Upgrade Advice Requested

[MBP_187]

Hi All,
This is my current setup (see above). I am considering getting a new MacBook laptop.
I've always preferred MacBook Pro to Air, but from reading recent online reviews it seems that the Air might be the way to go ; considering my budget constraints [ ~1000$ Canadian - I may be willing to shell out a bit more if I can upgrade beyond 8Gb; just to future-proof it.]

So, what say ye Forum?....Please let me know ASAP, cause the student discount runs out on the 26th Sept (?) .

Also; better to order online or in store? Is it possible to upgrade the stock RAM , because I think I read you cant upgrade RAM etc on any MacBook anymore (well maybe since the last 5/10 years lol) so if I wanted more RAM, can I buy it upgraded from the store? Any Advice for 'future-proofing' ?

My MBP Usage is light (IMO); Browsing, Word/Excel, PDF Editing, Zoom, using a pen/tablet combo, music/movies and very light image editing...Plus running a Virtual Machine for windows,{I plan to run Parallels or do BootCamp in the new MacBook} I really never needed the 16Gb that I have now..just a bit of an overkill when I got the SSD.

Really in need of productive replies, since I bought my current MacBook Pro at London,UK in 2016, in Apple Store. Thanks in Advance for your Feedback.

 

[zackkmac]

The new M2 MacBook Air is fantastic - I would custom order a base model with the 512GB SSD for faster speeds if you don't currently need 16GB of RAM. Either way, with the education promotion, it is a great deal.

 

[MBP_187]

The new M2 MacBook Air is fantastic - I would custom order a base model with the 512GB SSD for faster speeds if you don't currently need 16GB of RAM. Either way, with the education promotion, it is a great deal.

Many thanks zackkmac for the quick reply.

I definitely plan to get a SSD, but the 512Gb might be over budget for me, I might have to stick with the stock 256Gb [ Although I'm using a 512Gb SATA SSD currently, see attached pic]

I do not *need* the the 16Gb, good point, but do you have any other option for 'future-proofing' it?

Thanks Again.

 

[xraydoc]

{I plan to run Parallels or do BootCamp in the new MacBook}

There is no BootCamp with the M-series chips. You can run the Windows for ARM insider edition developer release in Parallels, though it does have some limitations. It will not run x86 versions of Windows (though Windows for ARM does have an x86 interpreter akin to Apple's Rosetta 2 for Apple Silicon).

Edit - given the screenshot you provided, it sounds like you'll need the 512GB storage upgrade. If the MacBook Air M2 goes over budget, consider a 16GB/512GB MacBook Air M1.

 

[jav6454]

If you are going to run Parallels, do not get an MBA. Also, try to push the highest amount of memory you can afford, more so if you plan to virtualize an OS.

Bootcamp is gone on any Apple Silicon Mac at the moment.

My advice, look into either the 13" MBP or 14" MBP. However, if you do go the 14" route, have a little patience as the rumor mill suggests strong upgrades are coming to the 14" line.

 

[1BadManVan]

If you are going to run Parallels, do not get an MBA. Also, try to push the highest amount of memory you can afford, more so if you plan to virtualize an OS.

Bootcamp is gone on any Apple Silicon Mac at the moment.

My advice, look into either the 13" MBP or 14" MBP. However, if you do go the 14" route, have a little patience as the rumor mill suggests strong upgrades are coming to the 14" line.

$1k Canadian comes nowhere close to either of the new pros.

The m2 is a fantastic machine, I got mine through the educational discount as well and it’s very fast and the battery is incredible.

 

[1BadManVan]

There’s a YouTuber called art is right who did some very in depth testing of ram vs ssd for performance and ram won out almost every time.

So if it’s between 512gb ssd or 16gb ram in terms of performance, definitely go for the ram. You can hook up an external ssd if you need the extra storage. You can’t add more ram afterwards.

But if you’re not pushing the machine much and as you’re saying you don’t even take advantage of the 16gb now but do need the ssd space, perhaps your situation warrants the 512 model instead.

