Hey everyone,
I need some help with what will likely be my last Apple purchase for the next 5 years as it will bring my last piece of tech to a position to have software updates for 5 more years.
I’m a student on a tight-ish budget. I currently have a Mac Mini M4(16/256) that was a Christmas gift and an iPad Mini 6th gen (256, 5G) with the Apple Pencil 2. I use both to do school work, which will end up requiring CAD software in 3 years. I’m not really concerned about that currently and should be able to afford a windows machine when I get to that point. Currently, I’m trying to consolidate and focus my workflow. I think a 16/256 MacBook Air would satisfy this need, but wanted some extra opinions.
The iPad was originally used by itself to replace my school-issued Chromebook and was pretty successful, then the pencil was added making it a digital notepad as well.
I love digital notes, and plan to test how well I can take notes with my finger or a traditional stylus on the MacBook’s trackpad. However, I have plenty of stationary I’ve collected and inherited, and I have a feeling it would be easier to work with my teachers with paper notes than digital. It makes me stick out and I don’t really like to seem special with my fancy notes. It’s also a pain to manage my collection of notes and I worry it’s bad for my eyesight to look at the iPad for about 7 hours a day straight. Any input on this point will be very helpful.
The other thing is overlap with the Mac Mini. It’s practically new and I don’t want to sell it since it was a gift, so it can’t be sold. The iPad will be sold for 350$ to a family member who is looking to buy an iPad. I’m trying to reconcile having two M4 Macs, especially when the MacBook can run off power adapter instead of battery when stationary and drive the same 27” 4k monitor as the Mini and has a quality, built-in, backlit keyboard instead of my cheap anker one.
I can afford the difference, especially with edu pricing and selling the free AirPods (already have brand new pro’s), I’m just wanting to make sure I’m not missing anything by going with an M4 Air or if my concept sounds like it would even make sense.
Thanks for any input!
I need some help with what will likely be my last Apple purchase for the next 5 years as it will bring my last piece of tech to a position to have software updates for 5 more years.
I’m a student on a tight-ish budget. I currently have a Mac Mini M4(16/256) that was a Christmas gift and an iPad Mini 6th gen (256, 5G) with the Apple Pencil 2. I use both to do school work, which will end up requiring CAD software in 3 years. I’m not really concerned about that currently and should be able to afford a windows machine when I get to that point. Currently, I’m trying to consolidate and focus my workflow. I think a 16/256 MacBook Air would satisfy this need, but wanted some extra opinions.
The iPad was originally used by itself to replace my school-issued Chromebook and was pretty successful, then the pencil was added making it a digital notepad as well.
I love digital notes, and plan to test how well I can take notes with my finger or a traditional stylus on the MacBook’s trackpad. However, I have plenty of stationary I’ve collected and inherited, and I have a feeling it would be easier to work with my teachers with paper notes than digital. It makes me stick out and I don’t really like to seem special with my fancy notes. It’s also a pain to manage my collection of notes and I worry it’s bad for my eyesight to look at the iPad for about 7 hours a day straight. Any input on this point will be very helpful.
The other thing is overlap with the Mac Mini. It’s practically new and I don’t want to sell it since it was a gift, so it can’t be sold. The iPad will be sold for 350$ to a family member who is looking to buy an iPad. I’m trying to reconcile having two M4 Macs, especially when the MacBook can run off power adapter instead of battery when stationary and drive the same 27” 4k monitor as the Mini and has a quality, built-in, backlit keyboard instead of my cheap anker one.
I can afford the difference, especially with edu pricing and selling the free AirPods (already have brand new pro’s), I’m just wanting to make sure I’m not missing anything by going with an M4 Air or if my concept sounds like it would even make sense.
Thanks for any input!
