M1 now or wait.

[Mr.Scarface]

I was waiting for the new 14'' M whatever Pro. However, I can get an M1 13'' MacBook Pro 8GB ram with 512gb ssd and Touch Bar for $1100 before tax. Should I do it? I will only need 1 extra screen on occasion. I think I want the Touch Bar (rumored to be leaving the new ones). I hate buying a machine with a rumored refresh around the corner (latest and greatest envy). However, budget is tight and we know the new one will start out at $1399 or $1799 (512gb) as always. Yes, there will be a speed increase on the processor and probably 2 extra USB-C. Is it really work the waiting and extra money?

 

[Phil77354]

. . . I will only need 1 extra screw on occasion. . .

Huh?

 

[Mr.Scarface]

Huh?

Screen....lol. External Monitor.

 

[majus]

I am waiting, although impatiently, for the line to be filled out through the M[whatever] Mac Pro. Then I will decide what to buy. I will not buy another Intel machine because I think the writing is on that wall -- at least for me. YMMV.

 

[robco74]

I'm still holding out. However, I have been considering picking up an Air, and getting a separate PC for games. The Air can handle all the day-to-day I need. Even with faster ASi chips, I still can't boot into Windows, and VMs have limitations.

 

[Mr.Scarface]

I'm still holding out. However, I have been considering picking up an Air, and getting a separate PC for games. The Air can handle all the day-to-day I need. Even with faster ASi chips, I still can't boot into Windows, and VMs have limitations.

That M1 for $1100 with the 512GB SSD and Touch Bar is mighty tempting.

 

[4743913]

I swapped my 2017 Macbook Pro in and got the base M1 Air with the plan to upgrade to a new M1x Macbook Pro.. but I have been tempted to just get a 16gb/1TB Air and be done with it..

 

[4743913]

getting a separate PC for games. The Air can handle all the day-to-day I need. Even with faster ASi chips, I still can't boot into Windows, and VMs have limitations.

I solved this by grabbing a 2020 iMac. Best machine I have ever owned (other than a Commodore 64 that is)

 

[5425642]

I swapped my 2017 Macbook Pro in and got the base M1 Air with the plan to upgrade to a new M1x Macbook Pro.. but I have been tempted to just get a 16gb/1TB Air and be done with it..

Yeah, the thing with waiting etc is that if you always think like that then you will always wait. Thats because new tech is always around the corner. If a machine fits your need buy it. If not wait.

the current m1 is a good machine. And with macOS 12 almost every bug is sorted out.

 

[bradl]

I'm still holding out. However, I have been considering picking up an Air, and getting a separate PC for games. The Air can handle all the day-to-day I need. Even with faster ASi chips, I still can't boot into Windows, and VMs have limitations.

I'm holding out as well. Though, I don't have much of a choice, because it won't do me any good to pick up anything right now as I'm still on a 10-year old MBA. It's still running solidly on Sierra with light work (browsing, mail, etc.), so if it can hold out another 3 months, as well as my taking TM backups roughly every week, I'll be pulling the trigger on the next line of Macs.

If anything for those on the bubble right now, it won't hurt to wait, because if the new models don't suit, you can still pick up last year's model on sale when the newer models are launched.

BL.

 

[Phil77354]

I think it depends on how you will be using it, and how sensitive you are to price (you stated that your budget is tight).

If you have a strong desire for the touch bar then that may be a compelling reason for getting the 13". As long as 8GB RAM is sufficient, then you have the opportunity to save $400 compared to the current price new for the same model.

Is timing important? The new models will be announced within the next couple of months. Then you'll know for sure if the Touch Bar will still be offered, or not.

 

[N1noodle]

Myself jumped on the air m1, fits my need and price right now dont intend to try to play game or super hard video edit.
Will work fine for my lightroom need prob overkill

Was holding out but after checking some more irl reviews im good with my choice. but if your looking for a macbook pro i would wait

 

[CWallace]

The M1 Air would be fine for me, but I really want to see what the 14" MBP's MiniLED display looks like so I am waiting.

 

[svish]

Wait and see. The new Macbook Pros should be launched by October/November. You might find the current 13" Macbook Pro at similar price or with higher discount after the launch at 3rd party retailers.

 

[Serban55]

That M1 for $1100 with the 512GB SSD and Touch Bar is mighty tempting.

if you are limited by budget...so if you want a mac at 1100-1500$, go for it, since the 14" mbp will start from over 1500$
If not, then wait 2 more months..we should know by then

 

[deeddawg]

I was waiting for the new 14'' M whatever Pro. However, I can get an M1 13'' MacBook Pro 8GB ram with 512gb ssd and Touch Bar for $1100 before tax. Should I do it? I will only need 1 extra screen on occasion. I think I want the Touch Bar (rumored to be leaving the new ones). I hate buying a machine with a rumored refresh around the corner (latest and greatest envy). However, budget is tight and we know the new one will start out at $1399 or $1799 (512gb) as always. Yes, there will be a speed increase on the processor and probably 2 extra USB-C. Is it really work the waiting and extra money?

Do you need to decide now? Can you wait a bit?

Apple's had a two-tier MBP lineup for a while now, and what's expected would be the upper-tier four-port MBP models.

The lower-tier two-port MBP as well as the MBA should stick around.

If anything, we'll likely see a bunch of less-than-year-old two-port MBPs hit the used market making good deals for those for whom they're a good fit.

 

[MrGunny94]

Buy it if you need it immediately or wait if you got any devices in the time being.

I sold my 16” and bought an Air for the time being and saved up 400$

 

[fakestrawberryflavor]

With where we are at in the M1 lifecycle, its an 'old' chip at this point with replacements on the horizon. I would wait if you can, but it all depends on your needs and what you need & when. M1 is awesome and capable and will remain capable for many years, but I know that me personally would have buyers remorse if I spent $1000-$2000 now and in say, 90 days something better and faster came out for the same cost bracket. But that's just me and my opinion.

 

[jerryk]

And regarding the touch bar, it looks like Apple is dumping it, so that means no future products from anyone will take advantage of it. I think you may want to remove that as a decision criteria and look and see how the Air and MBP lines meet your needs and budget.

Also, what Mac laptop are you using now? I was kind of shocked that my Air M1 is in many cases more useful than the 16" MBP with 32 GB of memory, 1 TB SSD, etc. I find the smaller size means I use it more often than when I was hauling around the 16" beast. I was going to get the 14" with M1x/M2 but now I think I may stay unless there is a huge performance difference.

 

[UBS28]

I am waiting because a laptop with 2 ports (actually 1 port if you are charging) is totally unusable to me.

 

[Spock]

I was waiting as well but when Best Buy had that sale on the MacBook Air for $749 I pulled the trigger and I have no regrets. I figured at that price, if the new Air or MacBook Pro was that much better I could probably still make most of my money back selling it.

 

[Wolff Weber]

The only issue I have with my M1 Air 8/8/512 is a screen size. Upgraded from 15" Retina MBP, Air was considered as a portable toy, now serves as a main rig.
The Apple lineup simply lacks 15-16" for average user now. For pro user more than 16 gig of RAM is desirable.
So - wait if You need larger screen or more RAM.

 

[mario0]

I would wait for M1X. The current M1 Macbooks just entry level models so the models will come with big performance improvements I guess.

 

[5425642]

I would wait for M1X. The current M1 Macbooks just entry level models so the models will come with big performance improvements I guess.

Sure but is it 1 year from now or 2 months? Who knows

 

[jav6454]

Rule of thumb, if you need it now, get it. It's a solid machine. If you can wait because you have indecision, then wait.