Do I need a MBP? Probably not.

MR_Punk · 9 Dec 2023 at 11:08

My wife's 2012 MacBook Air is coming to the end so I'm going to give her my 2016 MBP. The thing is I'm not sure what to replace it with, do I go Air or MBP? Realistically I don't do half as much as I used to do on it. Mostly back end stuff for our website as well as the usually. I do however have an external monitor plugged in which I'm not sure would have a massive effect. Other than that its just the usual, internet, videos that sort of thing. I'm guessing the Air is the way to go?

Thanks,

LiE · 9 Dec 2023 at 11:41

Air is the way.

Jimbeam3678 · 9 Dec 2023 at 12:50

Keep in mind the air only supports one external display.

Stu999 · 9 Dec 2023 at 14:27

But do you want an MBP?

I’ve got an Air M2 and it’s fine for Office, web browsing. Also fine with external monitor.

Realistically I don’t even push what I’ve got.

MR_Punk · 10 Dec 2023 at 09:21

Stu999 said:
But do you want an MBP?

That is the question!

MR_Punk · 10 Dec 2023 at 09:21

Jimbeam3678 said:
Keep in mind the air only supports one external display.

That's interesting, I sometimes have the TV connected as well as the external monitor.

Nitefly · 10 Dec 2023 at 09:49

Air - lighter and good battery.

P.s. one thing to keep in mind with some of the early M1 airs is that they could only connect to one external monitor at a time. Very unlikely that will affect you for any usual browsing and vids, but it drives me potty for my work MacBook!

Zeebedy · 10 Dec 2023 at 15:15

Love my Air M2. great bit of kit!

Feek · 10 Dec 2023 at 15:56

MR_Punk said:
I'm guessing the Air is the way to go?

For your usage, yes, I think you’re right.

jeffk · 11 Dec 2023 at 18:35

I’m a developer and I’d go for a 15” MacBook Air with a decent amount of RAM if I got to choose from what’s available now.

Software development doesn’t tax a system in long enough bursts for the MBA’s inferior thermal dissipation to cause a serious issue.

radderfire · 11 Dec 2023 at 18:44

Air is fair.

MR_Punk · 12 Dec 2023 at 19:52

So I've gone for the 15" Air in the end, it comes tomorrow. Like a kid at Christmas!

LiE · 12 Dec 2023 at 20:10

MR_Punk said:
So I've gone for the 15" Air in the end, it comes tomorrow. Like a kid at Christmas!

Good choice, mine is superb.

MR_Punk · 13 Dec 2023 at 17:58

Well it has come today and so far so good, the biggest difference from my 2017 MBP is just the quality of the screen. Its so much brighter and crisper.

Fire Wizard · 14 Dec 2023 at 18:00

Enjoy your new machine. Which specification did you get and how much did you pay for it?

MR_Punk · 15 Dec 2023 at 10:15

Fire Wizard said:
Enjoy your new machine. Which specification did you get and how much did you pay for it?

I just went direct from Apple for the 15inch M2 in Midnight (which I'm glad I went with). I did go for the 512GB flavour though as I was always at about 70% capacity on my old MBP which had 256GB. 2 days in and I'm delighted. Also wow the battery, my old MBP wasn't bad by any stretch but this last forever seemingly.

Hutch · 3 Jan 2024 at 17:49

Jimbeam3678 said:
Keep in mind the air only supports one external display.

I was seriously considering an air, I had no idea this limitation was a thing.. Thanks.

AyeAyeAhoy! · 4 Jan 2024 at 20:27

Hutch said:
I was seriously considering an air, I had no idea this limitation was a thing.. Thanks.

I think there are docks which can get around it, but it's all a bit of a hack and fiddle

Nor · 6 Jan 2024 at 20:38

Was wise going for 512GB as 256GB is half the read/write speed on the M2. I got an M1 MBA recently and it's been the best bit of tech I've bought in a long time! Couldn't justify the cost of the M2, but deffo think the M2 redesign looks fantastic compared to the old M1.

Roughneck · 7 Jan 2024 at 01:02

I bought my 17 Year old Daughter a Base Model Macbook Air m2 for Christmas/Birthday (only 2 weeks between) and all I can say is wow, I also got her old mac mini m1 as part of the deal, so both happy lol. I will be getting myself a Macbook Air m2 later on in the year, very impressive machine.