Macbook Buying Advice!

[POV]

Hi SNA,

 

Seeking some advice on Macbook buying.  My daughter is graduating and starting Uni next year and I want to buy here a new Macbook as a useful graduation present.   She has been talking about a Macbook Air which is available now with M3 Processor and 24 GB of unified memory in 13 inch.  But perusing Apple website I can see that the Macbook Pro is now available with the M4 chip and 24 GB of Memory.   Major downside of Pro is it is is heavier and bigger and I know she likes the 13 inch form factor of her current Macbook shes been using for school.  She's going to be studying Mathmatical Science, and I'm wondering for Apple experts, do you think there will be a substantial real world noticable difference between the M3 and the M4, or is there other factors you would consider when buying?

 

I'm a WIndows laptop guy, so Macbooks out of my wheellhouse!?

 

Thanks,

Drew

Edited November 9, 2024 by POV

[Andythiing]

I’ve always convinced my wife (academic) to go the pro - and whilst heavier her first lasted 10 years - and traveled the world and caravan around Australia etc - my girls both had Mac airs - 5 years if you are lucky 

 

but they like them

 

i push for the pro personally - the m4 has very impressive specs - future proof - but obvious only if you can afford it 

 

if she needs light weight a matching iPad can act as a travel “friend” to the pro 

[Andythiing]

Ps also who knows where ai will go - I think the pro might be worth the investment on that front as well 

[Steffen]

4 hours ago, POV said:

My daughter is graduating and starting Uni next year and I want to buy here a new Macbook as a useful graduation present.   She has been talking about a Macbook Air which is available now with M3 Processor and 24 GB of unified memory in 13 inch.  But perusing Apple website I can see that the Macbook Pro is now available with the M4 chip and 24 GB of Memory. 

 

When is she graduating? A new M4 MacBook Air will most likely be out around March next year.

[POV]

Just now, Steffen said:

 

When is she graduating? A new M4 MacBook Air will most likely be out around March next year.

 

Next Friday

[Steff]

I have a macbook air from 2014...still works and used often...and a macbook pro circa 2016 with 16GB ram.

 

From what I understand the air M3 24GB is already well overspecced for any general student needs unless it's very specific large apps; the pro is heavier, quite a bit more expensive - the deciding factor should be screen quality, that is where the Pro has often been given the first nod and where the user experience is most concerned.

Long long uptimes are such a pleasure on these little apple laptops, as is infrequent updates fuss.

[maximus]

When I was streaming, I used a MAC air 24GB M2 chip running DSD512 without a hiccup. 

Sound engineers were using the PRO with the M2 during COVID because they had to work offsite.

That's how good the chip is. M3/M4 would be severe overkill, but they're becoming more and more affordable, so why not..

 

 

[Addicted to music]

You buy at the beginning of the life cycle of every macbook product.   

 

You dont get it as they come out.  You wait for the stock to flow through the retailers such as JB Hifi, Goodguys or Harvey Boring etc   

 

Then you wait for the 10% discount they have once a month, this is the best time to buy a mac.   As the new models flow through over the counter you find previous models heavily discounted, so the ones with the M3 chip will be a bargain.  

 

I have a 2018 Macbook Pro standard over the counter spec.  Still going strong with all the updates.  As soon as i am unable to do updates, thats the time to get a new one due to security issues.

 

Love the macbooks better than i like Win11 on a Surface Pro 8 from work.  Both has its pros and cons.  when i have used both, win11 is far more adaptable as most professional system run with it.   Macs are just more secure.

 

[POV]

10 minutes ago, Addicted to music said:

You buy at the beginning of the life cycle of every macbook product.   

 

You dont get it as they come out.  You wait for the stock to flow through the retailers such as JB Hifi, Goodguys or Harvey Boring etc   

 

Then you wait for the 10% discount they have once a month, this is the best time to buy a mac.   As the new models flow through over the counter you find previous models heavily discounted, so the ones with the M3 chip will be a bargain.  

 

I have a 2018 Macbook Pro standard over the counter spec.  Still going strong with all the updates.  As soon as i am unable to do updates, thats the time to get a new one due to security issues.

 

Love the macbooks better than i like Win11 on a Surface Pro 8 from work.  Both has its pros and cons.  when i have used both, win11 is far more adaptable as most professional system run with it.   Macs are just more secure.

