Want to get my first Macbook but lost

Randall8686 · 31 Dec 2021 at 19:00

Hi all

So i need a new laptop, been looking at Dell xps but then i used a friends Macbook for video editing and well AMAZING the timeline performance with 4k raw is stunning. I got the wife a 12.9 ipad M1 with the fancy display and even that edits 4k raw 120fps video buttery smooth! Im sold apple rocks for video editing.

However will a macbook air be fine for my needs? Im kind of thinking that if an M1 ipad can edit 4k raw just fine then the M1 air should too? or do i bite the bullet and get the pro? Its quite a chunky ugly unit i comparison to the air. I do little edits on the move and often like to sit on the sofa to edit my footage. Video editing is the only heavy lifting it will do unless i find a 3D drawing app I particularly like on mac.

i have never ventured into the world of Mac although i do have iphones and ipads. But 4k 120fps raw is getting hard work on pc without monster hardware and laptops just seem to struggle.

is the pro silicon really that much better in the real world?

ChrisD. · 31 Dec 2021 at 19:13

There’s plenty of reviews of how the M1 performs on YouTube. I don’t do video editing on mine so can’t offer much than that but from what I understand it’s really good at it.

Mesai · 31 Dec 2021 at 19:18

Probably the only things to consider for the Air is the base memory (16GB might be better for video editing) and whether you get the Pro version of the Air (not to be confused with the 14” and 16” Pro), as it has additional GPU power (and a fan).

From what I’ve seen, it should work fine for your needs.

Feek · 31 Dec 2021 at 21:26

Mesai said:
Pro version of the Air

Air Pro?

Mesai · 1 Jan 2022 at 01:56

Feek said:
Air Pro?

It’s listed as the 13” Pro on their site, but it’s basically the Air with a Touch Bar and fan. Doesn’t really align with the latest Pro models.

ChrisD. · 1 Jan 2022 at 09:09

OP don’t forget if you order from Apple you can return within 14 days no questions asked.

Mesai · 1 Jan 2022 at 10:39

ChrisD. said:
OP don’t forget if you order from Apple you can return within 14 days no questions asked.

They're pretty much always discounted on Amazon, and then you get a 30 day window.

kefan77 · 1 Jan 2022 at 16:34

Mesai said:
It’s listed as the 13” Pro on their site, but it’s basically the Air with a Touch Bar and fan. Doesn’t really align with the latest Pro models.

no, just no.

Feek · 1 Jan 2022 at 17:06

kefan77 said:
no, just no.

Agreed, there's no such thing as an Air Pro. I've never heard the 13" MBP described as an Air Pro before.

To go back to the original question, an M1 Air with 16Gb RAM will do what you want with ease but has also been suggested, if you buy from Apple, you get an absolute no questions asked fourteen day return policy. If you buy it and it's not grunty enough for you, you could return it and try the more powerful 14" MBP instead.

Whichever model suits you best, there's nothing stopping you buying it from Apple to try, returning it within the fourteen day period and then buying it from someone else afterwards at a discounted price. By doing that, you can be sure you'll get the model that's best for you at the best price.

I've edited 4k video on my M1 Air and it's been really smooth and easy. Far better than my older i7 iMac.

kefan77 · 1 Jan 2022 at 17:34

in OP's circumstances, I'd say the way to go is with 1249 GBP version Air with 16GB memory upgrade.
256GB storage just isn't cutting it anymore, unless you have everything on NAS etc.

Mesai · 1 Jan 2022 at 19:19

kefan77 said:
no, just no.

Feek said:
Agreed, there's no such thing as an Air Pro. I've never heard the 13" MBP described as an Air Pro before.

Wow, some sensitive Sally's - I'm an Apple fan but that 13" model does not fit the Pro line-up. They called it "Pro" before they had defined the current Pro line-up. You get the same internals as the Air and some very basic differences - it's niche.

Get the Air, otherwise get the 14" Pro if you're a power user.

chaparral · 2 Jan 2022 at 16:20

If funds allow i would get the new 14" macbook pro with the much brighter miniLED screen as more & more stuff is using HDR these days

Rilot · 2 Jan 2022 at 17:18

If you can afford it, the base model 14" Pro is the one to get. If you can't stretch to that then get an Air with 16GB and 512GB SSD.
I wouldn't be buying the 13" Pro at the moment as it offers nothing over the air beyond the Touch Bar and slightly longer battery life.

Randall8686 · 3 Jan 2022 at 10:58

Thanks everyone for their input! I was not aware of the 14 day money back thing at apple so this is awesome to know! I have been watching stacks of YouTube videos and it seems the air can edit H264/265 4k just fine due to built in hardware encoders and decoders within the M1 chip. The M1 Pro chip also has some hardware encoders/decoders for even more formats so maybe is a little more future proof due to this. Im going to go to the store and try them out.

i really prefer the form factor on the air and i think the new MBP looks a bit retro and ugly. So im leaning more toward the air but maybe a hands on will change my mind.

thanks to everyone who has commented

MrRockliffe · 10 Jan 2022 at 08:56

Randall8686 said:
Im going to go to the store and try them out.

Make sure you get an appointment to go to an Apple store at the moment. They’ll turn you away otherwise

Had this happen in the Brighton store this weekend

Combat squirrel · 11 Jan 2022 at 10:45

Mesai said:
Wow, some sensitive Sally's - I'm an Apple fan but that 13" model does not fit the Pro line-up. They called it "Pro" before they had defined the current Pro line-up. You get the same internals as the Air and some very basic differences - it's niche.

Get the Air, otherwise get the 14" Pro if you're a power user.

not so, I believe the pro screen is far superior with much more accurate colours, essential for my line of work and a big differentiator.

Sirrel Squirrel · 11 Jan 2022 at 10:47

if you're editing ProRes video, the M1 Pro would be well worth getting due to the extra hardware acceleration.

Mesai · 11 Jan 2022 at 10:56

Combat squirrel said:
not so, I believe the pro screen is far superior with much more accurate colours, essential for my line of work and a big differentiator.

I was referring to what Apple call the Pro 13", which, in terms of screen, is just brighter - couldn't find any reviews saying it was better in other ways (same colour profiles, etc.).

The 14" and 16" do, however, have better screens, better specs, more ports, etc. so don't think you're getting that on the 13" model.

HACO · 11 Jan 2022 at 15:21

Mesai said:
I was referring to what Apple call the Pro 13", which, in terms of screen, is just brighter - couldn't find any reviews saying it was better in other ways (same colour profiles, etc.).

Yeah. The only difference between the MBP 13 and MBA 13 seems to be brightness.

Ryan-3 · 11 Jan 2022 at 18:27

I compared a 2020 i5 13" MBP alongside an M1 13" Air and the brightness difference was barely noticeable. Colours were identical from what I could tell.