Good deal on M1 Pro MacBook Pro at JB, made even better by Officeworks price beat (they haven’t beaten JB’s price as of posting).
Officeworks has lowered its price to match.
https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/macbook-pro-14-m1-pro-8c-cpu-14c-gpu-16gb-512gb-silver-mbp21165sl
I feel like with Apple's polished software, and the nimble new Architecture, this represents the next level of computing on laptops. Which necessitates, as a minimum having the M1 Pro, 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD, for the longterm commitment.
For the cheaper models, like the M2, 16GB and 512GB may suffice. And the base models, with the M1, 8GB, and 256GB are well balanced. But both options are hard to recommend. Yet the first mentioned combination is also hard to recommend because it's priced so high.
Me personally, I will try to get the first mentioned combination, but get it second-hand hopefully at a more palatable budget. Having more GPU cores is on my wish list, but there's not enough applications out there taking advantage of that (yet) beyond what you're getting with the M1 Pro. If this changes in the near future, my stance would also change (to recommend the M1/M2 Max variants to take advantage of the graphical fidelity).
while I agree, higher specs are always nice, especially if you work your machines hard, most people just dont need more than the base Macbook Air spec. I actually used the base M1 Air for work for a few months when it first came out, and while the 8GB ram meant I could not run multiple virtual machines / containers, it was still more than adequate for normal work, and certainly more than enough for web browsing, movies etc
I'm now on the base 14", and it is honestly more than I need!
Ooi, are you speaking as a Mac user hc1 ?
Yep, I use macOS and find that in general, it is is even more memory hungry than Windows. Not sure why the downvotes. You can easily get a PC alternative for similar money. The fact is that, for me, those specs wouldn't be enough - both RAM and storage (512GB goes quickly). What I'm describing is just Chrome, Office, VS code, R studio etc - not running any VMs. Once you start running VMs, then it just swaps like crazy. The problem with these is that you need to configure the machine how you want it, or get a configuration that meets to specs, otherwise you'll basically need to buy a whole new one to upgrade (if you're not into soldering chips ). The more files you have open, the more RAM you'll use. If you swap a lot, the SSD wear will be high (and that's not replaceable if it fails).
Interesting, and thanks for responding. What chip? Most reviews of the M1 Pro, Max, M2 suggest they're powerful enough to efficiently carry out multiple high intensive tasks. High core numbers being the big factor I gather. Haven't heard of Apple SSD failures but that seems to be far more likely for lower spec Windows machines if in fact it's a thing?
The neg pile-on is childish, not rare for Ozbargain though. Easy, and far more useful to readers, to disagree by making a point with comments.
What’s real work?
I mainly do medical research, reading, documents editing, etc. and the base MBP M1 with 8gb ram is enough. I guess it's not real work then. Only people who do apparently demanding tasks on their laptops do real work. So in conclusion, no, this is not enough for real work.
A sole practice solicitor billing out at $500 an hour who needs word and chrome to access databases isn’t doing real work either
@Icecold5000: I think he was referring to CPU intensive work, running multiple programs etc. The pile-on's way ott but I'd like some examples because I'm looking at something like this, or this with only 8GB: https://www.amazon.com.au/2022-Apple-MacBook-Laptop-chip/dp/… for my daughter.
@Icecold5000: A lawyer ripping people off with extortionate fees..thats is the the definition of not real work
@Icecold5000: Envy ripping people off? nah. Enjoy it while it lasts until lawyerGPT makes people realise why they were ever paying $500 per hour
Why would you spend so much on a laptop if that’s all you need it for?
Those are pretty basic specs for the price.
There's not anything else that's even close to the price of this with 32gb and more than 512gb, let alone matching it in other specs.
I asked because reviewers almost invariably say that Mac M1 Pro chips leave most Windows processors for dead. 16GB on the M1 Pro chip would appear to be more than adequate for most things???
Macs tend to do a bit more with less with shared resources, unlike Windows where every program loads its own.
Unless you know you need more than 16GB, you probably don’t need more than 16GB.
Thanks. The more research I do the more that is reinforced. No of cores is also significant for graphics work. This ^^ machine is the 8/14 entry level I gather.
Sounds like advice from someone who has no idea what they are talking about!
Well I have one and made an audiobook
Video editing and audio editing simultaneously
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/765245
Grab the ultimate everyone gift card from Big W (useable at Officeworks) to bring it down to 2000 aud ($2000 + $200 bonus - you'll have another 23 bucks to spend on some pens or something at Officeworks). Cracking deal. Cheaper than most of the secondhand ones floating around at this point.
It works in theory but not that easy in practice. You'll need to purchase 20x $100 physical gift cards in person. Stores might not have that many in stock and staff may also place a limit on the number of gift cards that can be purchased.
Thanks a lot mate! It literally saved 200 bucks!
imagine selling a laptop in 2023 with a 512gb ssd for $2200, ridiculous
Data mgt's not your thing then nitro? Don't get the 'my disks' bigger than yours' thing as far as laptops go myself, esp when there are many far more important (to me) features to be considered.
It is enough for most people, but Apple is making a very nice margin on these.
Apple should be boycotted as a protests against their high prices.
@shegeloaf: I think it is pretty normal for a business to charge as much as consumers are willing to pay.
I boycott them because they purposely make their products unrepairable.
Yeah hahaha a Windows OEM would never do that.
