Should I upgrade to the new MacBook Pro?

[Allen_Wentz]

I have an M1 MBP 2020 and I probably won't be looking at another upgrade until around 2025 or even 2026. Macs last a long time and don't slow down quickly, especially the Apple Silicon models. Your Mac likely have a lot of useful years remaining.

The OP has an M1 MBA, not a MBP, and there is usually a very big difference MBP versus MBA as one gets into more rigorous workflows. Even if (despite the physical damage) the OP's MBA does "have a lot of useful years remaining" for someone else's usages, my guess is that the M1 MBA in question will be decidedly sub-optimal for this particular (OP) user within the next 12 months.

At this point my suggestion is to wait to see if WWDC time frame gives us any new guidance, but to plan on making an upgrade to some kind of an M2 box ~H2 2023. Just my $0.02.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I read your post and some of your responses. Here is my opinion:

1. Delaying technology purchases will always result in greater technology for the price.

2. Timing a purchase towards your needs and then buying for the long term is fiscally responsible.

3. Generally, cosmetic damage that does not affect your workflow should not result in a device change. Exceptions to this are in business where you need to have a machine that represents you well. Having a coffee stained computer in an executive meeting may make you appear to be irresponsible or careless even if it was your dog (or your kids) that spilled the coffee.

Based on your use profile and the fact that you are still in school, I recommend you keep that machine until the M3 MBA comes out, if not longer. I do not see a legitimate reason to spend the money on a small upgrade to the M2 for (mostly) cosmetic reasons.

When you do upgrade, decide how long you intend to keep it and then buy the machine you expect to need in that time. For basic workflow, 3-5 years is typical. For heavy video or animation, 2-3 years or two chip iterations is typical.

We disagree that going from an M1 MBA with 16 GB RAM to an M2 MBP with 32 or 64 GB RAM would be a small upgrade to the M2 for (mostly) cosmetic reasons.

MBP versus MBA is a huge upgrade, M1 to M2 is a huge upgrade and 16 GB RAM to 32/64 GB RAM is a huge upgrade. All three in one box would be a huge huge huge upgrade. ;~)

 

[Allen_Wentz]

We disagree that going from an M1 MBA with 16 GB RAM to an M2 MBP with 32 or 64 GB RAM would be a small upgrade to the M2 for (mostly) cosmetic reasons.

MBP versus MBA is a huge upgrade, M1 to M2 is a huge upgrade and 16 GB RAM to 32/64 GB RAM is a huge upgrade. All three in one box would be a huge huge huge upgrade. ;~)

A

I own both machines. While the upgrade from Intel to Apple Silicone was huge, going from M1 to M2 for general workflow won’t be a huge difference. Going from 16 GB of ram to 32 will make a big difference but is not necessary for everyday use and certainly not for a student (unless doing lots of intensive tasks).

The OP question was about replacing a working, but slightly damaged, computer, hence the reference to the cosmetic issue.

I currently own and use a 16” Intel MBP, a 13” M1 MBP, a 13” M1 MBA and a new M2 MBA. For most tasks, there is little real world difference from the M1 to the M2. However, if the OP waits another 6-10 months, there will likely be a large difference going from the 5NM M1 to the 3NM M3.

Sorry but we disagree:

1) The OP is discussing going from 16 GB M1 MBA to 32 GB M2 MBP, not to MBAs like you have done. Like I said earlier, MBP versus MBA is a huge real upgrade, as is M1 to M2 and as is 16 GB RAM to 32/64 GB RAM. All three together are a very big upgrade. Stating "there is little real world difference from the M1 to the M2" is misleading at best, even if it does apply to your MBA-level computer usage.

2) The statement "For most tasks, there is little real world difference" is kinda nonsense because it applies to all modern laptops if we only consider simplistic "most tasks."

Also you reference "everyday use and certainly not for a student" as if for some reason the OP's usages are particularly low end by virtue of being a student. My uni experiences chasing multiple degrees was exactly opposite of what you suggest. I found having a very strong laptop hidden in my backpack to be a huge value add to the process of getting educated. If I needed to attack a problem or follow an idea having a strong box constantly at hand was more useful than I can express.

Specifically the OP is already virtualizing, and frankly a 16 GB M1 MBA is lightweight for that usage. And for many us, including students, our demands on our computers increase over time.

3) Although we agree it makes sense to wait six months if possible to see what hardware is what, the reasoning of "...there will likely be a large difference going from the 5NM M1 to the 3NM M3" is logically flawed because SoC, chip design and chip yields are much more complex than that.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Its amazing how the psyche of Mac users have changed over the past 20 years. I never remember Mac users talking about the geometry of a G4 processor and how much cores and RAM they need to get the job done.

 

[ian87w]

My mantra is simple, if you have to ask, you probably don’t need the power of the MacBook Pro.

The current MacBook Pros are workstation class laptops. People who need them already knows that they do.

Are you having problems in performance with the M1 MacBook Air? I don’t see that you do. It sounded more like a want than a need. 🤭 Put the money elsewhere, invest it, etc.

 

[5667672]

Okay. I'm getting back into the discussion and I'm glad to see the great amount of feedback. However, since it's not yet clear what my use case and thoughts behind the post are, I'd like to tell you about them in detail now. So far I've kept it short, as I don't usually get such comprehensive and friendly feedback in online forums.

Recently, my MBA fell off. This damaged the case (cosmetic dent) as well as the display. Some pixels can no longer display black and are constantly bright. In order to have the damage assessed by the insurance company, I had to reset my MacBook to factory settings. Just two weeks before the damage, I had already reset my MacBook Air to make it perform better again. Now everything ran a bit unhappy.

