Need advice - new purchases

[jordanpin]

Hi all,

Here's my current setup:
- 16" MBP, i9 2.4GHz, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, AMD 5500 graphics w/ 8GB memory
- 2018 12.9" iPad Pro, 256GB

I would not consider myself a pro-user, no video editing, no coding, just minor Adobe CC mostly for fun. Entering a finance career, so I intend to get a Windows laptop for fairly intensive Excel and the like.

I am looking at upgrading to the following:
- 24" iMac, mid-tier spec w/ 8GB memory and 256GB SSD
- 2021 12.9" iPad Pro, 128GB (maybe 5G..?)

- Magic Keyboard for iPad​

Apple Trade-In is quoting me $1,965 and $685 for the MBP and iPad, respectively. This would effectively bring my cost of upgrading to $800+tax, so around $1,200 all things considered (big fat Canadian sales tax).

Is this worth it? I plan to transition to primarily using the iMac at home and using the iPad whenever I need portability.
If I kept the current 16" MBP, I would likely buy a decent monitor anyways (around $600-700) for my neck and posture's sake.

Alternatively, should I look at selling my devices elsewhere? Both are in pristine condition, and I'm aware I can probably get more if I sold them rather than traded them in (at least for the MBP).

Hoping to jump on the M1 bandwagon here...

Thanks in advance!

 

[KaliYoni]

Come on, big Wall Street/Bay Street analyst...just calculate the NPV for each of your scenarios!
;-)

But if you don't want the quant answer, I'd say to wait until the next wave of Apple Silicon machines are announced. Plus you're going to be spending 90+ hours/week at the office anyway, so no need to splash out for personal tech until you're "encouraged" to apply to MBA programs in two years.

 

[jordanpin]

Come on, big Wall Street/Bay Street analyst...just calculate the NPV for each of your scenarios!
;-)

But if you don't want the quant answer, I'd say to wait until the next wave of Apple Silicon machines are announced. Plus you're going to be spending 90+ hours/week at the office anyway, so no need to splash out for personal tech until you're "encouraged" to apply to MBA programs in two years.

Haha, thank you for the response! I'd rather keep the present value calculations to the classroom...
I have 2 years left of school, so still some time to play around with personal tech!

I do appreciate your non quant answer, waiting out is definitely still an option I'm considering. ?

 

[MevetS]

I have a 2018 iPad Pro. I’m not considering the 2021 iPad Pro, although it would be a significant upgrade. But for what I use my iPad for I’m fine with what I have. So the first question I would ask is do you really need to upgrade the iPad? Only you can answer that, and wanting the latest and greatest is a valid reason. (And for more insight to where I’m coming from, I still use my original iPad Air!)

As to the Mac, I’ve two suggestions. First, consider more RAM. Second, consider a Mac Mini, same performance and ports while significantly cheaper. Of course you’ll need to get a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. And there is the appeal of an all in one machine, again a valid reason to choose an iMac.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[4sallypat]

ROI

 

[jordanpin]

I have a 2018 iPad Pro. I’m not considering the 2021 iPad Pro, although it would be a significant upgrade. But for what I use my iPad for I’m fine with what I have. So the first question I would ask is do you really need to upgrade the iPad? Only you can answer that, and wanting the latest and greatest is a valid reason. (And for more insight to where I’m coming from, I still use my original iPad Air!)

As to the Mac, I’ve two suggestions. First, consider more RAM. Second, consider a Mac Mini, same performance and ports while significantly cheaper. Of course you’ll need to get a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. And there is the appeal of an all in one machine, again a valid reason to choose an iMac.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Thanks. I appreciate your validation of wanting the latest and greatest as reason to upgrade my iPad lol. Trade-in value of ~$700 is pretty compelling, too.

As for the iMac, I am pretty appealed by the all-in-one package. Do you think the RAM bump is something I should truly consider? I plan to keep it for 3–4 years max, so not as worried about future proofing. In the meantime, is 16GB necessary to take full advantage of all that M1 offers, or do you think 8GB would suffice for my needs?

 

[pmiles]

Why are you looking to upgrade your stuff now? M1's aren't going anywhere. You're still in school, the better time to upgrade would be when you are about to leave school and start the next chapter of your life.

Apple has a plethora of dog an pony shows scheduled throughout the year and next year as well. You're going to be tempted again and again. Not because you actually have a need to replace your computer, but to whisper into your ear that you want to.

Lets say your current devices have zero trade-in value and no one will want to buy them on eBay. Would you still be itching to replace them if you had to go full monty on the cost? Would that other voice in your head start saying, Hey Dude, it's really not that life changing of an upgrade to justify replacing it just right now. ARM isn't going away. You haven't missed the train. There are plenty of stops left ahead of you to get on board.

 

[KaliYoni]

Now that we know a little more about the OP's situation, I agree there's no pressing need to upgrade right now (desire, on the other hand, is a whole different story...). It might be difficult to wait, especially given Apple's talent at creating demand for its newest products. But if I were facing a similar decision, I would try to make it through the next year with my current machines. Then, a couple of months before graduation, I would use my last shot at Apple's education discount to buy whatever is newest and coolest.

[OP: if you want to try some financial engineering, use the funds beyond your expected trade-in values that you would have spent on new gear today to invest in something for two years. The specific asset choice is left to you to value and select. ;-) ]

 

[wys]

I do not understand why you want to upgrade. Those devices you have seem perfectly fine. You can use Microsoft Office in macOS, almost all the same features are there from Windows (only thing I am aware of is not being able to import wacky VisualBasic libraries into Excel, but you probably shouldnt be doing that anyway, if you're programming then manipulate your data in R or Python instead).

If macOS MS Office is not good enough, then just run a Windows 10 VM;

Oracle VirtualBox

www.virtualbox.org

Download Windows 10 Disc Image (ISO File)

^ you do not need a license to run the Win10 ISO, just download it and go. Its free.

The Dell UltraSharp monitors have always been great for me for work, used the 27" models for many years.

If you really want to spend money here, my suggestion is keep the hardware you have, and get a monitor, Magic Trackpad, and external keyboard and mouse. A few years back I had a custom Mac-style mechanical keyboard made from https://www.wasdkeyboards.com/ and its been fantastic. My main work setup for many years now has been;

- 15" MBP
- 27" Dell monitor
- WASD mech keyboard (87-key with red switches, lots of o-rings, Mac function keys)
- Logitech M500 mouse
- Magic Trackpad

 

[wys]

Entering a finance career, so I intend to get a Windows laptop

also, any reputable finance company should be providing you a laptop for work, I have never heard of anyone anywhere having to bring their own computer for work