should I get MacBook Pro? Please help me with this decision

[clevins]

We're all Mac enthusiasts on here who get pleasure from using the best machines we can afford, and there's nothing wrong with that. The only thing I would really say is worth perhaps warning some people off is doing very extravagant BTOs, where unless they are doing specialised power-hungry tasks they may not be able to feel the benefit.

Yep. The way I think people should work through the decision of what to get is to look at the base models to start. Will that be enough for the next 3 years or so? Or will be it a bit skimpy? If the base model isn't quite enough, what d you need more of? CPU power? GPU? RAM? Then buy that.

It's not a bad thing to over-spec a little but overspending a lot, esp to future proof past about 5 years is a waste of money.

OMG I can not tell you how happy this MacBook has made me. This is an absolutely awesome laptop and I can't tell you how super fast it is compared to my older 2013 MacBook Pro.

everything works super fast, love the keyboard the Touch ID, screen is absolutely gorgeous, the new camera is amazing.Love the screen size too. Not too big not too small. This is all I needed. Super happy and smiling while I type on this gorgeous machine

(high fives)

 

[wakka]

I agree, most BTO options are unnecessary for most people. I just hate when people gatekeep even the base 14" MBP as this machine that's only for 'pros', by which they mean people working in very particular niches such as high end 3D graphics and video editing.

It's a great machine for anyone that wants an awesome, state of the art computer, whether you're going to use it for those kinds of activities or not

OMG I can not tell you how happy this MacBook has made me. This is an absolutely awesome laptop and I can't tell you how super fast it is compared to my older 2013 MacBook Pro.

everything works super fast, love the keyboard the Touch ID, screen is absolutely gorgeous, the new camera is amazing.Love the screen size too. Not too big not too small. This is all I needed. Super happy and smiling while I type on this gorgeous machine

Nice one! Exactly how I've felt about mine. I came from a 2016 12" MacBook and it's a quantum leap forward. So fast, the screen is bonkers good, and I agree that 14" is an excellent size. It's extremely usable while remaining very portable. Also yes the uplift in camera quality is massive and has made a real difference to me day-to-day now that video calls are a very big part of my work day.

 

[clevins]

I agree, most BTO options are unnecessary for most people. I just hate when people gatekeep even the base 14" MBP as this machine that's only for 'pros', by which they mean people working in very particular niches such as high end 3D graphics and video editing.

It's a great machine for anyone that wants an awesome, state of the art computer, whether you're going to use it for those kinds of activities or not

I agree and don't.

Obviously, people should buy what makes them happy. None of my comments here are directed at that, though, because that's a choice drive by personal desires, not actual requirements. So viewed in that light, you and I are aligned.

My comments are about people evaluating a Mac according to what they need to do with it and who want to balance those requirements with budget. Again, if someone is rich enough that the difference between $1500 and $5000 doesnt matter to them they should buy whatever they want. But if $1000 is real money to someone, the decision between a 16/512 Air and a base model 16" Pro becomes significant. If nothing they do is at all constrained by the capabilities of the Air, then buying the Pro is literally a waste of money.

I do also agree that the Pros are marketed in such a way that they're seen as high end machines for creative pros (specifically audio/video/photo) but others need the power they offer too. VR creators. Engineering apps. Even developers. A director at, I think it was AirBnB, commented that the new M1 machines cut their software build times in half. The math worked out such that this meant they'd save $100k in engineer hours over a year for an upfront investment of $32k for their 9 person team. Even the solo dev might want a Pro for things like running multiple VMs and thus needing 32 or 64g of RAM.

Ultimately, I think that people should buy enough computer to last them, comfortably, for the next 3 or 4 years but not significantly overbuy, thinking that they can keep the machine for 7, 9 or 12 years.

 

[ctjack]

Ultimately, I think that people should buy enough computer to last them, comfortably, for the next 3 or 4 years but not significantly overbuy, thinking that they can keep the machine for 7, 9 or 12 years.

On top of it, Artisright channel from YT concluded that, if person is looking at 16gb/512gb setup in the first place, then they should definitely reject buying new Pro 14/16 and buy Air or Pro 13.
He said, that the new Pros 14/16 make the most sense if you buy it with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage the least.

 

[clevins]

On top of it, Artisright channel from YT concluded that, if person is looking at 16gb/512gb setup in the first place, then they should definitely reject buying new Pro 14/16 and buy Air or Pro 13.
He said, that the new Pros 14/16 make the most sense if you buy it with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage the least.

Yeahhh... I can see that. There are likely use cases where someone doesnt need more ram or storage but needs more CPU/GPU than the Air, but you're right, it's almost always going to be smarter to move to the 14 or 16" Pro.

 

[wilberforce]

On top of it, Artisright channel from YT concluded that, if person is looking at 16gb/512gb setup in the first place, then they should definitely reject buying new Pro 14/16 and buy Air or Pro 13.

Artisright is wrong.
For only $300 more than an equivalent spec (16GB) 13" Pro, you get:

A bigger (14") and much better screen (miniLED, ProMotion)
Real function keys
2 more performance cores
6 more GPU cores
video encoders and decoders
SD card slot
HDMI port
extra USB-C port
MagSafe
1080p webcam
much better speakers, with spatial audio

In effect saying one should "definitely reject" these things is not sensible. Sure, if one is totally uninterested in any of these features then save $300, but most people would find at least some of them worth considering.

