Based on your described workload, this configuration would more than accommodate you. RAM being the most important spec. And if you need it now, get it now. The M2 is great. You will not notice much benefit holding out for the M3.
Your bigger decision is screen size. Can you get by with 13inches or do you need the extra real estate of 15inches?
If you can get by with a smaller screen size, and you want to avoid dongle town, you could consider the the baseline M3 MacBook Pro (you do not need a pro or max chip) with 24GB RAM and 1TB storage.
Related Recs
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Theyāve already moved onto the M2 now which is even faster. I got a Pro last year for some video editing, and these new chips are faaaaaast. The MacRumors site is a helpful guide too and tracks Appleās release cycles. If youāre able to hold out a little while longer, all of the Macs are listed as āDonāt Buyā because new versions are probably coming soon. The price usually stays the same with new version releases, so youād be getting more for your dollahh
Feb 27, 2024
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As theclack said, Apple laptops did have a troubled period. That is no longer the case. Windows PCs canāt touch the performance or battery life of any of Appleās laptops, and they wonāt have the longevity either. Just donāt expect to do any serious gaming on it.
Apple is expensive but you can bank on it lasting and being useful for a long time (same goes for iPhones). Iād recommend maxing out the RAM on the MacBook Air configuration, and adding at least 1TB of storage.
As an aside, my personal laptop is one of the ābadā Apple laptops (2016 MacBook Pro) and Iāve never had any issues with it. Itās six years old and still trucking. Could use a battery replacement though.
Mar 1, 2024
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A luxury thanks to getting to keep a pretty beefy Macbook Pro from being laid off, combined with the magic of an M1 Air for all things music. Two different desks, two different chairs, different mindsets at each. Try it, seems inefficient until you ride the bike.
Feb 1, 2024
Top Recs from @lucius
Alright y'all, standards have gotten a little lax around here and rec quality has taken a dip (I'm including myself in this). Here are some pointers for High Rec Standards.
ANATOMY OF A REC:
TITLEāThis is the rec or recommendations. This is NOT a lead in. Type exactly what you're recommending here. What appears in the Title should finish this sentence, "I recommend _____."
BODYāThis supports the rec and anything goes. Supporting statements, supporting essays, additional recs, you can get silly, you can pontificate. You can do anything you want. Except putting the main rec down here. Where does it go? That's right. In the Title š
IMAGEāNo rules. Add one to preference. It can be relevant or a non sequitur.
LINKāI highly recommend links but it's not as important as the Title or Body. If you are recommending something that has an online presence (music, movies, websites, products, etc.), Piffies want to click on it immediately. Don't make us google. Be kind a leave a link.
EMOJIāNo rules. Express yourself.
ANTI-RECS:
They exist and they are valid recs. "Anti-Rec: _____" clearly communicates this is something best avoided. But a better way format this type of Rec is to use a modifier or verb that flows with "I recommend _____." Ex. I recommend... Not Eating Tacks, Avoiding Area X, Leaving Off the Anchovies, etc.ā(Formatting Anti-Recs this way first recommended by tyler the Creator)
ANATOMY OF AN ASK:
TITLEāThis is the question or topic of the Ask. Asks can solicit advice or start a discussion. You have some flexibility here because the Ask is expected to be expounded upon in the body if it needs more context. Just be clear. Again, this is not a lead in. Be direct and ask the question or state the topic.
BODYāProvide more context. Narrow the recommendation field. Add relevant links. Remember, the Ask goes in the Title š
EMOJIāNo rules. Express yourself.
ANSWERING AN ASKāRecs on Asks can break style as dictated by the Ask. If the Ask is looking for Recs, give Recs following style. If it's asking for opinions, give your opinion. Asking for links? Give links! Respond however you would respond some someone IRL. Asks start a conversation so you can be more conversational. But keep in mind that these Recs will appear in the main feed. So where you can maintain Rec style, do so.
Example: WHATāS YOUR CURRENT LETTERBOXD TOP 4?
A response to this with High Rec Standards would look something like this:
TITLEāLists your current Letterboxd top 4. You are recommending these four movies.
BODYāFree reign here. Drop your Letterboxd @. Talk about the movies. Make a quip. Emoji. Relevant links. Nothing.
IMAGEāOptional. Screenshot of your top four. Frame from a movie. Dealer's choice.
LINKāAdd your Letterboxd profile only if you want to be found.
EMOJIāWhatever. But it'd be nice if it was relevant.
DISCLAIMER:
This is a living community document! These are only my recommendations for a foundation. Debate and Discussion of proper style are Encouraged. Any editions and changes to the PI.FYI STYLE GUIDE will be notated with attribution.
Changelog:
07.26.2024āClarified a Rec is not limited to one recommendation. Recs can recommend multiple things. Thanks to shegoestoanotherschool for identifying the issue. / Added guidance for Anti-Rec format.
02.11.2025āMoved SpongeBob Bubble Blowing Technique video link from the top level into the body ("some pointers") so the embed wouldn't override the High Quality instructional graphic.
Jul 25, 2024
šø
This combo has just been here the whole time?!
Feb 6, 2025
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i will eat one every day i do not give a fuck anymore
Jan 30, 2024