Buying Macbook Air M1 while working for a Vacation Rentals Company

Kashoof wrote:

1. Hi,

So I am a Windows user for as long as I can remember and now I have got a job and I am working for a vacation rental company, as a part of my job I have to manage different accounts, transfer data and load some heavy files. And recently I have felt that my Windows laptop is getting slow. I am considering upgrading to a Macbook Air M1.

Note that the M1 and M2 MacBook Airs will not run the Intel version of Windows. They will run the ARM version of Windows 11 (inside a Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion virtual machine), but many Windows applications do not have ARM versions (so they'd run under Microsoft's emulation or translation, if at all).

Now I have a few questions:

Should I buy a MacBook Air M1 or m2? Considering I am planning to use it for at least 3 years in the future. And I am a student too, so I will be using it for college work too.

The M2 MacBook Air has a MagSafe 3 charging port that the M1 MacBook Air lacks – as well as a better sound system and a better Webcam. The M1 model is only available with a 13" screen whereas the M2 model offers a choice between 13" and 15" screen sizes.

https://www.apple.com/mac/compare/?modelList=MacBook-Air-M1,MacBook-Air-M2,MacBook-Air-M2-15

All of these machines have two multi-purpose USB-C / USB4 / Thunderbolt ports and support a single external monitor.

2. How much memory do I really need? As I do not know about memory management in the Macbook, so buying the base variant with 256 GB of memory will be enough?

On all of these machines, whatever amount of RAM and internal SSD space the machine comes with, is what it will have forever. You cannot upgrade RAM or internal SSD space after purchase (though you can add external drives).

You can custom-order M1 machines with 8 or 16 GB of RAM; M2 machines with 8, 16, or 24 GB of RAM. If you want the machine to last, I would suggest getting at least 16 GB of RAM, even if you have to custom-order it.

As for internal storage, I believe the options are 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB.

Kashoof wrote:

1. Hi,

So I am a Windows user for as long as I can remember and now I have got a job and I am working for a vacation rental company, as a part of my job I have to manage different accounts, transfer data and load some heavy files. And recently I have felt that my Windows laptop is getting slow. I am considering upgrading to a Macbook Air M1.

Now I have a few questions:

Should I buy a MacBook Air M1 or m2? Considering I am planning to use it for at least 3 years in the future. And I am a student too, so I will be using it for college work too.

I would certainly recommend the M2 MBA, as the M2 has some important improvements over the M1. You mention you'll be using it for college work, so don't forget you most likely are eligible for Apple's Education Discount. If you aren't, bhphotovideo.com seems to offer the best discounts on new Macs that I've seen.

As far as memory is concerned, I almost always recommend 16GB, and would almost always recommend 512GB of internal storage, as neither can be upgraded.

Kashoof wrote:

1. Hi,

So I am a Windows user for as long as I can remember and now I have got a job and I am working for a vacation rental company, as a part of my job I have to manage different accounts, transfer data and load some heavy files. And recently I have felt that my Windows laptop is getting slow. I am considering upgrading to a Macbook Air M1.

Now I have a few questions:

Should I buy a MacBook Air M1 or m2? Considering I am planning to use it for at least 3 years in the future. And I am a student too, so I will be using it for college work too.

I would go for M2. No sense it going for the older CPU if you can get the newer CPU.

2. How much memory do I really need? As I do not know about memory management in the Macbook, so buying the base variant with 256 GB of memory will be enough?

That's not memory, that's storage. Memory, a.k.a RAM, is another thing you need to decide on.

Rule of thumb is to get as much storage and RAM as budget allows, otherwise, you will be depending on external hard drives, as the internal one cannot be upgraded or modified in any way.

For storage, try at least 512GB. It will let you have more room to work with, and not depend on external drives as much.

For RAM, go for at least 16GB. 8GB these days is simply not enough.

Also, M! or M2 Macs will not run regular x86 Windows, only ARM Windows, which may or may not run the Windows apps you may want to run.

Kashoof wrote:

1. Hi,

So I am a Windows user for as long as I can remember and now I have got a job and I am working for a vacation rental company, as a part of my job I have to manage different accounts, transfer data and load some heavy files. And recently I have felt that my Windows laptop is getting slow. I am considering upgrading to a Macbook Air M1.

Now I have a few questions:

Should I buy a MacBook Air M1 or m2? Considering I am planning to use it for at least 3 years in the future. And I am a student too, so I will be using it for college work too.

2. How much memory do I really need? As I do not know about memory management in the Macbook, so buying the base variant with 256 GB of memory will be enough?

It is hard for us to say what computer you should use/get. Make sure your work apps and school apps will work on any computer you decide to get.

Kashoof wrote:

Does this education discount is applicable outside the US? I am going to buy it from Dubai, UAE

I'd suggest contacting Apple and asking them that.

If you go to Apple Store - Find a Store - Apple , type in Dubai, and select "Dubai, United Arab Emerites" from the menu, several stores come up. Maybe one of those would be a good place to call.

Kashoof wrote:

Does this education discount is applicable outside the US? I am going to buy it from Dubai, UAE

Yes. Apple offers Education discounts from the Education Store in the UAE.

Education Pricing and Student Discounts - Education - Apple (AE)