The struggle is real....

[Misheemee]

Base M1 Pro 14" on the right and Base M1 MBA 13" on the right

Which one to keep???🤓🤩😝

Usage - heavy MS office work including really large excel files and teams (although I have a dedicated work computer I can use), web browsing, media consumption - personal computer, with the intention of keeping for 5 or so years, (or maybe up to 10 based on my purchasing history) . No editing at this stage, but who's to say I won't pick up a new hobby? 😝. I do need portability, but the size and weight difference is minimal and I carry it in a purse - so not a major difference for me.

The MacBook Pro 14" does meet the budget, and was on sale ($300 off - I'm in Australia, so that converts to roughly 220USD) - I got a bonus at work which will cover most of the MBP, and I already own the MBA. But just because I can, does it mean I should spend the money? 🤔 And yes, I know the MBP is overkill for my needs but I love it (although I don't know if I'm sold on the silver - the silver feels more "work" and the space grey feels more "fun"). I have a iPad Pro 12.9 as well.

MBP can be returned, MBA would need to be sold (is essentially brand new, only 14 charge cycles). My biggest concern is the longevity of the base MBA at 8GB RAM and 256GB HDD. I use an external SDD so file storage isn't an issue, I'm worried about system updates and the impacts of it (slowing down etc), on top of installing a few heavy programs

What to do.....🤔

 

[Queen6]

If the Air does what you need spend the $$$$ elsewhere, if the 14" MBP brings a genuine advantage sell the Air...

FWIW I own a 13" MBP on Apple Silicon and don't see any need to upgrade to the 14" MBP as prefer the portability & battery life. The 14" MBP while technically the better notebook isn't by default better for my needs.

Q-6

 

[dizmonk]

I'd keep the Macbook Pro. I do have the Air and love it... but if I was within the return window and the price difference wasn't a big issue (which you're saying it's not), I'd get the 14" MBP... Speakers way better.

 

[aurora_sect]

Which one do you enjoy using more? That's the most important question to me. You say you love the MBP but no real qualitative statement on the MBA.

Not knowing that, it seems like keeping the MBA is the more practical choice. It's easily up to your purposes, and if your needs scale up, well, you've saved $1k towards your next upgrade. And in my mind it is a big factor that I'd rather return a machine than deal with the hassle of selling one used.

 

[russell_314]

Reasons to keep the Pro

Better screen (Not sure if this is important to you)
MagSafe charging
Looks better (Subjective)
More powerful for doing other things


Reasons to keep the Air
Save money (How important this is to you depends on your financial status)
Lighter weight (Doesn’t seem to be important to you)
Less painful if lost or stolen (I’m not sure if you take it anywhere risky)

Neither one is more “future proof”. Don’t even put that into the equation because they are about the same generation processor. I would keep the pro but that’s because I like it better

 

[DHagan4755]

Ohhhhh that's a tough decision. They're both great! This is very subjective.

Personally, I'd keep the 14" MacBook Pro if my top priority are the elements of the new design (larger & better display, speakers, performance). Conversely, I'd keep the 13" MacBook Air instead if my top priority is portability, battery life, and cost.

 

[ipsedixit]

Keep the MBA, and wait for the refreshed MBP rumored for 4Q2022 and then upgrade.

 

[DHagan4755]

I might even look at it in this abstract way...

So the new iPad Air 5 is out. It's $599. It has the M1. What's the point of getting the 11" iPad Pro for more $$$ if you don't care about Pro Motion, a thinner bezel, better storage options, & optional 5g mmWave? A similar line of thinking could be applied here.

Come to think of it, would it be better to have an iPad Air 5 for $599 when for a little more with discounts available now you can get a MacBook Air that has far more capabilities?

Can you keep both? Because that might be something I'd do. The MacBook Air is more functional than having an iPad Air/Pro for what you're doing. Sell the iPad Pro instead.

 

[darngooddesign]

...My biggest concern is the longevity of the base MBA at 8GB RAM and 256GB HDD.

Keep the MBP.

 

[Misheemee]

If the Air does what you need spend the $$$$ elsewhere, if the 14" MBP brings a genuine advantage sell the Air...

FWIW I own a 13" MBP on Apple Silicon and don't see any need to upgrade to the 14" MBP as prefer the portability & battery life. The 14" MBP while technically the better notebook isn't by default better for my needs.

Q-6

The MBA does do what I need thus far, and I enjoy using it - I've only had it a few weeks. I jumped on it as it was a second hand machine with only 11 charge cycles at a good discount that I was able to put AppleCare onto (roughly $780 USD), thinking I'd try it out before investing in the Pro 14", and essentially to curb the MBP purchase (because I am aware that it's overkill for my needs, but love the screen size and how beautiful it is, screen brightness (I tow my kids around to a lot of sports and end up sitting and working outdoors), pro motion (have this on my iPad Pro and LOVE it), the power and speed (I know that with multiple tabs open and large excel files open the system won't crash), updated camera (I do lots of video calls and again want to future-proof this), additional ports, that it's generally "future proof".

