Which devices should I upgrade first?

[CincyWay]

It’s been a while since I’ve purchased my Apple devices. I’m grateful for the lifespan my devices have given me, but many are ready for an upgrade. I’m not quite sure though which I should prioritize and would be the most worthwhile upgrades, and which I should wait out until next year’s release or later. I’m looking to upgrade from:

1. Early 2015 13” MBP to either the new M1 Air or MBP.
2. Watch Series 2 to Series 6
3. iPhone X to 12 mini (I miss that size!)

The Mac seems like the most obvious to upgrade at the surface, but I was originally hoping to wait two more years until I go back to school. Now that I am WFH regularly tho and the M1 is out, I’m more tempted. Is the M1 worth it, or will I be regretting it in two years?

Fitness/Health is not my primary draw to the watch, so those features new since the Series 2 alone are not enough for me to want to upgrade. I do, however, hate how slow my watch is. Is the Series 6 significantly better enough to upgrade?
Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Biggest jumps are Mac and Watch. Phone will be fine for a while. But maybe this a too sober analysis as you only write concerning the phone that you miss something

 

[CincyWay]

Biggest jumps are Mac and Watch. Phone will be fine for a while. But maybe this a too sober analysis as you only write concerning the phone that you miss something

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[CincyWay]

Thanks for your thoughts!

Do you think the M1 is future proof to future potential of silicon or are we expecting a capability in the next generation that will be a major selling point?

 

[HDFan]

I'd do the watch and keep my eye on issues with the M1, Big Sur and your software. When things have settled down in a few months with the M1 and Big Sur decide whether it will meet your needs.

 

[CincyWay]

Thanks! What issues with M1 might come up? That third party software aren’t compatible?

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Do you think the M1 is future proof to future potential of silicon or are we expecting a capability in the next generation that will be a major selling point?

In general, I think that Apple hasn't held anything back now. Apple silicon has a stunning performance (in my mind, others may disagree), so I do not expect more quantum leaps soon. What I expect is the next chip with a bigger thermal envelope and therefore even more power for, let's say, the 16" MBP, the iMac etc.
FWIW, I also have the 13" early 2015 MBP. It is still absolutely fine and does carry me through working from home. Concerning this:

I'd do the watch and keep my eye on issues with the M1, Big Sur and your software. When things have settled down in a few months with the M1 and Big Sur decide whether it will meet your needs.

I will also wait for some time. Not so much because I expect lots of issues (Rosetta 2 seems to work very good with third-party software) but I'm not the kind of an early adopter. And as my old MBP runs fine, I have no urgent need at the moment. Will rather update my iPhone 8 (my Watch 4 still good...)
But it is very good to know that, should my MBP brick, there are wonderful new machines out there which I would happily purchase

 

[satcomer]

Do you think the M1 is future proof to future potential of silicon or are we expecting a capability in the next generation that will be a major selling point?

Yes! Just thing in the future you can run apps on your iPhone and your Mac! This is game changer sense most developers just have rewrite their programs a little on become both youthful all Mac devices! Just think about that future!

 

[HDFan]

Thanks! What issues with M1 might come up? That third party software aren’t compatible?

That is probably the first concern. Issues are being ironed out with programs like Carbon Copy Cloner. There are rumors that Windows support will be coming from Parallels. They have sign ups for the beta when it is ready. There is then Big Sur birthing problems, which you can see if you visit that forum. Adobe support for some apps is pending. Maybe none affect you, but I would check these things out first.

Hardware wise we are still learning. Evidently external GPUs won't work. If you have complex legacy audio equipment where new drivers won't happen, etc.

It will be a few months until we have a 90% picture of the issues are. Most of the current ones will be solved by then, but there are some that won't be fixable.

 

[James_C]

The biggest step change will be to go from your 13" MBP to the M1 Air. I have just replaced my 2016 MBP 15" with a M1 Air yesterday, and today sold my MBP. This Air is the biggest leap in Mac Performance I have seen since first using a Mac in 2002. It is around twice as fast as my old MBP and the battery life is insane. Also no fan at all, completely silent.

This year I also went from a S3 Watch to S6 - if you have a S2 then you will see a significant improvement. If I had to choose I would replace the notebook first. If you have any non apple apps that are important to you, check either they are now universal binary or ask on the forums how well then run under Rosetta 2.

 

[ght56]

I would upgrade the iPhone X right now simply because you can get the iPhone 12 Mini effectively for free for trading it in from some carriers if you are willing to commit to the same one for 24-30 months. The 5G wars are commencing as is the fight to attract new customers at a time when consumers are not spending much money. I would jump on that now, personally.