Hello Apple,
I am really torn between an Air and Pro. I am hoping you can look at my workload and make a recommendation. My main concern with the air is that it will throttle too much during use, but I really do not know if that is a problem.
The country I live in does not have returns, so it is a little stressful as I do not want to over spend, but I also do not want to get a computer that can’t handle my workload.
I know the pro has a new processor, I can wait until the Air gets a new processor before buying it, so I am not concerned about that.
I’m considering the $1299 air or the $1500 pro. (The prices are a bit different in my country, but these are the models I am considering.)
Main Task
I will have Excel, Powerpoint, PDFs, Word, and software like Zoom all running at the same time. I may be in Zoom meetings with cameras on for up to 10 hours straight. (This is where I am concerned about throttling) I will also have a few other open programs like discord, telegram, and a web browser (probably firefox).
Secondary Task
I will be doing some video editing on it and recording with OBS the recordings would be up to an hour at the most and probably in 1080p for both the recording and editing. I will be using final cut as I used it in the past an am familiar with it. I’ll do this about once a week.
Additional Irrelevant Info
This is mainly a work computer that will be used closed and connected to a monitor for most of the time working on it. I do need a laptop so I can work remotely often enough.
I will not be gaming on it or anything as I have a SteamDeck for that. I might run some AI stuff on it to play around, but if it works well enough I might run it for work. But, I can offload those tasks to the cloud so it is not a big deal to work on the Mac.
Anyway, thanks for your input. I am guessing the Air will be fine, I just don’t want to get stuck with the wrong computer.
Assuming you’re talking about a laptop…
Pro. 100% It has a fan to keep cool during your work sessions, and with that much going on you’ll need that fan.
I assume also that you need to be portable for some reason. If not check out the new Mac mini.
One thing to note, is that if you use more than 1 external monitor, you need the Pro or need to install a third party program such as Display Link manager to use multiple DisplayLink compatible displays
The Macbook Air with an M3 can drive two external monitors with the lid closed.
Did something change with the Air? I had a 2018 model I think and used two monitors without display link.
M2 air can handle any work load I throw at it. Mine is mostly programming though. For rendering 4k video, you might benefit from a pro. Make sure you get at least 16GB of RAM no matter which one you choose
Thanks! I was actually waiting until Apple made the base ram 16gb before I would buy one. I’ve been waiting since the m2 came out 😂
My windows workload typically uses around 9-10gb so clearly 8gb was not enough.
An Air will probably be enough for your main task, but you should probably go with the Pro because of your secondary task.
If it is going to be a primary computer or a work computer then I would get the Pro. The extra horsepower and cooling just simply make it more capable.
The Air is still a very good laptop and it is surprising what it can do, but if this is going to be a work tool for you then you should get the best that you can afford. An Air might be good 90% of the time but that 10% where it overheats will suck heaps.
