My wife has used pcs all her life but has asked for a mac. Her needs are basic: web browsing, google mail, google docs. I was in tech, a cto, and know quite a bit about pcs but next to nothing about macs.
option 1: $700 m1, 8mb, 256 SSD from Walmart or best buy. However, it's a 2020 machine which I believe means OS and security updates will end in 3 years or so.
option 2: $1000 M2, 8mb, 256mb SSD, however I've read that the SSD is slow. this is fixed by purchasing a 512mb SSD for another $200, so $1200 for the machine
option 3: $1099 edit: $949 at Costco!, M3 8mb, 256mb SSD which, fixes the SSD problem and contains a more powerful chip
option 4: refurb m2 from apple and for $929
I'm leaning towards the $700 model or the $1099 m3, some questions:
- how concerned should I be about lack of os updates in 3 years? I understand the laptop will continue to function.
- Am I correct that the m1 will be more than sufficient for web browsing?
- Is there any reason not to purchase an apple refurb? I note it comes with a full warranty
- Is apple care+ worth it?
- should I be considering any of the other options I listed?
- edit: the m3 is now $949 at costco, thinking that's the way to go, $249 for a new machine and more os updates.
best,
ps please don't suggest a PC, Chromebook or linux-based laptop, we're both fully aware of those options and she wants a MacBook.
option 1: $700 m1, 8mb, 256 SSD from Walmart or best buy. However, it's a 2020 machine which I believe means OS and security updates will end in 3 years or so.
option 2: $1000 M2, 8mb, 256mb SSD, however I've read that the SSD is slow. this is fixed by purchasing a 512mb SSD for another $200, so $1200 for the machine
option 3: $1099 edit: $949 at Costco!, M3 8mb, 256mb SSD which, fixes the SSD problem and contains a more powerful chip
option 4: refurb m2 from apple and for $929
I'm leaning towards the $700 model or the $1099 m3, some questions:
- how concerned should I be about lack of os updates in 3 years? I understand the laptop will continue to function.
- Am I correct that the m1 will be more than sufficient for web browsing?
- Is there any reason not to purchase an apple refurb? I note it comes with a full warranty
- Is apple care+ worth it?
- should I be considering any of the other options I listed?
- edit: the m3 is now $949 at costco, thinking that's the way to go, $249 for a new machine and more os updates.
best,
ps please don't suggest a PC, Chromebook or linux-based laptop, we're both fully aware of those options and she wants a MacBook.
Statistics: Posted by gips — Wed May 15, 2024 11:00 am — Replies 20 — Views 638