Macbook Pro M1 2020

xdyuhxd wrote:

As a university student who is specifically going to use the Macbook Pro for zoom classes, assignment typing, having multiple tabs open, basic work (excel, word, powerpoint); etc is a 8GB or 16GB RAM most essential?

Future proof your purchase— I would get no less than 16GB.

xdyuhxd wrote:

Is there a specific reason for that?

?

"future-proof" refers to the ability of something to continue to be of value into the future—that the item does not become obsolete.

Both RAM and Storage are soldered to to the logic board— no upgrade path beyond point of purchase.

Ask yourself how many years do you plan to use the machine...

Both the demand for storage and RAM increases, it does not decrease...

xdyuhxd wrote:

would it be best to get the m1 macbook pro or macbook air?

I have no idea what would be best for you.

Compare them yourself and come to some conclusion about what meets your need.

https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro-13/

https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/

One other difference between the two you mentioned that may Not be obvious from the specs is that the MacBook Air model has no fan. If you push it hard, it HAS to throttle itself back to avoid over-heating.

The MacBook Pro model has a cooling fan, whose speed is run in a feedback loop based on measured temperatures. When it heats up, the fan spins faster to unload the heat and you keep computing.