 

[MBP_187]

There is no BootCamp with the M-series chips. You can run the Windows for ARM insider edition developer release in Parallels, though it does have some limitations. It will not run x86 versions of Windows (though Windows for ARM does have an x86 interpreter akin to Apple's Rosetta 2 for Apple Silicon).

Edit - given the screenshot you provided, it sounds like you'll need the 512GB storage upgrade. If the MacBook Air M2 goes over budget, consider a 16GB/512GB MacBook Air M1.

Thank you for your reply xraydoc.

Do you think heat will be an issue for the MBA if I run Parallels or any other VM?

"It will not run x86 versions of Windows:...Noob here..what does that mean? which version of Win will I be able to run on the MBA...Win 7? Win 10?...

Yes, thank you, I am now looking into the 16Gb/512. It's about 250$Canadian for each upgrade..so yes I think I'm going to get them.

 

[MBP_187]

If you are going to run Parallels, do not get an MBA. Also, try to push the highest amount of memory you can afford, more so if you plan to virtualize an OS.

Bootcamp is gone on any Apple Silicon Mac at the moment.

My advice, look into either the 13" MBP or 14" MBP. However, if you do go the 14" route, have a little patience as the rumor mill suggests strong upgrades are coming to the 14" line.

Thank you for your reply jav6454.

If you are going to run Parallels, do not get an MBA. Also, try to push the highest amount of memory you can afford, more so if you plan to virtualize an OS." ...why?! is the heat going to be an issue? or it just wont be able to handle running Windows? (maybe Android emulator)

"14" MBP. However, if you do go the 14" route, have a little patience as the rumor mill suggests strong upgrades are coming to the 14" line." 14" is defo out of current budget, looks great tho. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[1BadManVan]

Thank you for your reply xraydoc.

Do you think heat will be an issue for the MBA if I run Parallels or any other VM?

"It will not run x86 versions of Windows:...Noob here..what does that mean? which version of Win will I be able to run on the MBA...Win 7? Win 10?...

Yes, thank you, I am now looking into the 16Gb/512. It's about 250$Canadian for each upgrade..so yes I think I'm going to get them.

$225 each with the student discounts. If you can afford to, I would do the 16/512. But even with the student discount, it’s over $1800, if you’re keeping it long term, it’s worth the investment, just don’t go broke over it.

 

[MBP_187]

There’s a YouTuber called art is right who did some very in depth testing of ram vs ssd for performance and ram won out almost every time.

So if it’s between 512gb ssd or 16gb ram in terms of performance, definitely go for the ram. You can hook up an external ssd if you need the extra storage. You can’t add more ram afterwards.

But if you’re not pushing the machine much and as you’re saying you don’t even take advantage of the 16gb now but do need the ssd space, perhaps your situation warrants the 512 model instead.

Thank you for your reply 1BadManVan.

Tbh, Space is definately better option for me, but I want to max put the RAM out of fear..I want this MB to last me a while.

I've been using this current MBP for ~ 6 years. It's been a smooth workhorse. Started with stock 4Gb RAM, then 8Gb..then 6Gb(a 4Gb card failed so swapped in older 2Gb with 4Gb)..now finally 16Gb.

Do I feel a difference from the 4Gb to 16Gb? ...um...Yes...Do I really need it...not sure. Just want the MB to last a while.

Either ways, I'm torn between the M1 13" MBA & MBP right now...got any advice from a Canadian perspective?

TIA

 

[MBP_187]

$225 each with the student discounts. If you can afford to, I would do the 16/512. But even with the student discount, it’s over $1800, if you’re keeping it long term, it’s worth the investment, just don’t go broke over it.

Makes sense. Defo plan to keep long term. Thanks, I was seeing 250$can, didn't figure it would b 225$can after student discount.

I'm really torn by reading online reviews.

M1 13" MBA or MBP..which 1 in your personal opinion.

Other thing; planning to buy/pick up in Toronto. It's showing it will be available on Oct. 6th (!?!!) why so long? is it cause I plan to get the 16/512?

TIA.

 

[bradl]

You're coming from where I was. Mid-2011 13" MBA. I still have that and is rock solid on Sierra.