 

 

Thanks.  I don't really mind how much it costs.  More looking to get the best fit for her needs than worrying about getting the best possible deal, timing not in my control, she graduates next week.

[Addicted to music]

4 minutes ago, POV said:

 

Thanks.  I don't really mind how much it costs.  More looking to get the best fit for her needs than worrying about getting the best possible deal, timing not in my control, she graduates next week.

 

With Kids, just remember she's the one who's using it, let her decide the model,  but i bet she'll want the M4 chip and it makes sense.

I just remembered, i gave my 2011 Macbook Pro to my daughter when she went to uni.  She graduated with a degree in games coding and then did a year in language with it. In the beginning she was careless and dropped it, damages the corner, but that thing just didnt fail.  She's now upgrades when M2 came out and just went with the Air.

Edited November 9, 2024 by Addicted to music

[2Brix]

2 hours ago, POV said:

 

Thanks.  I don't really mind how much it costs.  More looking to get the best fit for her needs than worrying about getting the best possible deal, timing not in my control, she graduates next week.

 

you might already know Apple has a (modest) discount for current and new uni students.  Edit: from memory it was close to offsetting the gst. Not massive but it all helps.

Edited November 9, 2024 by 2Brix

[Andythiing]

From 9to5

 

Why buy MacBook Air?

For light to medium performance needs and some limited intensive needs, in the lightest package with all-day battery life, the MacBook Air is the best fit starting at a reasonable $1,099 or $1,299 (or less).

Apple does still sell the M2 MacBook Air, but the M3 is only $100/150 more

Why buy MacBook Pro?

If you need or value the most power across CPU, GPU, and memory (still with an all-day battery), active cooling for heavy workloads, a brighter screen, more ports, greater external display support, Thunderbolt 5, nano-texture display option, and more, the M4 MacBook Pro is the way to go.

[maximus]

Make sure you buy a cover. Students can be blaze and reckless.  

[Steff]

11 hours ago, POV said:

she graduates next week.

At least grab the higher education discount available through the edu store: https://www.apple.com/au-edu/store

[BugPowderDust]

I’ve never had an Air last more than 3 or so years but I do have multiple Pro laptops kicking around in this house; the oldest from 2013.

They are made to last and the weight and size differential is really bugger all (circa 300g) especially when you’re putting it into a bag with your accessories to lug it around.

[POV]

On 09/11/2024 at 5:31 PM, Andythiing said:

Ps also who knows where ai will go - I think the pro might be worth the investment on that front as well 

 

On 10/11/2024 at 4:39 PM, BugPowderDust said:

I’ve never had an Air last more than 3 or so years but I do have multiple Pro laptops kicking around in this house; the oldest from 2013.

They are made to last and the weight and size differential is really bugger all (circa 300g) especially when you’re putting it into a bag with your accessories to lug it around.

 

On 10/11/2024 at 8:40 AM, Steff said:

At least grab the higher education discount available through the edu store: https://www.apple.com/au-edu/store

 

Thanks Gents.  Took your advice and used the Education discount and bought her a Macbook Pro.  Hope she's happy with it!

Edited November 12, 2024 by POV

[Dystoria]

12 hours ago, POV said:

Thanks Gents.  Took your advice and used the Education disccount and bought her a Macbook Pro.  Hope she's happy with it!

Late to the party on this one.

 

I lecture at uni. The pro will be perfect for most degrees (actually probably overkill for most degrees unless she is doing engineering / design / animation (anything process intensive). 

 

Lucky her! I hope she's stoked with it! 

[April Snow]

I am a Mac Book Pro user, have been for years, they have never failed me - the only reason I upgraded was due to age as they got over 6 years old etc. 

I come to work and have to use a windows PC and it drives me nuts!

 

I always joke "Apple Vs Lemon" 

 

Not wanting to start a CD vs Vinyl style debate though.

 

But seriously for a work horse and quality built - MBP is a premium product IMHO.

[POV]

5 hours ago, April Snow said:

I am a Mac Book Pro user, have been for years, they have never failed me - the only reason I upgraded was due to age as they got over 6 years old etc. 

I come to work and have to use a windows PC and it drives me nuts!

 

I always joke "Apple Vs Lemon" 

 

Not wanting to start a CD vs Vinyl style debate though.

 

But seriously for a work horse and quality built - MBP is a premium product IMHO.

