Stuck between 3 options, coming from 10 year old MBP so anything will be great but I am very out of the loop.

[thecautioners]

All 512gb/16gb configuration with apple care. tl;dr— one of these three? None of them? Different config?

-M2 MBP 13” Apple refurb for roughly $1800, newest chip but old body
-M1 Pro MBP 14” Apple refurb about $1800, I like the updated bezel etc
-M2 MBA refurb? I think it was around $1700 with ac+, would I miss the fan? Usage below.

What I want to do is just get a M2 Pro. But, this is our tax money, we have other bills to pay. I am just someone who likes her new shiny tech things 🤷🏻‍♀️ I could push it and do this, but it would be solely for brain chemicals because my usage is very not pro 😅

I prefer to buy from Apple with ac+ and I’m torn. I want to play the Sims and Roller Coaster Tycoon, as well as some light editing of photos and videos of my kids. Honestly, I barely touch my near fossilized MBP because my iPhone has replaced most of my computing needs since 2007, but I need to find some kind of creative outlet and I want to play my old favorite games. I’m typically a console gamer, so I honestly won’t be more demanding on any machine than the Sims and RCT. I may also end up with a simple WFH job, if I’d need it for that.

I’ve been very happy with my 2013 computer and I want to be happy with this next one for another 10 years, so I want to try to future proof as much as I can within financial reason. I’d like my 4 year old to be able to use it in high school, like a car 😂 (uh, if kids still use laptops by then?)

 

[Juicy Box]

The 14" MBP with the M1 Pro is a much better choice than the M2 MBP. Almost everything is better on the 14".

While the M2 MBA is impressive, the 14" MBP is the the winner out of those three options. Besides, I wouldn't get the fanless MBA if I knew I was going to be playing games, as the performance will decreases for extended tasks like gaming.

 

[thecautioners]

The 14" MBP with the M1 Pro is a much better choice than the M2 MBP. Almost everything is better on the 14".

While the M2 MBA is impressive, the 14" MBP is the the winner out of those three options. Besides, I wouldn't get the fanless MBA if I knew I was going to be playing games, as the performance will decreases for extended tasks like gaming.

Thanks! YouTube does make me feel like the M1 Pro might be my best bet.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

All 512gb/16gb configuration with apple care. tl;dr— one of these three? None of them? Different config?

-M2 MBP 13” Apple refurb for roughly $1800, newest chip but old body
-M1 Pro MBP 14” Apple refurb about $1800, I like the updated bezel etc
-M2 MBA refurb? I think it was around $1700 with ac+, would I miss the fan? Usage below.

What I want to do is just get a M2 Pro. But, this is our tax money, we have other bills to pay. I am just someone who likes her new shiny tech things 🤷🏻‍♀️ I could push it and do this, but it would be solely for brain chemicals because my usage is very not pro 😅

I prefer to buy from Apple with ac+ and I’m torn. I want to play the Sims and Roller Coaster Tycoon, as well as some light editing of photos and videos of my kids. Honestly, I barely touch my near fossilized MBP because my iPhone has replaced most of my computing needs since 2007, but I need to find some kind of creative outlet and I want to play my old favorite games. I’m typically a console gamer, so I honestly won’t be more demanding on any machine than the Sims and RCT. I may also end up with a simple WFH job, if I’d need it for that.

I’ve been very happy with my 2013 computer and I want to be happy with this next one for another 10 years, so I want to try to future proof as much as I can within financial reason. I’d like my 4 year old to be able to use it in high school, like a car 😂 (uh, if kids still use laptops by then?)

Are you sure the sims will work in the M1 or M2 environments?

 

[tis100]

Are you sure the sims will work in the M1 or M2 environments?

On reddit they say The Sims 4 runs on the M1 Macbook Air, but the computer gets very hot after a while because it doesn't have a fan:

https://www.reddit.com/r/macgaming/comments/s9be9q
+1 for the M1 Pro MBP 14” being the best option for the long term.