What got me up to M1 was the fact that Intel binaries are going to be completely dropped when Apple drops Rosetta 2 support. So anything you have that is running on Sierra that you may bring over with Migration Assistant will no longer work unless there is an Apple Silicon version of that application, or a universal binary for that application. That did it for me, especially with one of my most used applications, which was 1Password. I have the standalone version of that (I will not trust having my passwords stored in the cloud, let alone pay for a subscription for that). There is no upgrade path to 1Password 7 without paying for a subscription, so that basically was the dealbreaker for me.

So I knew I was going M1, as with yours, my MBA is 11 years old (yet still the workhorse), so the question was which one. I realized I'll be needing more than just simple browsing and checking mail, so I went with the MBP. The MBA can handle the software I'd be using (streaming), but as it is fanless, I could see it getting hot. So that pushed me to MBP. I'm on the 16" M1 Pro, 10/16/16, 2TB, and couldn't be happier. My 2011 MBA was a Core i5 1.7GHz, 4GB memory, 256GB drive.

MASSIVE improvement.

While you couldn't go wrong with the M1 MBA or MBP, right now, I'd suggest to WAIT. If the release cycle holds up, there should be another event from Apple in the next 4-5 weeks, where M2 Pros may be launched. I'd wait until you see the specs and performance on those, and then make the decision. If M2 Pro doesn't meet your budget (it will definitely meet your needs), then you already know the M1 Pro MBPs will drop in price.

So I'd suggest waiting, and look between M1 Pro and M2 Pro, then if the M2 Pro is out of your budget, you'll get the M1 Pro at a huge discount.

BL.

 

[1BadManVan]

Makes sense. Defo plan to keep long term. Thanks, I was seeing 250$can, didn't figure it would b 225$can after student discount.

I'm really torn by reading online reviews.

M1 13" MBA or MBP..which 1 in your personal opinion.

Other thing; planning to buy/pick up in Toronto. It's showing it will be available on Oct. 6th (!?!!) why so long? is it cause I plan to get the 16/512?

TIA.

Custom orders always take longer as they aren’t stocked in stores usually

For your light usage, the air is more then enough, pros advantage is sustained performance. The m1 pro isn’t available on the apple store anymore as it’s replaced by the m2 13” pro now.

Looking at $1600 for the m1 air 16/512, $1800 for the m2 in the same config

 

[MBP_187]

You're coming from where I was. Mid-2011 13" MBA. I still have that and is rock solid on Sierra.

What got me up to M1 was the fact that Intel binaries are going to be completely dropped when Apple drops Rosetta 2 support. So anything you have that is running on Sierra that you may bring over with Migration Assistant will no longer work unless there is an Apple Silicon version of that application, or a universal binary for that application. That did it for me, especially with one of my most used applications, which was 1Password. I have the standalone version of that (I will not trust having my passwords stored in the cloud, let alone pay for a subscription for that). There is no upgrade path to 1Password 7 without paying for a subscription, so that basically was the dealbreaker for me.

So I knew I was going M1, as with yours, my MBA is 11 years old (yet still the workhorse), so the question was which one. I realized I'll be needing more than just simple browsing and checking mail, so I went with the MBP. The MBA can handle the software I'd be using (streaming), but as it is fanless, I could see it getting hot. So that pushed me to MBP. I'm on the 16" M1 Pro, 10/16/16, 2TB, and couldn't be happier. My 2011 MBA was a Core i5 1.7GHz, 4GB memory, 256GB drive.

MASSIVE improvement.

While you couldn't go wrong with the M1 MBA or MBP, right now, I'd suggest to WAIT. If the release cycle holds up, there should be another event from Apple in the next 4-5 weeks, where M2 Pros may be launched. I'd wait until you see the specs and performance on those, and then make the decision. If M2 Pro doesn't meet your budget (it will definitely meet your needs), then you already know the M1 Pro MBPs will drop in price.

So I'd suggest waiting, and look between M1 Pro and M2 Pro, then if the M2 Pro is out of your budget, you'll get the M1 Pro at a huge discount.

BL.

Excellent reply bradl, thank you.

A few points, currently using MBP not MBA.

you, my friend have the sundae with cherry on top...M1 Pro. { well that n Max are pretty much up there}

I have serious budget constraints, and now am devastated to learn that the M1 MBP 13" is not sold in the Apple store anymore (?)

