M1 MacBook Pro or ROG Zephyrus G14 (1650ti Model) for Daily Web Browsing or something cheaper?

Penguin8213 on 11/05/2021 - 18:23

Looking for a new computer to use at home for mainly web browsing, Microsoft office (excel work) and watching movies. Currently using an 14" Asus laptop brought in 2018 (2 cores/4 threads, 8gb ram, GeForce 940MX). I find it is feeling sluggish when having lots of tabs open in my web browser; so I think it's time for an upgrade. Hoping to get some good suggestions from the community. Looking something that has a good screen with good colors.

At the around the 1800 ish price point the M1 MacBook Pro or ROG Zephyrus G14 (1650ti Model) stand out to me because of their slim looks and the quality of their screens.
Any others I should consider? Any good cheaper options on the Windows end without a dedicated card since I don't game?

Open to the suggestions of a cheap desktop build that includes a 4k monitor and speakers.

Computing

Comments

  • jayboi on 11/05/2021 - 18:26
    +5

    M1 MacBook Air is plenty powerful for your needs. No need for the pro.
    As long as you get 16gb ram option you it will not feel sluggish with lots of tabs

    • kfcfatfat on 11/05/2021 - 21:09

      M1, and install Parallel!

  • dr on 11/05/2021 - 18:29
    +2

    Don't buy Pro, buy Air check youtube for some videos comparing them - there is zero practical difference in terms of performance, you will just pay extra Apple tax.

    And unless you are gaming, M1 beats everything from Intel/AMD at the moment - check this out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yTWGjYFiC0

    • Penguin8213 on 11/05/2021 - 18:59

      Air with 16gb ram and 512 SSD is ~2100. Is apple tax and performance worth it over an intel/amd equivalent spec'ed laptop?

      • dr on 11/05/2021 - 19:03

        Just watch the video I shared and decide for yourself.
        Pro tip, if you decide to go with Apple, buy from Apple education store, no student IDs or emails needed

      • dr on 11/05/2021 - 19:12

        BTW https://www.apple.com/au-hed/shop/buy-mac/macbook-air/space-… with upgrade to 16GB RAM and 512SSD is $1889 delivered

        Apple care is highly recommended, for the peace of mind

      • nubzy on 11/05/2021 - 19:18

        You don't need 16gb. From what I have read the M1 chip is very powerful and 8gb is plenty for the majority of users. I'm considering one as an upgrade from my X1 Carbon. The <$1300 price is appealling.

        • casho on 17/05/2021 - 15:15

          I have a MBP with 8gig and yeah surprising what it can do!

  • hmac on 11/05/2021 - 18:51

    Sorry but like why do you need a MB Pro or a gaming laptop for web browsing, excel and watching movies?

    Get any decent laptop with a i5, i7, ryzen 5 or 7 with an ssd and 8-16 gb of ram, you will be fine

    • Penguin8213 on 11/05/2021 - 18:57
      +1

      because they look pretty ^^"

      • hmac on 15/05/2021 - 08:02

        wanna buy me one too then while you are at it?

  • ozhunter on 11/05/2021 - 19:01

    ROG Zephyrus G14 (1650ti Model)

    Does this come with 16gb ram? If so, get that one.

    • Penguin8213 on 11/05/2021 - 19:03

      The one I'm looking at does

      • ozhunter on 11/05/2021 - 19:12

        Either one should be more than enough for your needs, just get one with 16GB ram.

        • FireRunner on 11/05/2021 - 22:24

          Is there a version that comes with less than 16GB? I believe the configuration is 8GB soldered + 1x SODIMM Slot which has a 8GB stick by default

  • Hellfire on 11/05/2021 - 20:13
    +3

    Honestly your laptop is probably fine. Do a fresh install of windows and that will probably fix it.

    If you don't already have an SSD then install one as your boot drive. Doubling your ram will also help.

    • Penguin8213 on 11/05/2021 - 21:49

      How best to do a clean install? Can I partition my SSD, move my documents/picture I want to keep onto it and then just format and clean install Windows on the "C drive/partition with windows/program files"?

      Or would moving my files off to an external hard disk and clean install on the complete SSD be better?

      Currently have 4gb onboard and 4gb stick. Would mixing 4gb onboard and a 8gb stick be ok?

      • FireRunner on 11/05/2021 - 22:31

        Probably better to move files to external drive then fresh install the SSD.
        And yes, you can have different sized memory modules. Usually sizes are matched to get the most out of dual channel support

      • ozhunter on 11/05/2021 - 23:54

        Easy is to backup everything to an external hard drive.

        Then reset the pc by going to Settings/Update and Security/ Recovery then select "Reset this PC".