From a utilitarian point of view, the M2 MBA or even an M1 MBA is good enough for now. But I would go with the M1 Pro MBP 14” for the following reasons:

1) The smaller, less bright screen of the MBA will age faster than the larger, brighter screen of the MBP.
2) As software gets more demanding over time, the fans can help the computer power through the tasks rather than throttling.

 

[phrehdd]

It really is unclear if one can "future proof" to the degree you desire. Is there a reason you prefer a laptop over say, a mac mini with a monitor? Also, have you investigated any of those laptop fan options that may work well with the MBA? The way things are going, it seem about every 4 years or so the RAM requirements will increase a bit for reasonable across-the-board performance (with M chips).

 

[Basic75]

I'd get the M1 Pro 14".

 

[thecautioners]

It really is unclear if one can "future proof" to the degree you desire. Is there a reason you prefer a laptop over say, a mac mini with a monitor? Also, have you investigated any of those laptop fan options that may work well with the MBA? The way things are going, it seem about every 4 years or so the RAM requirements will increase a bit for reasonable across-the-board performance (with M chips).

I actually don’t have a space to set up a desktop computer 😅 very small home. My laptop is used on the bed or coffee table.

 

[Apple_Robert]

For your usage, I would get an M2 MBA. An MBP would be overkill not to mention cost a lot more. Why pay for things you aren't going to use?

 

[thecautioners]

Does Apple refurbished ever come with that New Mac smell? It would be my 5th time experiencing it, what are my chances?!

 

[sdwaltz]

I'd personally go with the M2 MBA.

As for the "new Mac smell"...it's sadly been gone for awhile now

 

[thecautioners]

For your usage, I would get an M2 MBA. An MBP would be overkill not to mention cost a lot more. Why pay for things you aren't going to use?

I just worry about the lack of a fan, I don’t think my games are very demanding but when I used to play them I would sit and do it for hours. I feel like a MBA might struggle with that but I’ve only been watching things on youtube, I’m not speaking from experience!

 

[thecautioners]

I'd personally go with the M2 MBA.

As for the "new Mac smell"...it's sadly been gone for awhile now

ugh! I wish Yankee had a candle or something. My favorite scent.

 

[thecautioners]

I am leaning heavily toward the M1 Pro because of the fan, although I do keep thinking about the M2 MBA, I’m just worried about cooling. I love the thinness of the MBA, I prefer the look over MBP (I like Starlight) but I am not buying a fashion accessory

 

[maflynn]

I just worry about the lack of a fan, I don’t think my games are very demanding but when I used to play them I would sit and do it for hours. I feel like a MBA might struggle with that but I’ve only been watching things on youtube, I’m not speaking from experience!

Passively cooled machines are not great solutions for gaming, even light gaming. The MBA is a great laptop but not for tasks that have sustained loads on the processor or gpu.

Personally, I think the 14" MBP offers biggest bang for your buck and the M1 14" MBP can offer a compelling solution as it gets discounted.

 

[thecautioners]

16gb/512gb ac+
M2 Pro 14” new $2278
M1 Pro 14” refurb $1818
M2 MBA refurb $1758

What’s going to happen is I’m going to say “it’s $400 more” and an expletive and buy the M2 Pro. I hate myself 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

I can’t pull any triggers until I get my refund so I’m sure the refurb stock will fluctuate in price and availability. Current status: eyeing up Where’s My Refund while waiting for the irs to accept me 🤞🏼

 

[Juicy Box]

16gb/512gb ac+
M2 Pro 14” new $2278
M1 Pro 14” refurb $1818
M2 MBA refurb $1758

What’s going to happen is I’m going to say “it’s $400 more” and an expletive and buy the M2 Pro. I hate myself 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

I can’t pull any triggers until I get my refund so I’m sure the refurb stock will fluctuate in price and availability. Current status: eyeing up Where’s My Refund while waiting for the irs to accept me 🤞🏼

I am totally confused by this post. Not sure what you are trying to say.

What Mac are you trying to return and what one do you want to buy?

 

[thecautioners]

I am totally confused by this post. Not sure what you are trying to say.

What Mac are you trying to return and what one do you want to buy?

It’s in my OP, I’m not trying to return anything, I was just torn between 3 options to buy.