So it's basically a call between M1 MBA or M2 MBA? (both with 16/512)

 

[ilikewhey]

you don't think ram usage is important now but wait til you hop on monetary, suddenly my 16gb ram became inadequate and i was memory swapping like crazy.

 

[bradl]

Excellent reply bradl, thank you.

A few points, currently using MBP not MBA.

you, my friend have the sundae with cherry on top...M1 Pro. { well that n Max are pretty much up there}

I have serious budget constraints, and now am devastated to learn that the M1 MBP 13" is not sold in the Apple store anymore (?)

So it's basically a call between M1 MBA or M2 MBP? (both with 16/512)

Wait.. they aren't selling the 14" M1 Pro MBP in Canada?

BL.

 

[MBP_187]

Custom orders always take longer as they aren’t stocked in stores usually

For your light usage, the air is more then enough, pros advantage is sustained performance. The m1 pro isn’t available on the apple store anymore as it’s replaced by the m2 13” pro now.

Looking at $1600 for the m1 air 16/512, $1800 for the m2 in the same config

Thank you very much...I'm not sure what 'sustained' means...but zoom, using gBoard should be ok no?

where are u getting $1600?

 

[MBP_187]

Wait.. they aren't selling the 14" M1 Pro MBP in Canada?

BL.

not the 13" M1 MBP anymore...I can't see it on the Apple Canada site

 

[MBP_187]

you don't think ram usage is important now but wait til you hop on monetary, suddenly my 16gb ram became inadequate and i was memory swapping like crazy.

"inadequate"..?! what do u mean? does the MB lagg...stall?..seeing beach balls?!

Are you a heavy user?...

inadequate is distressing to read.

 

[bradl]

not the 13" M1 MBP anymore...I can't see it on the Apple Canada site

How about the 14" M1 Pro MBP? That was released last year, along with the 16" M1 Pro MBP. That may be a better option for you.

BL.

 

[ilikewhey]

"inadequate"..?! what do u mean? does the MB lagg...stall?..seeing beach balls?!

Are you a heavy user?...

inadequate is distressing to read.

haha, it doesn't help that i got a new job so that required additional tabs on chrome.

but yeah when i upgraded to the m1 mba with 16gb, suddenly my ram pressure is always yellow and memory swapping 2-3gb daily. when i started my new job the swap got worse, up to 6-8gb, thats when apps like team and slack start acting up and when the system start swapping, i notice some significant delays on my daily task, not all the time, but periodically. thats something you should keep in mind when picking ram space. but as the others said, if i have to pick between 512gb and 8gb or 256gb and 16gb, i would go with 16gb.

 

[MBP_187]

How about the 14" M1 Pro MBP? That was released last year, along with the 16" M1 Pro MBP. That may be a better option for you.

BL.

Thank you for the suggestion.

M1 Pro is definitely out of my budget for now.

 

[MBP_187]

haha, it doesn't help that i got a new job so that required additional tabs on chrome.

but yeah when i upgraded to the m1 mba with 16gb, suddenly my ram pressure is always yellow and memory swapping 2-3gb daily. when i started my new job the swap got worse, up to 6-8gb, thats when apps like team and slack start acting up and when the system start swapping, i notice some significant delays on my daily task, not all the time, but periodically. thats something you should keep in mind when picking ram space. but as the others said, if i have to pick between 512gb and 8gb or 256gb and 16gb, i would go with 16gb.

ok understood. Thank you for explaining. I use MS team often.

I am going for the 16/512 option, whichever MB I get.

13' M1 MBA : you think the lack of fan is going to be an issue for light/moderate usage? Will I face problems if I run Parallels?

TIA

 

[ilikewhey]

ok understood. Thank you for explaining. I use MS team often.

I am going for the 16/512 option, whichever MB I get.

13' M1 MBA : you think the lack of fan is going to be an issue for light/moderate usage? Will I face problems if I run Parallels?

TIA

i haven't ran parellell in ages but u do have to allocate resources to it correct? 16gb for parallels might not be enough, again it depends on how heavy you are running parallels.