The damage has now been assessed by the insurance company. I can either have the damage compensated depending on the current value, or have the device (case + display) repaired. I have decided to pay out the current value / damage.

So now I would have to set up my MacBook again with all data and programs. That would be the second time within four weeks.

Since I would now have to set up my MacBook again, I had the consideration to upgrade to a new MBP. Especially since I'm worried that the pixel damage might get worse, due to the active use and I thus have no trade-in or sale value at the end, since the device could then be completely broken.

My current MacBook Air (2020) is equipped as follows:
M1 (8-core GPU), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD.

In the context of my tasks at university, which will become more demanding in the coming semesters, more performance could be pleasant. My study focus is in the area of IT security, so I have to virtualize different operating systems, in the best case also in parallel. One use case would be to virtualize WindowsOS and attack it with a virtualized Kali. In Parallels, the minimum requirement for virtualizing WindowsOS is 16GB, which is exactly my current configuration.

To the virtualizing add tasks like programming with Python, of course light surfing, creating documents, presentations, etc. Possibly there are also scenarios that I do not know at the moment, since some things are still coming up in my studies.

The point that I am currently not yet in the work environment, I see both as an advantage and a disadvantage. At the moment, I'm sitting a lot in front of my MBA for the various projects at university. If I do enter the working world, I will most likely be provided with a work laptop. Thus, I would spend a lot more time on my private MBA now than possibly a year from now.

So basically, I wanted to delay the decision as much as possible because I was satisfied so far. However, now that the damage has occurred and my tasks will be somewhat more demanding in the future, I am faced with this decision.

Most of the feedback I have received has been along the lines of waiting. At the moment, this is also my aspiration. So I can then wait for the further development of the chips and the like.

I hope this could give a better insight into my question. By the way, I ask because I like the idea of getting different perspectives and input from people all over the world. That's all. ^^

So thank you all so far for your time and advices.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Are there already rumors when the M3 processor in the 3nm process will be released in the MacBook Pro?

Please help me regarding my decision.

Let’s put it this way, you’re not gonna see them put a 3nm processor in a MBP before they put a 3 nm processor in an iPhone.
Additionally, M1 to M2 was a 19 month gap, M1pro/max to M2pro/max a 18 month gap.
The M2 isn’t even a year old yet, and the pro and Max aren’t even a full month old.
It’s still gonna be another year or so, give or take three or so months, before you see an M3 Mac. Even longer before the entire lineup is M3.

Well that is a good point. Do you believe the M3 will be more powerful through the 3nm process? In my case I have to virtualize different OS and code some small websites / projects for university.

Of course it’ll be faster, but I think “how much faster” is being very much overstated.
The biggest advantage of the new 3 nm process is efficiency, so you’re more likely to see massive heat and battery improvements… with a slight year-over-year bump to performance.
But it’s certainly not gonna make today’s Mac lineup look bad or anything.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Its amazing how the psyche of Mac users have changed over the past 20 years. I never remember Mac users talking about the geometry of a G4 processor and how much cores and RAM they need to get the job done.

I guess you either never did any images work or have forgotten. Image pros were always trying to tweak hardware to eek out better performance. Back in the 1990s I remember agonizing over performance details before finally buying Apple's pricey graphics specialty box at the time, the PPC 8500.

RAM also has always been an issue we debated back and forth about because Photoshop allowed building a Scratch Disk that sequestered RAM for PS use. All day long we would be re-allocating scarce/pricey RAM based on specific tasks. RAM needs have always increased over time as tech would evolve larger/faster modules; but today with fast RAM baked to the chip we need to preplan RAM for the life of the box, which is challenging. Too many short-sighted users think "x RAM works for me now, so I will put x in my new box." Wrong.

 

[satcomer]

All I know Apple has always been tight lipped even in Steve's day! Steve actually set all that Philosophy when he came back and killed off all the Mac clones and and release an Intel Mac that surprised everyone at WWDC! Plus Apple raelly want to late Fall to release new Mac Books for the Christmas season! It's as simple as that and it's a well known path of Apple releases over the years!

 

[Yebubbleman]

Hello macrumors community,

I would need your input. About two years ago I bought a MacBook Air for university with a M1 Chip, 16Gb RAM and a 512Gb SSD. Now unfortunately I had a display damage which was not caused by me. So fortunately the insurance covers the damage and I am compensated for it. The MacBook has a dent on the outside and below the camera some pixels are dead, respectively they can't display a proper black anymore.

I actually wasn't going to make the jump to a MacBook Pro until the 3nm process was integrated into the chips. Does it make sense to sell my current MacBook and switch to an M2 Pro / Max or should I rather use my MacBook Air until it breaks and then switch?

Are there already rumors when the M3 processor in the 3nm process will be released in the MacBook Pro?

Please help me regarding my decision.

If the M1 MacBook Air sufficed for your needs, then I do not know why you need a MacBook Pro. Or a chip with 3nm. Or any of that. If your needs go beyond what an M1 or M2 can provide, then get something with M1 Pro (refurbished or used) or M2 Pro. Similarly, if lack of active cooling really bothered you because the M1 in your now-defunct Air kept slowing itself down so as to not overheat, then sure, I could see any of the three sizes of MacBook Pro being preferable.

But you don't state anything in here about those being factors. There's always going to be newer tech with newer bells and whistles down the road. Ask yourself what it is you NEED or even WANT out of a MacBook Pro (over a MacBook Air) and of 3nm beyond them merely being something you know of coming down the pipeline. Unless you like buying things that are overkill for your needs just 'cause (and worry not, that's most of the people in these forums).