Recommendations on Which MacBook Laptop to Buy

Bredo on 04/09/2024 - 11:18
Last edited 04/09/2024 - 13:03

I'm thinking on buying a MacBook (Pro or Air).

My current laptop, it's a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 carbon gen3, ~8 years old from memory. And I always use either Ubuntu or Fedora. The laptop served me well, but the battery doesn't last much and the CPU, RAM and HDD aren't enough for light video editing I want to do (GoPro/Insta360) nothing professional but still it's unusable for this task.

Hence, I'm thinking on getting a MacBook. However I'm not sure which one to get, or even if I should hold a bit for some newer soon-to-be-released model if any? I could potentially wait until EOY, but no more.

My intended usage would be:
- nonprofessional light video editing (ideally can handle 4k videos with no fuzz)
- daily driver/ browsing
- I'm a sw engineer, so the usual sw development tasks/tools including vscode, docker, perhaps the random temp VM

Things that are important to me on my personal laptop:
- size and weight, max 14 inches (I have a 16inches M1 MacBook Pro with 32GB from work that I love but too big and heavy for a personal laptop IMO)
- lasting battery life, I think this is a given with any MacBook nowadays?
- I'm thinking ideally 32GB ram (like my work laptop), I know that 32gb gives me enough grunt for all I need, however happy to consider a bit less if those of you who know better think it should be fine for my use cases?
- in terms of storage, I feel like I'll be fine with at least 500GB

Thanks in advance for your help

Computing Apple Computer Laptop

Comments

  • LanceVance on 04/09/2024 - 13:16
    +2

    M1 Macbook Air would be fine, otherwise if 16GB RAM isn't enough then go for a newer model which can go up to 24GB.

    • Bredo on 04/09/2024 - 14:22

      Thanks, yeah I don't think I would dare go any lower than 24GB :p

      • LanceVance on 04/09/2024 - 23:48
        +3

        Considering you've said light video editing you'd probably be fine with 16GB.

  • ONEMariachi on 04/09/2024 - 13:31
    +4

    One thing to consider that I wish Inknew before getting my Air, is they can not connect to more than one external monitor at a time. So worth knowing if that is something you want. You will want a Pro instead.

    • Bredo on 04/09/2024 - 14:25

      Thanks, that's a good point. I don't see myself wanting more than a single external display (in addition to the laptop's one), so 1 extra should be fine

  • sumyungguy on 04/09/2024 - 13:42
    +1

    15-inch MacBook Air is quite highly regarded, but sadly I don't own one

    • Bredo on 04/09/2024 - 14:27

      Didn't know that, I'm a bit reluctant to anything bigger than 14 inches, but may have a look to the 15 inch air at a store and see how that feels in terms of size and weight

    • thisusernameistaken on 04/09/2024 - 18:39

      So it's a Pro model in your profile? :)

  • killingtime on 04/09/2024 - 14:10
    +3

    I wouldn't get MacBook Air, my eyes can easily see the difference in screen quality vs the mini-led of Macbook Pro

    • Bredo on 04/09/2024 - 14:28
      +1

      Woow this is news to me, definitely need to compare displays in store then, thanks

      • killingtime on 04/09/2024 - 14:31
        +1

        Load something dark, preferably black. You will notice the micro-leds most from that. Also something very bright. If you have a M1 from work you should be able to see that at home.

        • Bredo on 04/09/2024 - 15:24

          Ohh so if the M1 has the same kind of display then I'm blind enough to not notice it, I'm looking at it closely and to be honest it looks perfectly fine for my crappy eyes!

          • killingtime on 04/09/2024 - 16:12
            +1

            @Bredo: You need to bring up some high contrast things, like a YouTube video/movie or your ide/terminal on dark mode. Notice non-microled/OLED is not actually "black", but very light grey.

            Once you see it you can't unsee.

            Similar for very bright points.

  • Lexar ANZ Chris on 04/09/2024 - 20:11
    +3

    I have both M3 Macbook Pro and M1 Macbook Air.
    I might have M4 Macbook Pro this november before release as well.

    Out of all these years heavy use, unless it's really intense finalcut pro rendering, I will always take M1 Macbook Air with me.

    • Bredo on 04/09/2024 - 22:04

      That's interesting, so basically base on your experience any MBA would be enough for editing 4k videos from GoPro/insta360 etc? I'm guessing with 16gb ram, don't think you can get more with the MBA?

      • Lexar ANZ Chris on 04/09/2024 - 22:12
        +1

        I think if you willing to wait and let it sit there and do its thing, Macbook Air is enough, but if you have lots of stuff you need to deal with, you have to have a Mac studio or macbook pro.

        But if you only talk about general use and take it with you and go all over the world, Carbon X1 and Macbook Air are my only two choices.

