Yet another MBA 13 vs 15 question...

[JSENNY25]

Hi folks!

As the title states, I am at a bit of a loss on where to go and specifically the specs and colors...

I had the Touch Bar, 4 thunderbolt 2017 MacBook Pro. Two keyboard replacements and a battery swap under apple. It functions well enough but as everyone knows this model is not terribly beloved. 8 gb ram, 256 SSD. I planned on trading in at BestBuy because I do not feel like I should saddle someone else with a machine that is quite likely to have problems in the near future.

I was looking at the M2 Air in in 13 or 15 with the prices being so low. Likely staying with 256 and 8... no gaming and I usually do not max out ram often. The years of photoshop and movie editing are behind me.

Best Buy had a sale over the weekend for the 15 at $250 off and the 13 at $200 off. The 15 is now back to $200 off fyi.

There was also a 15 MBA in open box excellent condition 256 in midnight for $950. Original purchaser wanted a smaller footprint (same guy who sold it and returned it happened to be the guy who I spoke to).

Midnight was not my first choice, but that price was really good. Basically $ 50 more for open box 15 vs new 13 (there were no excellent condition open box 13s). I was considering the 13, but for $50 more it is a no brainer, right?

So I bought it.... Midnight is ok...it is smudgie, and I like space grey. 15 inches is nice, but not super necessary. Keyboard is stellar.

SO WHY am I wondering if I should have gotten the 13.6? $250 trade in and $950 for the 15 is a decent pickup correct?


IS 8 GB going to bite me in the behind in 5 years? I think the HD size will be ok because I store most things in the cloud and on external drives.

thanks for the insight and help!

 

[Nbd1790]

The size of the computer all comes down to your personal preference and how you plan to use it. Connecting to an external monitor or using the built in display, how often you travel etc. The 15 inch air isn't wieldy though so I wouldn't be to concerned about it weighing you down.

Color is a personal preference as well. You'll find people here who like and dislike every color for their own reasons.

As far as the 8gb goes, it depends on what you plan on using the machine for. If you're primarily using web based applications and not intense local ones, then I have a feeling you'll be fine. After 5 years, any configuration isn't going to run the way it used to especially if you're updating the OS regularly.

My personal take - 16gb RAM is a much safer config to have to future proof yourself. I stick to silver computers because they seem to show the least amount of wear. $950 is a good price if it was before your trade in. Sites right now offer the base config MBA 15 inch brand new starting at $1099.

 

[JSENNY25]

The size of the computer all comes down to your personal preference and how you plan to use it. Connecting to an external monitor or using the built in display, how often you travel etc. The 15 inch air isn't wieldy though so I wouldn't be to concerned about it weighing you down.

Color is a personal preference as well. You'll find people here who like and dislike every color for their own reasons.

As far as the 8gb goes, it depends on what you plan on using the machine for. If you're primarily using web based applications and not intense local ones, then I have a feeling you'll be fine. After 5 years, any configuration isn't going to run the way it used to especially if you're updating the OS regularly.

My personal take - 16gb RAM is a much safer config to have to future proof yourself. I stick to silver computers because they seem to show the least amount of wear. $950 is a good price if it was before your trade in. Sites right now offer the base config MBA 15 inch brand new starting at $1099.

All great points!

The 950 price was before the 250 trade in, so all in all, I am at $700 for a 15 MacBook Air.

I am ok with that. I am also at a point where I may see the benefit of upgrading devices on a more consistent cycle. The 2017 MBP did not hold value the way others have in the past...If that becomes the trend, I am unsure if I will keep the device for 6-7 years anymore. I used to try to get 8 years out of Macs, but with tech developing so much more exponentially, that may no longer serve my needs. So, when the 8 gb slows too much, it will be time to upgrade ?!

 

[arcite]

If you can do everything you want with the computer, likely it will last you a long time. Don’t worry about it.