Where I have concerns about MBA is investing in a 2 year old MB, and the fact that it's a base MBA - will I be able to keep it for a few years without it getting bogged down? Usability at this very moment is great - no issues. it's light and portable and a pleasure to use

Which one do you enjoy using more? That's the most important question to me. You say you love the MBP but no real qualitative statement on the MBA.

Not knowing that, it seems like keeping the MBA is the more practical choice. It's easily up to your purposes, and if your needs scale up, well, you've saved $1k towards your next upgrade. And in my mind it is a big factor that I'd rather return a machine than deal with the hassle of selling one used.

In all honesty - I'm playing with both side by side this morning, and the usability is identical on both for me. They're running as fast as each other, screen obviously much better on the MBP but I'm casually web browsing this morning. I keep reaching to peruse, refresh and type on the MBP - and I do enjoy the keyboard on the MBP a bit more as it isn't as clicky or noisy as the MBA, but in saying that the grease from my fingertips is showing on the MBP keyboard, and doesn't on the MBA (this matters because it will eventually end up on the screen!). Trackpad is much smoother on the MBP as well. I haven't loaded all of my programs/apps on the MBP for obvious reasons, so haven't played with all of those.

I enjoy the MBA and it suits my needs at the moment, I just "want" the MBP is essentially what it comes down to I think 😂

 

[Queen6]

The MBA does do what I need thus far, and I enjoy using it - I've only had it a few weeks. I jumped on it as it was a second hand machine with only 11 charge cycles at a good discount that I could still throw AppleCare onto (roughly $780 USD), thinking I'd try it out before investing in the Pro 14", and essentially to curb the MBP purchase (because I am aware that it's overkill for my needs, but love the screen size and how beautiful it is, screen brightness (I tow my kids around to a lot of sports and end up sitting and working outdoors), pro motion (have this on my iPad Pro and LOVE it), the power and speed (I know that with multiple tabs open and large excel files open the system won't crash), updated camera (I do lots of video calls and again want to future-proof this), additional ports, that it's generally "future proof".

Where I have concerns about MBA is investing in a 2 year old MB, and the fact that it's a base MBA - will I be able to keep it for a few years without it getting bogged down? Usability at this very moment is great - no issues. it's light and portable and a pleasure to use



In all honesty - I'm playing with both side by side this morning, and the usability is identical on both for me. They're running as fast as each other, screen obviously much better on the MBP but I'm casually web browsing this morning. I keep reaching to peruse, refresh and type on the MBP - and I do enjoy the keyboard on the MBP a bit more as it isn't as click or noisy as the MBA, but in saying that the grease from my fingertips is showing on the MBP keyboard, and doesn't on the MBA (this matters because it will eventually end up on the screen!). Trackpad is much smoother on the MBP as well. I haven't loaded all of my programs/apps on the MBP for obvious reasons, so haven't played with all of those.

I enjoy the MBA and it suits my needs at the moment, I just "want" the MBP is essentially what it comes down to I think 😂

Given you have the Air and it fulfils all your needs I'd rec keep that and return the 14" MBP as when the Air doesn't fulfil your needs the next gen Air or 14" MBP will be significantly more advanced with the M2 SOC.

TLDR no brownie points for splashing the cash where it's not needed or following the crowd, also nice to just have

Q-6

 

[Misheemee]

Reasons to keep the Pro

Better screen (Not sure if this is important to you)
MagSafe charging
Looks better (Subjective)
More powerful for doing other things


Reasons to keep the Air
Save money (How important this is to you depends on your financial status)
Lighter weight (Doesn’t seem to be important to you)
Less painful if lost or stolen (I’m not sure if you take it anywhere risky)

Neither one is more “future proof”. Don’t even put that into the equation because they are about the same generation processor. I would keep the pro but that’s because I like it better

awesome list, thank you!

love the MBP list - screen is very important, love the MagSafe, not to mention the ability to charge 50% in 30 mins.

another pro for the air:

it's easy, I'm not precious about it. I can feel it already with the MBP. Not sure if that's about the return factor (not marking it so it's not an issue), or the increased cost factor, but it's there every time I pick it up

 

[Misheemee]

I might even look at it in this abstract way...

So the new iPad Air 5 is out. It's $599. It has the M1. What's the point of getting the 11" iPad Pro for more $$$ if you don't care about Pro Motion, a thinner bezel, better storage options, & optional 5g mmWave? A similar line of thinking could be applied here.

Come to think of it, would it be better to have an iPad Air 5 for $599 when for a little more with discounts available now you can get a MacBook Air that has far more capabilities?

Can you keep both? Because that might be something I'd do. The MacBook Air is more functional than having an iPad Air/Pro for what you're doing. Sell the iPad Pro instead.

I've thought about keeping both, but it's really not necessary.

RE the iPad Pro - I can sell it, but the advantage is that it's an awesome, light and easy media consumption device (especially for watching Netflix in bed), and I can draw on it, sign and markup documents on it. If I keep the MBA, I may sell the iPad Pro as it feels as I'm doubling up. If I keep the MBP, I feel there are clear lines and purpose for having both the MBP and the IPP.

