Need help choosing a M2 MacBook

[helpmebuy]

So I'm looking to get a M2 MacBook for normal usage (heaviest usage will be Microsoft Office/YouTube.)

I think the Air would be enough but I kinda want the Pro for the fan and notch-less screen.

What would you recommend? Also, will 8GB RAM be enough or may it lag a little bit on normal usage?

I really appreciate your help!

 

[barkomatic]

I think the M2 Air would be good for you. The only thing you'd need to decide is how much storage you need.

The fan on a MBP won't even come on if you only watch YouTube and work in Microsoft Office so that's almost irrelevant.

The only factor is that the Pro has a better screen for viewing content--but the Air is more than good enough I think. If you really are picky about a screen then go with the base model Pro but I recommend the Air.

 

[Fishrrman]

I, too, suggest the new MacBook Air.

HOWEVER:
DO NOT buy one with 8gb of RAM.
Get 16gb of RAM !!!

Because... with the m-series CPU...
16gb is "the new 8".

 

[sledgehammer89]

Just bought the MBP M2 after I saw the notch in person. Menubar is bigger in height, means it wastes space and there isn't that much usable lines left for apps. Also horizontal menubar space is reduced. Notch is ok for phones, but please no notch on a Laptop.

There are even more use cases and fun with the Touch Bar thanks to BetterTouchTool app.

 

[DD88]

If your heaviest usage is Office and Youtube then I think the Pro will be overkill for what you need it for , depends if you want to pay more on the Pro for a nicer screen, lots more ports and more power , but the power will be wasted if that’s all you use it for. Even an M1 Air will be more than enough for what you need and the base model is £999, although I would always spec up and get a minimum of 16GB RAM just in case and a minimum of 512GB for the SSD. A new M2 air would be more than enough too, plus you get the new M2 chip to play with and the advantage of having a new machine tech wise in comparison to the pro and M1.
I was debating for weeks over whether I should get an M1,M2 or Pro and went with the Pro due to the fact I need the best screen possible, more ports and I do photo editing and deal with large files which the CPU on the Pro will handle better.

Edit - 8GB will be fine for those purposes, but I’d still go with a 16GB just to give you that breatning space in case you decide to do more power requiring tasks

 

[DHagan4755]

You can get the old school 13" MacBook Pro with M2 if you want but, as others mentioned, upgrade it to 16GB of memory.

If you're able, check both the 13" MacBook Pro & the new Air at an Apple Store or Best Buy so you can see them in person. There's nothing like being able to get your hands on them before you decide.

 

[jav6454]

So I'm looking to get a M2 MacBook for normal usage (heaviest usage will be Microsoft Office/YouTube.)

I think the Air would be enough but I kinda want the Pro for the fan and notch-less screen.

What would you recommend? Also, will 8GB RAM be enough or may it lag a little bit on normal usage?

I really appreciate your help!

8GB is enough right now, future state? Nope, not even close. Get the highest memory your budget allows. As per storage, that's depending on what your choice of apps and workloads you'll see.

I think the M2 Air would be good for you. The only thing you'd need to decide is how much storage you need.

The fan on a MBP won't even come on if you only watch YouTube and work in Microsoft Office so that's almost irrelevant.

The only factor is that the Pro has a better screen for viewing content--but the Air is more than good enough I think. If you really are picky about a screen then go with the base model Pro but I recommend the Air.

I, too, suggest the new MacBook Air.

HOWEVER:
DO NOT buy one with 8gb of RAM.
Get 16gb of RAM !!!

Because... with the m-series CPU...
16gb is "the new 8".

You two didn't even read what OP stated. He/She does not want the notch, in other words, no MBA.

 

[wilberforce]

Just bought the MBP M2 after I saw the notch in person. Menubar is bigger in height, means it wastes space and there isn't that much usable lines left for apps.

It seems you misunderstand how the menu bar works with the notch, or I misunderstand your point.

The MBP M2 screen is 1600 pixels height, of which the menu bar uses 44 pixels, leaving 1556 pixels for apps
The MBA M2 screen is 1664 pixels height, of which the menu bar uses 64 pixels, leaving 1600 pixels for apps
1600 > 1556