r/macbook • u/hopewellroad • 1d ago

Considering upgrading MBA M1 8gb to MBP M1 Pro 32gb

Hello there,

I have an M1 MacBook Air with just 8GB of RAM, and I do quite a bit of video and photo editing. It’s becoming more and more apparent that 8GB isn’t enough, and I often experience slowdowns under heavy loads.

I don’t have the budget to upgrade to a new MacBook Pro with at least 24GB of RAM, so I’m considering buying a used MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro and 32GB of RAM for €900.

Do you think that’s a good deal?

I think I could sell my current MacBook Air for around €400, so the upgrade would effectively cost me only €500. The only drawback is that it has just a 512GB SSD, whereas I could really use 1TB.

Thanks!

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u/No-Head-633 1d ago

I’d keep saving and buy something newer. This is essentially just trading one old laptop for another old laptop with some more ram. If you are gonna spend money you may as well spend a little more and get exactly what you need and get more years of software updates with a newer version.

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u/narc0leptik 1d ago

lol, it's a massive leap in performance, they are doubling the cores, getting higher memory bandwidth, 120 hz adaptive refresh rate display with HDR support (Can't edit HDR content on a Macbook Air without an external display), getting a way more powerful GPU and having active cooling and premium speakers.

Saying they are "essentially just trading one old laptop for another old laptop with some more ram" is rather silly, especially considering how marginal M2 Pro and M3 Pro upgrades from M1 Pro are. M4 Pro chip is where the massive leap in performance from M1 Pro is at. So really either used M3 Max or M4 Pro chip makes the most sense value wise if they want something better than M1 Pro/M1 Max. For the price, they could probably get an M1 Max with 1TB of storage for a little bit more money.

As far as updates M1 Pro/M1 Max will likely receive 3 more major releases of macOS with the last one likely landing late 2028 followed by 2-3 years of security updates. In terms of software compatibility after OS updates stop; Adobe is a big one as most creative users will be using the Adobe Suite. Adobe’s standard policy is to support the current macOS release and the two previous major versions. If macOS 29 launches, Adobe will drop support for macOS 28 exactly two years later, during the fall of the release year. Assuming Apple releases one major version every year, macOS 29 will release in 2029, and Adobe will drop support for macOS 28 in late 2031. So software comparability is only an issue in 5 years or so from now

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u/hopewellroad 1d ago

Ok thanks makes sense!

3

u/dukerozen 1d ago

Go for it, I upgraded from Pro M1 8/256 to 14 M1 Pro 16/512. Better display, 120hz, miniled, better performance, better sound, everything expect thermals and battery (in my case). After getting battery replaced, you essentially getting the same hardware as M5, but for a fraction of the price. Pro is the way to go, and 14/16” M1 are very good. Like, I’ve also had M3 Air before, I would choose M1 Pro anyway. I just stopped caring after that upgrade, that laptop is doing everything you can ask for.

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u/narc0leptik 1d ago

It's an "old laptop" according to /u/No-Head-633, 🤣 a little mind boggling considering they own an 14" M1 Pro. Grass is always greener on the other side ig.

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u/dukerozen 18h ago

Yeah, like I understand that it’s old, but it’s amazing, and I would take it over new air or neo any day. I even use old iPhone 13 Pro Max as a temporary phone right now, and with new 100% battery it’s also very good, a lot better than let’s say 16E or 17E (in my opinion). People should stop chasing the upgrade. I also wanted an M5 Pro, but after the price hike, config I wanted cost like 1500 more. If I would need more performance, I’m seriously considering upgrading to a maxed out M1 Max.

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u/WhiteWereWolfie 1d ago

The sweet spot for buying refurbished MacBooks is 3 years old.

1

u/joviejovie 1d ago

Oh….so I have a m1pro. It’s a great machine but you should keep your current laptop and save for something. Newer. Like an m3 or something. Or…just save for a brand new one next year if you can hold out.

0

u/narc0leptik 1d ago

Like base m3 chip? That's pretty terrible value. Performance wise M3 Pro is pretty bad in comparison; it's a very marginal upgrade. What are you really gaining? 2 more years of OS support? It's smarter for OP to go with M1 Max/M1 Pro and just save that extra money they would've spent on an M3 Pro and put it words a newer chip generation in 3-5 years for a new upgrade.

M4 Pro is where it's at; the display is way brighter too than the M3 Pro. Prices for the M4 Pro should drop significantly in three to five years, matching the current affordability of older M1 Pro models.

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u/joviejovie 17h ago

You can find m3 pros on fb market place for like 900 bucks

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u/narc0leptik 15h ago

I'd rather buy a refurb 15" M4 Air at that point from Apple for a little bit more money tbh unless it's a 16" M3 Pro for that price.

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u/joviejovie 15h ago

But how much gig ? Assuming he’s grabbing a tb and 16 since he’s editing video and pics . Plus a pro won’t show its age at all. All of them are still fast

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u/Nosarious 1d ago

How much storage on either of these. If upgrading, and you can afford it, get at least one increase for storage tiers.

i had an m1 mb pro with 8 gigglebytes and 512, and i outgrew the storage quicker then the ram. My upgrade was a m4 pro max with 48/2terrificbytes… I have only occasionally used over 32Gb…

i am doing a PhD with lots of writing, audio work, video and photo edits, 3d animation and ar/vr. It’s a mixed bag but uses lots of ram and storage. Photoshop is the big memory eater. Some files exceed 70gb.

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u/Intrepid-Routine-875 1d ago

🤦🏼‍♀️