Considering MacBook Upgrade. (MBA vs MBP)
I currently have a 2019 MacBook Pro 16-inch w/2.4 GHz 8-core Inter i9 processor with 32 GB RAM and AMD Radeon Pro 5500M 8 GB graphics.
I use this laptop mostly for research-level browsing, viewing streaming services, nonprofessional but serious photography, as well as some video editing & playback. I also use the MBP configured as a desktop computer sometimes for photographic editing w/Photomator on a large studio-grade monitor. Any gaming I do is usually low arcade-level stuff.
I am considering upgrading to a:
- 2023 MacBook Air 15-inch (M2) w/24 GB Unified Memory
OR
- 2023 MacBook Pro 16-inch (M2 Pro) w/32 GB Unified Memory.
The MacBook Pro configuration will easily be over $1,000 USD more than the Air configuration. I like a large display, and find the size and weight of the MBA is very attractive. I’ll be using my current MBP as a trade-in if I do this.
Questions I have are:
- Will the MBA have enough power for the photography and video editing?
- Is the MBP more processing power than I need (don’t need a McMansion if a smaller bungalow will do)?
- Pros/Cons of waiting for the M3 chip to come out in 2024 ostensibly making the MB M2 models more affordable?
Thank you very much for your thoughts and suggestions.
MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.0