade. If the M1 is working fine, then keep it - unless you’re really jonesing for a new Air. But there won’t be much in an M2 upgrade. In fact, M2 Airs with 256GB SSDs handle data a bit more slowly than the M1 with the same capacity SSD. As I say… M3 16 gigs at a minimum to really feel a difference and use AI. But waiting for an M4 machine with 16 gigs or more will be much better.

 

[roadkill401]

I doubt that you’d notice any difference between the base M1 and any new MacBook Air bought. I would think that if the school required a MacBook with 16gb ram then they would have specified that. I will bet that most of the iOS app classes are doing smaller projects covering the design principles and not developing new AI frontedd apps that would need more memory.

 

[Isamilis]

No need to upgrade. Your current M1 will fit for your school needs. If you need more, remember, you still have M1 MBP 32GB. Don’t waste your money to invest on 16gb as you already have more powerful 32gb machine.

 

[Sirious]

I am using M1 iMac for app development and it's no slouch! So I think you can get away with not upgrading to a newer one. If you do have the money for it, you could go for as there's no harm but for your mentioned use cases, it's just fine.

 

[MBAir2010]

your macbook air m1 will do everything the new macbooks will
since you are not going to get the actual value for the M1 i would keep that!

AND

the M1 macbook air is mighty stylish!

 

[helloapple1]

I think the only way I could justify an upgrade from an M1 MBA in your case to a M2/M3 MBA would be if I was going for the 15" version (still very light) for the larger screen. Other than that you should be completely fine with the M1 until even the M4 comes out next year.

 

[Ompopo]

I see, thank you all for your input 😊 I’ll keep to my MBA for another year and try to save up money for a 16GB RAM model instead 👍

If anyone else have any input, feel free to still post it ☀️

 

[thadoggfather]

I think the only way I could justify an upgrade from an M1 MBA in your case to a M2/M3 MBA would be if I was going for the 15" version (still very light) for the larger screen. Other than that you should be completely fine with the M1 until even the M4 comes out next year.

This is what justified it for me was a bigger screen

If not for that couldn’t be bothered to jump up to 13 inch m2 from my m1 mba. I still miss that machine a little but my m2 15 inch is a beast and a huge screen quality upgrade as well. Same with huge acoustics boost

 

[aneftp]

I went from mba m1 to m2 to m3

Yes. I’m a mac junkie. I always buy the base models these days. Best for resale value.

I got m2 last year back to school $1000-$150 gift card (usd)

Resold the m2 to Best Buy USA for $650 gift card yesterday and got another m3 for $850 no sales taxes holiday.

So it literally cost me $200 to use the MacBook Air m2 for 12 months.

 

[bellflyer14]

I went from mba m1 to m2 to m3

Yes. I’m a mac junkie. I always buy the base models these days. Best for resale value.

I got m2 last year back to school $1000-$150 gift card (usd)

Resold the m2 to Best Buy USA for $650 gift card yesterday and got another m3 for $850 no sales taxes holiday.

So it literally cost me $200 to use the MacBook Air m2 for 12 months.

Let me know how you like the base model. I purchased the 15" 16/512 but I feel like I grossly over spent. Im still in my return window. Could return and get the base 13" sale price and save $600. My use case is primarily web browsing, couch evening use. Also not sure if I'd miss the 15" screen

 

[StoneJack]

There is not much difference between m1 and m3

 

[helloapple1]

Let me know how you like the base model. I purchased the 15" 16/512 but I feel like I grossly over spent. Im still in my return window. Could return and get the base 13" sale price and save $600. My use case is primarily web browsing, couch evening use. Also not sure if I'd miss the 15" screen

If you’re just using it on the couch you would more than fine with a 13”.

 

[Isamilis]

Let me know how you like the base model. I purchased the 15" 16/512 but I feel like I grossly over spent. Im still in my return window. Could return and get the base 13" sale price and save $600. My use case is primarily web browsing, couch evening use. Also not sure if I'd miss the 15" screen

I have both 13" and 15". I like and use the latter more; it has larger screen (which give much eyes comfort) and better speaker, while maintaining the slim / light design. I brought 13" only when I need to travel with lightest backpack weight.

 

[Biro]

Let me know how you like the base model. I purchased the 15" 16/512 but I feel like I grossly over spent. Im still in my return window. Could return and get the base 13" sale price and save $600. My use case is primarily web browsing, couch evening use. Also not sure if I'd miss the 15" screen

If you’re only using it for casual couch use, perhaps you’d prefer an iPad? A 13-inch iPad Air starts at $799. 11-inches at $599.

 

[helloapple1]

I have both 13" and 15". I like and use the latter more; it has larger screen (which give much eyes comfort) and better speaker, while maintaining the slim / light design. I brought 13" only when I need to travel with lightest backpack weight.

My same thoughts. The 15” for the extra 0.5lb weight compared to the 13 is worth it for the additional screen real estate.

 

[Saturn007]

Let me know how you like the base model. I purchased the 15" 16/512 but I feel like I grossly over spent. Im still in my return window. Could return and get the base 13" sale price and save $600. My use case is primarily web browsing, couch evening use. Also not sure if I'd miss the 15" screen

If you’re just using it on the couch you would more than fine with a 13”.

💯% on the 13” (actually 13.6”), especially for couch use. Far easier to hold than the 15”, to have in one's lap, yet still with a good sized screen.

A Mac is much, much better than an iPad if you are going to type anything when it's in your lap. The iPad on screen keyboard is a literal pain — iPad shoulder.

I would return the 15”, save the $600, and enjoy an amazingly intimate, lightweight superb device.

I say that especially as you already feel you overspent! And, because you doubt you'd miss the 15” screen.

With the 13” MBA, you'll enjoy the form factor more and have the satisfaction of knowing that you saved a boatload of money!

 

[bellflyer14]

I would return the 15”, save the $600, and enjoy an amazingly intimate, lightweight superb device.

That is exactly what I did. Home from work and set up my new base MacBook Air M3 13". Plenty of screen for me and plenty of power for what I need to do. Browse the web(macrumors all evening haha) and email, along with iMessage. Base model has much better ROI if one wants to trade it in down the road when M4 comes out and gets next summer sales

If you’re only using it for casual couch use, perhaps you’d prefer an iPad? A 13-inch iPad Air starts at $799. 11-inches at $599.

I really dislike using an iPad. Bothers my neck holding on the couch and the slight downward angle while using it. If I add a keyboard, it's more expensive than the MacBook. Good idea for someone who doesn't mind working on an iPad

If you’re just using it on the couch you would more than fine with a 13”.

Thanks for your input. I home from work and got my little 13" base M3 Air. I think I'll like this thing, and it will do everything I would need of a MacBook, and I got back $623