Upgrading from a 2012, how to choose new mbp?

[bsurb]

Everybody good morning I am here to ask the experts their opinions on possibly upgrading to the newer M1.

I am currently using a 2012 13” inch MacBook Pro with 16 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD but i have someone wanting to buy it for $450.. I have been using it for a handful of years now not a lot of complaints the battery doesn’t last long at all, and messing with the newer MacBooks it’s just a huge difference for sure. Now I currently only use my MacBook for every day Internet surfing, working on websites, and using Adobe illustrator. I store a bunch of photos/logo files. I have about 99 GB available on my current MacBook Pro so it does look like I use a bunch of room overtime.

I went to Best Buy to mess around with the different MacBook pros, I was leaning towards the 13 inch for $1299 and then the rep at the store was telling me that the 14 inch was a lot better. Better speaker. Better M1 speed etc. but will i actually notice a difference?

I found a couple of MBA M1 for $750-800 on marketplace and are only two months old. But only 8gb and 256ssd. I don’t mind spending the money on a new one if it will do you everything I need it to. I believe it should be between the 13 or 14 inch, but I cannot make a decision on which one to go to and if it’s worth spending that extra money on the 14 inch. if so, why?

 

[calliex]

I am in the same boat as you. I have 2012 15 " retina MBP. I am planning on the 16 MBP base model. Now that I am retired I do as much heavy lifting with the Mac but I want to the bigger screen plus I tend to keep these machines a long time. I probably could get away with an air or 13 MBP but will got with 16. I had two 17in MBP until they quit making them. I would go M1 or MPRo. I think the MBP 13 is an intel processor.
My other problem is that I am running Sierra on my 2012 due to older software I am using that breaks on anything higher. So when I get the new computer I will be jumping lightyears ahead OS wise.

 

[bsurb]

I'm just curious if the air with only 8gb ram and 256gb SSD will be enough for what I am doing... I will have a ton of tabs open at times while using Illustrator for my designing.

 

[calliex]

My guess that in this day an age 16gb is probably the bare min.
I have 256gb SSD in my 2012 and over 10 years it is just about full with mostly music and pictures and going to go with 512 this time around not sure I need 32 gb for what I will be doing.

 

[profcutter]

I would do a 16gb/512 or 1tb MacBook Air if I were you. If the 13 inch screen was good enough for you, there’s really no need to upgrade for twice the price to a 14.

 

[bsurb]

I would do a 16gb/512 or 1tb MacBook Air if I were you. If the 13 inch screen was good enough for you, there’s really no need to upgrade for twice the price to a 14.

My only concern is spending $1200 on the air, for a 512 ssd, only a couple hundred bucks from getting the pro.

 

[g35]

My only concern is spending $1200 on the air, for a 512 ssd, only a couple hundred bucks from getting the pro.

Keep in mind the 8/512 Macbook Pro M1 13" is on sale right now for $1250 (see Macrumors home page)

I only have 8 GB and it's more than enough but with all your tabs and illustrator (and keeping your old Mac since 2012, so maybe this one until 2030) I would want 16 GB and approach it like this:

- decide how much RAM and storage you want first (for you I'd recommend 16/256 minimum)
- find the lowest price you can (e.g. refurbished MBA, sale price MBP, student discount if applicable)
- compare

I find when I start looking at different spec levels on different models, the permutations become too many and it's too hard to decide. So decide on Specs first and then you only have 3 to compare

I usually factor in anticipated resale value as well and that sometimes convinces me to buy a higher or newer model than I otherwise would have, but if the math works it works.

That said here in Canada the 16/512 MBP 14 is still $550 USD more than the 16/512 MBA, and $750 USD more than the 16/256 MBA, so it's not really that close on price IMO.

 

[profcutter]

Hmm. My wife got a refurb 16/1tb for about 1300 usd, so I think that’s actually a pretty good deal. I just pulled it off the apple refurb page. So that’s a pretty good difference from a 14 inch machine.

 

[bsurb]

Would you make more sense to purchase a second hand MBA with the m1 for $800?

 

[profcutter]

Yeah, maybe. See if it’s still eligible for AppleCare. I think for illustrator, having 16GB of RAM is a good plan, but you might be able to find one used, especially if the owners are upgrading to a 14.

 

[bsurb]

Yeah, maybe. See if it’s still eligible for AppleCare. I think for illustrator, having 16GB of RAM is a good plan, but you might be able to find one used, especially if the owners are upgrading to a 14.

He’s got AppleCare with the MacBook Air. But it’s a 8gb 256gb ssd though..

 

[TechRunner]

If I had your use case, I would definitely look at 16/512, then do what @g35 suggests, find the best value for those specs.

 

[bsurb]

If I had your use case, I would definitely look at 16/512, then do what @g35 suggests, find the best value for those specs.

Makes sense.

Because even with my 2012 mbp right now, i don’t use it everyday. I work mainly from my desktop windows pc for my shop, and laptop when i get home. When i do use it, which is a couple of times per week, it’s mainly for illustrator, and simple browsing…

As i think about it, sounds kind of crazy to spend that amount of money for a 14”, possibly even the 13” MacBook Pro….

 

[profcutter]

Makes sense.

Because even with my 2012 mbp right now, i don’t use it everyday. I work mainly from my desktop windows pc for my shop, and laptop when i get home. When i do use it, which is a couple of times per week, it’s mainly for illustrator, and simple browsing…

As i think about it, sounds kind of crazy to spend that amount of money for a 14”, possibly even the 13” MacBook Pro….

Yeah, especially if it’s not a primary machine. Just keep a look out for returns, refurbs, or used items. The key is the RAM, I know some folks say 8GB is fine, but I think 16 makes more sense, especially if you’re working on any larger files in illustrator or many multiples of open tabs.

 

[bsurb]

Yeah, especially if it’s not a primary machine. Just keep a look out for returns, refurbs, or used items. The key is the RAM, I know some folks say 8GB is fine, but I think 16 makes more sense, especially if you’re working on any larger files in illustrator or many multiples of open tabs.

Agreed.. I will end up going with a 16/512 100%.

I have found a 13" pro with 16/1TB for sale with extra dongles as well for $1650. Is it worth spending the money for the touch keyboard, or buying the air new from apple and spending $1260 with the upgraded ram and ssd?

 

[profcutter]

I wouldn’t do the touch keyboard, personally. The only difference between the M1 air and pro is that the pro has a slightly brighter (better?) display, and it has a fan, aside from the much maligned Touch Bar. If you can pick up an air cheaper, I would do so.