Wait maybe they would: https://www.dell.com/en-au/shop/dell-laptops/xps-13-plus-lap…
that is also asinine, especially since they are charging $300 for the upsize to 1tb
Imagine a laptop with blazing fast processor and graphics and no fans heating up your room and blasting noise just because you have a bunch apps open
Its not blazing fast processor. Its good but not blazing. I use one.
It’s in the ballpark of a modern 6 core desktop CPU (12400F/5600X tier performance)
It’s fast.
Dell does it. Lenovo does it. HP does it.
512gb*
A similar deal is also available on the MacBook Pro 16-inch (this time with the correct details),
MacBook Pro 16-inch M1 Pro 16GB/512GB - $2814 at JB Hi-FI. Current price is $3127 at Officeworks. Price beat and get it for $2673.30
this is more of a deal than the 14"!!
Looks like OW caught wind of your comment haha. They've updated their prices. But at $2814 anyways, that's pretty decent.
They're onto us haha
Should I upgrade my 2012 MBP? $2.2k is a lot of money these days or just stick with a M1 Air
I can't make the call for you, but I have one of these 14" MBPs and it is honestly the nicest laptop I've ever owned. I had a 2019 i9 Macbook before this and it was garbage compared to it. Every part of it is great, the screen, the keyboard, CPU etc all are best in class.
If youre getting by with a 2012 laptop, the M1 Air will likely be way more than enough for you. That thing is an awesome machine
If you want the ports and the HDR screen, get the MBP.
No. Wait for m3 and buy that.
If you cannot wait then get the m1pro over the m2pro.
this or m2 air?
wait for macbook 15
this, the extra ram, larger storage, better display, faster charging and bigger battery, faster processor, better speakers, more ports, and all for only slightly more
Well, ~30% more. Depends on your computing needs and your (often related) budget limit as to which represents value.
I am happy with M1 pro chips. But I got $2.5K of apple store credit (recent gift card offers). Is there any way that I can buy an M1 pro chip through the apple store at this price?
It is hit and miss. Some sale people from Apple Store still price match. They need to confirm that the item can be purchase and shipped to their location, and their manager need to manual override the price before checkout.
apple now only sells this in the refurbished store
https://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/FKGP3X/A/refurbished-1…
Will Apple provide the same level of warranty? or better price as its a refurbised one ?
It's the same 1 year warranty. price is as the link $2299
So I could not buy any brand new MBP 14 M1 pro in any local apple store?
As far as I know, yes
apple told me they can't match over 10%
Yes , i can confirm this maximum discount is 10%. Bought the MacBook Pro 13" M2 8-Core CPU 10-Core GPU 8GB/512GB Graphite on Wednesday for $2069.10.
They will match up to 10%, not this though as it's only in their refurb store.
Officeworks lists at the same price, will they price beat it?
Not anymore. They match so no pricebeat.
can someone else price beat officeworks?
HN perhaps? personally won't support them however
I have came across a few comments regarding not support HN, just wondering what happened? sorry for my ignorance.
Omigosh, be careful what you ask for. People go absolutely nuts on this particular topic.
The main thing that annoyed me is that Gerry was the main advocate for overseas retailers starting to charge 10% GST on all overseas purchases. It used to be only if you spent over $1k. Thanks Gerry.
There are many other reasons that others tend to be more than happy to go on about.
Also because he pocketed millions of taxpayer covid jobkeeper welfare funds until he was shamed into returning his slice (only) of the group's welfare handout. Plenty of other businesses whose profits rose during covid were not required to and did not pay one red cent back. Great bit of policy engineering by Joshie that.
PWM Alert!
Macbook Pro 14 and 16 use PWM even at the brightest setting. If your eyes are better than others you will be able to see or feel the flicker and you will suffer headeache/ bloody eyes, etc.
I tried so many times and really wish I am normal. But I suffered so much with Samsung OLED devices and iPhones with OLED display. In the end I have to buy an iPhone XR simply becaused I have no other choices. And I can look at it all day long without any issues. I also only buy iPad and any devices that equipped with no-flicker screen. It is so damn important for me.
The only recent Macbook that does not flicker is the Macbook Air M2 model.
damn, that sucks for you
fwiw, both my gf (terrible eyes) and I (great eyes) have no issues, so I wonder what your issue could be?
Yes that sucks. But it is not just me. A group of people are called “sensitive population” because they can see or feel the flicker. In my opinion that simply means they have better sight and can see something that that other people cannot see. That makes me feel better.
Office works has increased price back to $2547. Chance for price match again.
Better be quick with the pricebeat as they might match them again.
Your comment just saved me before I almost there at the billing at JB-Hifi. Thanks bro
I would love a 16" M1 Max for around $3500.. but they still seem to be around $4500ish a bit too much now
Wasn't there a deal for the M1 Max with 1TB and 32GB for just a few hundred more? I wish I jumped on that.
yeah it was about a month ago at JB.. I missed it by 2 days.. teach me to go away for the weekend..
Doesn't seem like you can price beat with Officeworks if it's not able to be delivered to my current location or no stock nearby.
I thought you can if there's stock anywhere nationally
just called OW this morning and got it for 2177.40, didn't question about my location
Cracker Of a deal. I use this machine for work and it’s got so much going for it
Yes it is..
Posting specs.
MacBook Pro 14" M1 Pro 8C CPU/14C GPU 16GB/512GB Silver