 

[russell_314]

awesome list, thank you!

love the MBP list - screen is very important, love the MagSafe, not to mention the ability to charge 50% in 30 mins.

another pro for the air:

it's easy, I'm not precious about it. I can feel it already with the MBP. Not sure if that's about the return factor (not marking it so it's not an issue), or the increased cost factor, but it's there every time I pick it up

Financially you’ll lose selling the MacBook Air used. Even though Apple computers retain more value than other brands it’s still not good. Perhaps consider resetting it to factory, removing it from your Apple account then gifting it to a deserving family member. If your family is like mine you may not have such a person 😂

I think it’s going to come down to what is more important. The money savings of keeping the Air or the extra features you like with the Pro. If you’re still indecisive use one laptop for the whole day and then use the other for the next day.

 

[Danfango]

Keep the MBP. I just went for a base MBP 14” to upgrade my base M1 MBA. I occasionally hit memory pressure issues on the MBA, the screen is nowhere near as good on the MBA and the keyboard is better on the MBP.

Got to say the 14 MBP is the best computer I have ever owned. The 13” MBA is the second best. Well done apple.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

although I don't know if I'm sold on the silver - the silver feels more "work" and the space grey feels more "fun"

I will say that having had a Space Gray Mac for almost 5 years now I do sometimes get tired of it. It could be the same with Silver (I wouldn’t know), but if I were to buy a new Mac right now I’d be very tempted to get it in Silver. It just looks so clean and bright, and the black keyboard tray looks sick with Silver.

 

[Misheemee]

Keep the MBP. I just went for a base MBP 14” to upgrade my base M1 MBA. I occasionally hit memory pressure issues on the MBA, the screen is nowhere near as good on the MBA and the keyboard is better on the MBP.

Got to say the 14 MBP is the best computer I have ever owned. The 13” MBA is the second best. Well done apple.

What we’re you doing with it when you hit memory pressures on the MBA?

 

[Danfango]

What we’re you doing with it when you hit memory pressures on the MBA?

All of the things!

Xcode mostly with all the other crap running.

 

[Misheemee]

I will say that having had a Space Gray Max for almost 5 years now I do sometimes get tired of it. It could be the same with Silver (I wouldn’t know), but if I were to buy a new Mac right now I’d be very tempted to get it in Silver. It just looks so clean and bright, and the black keyboard tray looks sick with Silver.

My iPhone and iPad Pro are space grey, the MBP in silver was the only one in stock at the sale price. Th MBA I picked up was in space grey.

Have you ever had any issues with colour fading on space grey? Below are pics of my IPad Pro - only ever used with an Apple Magic Keyboard, or Apple folio and carried in a sleeve!

 

[Danfango]

Yes the space grey coating does wear off. I discovered that a long time ago and decided never to buy anything but the silver ones.

 

[Misheemee]

deleted

 

[satcomer]

The Air is good if you don't make money with your Mac and only web surfing, web media watching and email! If you plan to make art, music or video go with Mac Book Pro with them on board ram you can get on it! I don'y st hard drive because NVME drives have become so fast you could use that of storage! Also if you make video, pictures art get Mac Book Pro!

 

[darngooddesign]

Have you ever had any issues with colour fading on space grey? Below are pics of my IPad Pro - only ever used with an Apple Magic Keyboard, or Apple folio and carried in a sleeve!

I have a gold iPP which after several years of being in a hard case some of the color has faded. But the main reason why I always choose silver laptops is that the anodizing will wear around the ports from not being 100% precise when plugging in, not to mention due to how mag safe pulls the plug into place it will scrape around mag safe port, the anodizing always wears on sharp edges like edges of the top late, not to mention things in your bag can scrape it. A silver computer will just look newer after several years.

Sell the Air, keep the 14" and iPad as they compliment each other, and the iPad works with it for Sidecar, while the 14" and Air just seem too similar. Not to mention there is nothing future-proof about 8/256. Sell it now before everyone else who got the base model to hold themselves over until the M2 sells theirs.

You might consider getting a skin for the back of your iPad so you don't see the color wearing like that.

 

[Misheemee]

Financially you’ll lose selling the MacBook Air used. Even though Apple computers retain more value than other brands it’s still not good. Perhaps consider resetting it to factory, removing it from your Apple account then gifting it to a deserving family member. If your family is like mine you may not have such a person 😂

I bought it used for just under $750usd (just under two months old, and 11 charge cycles), and I was able to put a year of applecare on it which can be renewed next year. It was from a developer with significant and awesome feedback on eBay - they needed more RAM for work

The person who sold it to me took the hit already - I think I’d end up pretty flat if I chose to onsell, possibly $100 out of pocket ($75usd)

 

[Mr. Awesome]

My iPhone and iPad Pro are space grey, the MBP in silver was the only one in stock at the sale price. Th MBA I picked up was in space grey.

Have you ever had any issues with colour fading on space grey? Below are pics of my IPad Pro - only ever used with an Apple Magic Keyboard, or Apple folio and carried in a sleeve!

Yikes! No, I personally haven’t experienced those issues, but I can’t imagine how annoyed I’d be if I did.