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.
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: