Stuck on Macbook upgrade ladder... what to get?

[hectorvs]

Back when they were released, I bought a totally overpowered machine for my needs, 16" M1 Pro, 32gb / 1TB

I loved it, but it was definitely too much for what I do, mainly photo editing in lightroom / photoshop (raw files) and have some video editing in Final Cut. Also the size was too large, I have a 14" for work and much prefer that.

So, I ended up selling it and want to get another machine, here's where the upgrade ladder gets me..

My first instinct was to get the M2 Macbook Air, much thinner, lighter and more than enough power. I can take it everywhere and it's essentially a great all-rounder.

Macbook Air M2
- 16Gb ram
- 1TB storage

The thing I would be missing is the better XDR screen of the Pro (preferred for color accuracy and HDR), SD card reader, and extra monitor support (I have a 2 screen setup at home).

So, up the ladder I go to the M2 14" Macbook Pro, stock middle config:

14" Macbook Pro M2 Pro
- 16Gb Ram
- 1Tb Storage

This is fine and all, but it just feels... wrong.. to have a MBP with only 16gb ram these days, right?? up the ladder I go to 32gb Ram, then.

At this point, I'm spending much more than what I initially intended and I'm left with an equally as overpowered machine than what I really need (just smaller)... gotta be realistic, sp back to Macbook Air... but the screen and sd card reader...

fwiw, I considered getting a used / refurb 14" 32gb/1TB M1 machine, but I really want the HDMI 2.1 of the M2 if I go with a MBP.

So, anyway... that's the (very first world problem) dilemma, stay with the sensible Air M2 and live the dongle life again (and give up on the xdr screen and monitor support) or go with the 14" m2 pro with just 16gb ram (which may be just fine, but just... feels weird)

wwyd?

 

[usagora]

Get the 14" M2. Easy. Just get over the 16GB psychological hangup*--you didn't need more than 16GB anyway by your own admission, and you are getting a better (and larger) display along with the SD card reader and multi-display support.

*But really, at $400 USD for the upgrade, I don't think it's really that much of a financial limb to go out on if you really want to. Just go out to eat less times per month for a while or cut some other expenses temporarily or sell something to make it up.

 

[MBAir2010]

Get the 14" M2. Easy. Just get over the 16GB psychological hangup*--you didn't need more than 16GB anyway by your own admission, and you are getting a better (and larger) display along with the SD card reader and multi-display support.

*But really, at $400 USD for the upgrade, I don't think it's really that much of a financial limb to go out on if you really want to. Just go out to eat less times per month for a while or cut some other expenses temporarily or sell something to make it up.

and we suffered as humans enough these past centuries
compared to an alligator who is the same strength and longevity as in 100BC
so we humans deserve the splurging!
Go get the M2, OP!

 

[hectorvs]

Get the 14" M2. Easy. Just get over the 16GB psychological hangup*--you didn't need more than 16GB anyway by your own admission, and you are getting a better (and larger) display along with the SD card reader and multi-display support.

*But really, at $400 USD for the upgrade, I don't think it's really that much of a financial limb to go out on if you really want to. Just go out to eat less times per month for a while or cut some other expenses temporarily or sell something to make it up.

yup, you're probably right!

I'm not concerned about the extra $400 from M2 Air to 14" Pro (totally worth it for the extras you get), I was concerned about going from the M2 Air to the higher specced M2 Pro (with 32gb).

 

[Silencio]

If you'd consider a refurb, Apple has some decent looking prices in the refurb store for 14" M1 Max 32/1TB configs.

 

[usagora]

I'm not concerned about the extra $400 from M2 Air to 14" Pro (totally worth it for the extras you get), I was concerned about going from the M2 Air to the higher specced M2 Pro (with 32gb).

Yes, I understood that. I was referring to the $400 difference between the "stock middle config" 14" MBP and the customized middle config (16GB-->32GB RAM).