 

[RokinAmerica]

I chose the 15" because I am older and eyes not as good as they once were. I picked 16GB ram since I will use it for work but like you, most of my work and such is all cloud based so storage not important to me.

I picked Midnight, but at the end of each day, I wipe down my equipment, so smudges not an issue to me.

The Mac Air is an addition to my work tools, not my primary pc. For that I use a 3 monitor windows pc.

 

[mslilyelise]

I picked up my M2 Air 13" last year around this time, before the 15 was available. I don't think I'd bother with a 15, for my uses. I prefer the smaller form factor. The weight difference is negligible for most people but I can fit a 13 into more bags than I can a 15. The extra GPUs in the 15 might be worth it for folks who need more power, cause the 15 has more space to cool them (the 13" 10-GPU units hit thermal throttling pretty quickly and can in some instances perform worse than the 8-GPU). I'm a writer so I prefer the portability.

The only thing I regret is the colour choice. Midnight might look cool and give the machine a very pro-look, but it shows every fingerprint, and outdoors or in bright locations, it also shows all the dust and detritus that ends up between the keys on the keyboard and in the display hinge, where a lighter colour like Silver or Starlight would have mitigated that somewhat. I'll be keeping this machine for years yet, but when it's due to be replaced I'll be picking a lighter colour. If you're someone who notices little details like that it can be somewhat maddening.

 

[thadoggfather]

I picked up my M2 Air 13" last year around this time, before the 15 was available. I don't think I'd bother with a 15, for my uses. I prefer the smaller form factor. The weight difference is negligible for most people but I can fit a 13 into more bags than I can a 15. The extra GPUs in the 15 might be worth it for folks who need more power, cause the 15 has more space to cool them (the 13" 10-GPU units hit thermal throttling pretty quickly and can in some instances perform worse than the 8-GPU). I'm a writer so I prefer the portability.

The only thing I regret is the colour choice. Midnight might look cool and give the machine a very pro-look, but it shows every fingerprint, and outdoors or in bright locations, it also shows all the dust and detritus that ends up between the keys on the keyboard and in the display hinge, where a lighter colour like Silver or Starlight would have mitigated that somewhat. I'll be keeping this machine for years yet, but when it's due to be replaced I'll be picking a lighter colour. If you're someone who notices little details like that it can be somewhat maddening.

I don't think I could do midnight. Too 'OCD' about my devices.

 

[JSENNY25]

I don't think I could do midnight. Too 'OCD' about my devices.

So, six days in, and I MAY have to agree with that. The only plus is my laptop has never been cleaned more often....so yes, I have to wipe it down multiple times a day.... but it is clearer because of it?

Maybe that is how I am spinning it in my head so I hold onto it lol

 

[thadoggfather]

So, six days in, and I MAY have to agree with that. The only plus is my laptop has never been cleaned more often....so yes, I have to wipe it down multiple times a day.... but it is clearer because of it?

Maybe that is how I am spinning it in my head so I hold onto it lol

I mean it's a good exercise in getting over OCD or attempting to

 

[sparkhill]

Long story, but I have both the 13” and 15” M2 MBA’s.

Both are midnight and a matte clear skin helps significantly with fingerprints. Even with great care, both show minor imperfections in the dark finish. I would order midnight again.

The size is much trickier. Depending on your eyesight and use case, one size may be a better fit. I really like the size and weight of the 13”, but for my work the extra screen of the 15” adds value. All pretty obvious stuff.

 

[JSENNY25]

I mean it's a good exercise in getting over OCD or attempting to

😂 good one!

 

[JSENNY25]

Long story, but I have both the 13” and 15” M2 MBA’s.

Both are midnight and a matte clear skin helps significantly with fingerprints. Even with great care, both show minor imperfections in the dark finish. I would order midnight again.

The size is much trickier. Depending on your eyesight and use case, one size may be a better fit. I really like the size and weight of the 13”, but for my work the extra screen of the 15” adds value. All pretty obvious stuff.

If you do not mind me asking, where did you get the matte skins?

thanks