        • Bredo on 04/09/2024 - 22:50

          Yeah I think you're spot on there, sounds like MBA should suffice for my light video editing needs then. Plus it's roughly $1k cheaper than the MBP

          I'll probably start hunting for a good deal on a MBA with 24GB and 1TB

          • ColtNoir on 05/09/2024 - 14:26
            +1

            @Bredo: Maybe look at some benchmarks for 4K video editing and see if you’re ok with how long it takes. Like most have suggested the air will be slower but far more portable.
            I have an old MacBook Air (the last intel version) and a legion 5 pro as a pseudo desktop. I find myself grabbing the air for most everyday tasks.

            From what I’ve looked at there’s only a10% difference in speeds for shorter 10min videos. There might be a larger difference once it starts to heat up, I think the pro has a fan so can handle sustained periods without throttling as much.

            • Bredo on 05/09/2024 - 15:39

              @ColtNoir: Yeah my planned 4k video editing usage it's for short videos only, so it should be ok

  • mikekiwimike on 05/09/2024 - 08:12
    +1

    I know if you wait then you can be waiting forever for the next model to be released - but if you are not urgently in need then I would wait until the last apple product update window for 2024 passes (about November IIRC) just in case the M4 Pro etc is released.

    M2 and M3 and similar performance wise from a CPU standpoint so either would suffice if just looking for CPU perf. M4 is a decent jump up based on the iPad M4 results so it is worth waiting for. In saying that OI am on am M1 Pro 16 inch, 1 TB at 3 years old now and it is more than performant for daily driving plus Parallels VMs for work etc.

    To my mind storage is not worth going too large, it is just more of an issue if something goes wrong with the built in HDD as it can not be upgraded or repaired - spend the difference on an external TB4 enclosure and a fast NVME SSD for video etc instead.

    • Bredo on 05/09/2024 - 08:46

      Thanks, yeah I wouldn't mind waiting a bit, but considering that for my use case most likely I can get away with an MBA, not sure if they would release M4 MBA this year or just M4 MBP?

      In terms of storage, good advice there, I was thinking to go with 1TB but maybe can do 500gb + an TB4/nvme drive and put the $250 upgrade savings towards a beefy nvme

  • mikekiwimike on 05/09/2024 - 11:41
    +1

    The only consideration there is there is a case where the CPU/GPU in the 500GB model is lesser that the one in the 1TB and up models, Apple know how to create those pricing brackets….. I would get the M2 MacBook Pro or max 14" instead of the M3 MacBook Air if prices are an issue - this is just my opinion but the extra ports and stronger build in my mind will keep you going longer…. oh and the screen on the Pros is better than the Air.

    If you plan to keep for 8 years then the extra for the faster model is worth it, 32 GB is going to keep you going for years, I am 16 GB and it runs my VMs etc fine, video editing I do but not high end here. Over a 5 year period its much more palatable to look at the high upfront investment (or not cos its expensive!)

    I have no idea of which would be upgraded first (pro vs Air) but it is likely to be the one that was updated the longest time ago.

    • Bredo on 05/09/2024 - 12:01

      Yeah the problem I guess is that seems it's not easy to find M2 MBP (or max) with 32gb, at least brand new. And I'm sure the new M4 MBP with 32gb will most likely cost an arm and a leg :P

      But yeah that's is why I'm reluctant to go any lower than 24gb, 16gb may be enough to get me by but it won't last me enough years, I don't think so

      I'm sort of tossing between a M2 MBA with 24gb and at least 500gb or if I find one a M2 MBP with 32gb and 500gb :/

  • Breddo on 05/09/2024 - 13:02
    +1

    I use a MBP M1 16" as my daily driver. I do an occasional bit of SW dev work but mostly architecture and run Windows VM for a few office type apps.

    I would probably recommend going for a MacBook Pro over an Air because I feel like you would get more longevity out of it due to the slightly higher spec hardware and active cooling. But that said I think an Air could do everything you need as well

    I'd be asking yourself how often will you just be using it at your desk vs out and about or on the lounge etc? If pure portability is what you're after I'd go for the air but if its going to sit on your desk then I'd probably lean toward the pro for the slightly bigger/heavier device with a bit more grunt. Also have a think about your desk setup - my mac spends most of its life at home closed in clamshell mode on my desk with me using a BT keyboard and mouse and dual screens. Not sure the Air would allow dual external screens like that.

    How you're going to use it also influences the internal storage question. If its going to be desk bound a plug-in SSD works fine but if you want lots of storage while you're on the move go for a bigger internal drive and remember the internal one isn't upgradeable.

    If it was me i'd probably also wait for the upcoming M4 machines to be released. Should be in the next couple of months. The Pros are normally announced around October. I always look at the buyer's guide on macrumours to check against release cycles. https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macbook-pro/ and https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/macbook-air/

    • Bredo on 05/09/2024 - 18:15
      +1

      Some good points there, I think at this stage, I value portability above all else hence why I'm leaning a bit more towards a MBA. Most of my usage will be away of a desk.

      I agree with you that the MBP would be better a choice in the long term, but not sure if the extra $ and weight are worth it for me

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