Macbook Pro vs Air for a Uni Student

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sudo

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#311816 16-Feb-2024 15:51

So I got a compsci student at home wanting a Mac. I want to get him something that's gonna last through his degree.

The choice is either a 14" MB Pro M3 vs 15" Air M2 (with more RAM/HDD)

The Air still comes out a little cheaper

The Youtube reviews basically say for non-serious rendering/gaming workload, they are pretty similar.

My gut feeling is the Pro is going last longer, but I have little exposure to the Air.

Anyone have insights?

Also with Applecare+

Seems it now only offers discounted repair. The "other" price seems very high, considering you already pay $400+ for coverage in the first place.

Each incident is subject to a service fee of NZ$169 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or NZ$499 for other accidental damage.

Handle9

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#3196422 16-Feb-2024 16:12

Realistically either would probably be fine, depending on the workloads. I doubt they'll be running massive workloads at uni but could be wrong.

I would be looking more seriously at a 13 inch Macbook Air rather than the 15 inch. IMO the extra screen real estate really isn't worth the weight for carting around uni. Get a decent external monitor for home with the difference in money.

The 14 inch Macbook Pro is heavy (I'm typing on one now). I wouldn't want to carry one around on public transport etc.

wellygary

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#3196423 16-Feb-2024 16:13

The Pro has more ports (HDMI/SD cards) although you can do this via dongles on the Air , The M3 is faster than the M2 ,

They are about the same in terms of weight and battery life

Other than that I guess its how much they want the extra screen size.

wellygary

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#3196425 16-Feb-2024 16:15

Handle9:

The 14 inch Macbook Pro is heavy (I'm typing on one now). I wouldn't want to carry one around on public transport etc.

Apple say the base 14 MB Pro is 1.55Kg, the 15 MB Air is 1.51kg ... so the extra screen space adds up making it a pretty even comparison

Handle9

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#3196427 16-Feb-2024 16:17

wellygary:

Handle9:

The 14 inch Macbook Pro is heavy (I'm typing on one now). I wouldn't want to carry one around on public transport etc.

Apple say the base 14 MB Pro is 1.55Kg, the 15 MB Air is 1.51kg ... so the extra screen space adds up making it a pretty even comparison

I said they were both heavy. The 13 inch air is a much better device for mobility IMO.