this post was submitted on 20 Nov 2023
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Not sure if I need a MacBook Pro or Air! (alien.top)
submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I’m sorry - I know there’s a bunch of these posts but I’d really appreciate any advice!! I use an older MacBook Pro for work but it’s at the end of it’s life. The company I work for requires me to use Citrix. I work at a bank and I run 3-4 of the bank’s systems at a time along with multiple Microsoft Office programs (typically 2 sessions of Word, 2-3 sessions of Excel). Nothing super intensive here, although the systems I run can be a lot all at once on my older device.

The Best Buy sales on the base M3 MacBook Pro and 15” M2 MacBook Air are great. The problem is I’m worried about 8GB not being enough but I’m not very knowledgeable about what I’d actually need. Best Buy only has the base M2 Air and base M3 MacBook Pro in 8G. To get a higher memory, I’d have to get the M3 Pro chip with 18GB memory which I can afford but I’m not sure if I actually need it.

Unfortunately I want to stick with Best Buy because I have an iPad trade in they gave me a Best Buy gift card for - so I have a lot of money off if I buy it there.

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

You can get the M2 Pro 14" MacBook Pro for $1,599 on Best Buy since it’s on sale which is the same price as the base M3 MacBook Pro and it has 16 GB of memory (RAM) but I would recommend the M3 Pro MacBook Pro, it’ll definitely be worth it in the long run and it’ll last you longer and it’ll definitely be worth the extra money, it also has a way better and brighter screen (brighter screen than the M2 Pro too) and better battery life than the Air.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I also agree with Jon. If you don’t plan on keeping it for a while, the air will be fine. You can’t upgrade the memory, so once you buy it, you’re stuck with it. If you do plan on keeping it for a while, I would just go with the 16/18.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Thank you! I do want to keep the laptop for as long as possible so maybe the Pro would be a good choice even if it is kind of overkill for what I use it for. The refurbished MacBook Pro 14” M2 Pro/16GB from 2023 was also a contender. It’s the same price as the new base M3 model.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

You're welcome!!! Also BestBuy has brand new M2 16gb for $1600. They are back and shipping starts in December.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

If you edit TONS of video - Pro. Otherwise Air. Very simple

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I’ll add, went with 15 air myself in a higher spec but the single native video output is an annoyance. It’s more than enough for my use case. GL on your decision OP.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Thank you, I appreciate the advice. You know I was thinking about the single video output too because that’s something where I may want dual monitors when I work. The refurbished M2 Pros from 2023 are $1599 and the new M3 Pros are $1849 at Best Buy. Not a huge difference but that could be an option too. Difficult decision - I do want to keep whatever I get for as long as possible

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

You can get the M2 Pro 14" MacBook Pro for $1,599 on Best Buy since it’s on sale which is the same price as the base M3 MacBook Pro and it has 16 GB of memory (RAM) but I would recommend the M3 Pro MacBook Pro, it’ll definitely be worth it in the long run and it’ll last you longer and it’ll definitely be worth the extra money, it also has a way better and brighter screen (brighter screen than the M2 Pro too) and better battery life than the Air.