M2 MacBook Air 16/512 or Refurbished 14" MacBook Pro?

fozzie on 11/11/2023 - 13:21
Last edited 11/11/2023 - 14:16 by 1 other user

Hello everyone, I am due to buy an Apple Macbook soon. I currently have an M1 air and very happy with it. I am debating whether to buy a refurbished M1 pro 14" with 16gb/512 or an M2 air 13"

M1 Pro $2300
M2 Air base model with upgraded 16/512 is $2130 (from AOC)

Unfortunately, neither will qualify for Black Friday gift cards. However, I should be able to get either Virgin or Cashrewards (some users in the past have confirmed AOC qualifies using inbuilt extension).

So, I am not sure which one to get. I am going to use mostly for Microsoft Teams, Word, web browsing. Which one should I get? Macbook Air will be lighter and brand new. Negatives a slighltly smaller screen.

M1 Pro bigger screen and more powerful, negative is that is refurbished (but apparently Apple warranty will be the same), heavier.

Poll Options

  • 6
    Refurbished M1 Pro
  • 20
    Macbook Air 13" M2
Computing 14inch Apple Computer Laptop Ultrabook

Comments

  • Ynk on 11/11/2023 - 13:37
    +2

    Nothing you are doing will come close to being limited by the CPU/GPU - The Air is much nicer to carry around if you are using it outside of the house frequently, the Pro is much more chunky with a much better display and speakers. Personally I prefer my 14" Pro but really miss the Air when travelling.

    • fozzie on 11/11/2023 - 13:49

      Great points!

    • abuch47 on 17/11/2023 - 13:02

      You find the 14” MbP too big for travel?

  • freefall101 on 11/11/2023 - 13:44
    +1

    How much will you actually be travelling with it? I switched from a lightweight 13" Dell to a 16" workstation laptop recently and carrying it around in my backpack didn't really make much of a difference. However working on public transport is very different.

    • fozzie on 11/11/2023 - 13:47

      Just carrying it between rooms. Not much travelling (perhaps 2-3 times per year)

  • barge-in hunter on 11/11/2023 - 13:48
    +2

    How many external screens will you connect at the same time?

    Airs are troublesome with 2 (but not impossible) - pros can run 2 or more natively

    Otherwise, you’ll be fine for a few years with either specs, except maybe storage.

    • fozzie on 11/11/2023 - 13:50

      Great point. I will not connect it to external screen, mostly working on the laptop. Sometimes I put on a stand with external mac keyborad and magic mouse (so better visual/ergonomic for working at the desk).

      • barge-in hunter on 11/11/2023 - 13:52

        Ah good to know - sounds like the larger inbuilt screen might make a difference for you then?

        I have an M1 Pro and find it reasonably portable, so don’t let the extra size put you off

        • fozzie on 11/11/2023 - 13:53
          +1

          Great to know, thanks very much! It's first world problem really. I think either machine will be a great buy in my situtation…..

        • Ynk on 11/11/2023 - 13:55
          +1

          Agreed as you are only using it in the house I would go for the Pro - worth it for the display and speakers alone. The advantages of the Air fall away if you are not travelling with it.

          • fozzie on 11/11/2023 - 14:07

            @Ynk: I am not using at home. Will be using at school (mostly carrying between office and classroom). But not on public transport. So just put it in the bag and carry it around school. So that’s the downside (the weight)

  • Ynk on 11/11/2023 - 14:12
    +1

    Ah sorry when you said room to room I assumed at home. If you are not using it on public transport or on tiny tables I would still lean towards the Pro but both would be really awesome for you don't think you can really make a bad decision here :)

  • p1 ama on 11/11/2023 - 14:13
    +1

    Both are great - the $170 difference is negligible for how much you're already paying anyway (and if you sell it later when you upgrade, it'll likely wash out anyway).

    It really comes down to whether you want the better performance, features, connectivity, and ability to connect multiple displays with the MBP vs. the thinner and lighter profile of the MBA.

    If you don't carry it around a lot, I would honestly suggest getting the MBP. You get a better webcam, much better display, more ports, ability to output to more displays, better performance (including active cooling, which will help if you do a lot of sustained work), and better build quality.

    • fozzie on 11/11/2023 - 14:16

      Yes! Hence the hard decision. They are both wonderful machines and expensive. I’ll be watching some more YouTube videos to make an informed decision.

  • Aureus on 11/11/2023 - 14:31

    Why are you even upgrading? Current laptop would be having no issues with "Microsoft Teams, Word, web browsing". You probably won't even notice a performance difference.

    • fozzie on 11/11/2023 - 14:34
      +1

      You are correct, but kid is going to uni and needs a laptop. I can wait until next year probably (apple education offer), but I am going overseas in December and can claim TRS

  • LanceVance on 11/11/2023 - 14:59

    Out of curiosity how is your experience on the M1 Air? Have you noticed any slowdown at all since you started using it? Also could you share which specs you have on it? I've had my eye on a used one because by all accounts it is a great machine but wondering if that is still the case today. Thanks!

    • fozzie on 11/11/2023 - 15:07

      The m1 is a great machine! I have the base model and it works great. Sometimes is a bit slow at responding with some apps (pdf or sometimes chrome when I have multiple tabs opend), but nothing major. I am actually also considering an M1 with double memory and storage (as it's $300 cheaper than m2 but I wouldn't mind to have the newer model as I will keep for more than 5 years and I am paying with discounted gift cards so for me the difference would be even less).

      • LanceVance on 11/11/2023 - 21:19
        +1

        Thanks for that! For the record I think you should go the refurb M1 Pro. Apple refurbished should not be considered a negative in itself, its essentially a brand new machine. Better screen, more ports, bigger battery and performance for longevity. That's the one I'd pick.

  • payless69 on 11/11/2023 - 18:22
    +1

    Get one with magsave charging for longevity.

  • sumyungguy on 11/11/2023 - 18:41

    Interested to know why you're not considering 15 inch MacBook Air?

    • fozzie on 11/11/2023 - 18:45

      Cost mostly. Already spending quite a bit.

      • sumyungguy on 11/11/2023 - 18:59

        $1,869 in Apple's refurb store

        • fozzie on 11/11/2023 - 19:02

          Cheers, I’ll check it out :)

  • fozzie on 12/11/2023 - 15:28
    +2

    Thanks everyone. Your comments made me rethink my choice. I’ll go for an M1 as after all my tasks are very basic. I’ll just upgrade storage and maybe ram. I’d love the bigger and newer but the amount of actual daily usage is mostly for internet and emails, so it’d be a waste.

  • fozzie on 24/11/2023 - 16:19
    +1

    Hi all, I have just ordered an m2 15” using Cashrewards (hopefully $150 back). I’ll get the $320 gift card too.

    After doing all my calculations (using gift card, tax return etc) there was only $200 difference between 13” and 15” and only about $300 (for m1). Hence I decided to get the 15” with 16gb/512gb.

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