I have a 2021 MacBook Pro with M1 Pro chip. I’m thinking about upgrading. Is the 2024 MacBook Air with M3 chip better? I will be using it for coding. If so, what specs should I get as far as memory and storage? I’m just starting college for computer science and want to make sure I get the right laptop that’ll last me. Thank you!
The 2024 M3 is slightly better for coding. A bit lighter, slightly faster CPU, newer processor.
However the difference is small enough and an M1-Pro has enough other perks (HDMI output, extra usb-c port on right side, slightly faster GPU) that I would not recommend traiding in an M1-Pro you already own to buy an M3-Air.
For a M3 air Ram is the most important upgrade. 8 GB will run Sonoma, iWork apps, a couple web browser tabs, and a basic python editor. However if you want to work with a large project in a full feature IDE or spin up virtual machines I would strongly recommend at least 16GB.
More disk space/storage is a nice to have. I’d suggest at least 512GB, but external storage is relatively small and portable theses days.
The 2024 M3 is slightly better for coding. A bit lighter, slightly faster CPU, newer processor.
However the difference is small enough and an M1-Pro has enough other perks (HDMI output, extra usb-c port on right side, slightly faster GPU) that I would not recommend traiding in an M1-Pro you already own to buy an M3-Air.
For a M3 air Ram is the most important upgrade. 8 GB will run Sonoma, iWork apps, a couple web browser tabs, and a basic python editor. However if you want to work with a large project in a full feature IDE or spin up virtual machines I would strongly recommend at least 16GB.
More disk space/storage is a nice to have. I’d suggest at least 512GB, but external storage is relatively small and portable theses days.
hello__123 wrote:
I have a 2021 MacBook Pro with M1 Pro chip. I’m thinking about upgrading. Is the 2024 MacBook Air with M3 chip better? I will be using it for coding. If so, what specs should I get as far as memory and storage? I’m just starting college for computer science and want to make sure I get the right laptop that’ll last me. Thank you!
Contact the school you will be attending and ask them what computer you need for your selected course of study. Neither computer you mention will be good for a computer science curriculum that requires Windows. And, you need to be 100% compatible with your instructors and other students for team projects.
M4 is slightly better than lower-numbered models, but it is only an incremental difference, not a revolutionary difference.
MacBook Air is great for ordinary paper-writing and lightweight use. Running compilers is less demanding than video editing and modeling and shading, but is not exactly lightweight use, more in the middle. Lack of a cooling fan means that it must throttle itself when it heats up from Hard Work. So it may not be the best choice for you.
Don't skip AppleCare PLUS. A broken display can run US$600 or more, depending on model. You need that coverage.
Buy more RAM memory. 16 GB is a de-facto requirement just to RUN Ventura and later.
Is 2021 MacBook Pro or 2024 MacBook Air better?