 

[MBAir2010]

in 2010 I purchased a MacBook Air 4gb (extra) 64GB ssd.
I did an upgrades the ssd to 265 and still use that today.
so
in October 2022 I purchased a MacBook Air M1 8GB 265
and use that for graphic design and well multiple things at once with no spinning ball.

My point is get something you are comfortable with as I did

sometime we regret over buying things, I have many times, but with  we are getting a great deal!
except of extra GB, they do siphon us there.....

 

[kschendel]

I am totally confused by this post. Not sure what you are trying to say.

What Mac are you trying to return and what one do you want to buy?

I'm guessing that was to be read as "tax refund", not "computer return refund".

 

[thecautioners]

I'm guessing that was to be read as "tax refund", not "computer return refund".

Oh, yes, I wasn’t clear. I was referring to my tax refund that I mentioned in the OP.

I am being pulled toward the darkest side. I qualify for the edu discount, leaving just a $300 difference between the M1 Pro and M2 Pro. I do have an iPhone 12PM to sell 🤔

 

[Fishrrman]

Of the 3 you listed, the 2021 MBP 14".

But the educational discount puts the new MBP 14" "in range".

One other thing:
It might be possible to "piggyback" the educational discount onto an Apple-refurbished item.
Thus, you could:
- sign in for the educational discount
- look down towards the end of the page for "refurbished"
- click on the refurbished MacBook Pro 14"

I know this works for the veteran's discount.
Again, not sure if it works for ED discount, as well.

 

[Juicy Box]

16gb/512gb ac+
M2 Pro 14” new $2278
M1 Pro 14” refurb $1818
M2 MBA refurb $1758

What’s going to happen is I’m going to say “it’s $400 more” and an expletive and buy the M2 Pro. I hate myself 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

I can’t pull any triggers until I get my refund so I’m sure the refurb stock will fluctuate in price and availability. Current status: eyeing up Where’s My Refund while waiting for the irs to accept me 🤞🏼

I am totally confused by this post. Not sure what you are trying to say.

What Mac are you trying to return and what one do you want to buy?

I’m not trying to return anything

I'm guessing that was to be read as "tax refund", not "computer return refund".

Yup, that was exactly what was confusing to me.

When I read it, it sounded like the OP decided to buy a Mac, then instantly regretted it, leading to a return. But, it was the "tax" return that the OP was talking about.

 

[Juicy Box]

I’ve been very happy with my 2013 computer and I want to be happy with this next one for another 10 years, so I want to try to future proof as much as I can within financial reason.

It really is unclear if one can "future proof" to the degree you desire.

@phrehdd has a good point about future proofing, especially since you are using a 2013 Mac as an example.

The 2012 and 2013 Macs were special, and special in a way they may not happen again. The 3rd generation Intel i-chips were the last generation to get decent year-to-year performance improvements. After that, Intel progress stagnated, which is one of the factors that lead to AS.

If one ended up getting a Mac with a 3rd or 4th generation Intel i-chip (2012-2013), they got a really long period of OS support from Apple. If they got the i7 from those generations, their performance was still pretty good many years later, even when compared to the M1 for some tasks.

Think about this way, how capable was a 2003 Mac when you purchased your 2013 MBP?

While having a Mac last 10 years isn't unusual, having a Mac that is so capable after 10 years is.

Unless Apple turns into Intel of the 2010's, I don't think we will see "10 year" Macs again. At least like the 2012 and 2013 Macs.

 

[Juicy Box]

It might be possible to "piggyback" the educational discount onto an Apple-refurbished item.
Thus, you could:
- sign in for the educational discount
- look down towards the end of the page for "refurbished"
- click on the refurbished MacBook Pro 14"

I know this works for the veteran's discount.

I seen someone mention this in another thread, I didn't think that Apple gave Vet discounts for refurbished products.

Maybe I didn't, but prior to buying a M1 MM in Feb 2021, I thought I compared the Vet Apple Store and the regular Apple Store pricing for refurbished Mac Minis, and the prices were identical.

Is this a new thing?