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Need a new Macbook but cannot decide which one to go for. I would prefer to buy from John Lewis to get the two year warranty but they only sell base models.
It's only for home use (work during the day on Windows machines).
80% web and Netflix
10% Excel, data crunching (not huge files) and some Sketchup / Fusion 360
10% Youtube video editing (less than 4K).
I'm very tempted to get the 2020 MBA at £919 - but this only has 8GB RAM.
The 2022 MBA base model looks nicer and the slightly larger screen is tempting but I'm basically paying £300 for an extra 0.4" of screen as again only 8GB RAM
I am slightly worried about the SDD wearing out (based on what I've heard in YouTube videos because of only 8GB. That makes me think go for 14" MBP, but they start at £1735 which is more than I want to spend.
Given Macs hold their value I don't have a problem selling it 2 years later if 8GB doesn't quite cut it.
Do I "need" 16gb ram, for my use or would 8gb be fine? Which would you recommend?
8gb fine. I was renting a mac mini 8gb (m1) until my computer (m1 imac, slightly up-specced) came and it handled premiere pro with many hunudreds of gb's of c500 files fine
2022 is a much more modern spec (screen, build, speakers, webcam, etc), think something like iphone X > iphone 13 mini type of jump. the X functions just as well, it's just 'niceability' you'd be paying for.
we're now at the stage where a base mac is good enough for even power users like me
The newer Macs with Apple silicon are much more efficient than the older Intel-based machines and 8GB is absolutely fine.
I’d pay the extra for the 2022 model for a bit of future proofing. It has the M2 chip and also gets a better screen, better camera and better speakers.
I would prefer to buy from John Lewis to get the two year warranty but they only sell base models.
And this is causing you your issues because apple sell the machine you obviously want. (MBA is upto 24G of ram there)
I cant really see you have 16G of excel sheet. But I guess its possible.
There are some very interesting videos from Mark Payne (a professional audio and video type chap) on the M1 MacBooks. This one is discussing 8Gb v 16Gb and the upshot is that even running heavy stuff like Logic Pro 8Gb works, though he would err on the safe side with that sort of usage and go for 16Gb. It would seem that for your usage 8Gb would be fine.
Note he also has an excellent video comparing Air and Pro and one on SSD lifespan.
A bigger issue to me is the 256Gb SSD on the base model. I would prefer something larger though there again, Mr. Payne seems happy with (cheaper) USB SSDs.
2020 MBA with 8gb of RAM here and still very happy with it.
I bought a 1TB Crucial X8 external SSD that runs at 1050Mb/s and that's plenty fast enough for my needs.
Done some multi-track recording - 20 + tracks with many VSTs, no problems.
Done Sketchup, some pretty complicated models - no problems.
Done some Photoshop with pretty big images and lots of layers - no problems.
They're very good machines!
Edited out ref to intel. No one buys that anymore.
M2 MBA or 14” MBP.
MBP is amazing but the MBA is much lighter and easier to carry around and performs really well.
The M2 MBA is darn good all round.
Base specs are fine for most everyone not wrangling huge PS files, massive video, or monster maths.
SDDs wearing out? Not IRL.
I've just moved to an M1 Air from a 2015 Pro and the difference is incredible. Did think about the M2 but just couldn't justify the extra cost. All the reviews I read said the 256gb SSD was slower in the M2 as well as it was a single chip
M1 Air base model will do everything you need it to. I went M2 just because the M1 wedge form factor is ancient and the bezels seem really big by todays standards.
But if you haven’t had the pleasure of a MBA classic before it really is a lovely design.
If you buy from apple website you get 2 year warranty compared to 1 year in their stores. This is because the website is in Ireland so they have to give you the eu warranty
Another consideration is how many screens you want to run. I went from last gen Intel Air (8gb) to a new 14” MBP because I like to use 2 external screens. The new Airs only support 1 external (extended desktop) natively.
I still use the older air for a separate work contract, and the difference between than and the new MBP (16gb) is significant when creating files in garage band, but that’s likely to be as much down the arm (Apple silicon) chip as the extra ram.
Thanks everyone, ordered the base ME MBA. It's on sale at John Lewis at the moment. Now to find a decent USB hub.....