  • deliriouss on 11/05/2021 - 20:33

    You mentioned slim look but ROG Zephyrus G14 is relatively thick.
    If you are after a stylish ultrabook you can't go wrong with the M1 MacBook Air, both base models would be powerful enough for your described usage. MacBook Pro is due for a major update later this year and the current Pro model doesn't offer a big enough difference from the Air to justify the extra cost involved, so just go for the Air if you need one now.
    If you want a Window option then check out Dell XPS 13.
    Unless you are going for a 17" desktop replacement otherwise 4k screen may be an overkill, especially on a 13"/14" laptop and 4k screen drains battery like crazy. Do compare 4k and high quality FHD or HD+ screen in store to see if you can really tell the difference first before deciding.

    • zjz93 on 12/05/2021 - 21:20

      zephyrus g14 is 17mm thick. m1 Macbook pro is 15 mm. I wouldnt call that a big difference in thickness.

      • deliriouss on 12/05/2021 - 23:25

        Sorry, I was mentally comparing it with the tapered MacBook Air when I mentioned thickness.
        On a side note, I checked out the ROG Zephyrus G14 in store before and it felt as thick as the thinkpad T14 I was using which didn't bother me too much but may be an important factor for the OP.

  • AndyC1 on 11/05/2021 - 20:41

    How many is allot of 'tabs' open? What web browser and version?

    Web browsers depending on which one and the version used chew up memory per tab where as others use only a realtively small amount of memory for each new tab PLUS the memory for graphics and sound for each additional tab.

    Your choice is comparing apples and oranges as the MAC is a new ARM based Mac with BSD unix under the hood V's Intel X64 based Windows…. If you do NOT care about configuring the box or trouble shooting errors then the CPU/OS is not a problem so long as you can get native ARM based apps for the M1 that you use.

    • Penguin8213 on 11/05/2021 - 21:37

      Computer feels sluggish when I have around 12 tabs on Edge browser; Usually my screen is split between 1 tab with YouTube video playing on one side and a browsing window with tabs open on the other side (can't Ozbargain efficiently without reading lots of reviews and price comparing!). I don't use a lot of unique apps that aren't unavailable on Mac on have an Mac equivalent. If there is a CPU/OS issues.. probably outside my skillset to fix, so that why I've been just buying laptops for my last 3 computers. I'm also prepared to spend a bit more for a a well oiled machine. I don't really know how the performance speed of different of SSD, ram, cores or turbo speed will actually affect my experience. Just want something that works seamless.

      • FireRunner on 11/05/2021 - 22:34
        +1

        Have you looked at Task Manager to see what is causing the slow down?
        You can tell by looking under the Performance Tab and seeing which one is being used the most. My guess would be memory

      • AndyC1 on 12/05/2021 - 12:57

        I suspect that you are running low on memory or are swapping memory to HDD. Google how to use the microsoft resource monitor to determine if you have enough memory and while you are there check if your HDD is slow and needs to be replaced by a SSD.

        Adding more memory will speed things up if you are opening that many tabs. If you are using Legacy Edge then get the Edge upgrade to the Chrome edition (Edge and Chrome use the same code base now).

        It will be cheaper to buy more memory and swap the HDD to an SSD if you find that these are causing your slowdown. Make the effort to find out what is causing your laptop to slow down as buying a new laptop will IMHO have the same issues if you do not know what you need w.r.t. ram and hard disk as you may end up with having not enough ram and/or a slow hard disk again and be in the same situation.

  • brendanm on 11/05/2021 - 20:44

    This is like using a shotgun to kill a fly.

    • zjz93 on 12/05/2021 - 21:15

      more like a nuke

  • jayboi on 11/05/2021 - 21:09

    Also, something to note is that at WWDC21 next month it is rumoured that they will be releasing a 14 inch MacBook Pro. I’m not sure if the price but it might replace the 13 inch and add a more powerful M1X option

  • Willy Stains on 12/05/2021 - 10:09
    • 1 for the apple!
  • iiagdtd on 12/05/2021 - 23:25
    +1

    Apple is totally fine as soon as you're willing to get used to MacOS, otherwise just go for Asus with 16GB option.

    • jayboi on 13/05/2021 - 07:41

      There is hardly any getting used to MacOS. I have been a windows user my whole life and never touched a MacBook and when I bought one I got used to it almost right away.

      • iiagdtd on 13/05/2021 - 22:56

        I myself have been using both platforms for more than ten years no issues at all, but some of my friends just never able to get used to the MacOS like missing the start button/must eject the USB key in order to keep it working etc. then get frustrated and finally give up.

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