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M3 or M4
- Thread starter vix2000
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HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Nobody knows but waiting for M4 will bump you into a question of: "M4 or M5?"
Rumors are first quarter for M4 MBair. That's plausible based on past events and the accumulations of rumors all saying the same.
M3 < M4 (which will be) < M5.
The general purpose recommendation is buy when you actually NEED a new computer. The incredible next one is always coming soon.
Rumors are first quarter for M4 MBair. That's plausible based on past events and the accumulations of rumors all saying the same.
M3 < M4 (which will be) < M5.
The general purpose recommendation is buy when you actually NEED a new computer. The incredible next one is always coming soon.
Yes. WAIT for the M4 MacBook air. It's rumoured to release early 2025 (possibly in March).
Are you aware of MacRumors Buyers guide? It's a really good way of checking if you should buy now or wait (for an apple device).
"Don't Buy | Updates Soon"
buyersguide.macrumors.com
Are you aware of MacRumors Buyers guide? It's a really good way of checking if you should buy now or wait (for an apple device).
"Don't Buy | Updates Soon"
MacRumors Buyer's Guide: Know When to Buy iPhone, Mac, iPad
This page provides a product summary for each Apple model. The intent is to provide our best recommendations regarding current product cycles, and to provide a summary of currently available rumors for each model. This page is based on rumors and speculation and we provide no guarantee to its...
buyersguide.macrumors.com
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
3) Price - brand new one will start at full MSRP. M3 has been out long enough to be a regular in third party retailer sales and the refurb store.
And wait around for current M3-like deals for M4 and then the game becomes “M4 or M5?” because the latter will then be only a matter of months away.
And wait around for current M3-like deals for M4 and then the game becomes “M4 or M5?” because the latter will then be only a matter of months away.
Thanks for all the advice! I have a 2018 MBA which is working fine so don’t need one “now” particularly. I am in the UK so don’t seem to get the same resellers bargains you get in the US, for example I could get an M3 in best buy us for nearly £400 cheaper than UK price!!! Is M4 was going to be released at the end of the year I wouldn’t hesitate to buy now but for the sake of a few weeks it seems a no brainer
The cheapest I've seen the M3 Air (16GB RAM/256GB HD) for in the UK lately is £985 at COSTCO or £989 at VERY.
I definitely think you've made the right choice to wait though
KRCS always seem to have a 5% discount, even on new models. So, when the M4 air comes out, you should be able to get it cheaper than Apple sell it for. You do, however, have to me mindful that their return policy won't be as good as Apple's. Also, I have a feeling (could be wrong) that when you buy through re-sellers (like KRCS), you don't always get the free trials (i.e. Apple TV+) that you get when buying direct from Apple.
Since the M4 Air is supposed to come out soon, I'd say wait. That way you're ahead regardless:
If you want the latest and greatest, you'll be better off b/c you'll have the M4 instead of the M3.
If you want to save money, you'll be better off b/c there should be a significant drop in the price of the M3 after the M4 is released.
If you want the latest and greatest, you'll be better off b/c you'll have the M4 instead of the M3.
If you want to save money, you'll be better off b/c there should be a significant drop in the price of the M3 after the M4 is released.
There is always a new model being released. Trying to keep up with the latest Mac is a waste of time. Get what you want or need today.
With the rumored 3rd thunderbolt port, that would be worth the wait. If it's actually there, great. If not, grab a discounted M3.
Many people here were keen to dump M1 MBPs when M4 was released, but in this thread the sentiment from many is you shouldn't wait for the M4 MBA. This doesn't make sense to me.
The answer is really simple: if you can wait for the M4 MBA, of course you should wait.
My wife didn't want to wait 3 months for iPhone 15 Pro and got the 14 Pro. Now she doesn't have Apple Intelligence (I know it's not the most amazing feature, but who knows how it will improve later).
Not if you buy the M4 MBA within several weeks or months of the release. Otherwise, if one follows your logic, it will mean not buying any device ever due to waiting for the next one to be released.
If in doubt, just follow the "MacRumors Buyers' Guide".
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The flip side to waiting is that right now there are some crazy deals on M3 machines. I saw up to $1200 off high end Macbook Pro M3 models (presumably M3 max in that case).
That’s really something to consider - you may be able to go up several tiers in RAM and storage for the same price you’d be paying on M4 MBA in 3-6 months by going for an M3 pro machine today instead of an MBA.
That’s really something to consider - you may be able to go up several tiers in RAM and storage for the same price you’d be paying on M4 MBA in 3-6 months by going for an M3 pro machine today instead of an MBA.