 

[ctjack]

Artisright is wrong.
For only $300 more than an equivalent spec (16GB) 13" Pro, you get:

Why get the Pro when we have an Air? All the reviewers say that the $1300 Pro is a middle guy who is forgotten.
Artisright is a guy from US. In US one could buy M1 Air 8gpu/16gbRAM/512GB for $1229 or 7gpu with 16/512 for $1170 from Apple refurbished. Difference for the US buyer is like $800+tax.
Do you really get $800 worth of stuff when jumping to the base MBP 14? I doubt so.
For $800 i can buy 2 month worth of food for my family. $800 is 8 month of gas for my car = 8 month of free driving.
You should really opt for MBP 14 if you know why you are buying it. You better get that with 32GB of RAM, because that is not an option with Air. If you are satisfied with 16gb of RAM then Air would do the job.

In the end, you just have to admit that you wanted MBP 14 and that is not bad at all. Everyone is free to satisfy their wants, but that doesn't mean that they really need it.

 

[clevins]

Artisright is wrong.
For only $300 more than an equivalent spec (16GB) 13" Pro, you get:

A bigger (14") and much better screen (miniLED, ProMotion)
Real function keys
2 more performance cores
6 more GPU cores
video encoders and decoders
SD card slot
HDMI port
extra USB-C port
MagSafe
1080p webcam
much better speakers, with spatial audio

In effect saying one should "definitely reject" these things is not sensible. Sure, if one is totally uninterested in any of these features then save $300, but most people would find at least some of them worth considering.

I'd compare it to the Air, not the 13" Pro which they should discontinue. Of the things you list the only clear winners for virtually everyone are the screen and the extra cores. The rest is some flavor of nice to have - it might be really important for some, unimportant to others (i.e. I couldn't care less about the HDMI connection, a friend of mine who's a conference speaker loves it).

But I think the issue is that if you're speccing 16/512 you're on the edge of real pro needs. The regular M1 Air is very likely to be enough for you; if it wasn't you'd likely want more RAM, more storage or both.

Of course there are edge cases and for some people it might come down to a small enough difference that the Pro is the better option.

As with everything else I've said on this topic, it's about honestly analyzing your needs both at time of purchase and for the near future and buying to meet those.

 

[vikky2426]

Artisright is wrong.
For only $300 more than an equivalent spec (16GB) 13" Pro, you get:

A bigger (14") and much better screen (miniLED, ProMotion)
Real function keys
2 more performance cores
6 more GPU cores
video encoders and decoders
SD card slot
HDMI port
extra USB-C port
MagSafe
1080p webcam
much better speakers, with spatial audio

In effect saying one should "definitely reject" these things is not sensible. Sure, if one is totally uninterested in any of these features then save $300, but most people would find at least some of them worth considering.

this was exactly my thought. I was also considering MacBook Air/pro 2020 before buying M1 Pro 14 inch. for extra around £400 to £500 I got all the above you mentioned and it's a pretty good deal.

 

[SalisburySam]

I think with your comment I've made up my mind. I think i'll actually buy M1 Pro 14 Inch base model. I'll pay £450 extra over M1 Air 2020 but this will give me:

• New and improved processor over M1
• Brand new laptop as compared to over 1 year old M1
• one inch bigger screen size - this is something i definitely want
• all the extra ports including MagSafe which i really like
• better screen

I'll save around £1,100 and i won't have to stick to this laptop for another 9 to 10 years. I could upgrade in like 5 years or something and I think this laptop will be more than enough too.

all I need is software development and some video editing(max 4K).

Good job! And enjoy your purchase made with both an eye to having your needs met and saving significant Poundage.

Just for grins, I looked at your bullet list and comments, and separated them into what could be called needs vs. wants. I came to the following, FYI:

• New processors - WANT, response to marketing hype (new=better), software doesn’t care what processor executes it.
• New laptop - WANT, another good (for the mfr.) result of marketing, shiny new thing=better.
• Screen size - NEED, a significant consideration for creating your videos vs. your eyesight.
• Ports - NEED, what do you need to connect and what port protocols do they require.
• Better screen - NEED, but subjective, same requirements as screen size.
• Save around 1100GBP - WANT, but most of us would call that extremely good judgment.
• Keep same laptop for 9-10 years - WANT, this sounds good on paper but makes no financial nor capability sense in the tech world, especially if using the device for revenue-producing activities.
• Upgrade in 5 years - NEED, unless your requirements change in a major way. In a few years re-evaluate your NEEDS vs. market technology. Could have fewer needs, i.e., keep this laptop longer, or the same or greater needs, meaning lather, rinse, replace again.

Just my thoughts, and of course YMMV, but I really think you did the right thing for the right reasons. Again, good job!

 

[MajorFubar]

The way I see it (which of course is only my opinion) the elephant in the room in the M1 Mac range atm is the 13" MBP.
I can't think of one solitary reason why I would buy it, after the launch of the 14" in October.
I can conceptualise the intended market for the Air, 14/16 Pro and 14/16 Max.
But not 13". If you (you=random customer) need more than an MBA it seems crazy to me that you wouldn't beg borrow or steal an additional 300 over the 13" to buy the 14" Pro.

 

[clevins]

The way I see it (which of course is only my opinion) the elephant in the room in the M1 Mac range atm is the 13" MBP.
I can't think of one solitary reason why I would buy it, after the launch of the 14" in October.
I can conceptualise the intended market for the Air, 14/16 Pro and 14/16 Max.
But not 13". If you (you=random customer) need more than an MBA it seems crazy to me that you wouldn't beg borrow or steal an additional 300 over the 13" to buy the 14" Pro.

I fully expect them to drop the 13" Pro after they revise the Air, if they do that as rumored later this year.