 

You're not going to sway me on the MacOS vs. Windows debate. Windows is more structured and logical in its design, and beyond that, it's objectively superior for multitasking with features like Snap Layouts and Groups. It offers better taskbar customisation, a much larger application library, is available across a wider variety of devices due to its open manufacturer policy, and is unmatched in gaming with a vast game library. It also supports a broader range of professional software and has far more advanced file management systems, to name just a few advantages. MacOS may suffice for students and home use, but for most professional contexts, Windows is a no-brainer.

 

I do concur regarding the premium quality of the hardware. The MacBook Pro's build quality is exceptional, and there are few, if any, comparable options available in the market that I have seen.

[April Snow]

27 minutes ago, POV said:

 

You're not going to sway me on the MacOS vs. Windows debate. Windows is more structured and logical in its design, and beyond that, it's objectively superior for multitasking with features like Snap Layouts and Groups. It offers better taskbar customisation, a much larger application library, is available across a wider variety of devices due to its open manufacturer policy, and is unmatched in gaming with a vast game library. It also supports a broader range of professional software and has far more advanced file management systems, to name just a few advantages. MacOS may suffice for students and home use, but for most professional contexts, Windows is a no-brainer.

 

I do concur regarding the premium quality of the hardware. The MacBook Pro's build quality is exceptional, and there are few, if any, comparable options available in the market that I have seen.

 

That is OK - but I disagree with your opinion - and that is OK too (we all have a right to our opinions).

I did say in my post I  was not initiating  a CD vs Vinyl debate 

 

I am assuming you have used Mac a lot too to make the comparisons?

I don't play games  so cannot speak about that as it is not my Jam.

I use Mac Book Pro as a work horse,

but I am totally in the Apple eco system as I have the iPad & iPhone too.

 

Where I work they are all Windows based, so I have a lot to do with both platforms.

 

Maybe ask her what she may like? Then she won't be disappointed.

 

The only reason I mentioned it is because your initial question was about Mac.

 

 

 

Edited November 14, 2024 by April Snow
typo

[Addicted to music]

On 14/11/2024 at 8:59 PM, April Snow said:

 

That is OK - but I disagree with your opinion - and that is OK too (we all have a right to our opinions).

I did say in my post I  was not initiating  a CD vs Vinyl debate 

 

I am assuming you have used Mac a lot too to make the comparisons?

I don't play games  so cannot speak about that as it is not my Jam.

I use Mac Book Pro as a work horse,

but I am totally in the Apple eco system as I have the iPad & iPhone too.

 

Where I work they are all Windows based, so I have a lot to do with both platforms.

 

Maybe ask her what she may like? Then she won't be disappointed.

 

The only reason I mentioned it is because your initial question was about Mac.

 

 

 

Windows is a cheap option hence the reason why it’s everywhere in corporate applications. Hence the reason there’s more support and range of applications.   
Like you I have an issues Surface Pro for work.   Once I was exposed to the Apple eco system,  it’s hard not to have an Apple product.  It’s better built than most other vendors and last longer to.  Yep at home everything is Apple.  

[john.reekie]

 

On 10/11/2024 at 8:01 AM, maximus said:

Make sure you buy a cover.

 

AppleCare might also be a good idea. You can get it yearly now, which afaict can be renewed indefinitely (well, I haven't seen anywhere that says otherwise). Mostly because of the cost of replacing the screen.

Edited November 16, 2024 by john.reekie

[POV]

5 hours ago, Addicted to music said:

Windows is a cheap option hence the reason why it’s everywhere in corporate applications. Hence the reason there’s more support and range of applications.   
Like you I have an issues Surface Pro for work.   Once I was exposed to the Apple eco system,  it’s hard not to have an Apple product.  It’s better built than most other vendors and last longer to.  Yep at home everything is Apple.  

I’ve got no real stake in the game, and am not into the tribal wars.  Reality though is that the vast majority of professional design, engineering, configuration, project, cost, configuration management, and machine learning software is either not available at all for MacOS or is optimised for Windows.  For a great many businesses there is no real plausible alternative to Windows.

[john.reekie]

Um, you're mixing up "business" with "professional". These are different things.

[POV]

7 minutes ago, john.reekie said:

Um, you're mixing up "business" with "professional". These are different things.

I have no idea what you mean.