Which MacBook to get? – Apr 23

Apple is hosting its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) from June 5 to June 9, 2023, where it will showcase the latest advancements in its software and hardware. If you’re planning to buy a new MacBook before or after the event, you might be wondering which one is right for you. Here are some factors to consider when choosing the best MacBook for your use case.

  • Performance: If you need a laptop that can handle demanding tasks such as video editing, music production, or gaming, you might want to opt for the MacBook Pro models with the M2 Pro or M2 Max chips. These offer faster performance, more memory, and better graphics than the M2 chip found in the MacBook Air and the base MacBook Pro. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Max is the most powerful MacBook available, but it also comes with a hefty price tag of $3,499 and up. You might also want to wait for WWDC 2023 to see if Apple announces a new Mac Pro with M2 Ultra chip, which could be even more powerful and customizable.
  • Battery life: If you value long-lasting battery life, you might be impressed by the M2 chip’s efficiency. The MacBook Air M2 and the MacBook Pro M2 both offer over 14 hours of battery life on a single charge. The MacBook Pro M2 has the edge with 18 hours and 20 minutes of battery life, making it ideal for travelers or remote workers who don’t have access to a power outlet often.
  • Design: If you care about aesthetics and portability, you might prefer the MacBook Air M2’s sleek and slim design. It’s the thinnest and lightest MacBook, measuring just 0.44 inches thick and weighing 2.7 pounds. It also features a new design with thinner bezels, a larger trackpad, a comfortable keyboard, and a MagSafe charging port. The MacBook Pro models are slightly thicker and heavier, but they also offer more ports, a brighter display, and a Touch ID sensor.
  • Value: If you’re on a budget, you might want to consider the MacBook Air M1, which is still available for under $1,000. It offers excellent performance and battery life for everyday tasks such as web browsing, email, and streaming. It’s also compatible with most apps and software that run on macOS. However, it has an older design with thicker bezels, a smaller trackpad, and fewer ports than the newer models.

Ultimately, the best MacBook for you depends on your personal preferences and needs. You can compare the features and prices of different models on Apple’s website or check out some reviews from trusted sources before making your decision. You might also want to watch WWDC 2023 to see if Apple unveils any new products or features that might influence your choice.

The State of Mac! – Feb 23

When I wrote the article Return of the Mac! in Oct 21 there was an overwhelming feeling that the Mac was making a comeback with the new processors and the possibility of a step change in the workflow of a lot of industries. Though still considered a really high-end product for most of the industries of the world, for those in the creative industries i.e. music, movie, arts, marketing, advertising, communication, photography & graphic design – this is the device of choice. And most importantly, these are such intuitive and fun-to-use devices with most claiming this makes them so much more productive and efficient compared to any other PC.

In the last year, the company has released the 2nd Generation of their homegrown processors – the M2, M2 Pro & M2 Max and they have now clearly taken an unprecedented lead in the home computing device race due to one key factor that not many have given the importance to – battery life. Yes, the M2 series of processors are quite amazing in their computing capability and can compare to a similar beefed-up PC with a higher-than-average graphics processor but more importantly it can help you be more portable than ever before. In in this world slowly drifting towards remote now more than ever – this is one key feature that can really make all the difference. After all, you don’t buy a MacBook for gaming – but because it’s sleek, light-weight, and still powerful for 90% of the tasks required. And if you are in one of the creative fields then even more. And now with the longer battery life it lets you be more mobile without having the need to rush to a charging spot in a coffee shop or anywhere else and still be productive – and yes, even more creative.

Battery Life – the big differentiator (Courtesy Apple.com)

Having managed to buy myself top-of-the-line MacBook Pro just before the M Series processor revolution, I end up looking up the specs and stats of the newer Mac’s quite often – to see what gives me the incentive to actually spend a whole lot of money to upgrade. And now with a more budget conscious eye – look for what is actually a great deal. Keep in mind here that I am looking at the small size MacBook Air’s & Pro’s as I prefer portability for travel.

To be more specific, the sleek look, the portable size, the amazing performance, and now the incredible battery life is the ultimate combination for a laptop user on the go i.e. the M2 MacBook Air or the Pro depending on the kind of workload you expect to put your device through.

MacBook Air M2 compared to Intel (Courtesy Apple.com)
MacBook Pro M2 compared to Intel (Courtesy Apple.com)

The new MacBook Air M2 is 15 times more powerful in dealing with video editing compared to the last generation with Intel Processors. And the the New MacBook Pro M2 is almost 16 times more powerful than my top of the line intel machine from 3 years ago. And all of this while providing me a much better battery life than my device provided during the days it was new.

The best deal if you are budget concious and do not put your laptop through tough workloads is most probably the M1 MacBook Air right now and if you are not in a hurry to upgrade like me then might as well wait for the M2 MacBook Air when the M3 gets announced. If you are however looking for a powerhouse of computing for your tasks then the budget is the only limit – but do ensure to get the Pro, as that fan in the pro is the only limiting factor for Air’s to reach that level of performance.

Hope you enjoyed the read as much as I like spending time on Apple.com! Do let me know on the comments which MacBook you decided to get or if you have any questions that I can help with.

Cheers!

Return Of the Mac! – Apple Event – Oct 21

Techtober is in full swing as of mid October as we had long awaited product reveals from Apple and Google, all of this in one week too. First up, we look at the long awaited MacBook Pro event where Apple announced their new lineup of M1 MacBook Pro’s and the new generation of AirPods (3rd Gen).

What did they announce?

  • MacBook Pro 14″ & 16″ with the M1 Pro & Max Chips
  • AirPods 3rd Generation

Though the event was for the MacBook Pro’s the real stars were the new M1 Chips designed for the Pro’s – the M1 Pro and the M1 Max – WHY? Because these chips beat the already industry leading M1 MacBook Air’s which in turn leave almost all laptops in the same price range in the dust. And not to mention Mac’s last you twice or thrice as long as Windows Laptop’s on average.

Oh and yes, they brought the ports back .. the new Pro’s come with HDMI and SD Card Ports – apart from Thunderbolt and MagSafe Ports. Yup, MagSafe charging for Laptop’s is back too now.

Overall, these laptop’s are amazing value for money if you are someone who already have an older MacBook Pro and do a lot of video editing or programming that needs performance. The only thing missing now is gaming and games compatibility for AAA Titles for these laptops.

They also announced new AirPods – and try not to confuse this one. If you remember the original AirPods then these are the next (3rd Gen) of those. Yes, they look like the AirPods Pro and you could also call them cheaper Pro versions too, sure.

The main thing about these is the improvement in battery life as well as the introduction of Spatial Audio – which is awesome I tell ya. The only thing missing is the Transparency and Noise Cancelling modes which are still a Pro feature.

Hope you enjoyed the read as much as I enjoyed writing it. 📝

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