MacBook Pro M3 or MacBook Air

[darksoul78644]

Ok guys I’m deciding whether to get a MacBook Pro M3 with 512 gb 8gb memory or a MacBook Air with maybe the same specs. I don’t know which will be better for me and the performance I’ll get out of it. I’m a casual user no gaming. Mostly browsing or movie watching and using apps. Suggestions. Are the screens the same and what not.

Thanks in advance

 

[kitKAC]

casual user

Air.

 

[estabya]

If it’s within your budget and you don’t mind the extra weight, I think the improvements on the Pro are worth the extra money. You get a MUCH better screen for media consumption, along with a 120hz refresh rate. Plus an HDMI port and SD card slot, which admittedly are not valuable to all users.

 

[jb310]

Mostly browsing or movie watching and using apps

Sounds like a job for the MacBook Air!

 

[Nbd1790]

MacBook Air

 

[Y2JDMBFAN]

Ok guys I’m deciding whether to get a MacBook Pro M3 with 512 gb 8gb memory or a MacBook Air with maybe the same specs. I don’t know which will be better for me and the performance I’ll get out of it. I’m a casual user no gaming. Mostly browsing or movie watching and using apps. Suggestions. Are the screens the same and what not.

Thanks in advance

Do you want the nice HDR screen? That's the question.

 

[960design]

Ok guys I’m deciding whether to get a MacBook Pro M3 with 512 gb 8gb memory or a MacBook Air with maybe the same specs. I don’t know which will be better for me and the performance I’ll get out of it. I’m a casual user no gaming. Mostly browsing or movie watching and using apps. Suggestions. Are the screens the same and what not.

Thanks in advance

Macbook Air.
Macbook Pro if you need to connect a lot of stuff via wires.

Are the screens the same and what not.

I have both, the MBP's screen is a little bit larger 16 vs 15 and a little bit brighter on max brightness, but otherwise pretty close in quality. If I set them side by side, I can definitely tell a difference, but working at work for 8hrs on MBP then drive home and get on MBA, do not even notice.

 

[colodane]

I was asking myself this same question. Last week I answered it by purchasing a M3 MacBook Pro from the Apple Refurbished store. VERY happy so far.

Everyone will have their own criteria, but for me I went with the MacBook Pro for 4 reasons:
Better display (most important criteria for me)
More ports (HDMI, etc)
Better speakers
Size - for me, 14 inch is just right. 13 too small, 15, 16 too large

And I felt that the $300 extra cost for the Pro vs the Air was worth it. If the differential had been over $500, for example, it might have been a tough choice.

 

[darksoul78644]

I ended up getting the m3 pro space black 512. it was 200 off at Best Buy 1799. I'm happy with my purchase. I too like a great screen. I was originally going to get the base m3 MacBook Pro but than I was like 200 more I can get 18 gb ram. I'm happy with my purchase.


Also guys I put a tech21 case for it. the snap on ones. it doesn't touch the screens or anything but ive heard people say that its bad for the hinge. I asked the guy in the Apple Store where I bought the case about that and he said apple is really picky about what they sell and they wouldn't sell a product that would damage their stuff. ive read people say that dirt will get in the case and cause scratches. what's walls opinion on the cases.

 

[darksoul78644]

I ended up getting the m3 pro space black 512. it was 200 off at Best Buy 1799. I'm happy with my purchase. I too like a great screen. I was originally going to get the base m3 MacBook Pro but than I was like 200 more I can get 18 gb ram. I'm happy with my purchase.


Also guys I put a tech21 case for it. the snap on ones. it doesn't touch the screens or anything but ive heard people say that its bad for the hinge. I asked the guy in the Apple Store where I bought the case about that and he said apple is really picky about what they sell and they wouldn't sell a product that would damage their stuff. ive read people say that dirt will get in the case and cause scratches. what's walls opinion on the cases.

because I will take off the case and take back and just get a sleeve if its gonna scratch up the Mac and I'm also gonna get apple care on it today. also guys what's the best way to clean screen when it starts getting smudges on it.

 

[960design]

because I will take off the case and take back and just get a sleeve if its gonna scratch up the Mac and I'm also gonna get apple care on it today. also guys what's the best way to clean screen when it starts getting smudges on it.

I only use microfiber cloths to clean my screens. You can pick em up pretty cheap on Amazon. I like the larger size each on lasts several months to a year. I do not wash them, just throw them away when they finally get dirty.
I am not recommending these listed below, just picked the overall best pick on Amazon for 'show' purposes:

https://www.amazon.com/Microfiber-Cleaning-Cloth-Performance-Washes/dp/B08BRJHJF9

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I only use microfiber cloths to clean my screens. You can pick em up pretty cheap on Amazon. I like the larger size each on lasts several months to a year. I do not wash them, just throw them away when they finally get dirty.

Ditto. I get a big bag of 'em (probably 50 in a bag) at Sam's Club, that'll last me a couple of years for various purposes including screen smudges.

 

[darksoul78644]

I took back the tec21 hard case and got me the von whatever lol. I like it better.

 

[dmr727]

I took back the tec21 hard case and got me the von whatever lol. I like it better.

Good looking case. Enjoy your MBP!

 

[LaMonte]

I just replace my 2015 MacBook Pro 15 inch 1 TB, it has been a great computer. I bought the M3 Pro 16 inch this last weekend, I just love it, especially the display. On my old one the highest OS for it was Monterey which was find. The new one has Sonoma OS seems pretty good. I would have been happy with 15 inch Air, but I am glad I went with the M3 Pro.