M1 MacBook Pro (16GB/512GB) vs base model 14” MacBook Pro

[SeenJeen]

Hey guys, my brother is looking to upgrade from his 2014 MBP to something more modern.

He tends to have a lot of tabs open, he does a bit of video editing (small projects shot from his iPhone) and dabbles a bit with Xcode.

The 13” M1 MBP is an Apple refurb. Comes with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.

He can get it for $1,450.

The 14” is about $600 more. Is it worth the extra cash?

 

[travelsheep]

Regarding performance both will do exceptionally fine.

I personally like the touch bar, because I can press "Confirm", "Save", "Delete" (etc) on it, saved me couple of weeks of my life already, and I guess a couple of hairs on my head. So this would be the refurb.

On the other hand the $600 more will buy a bigger and crispier screen, great for video editing, xcode, and pdf reading. I personally find the re-introduction of ports (especially MagSafe) annoying. Overall slightly heavier and bulkier laptop. But if your brother is 6 ft plus, then not an issue at all.

Another option would be to wait until march 2022 and see if the new air will be a better match, and trigger his "I'll take that no question, don't stop me now" synapses.

 

[wilberforce]

I would either get a refurb M1 MBA (i.e., Air, not Pro), with the same specs (16GB+512GB) (~$1200) as the budget option, or go for the base 14" M1 Pro (~$2000) as the best value option.
I have the latter. Screen is fantastic.

13" Pro is not much better than 13" Air, mainly just costs more, so is not good value compared to the 13" Air or the base 14". (IMO)

 

[SeenJeen]

Hmm, yes good idea. I'll tell him to wait until the new Airs come out unless he gets a smoking deal on one now. Cheers!