Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

ej88

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 23, 2021
19
11
I will be buying a new MacBook Air very soon, and really the only variable now is how much memory should I get. Not a particularly savvy computer user so would like some advice on this basic question.

Current prices:

256GB: $969

512GB: $1199

I do like the savings for the 256. It is very important that I buy something I'll be happy with and will suit my needs for the next 5 years MINIMUM. I'm using a 2008 15" MacBook Pro and must say I'm not real thrilled about the smaller screen size of the new Airs, but it is what it is at the current price point I'm willing to pay, and it sounds like the models coming out later in the year could be double the price of what's currently available for the Air, so don't think waiting for those is really an option. I can always buy an external monitor.

My uses are, in order: Internet; iTunes; Excel spreadsheets; simple Word docs. I do not store photos on my laptop, nor do I stream (that could change), or use much in the way of apps. No gaming. I do tend to have 15-20 tabs open at a time.

Right now, my old 2008 MacBook is nearly maxed out at ~160GB; half of that is my iTunes library, which is likely to increase somewhat in the future.

The only way I see that I would buy another new Mac in the next 5 years would be if Apple comes out with a 15-16" laptop at a very reasonable price point, and that hasn't seemed to be their trend.

Having said all that, is it likely that 256GB will be more than sufficient and the computer will run smoothly even 5+ years from now given what is known about the new M1 processor? If not, why would the 512GB be more advantageous for assured smooth running down the road? Thanks.
 
Last edited:

velocityg4

macrumors 604
Dec 19, 2004
7,336
4,726
Georgia
I'd go with 512GB. On a non-upgradeable computer. My rule of thumb for storage is at least double my current usage.

On SSD. You typically want to leave 20% free. 10% at an absolute minimum

256GB x 0.2 = 52.6GB

256GB - 160GB -52.6GB = 43.4GB remaining space to use for storage. Before you start noticeably impacting SSD performance. A lot of tech writers even place it at a more conservative 25% or even 30%. Although I think that's based off performance numbers from eight or nine years ago. I don't think modern NVMe need quite as much.

I'm sure someone will chime in with the latest lab test numbers. Something that actually tests SSD with a wide range of benchmarks. Not the simple blackmagic test.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ej88

Cookie18

macrumors 6502a
Sep 11, 2014
584
684
France
If you're definitely going to be adding to your iTunes library as you suggest I would go for the 512GB. Without the iTunes library I'd think 256GB would be more than fine for you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ej88 and chown33

MBAir2010

macrumors 604
May 30, 2018
6,975
6,354
there
My macbook air from 2010 has 56Gb of 256 GB of music and always 70GB free.
but if you are in doubt and can afford the extra space, go for it!
when you get the macbook M1, make that last10 years, like i did!
we dont need to give  and ers ideas that 5 years is sufficient.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ej88

AJB1971

macrumors 6502
Jun 23, 2011
452
432
Just mentioning because I see that you're new here, but the price of the 512GB model from the Apple refurbished store is $1,059 -

You can also get a bit more off by going through a cash-back site, such as TopCashback.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ej88 and Cookie18

Jack Neill

macrumors 68020
Sep 13, 2015
2,272
2,308
San Antonio Texas
I vote 512. 256 in 5 years will feel like a 120 these days. Plus larger drives typically have better R/W's. If your going M1 and opt for 512, you will also get the 8 Core GPU where the 256 base has the 7 core GPU. If your going Intel, the i5 quad comes base with 512 and is a major upgrade from the i3.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ej88

nothingtoseehere

macrumors 6502
Jun 3, 2020
455
522
Personally, I have 1 TB internal storage and I like it.
That said, you wrote that you are on a budget. Storage can be added afterwards, with an external SSD drive. This is not that elegant but works well. Many people put their libraries on external drives, so it is on you to judge whether your use case would allow this construction.
In contrast, there is absolutely no way to upgrade RAM. You could consider to get 16 instead of 8 GB RAM.
 

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,256
13,335
If you're going to keep a lot of stuff on it:
- music
- photos
- movies
... then get the larger SSD.

Otherwise, you're just buying "drive space for nuthin'".

We can't answer this for you.
Only you know the answer...
 
  • Like
Reactions: tCC_

Brian1230

macrumors member
Jan 7, 2021
74
36
I have the 256/8gb model and love it. I also have a 2015 MacBook Air 128/4gb that was perfect and ran Big Sur just fine.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.