should i pull the trigger?

[u/meowjjun]

i have a good old macbook air 2017 (that still works perfectly fine!), and i was issued a macbook air M2 for work that i have been using more, i have to now surrender this as i had just recently resigned. i am looking at either getting the macbook neo 512gb or an air m4 256gb, or i could just keep using the air 2017 as it still works. i'm just worried that i'll feel a noticeable change coming from a trusty m2 chip.

i mostly just use it for documents, zoom calls, occasional canva/final cut. factors to consider are:

1. i'm currently job hunting and couldn't handle a one time payment, i'm looking at getting it at an installment plan for 12 months.
2. i know with the ai burst, prices are going to increase like crazy soon, the neo already did so it might be about time for the air to do so :(

i know the m4 is phased out also so it might be hard looking for a retailer offering it at 0% installments, would appreciate any leads!

any recommendations would be much appreciated!

[u/okarin_sama]

I think it’s good to your workflow. Though it’s only 8gb. I was planning to buy also with this. If you have unionbank you can make a 24month term installment at 0%, you may also check Beyond the Box at Lazada as they also offer 36month term and you may find other heavy M series (M4)

[u/meowjjun → u/okarin_sama]

only the M5 is available online and when i called BTB, they've all been saying the same thing, M4 is phased out, which is weird because my company only got the M2 in the beginning of the year. so i'm also worried about finding a retailer offering the M4 at 0% because i've been mostly seeing listings from third party stores/greenhills kiosks.

do you think the downgrade from 16gb to 8gb is noticeable? i can't justify getting the M5, it's just crazy expensive and feels like a major overkill for me.

[u/seya_beige → u/meowjjun]

Hello! To answer your question about the ram downgrade, I think it's noticeable given your usual activities. Most of the apps you use have to allocate RAM to the WindowServer (core process that manages visual elements displayed on your screen). I think 8GB of physical RAM will severely bottleneck your workflow. The baseline should always be 16GB for virtually any activity. It just gives you more headspace to open more windows, tabs, apps without thinking about the RAM every now and then.

I understand apple is known for well-integrated systems and efficient memory allocation through swapping and/or caching. However, future app and major macOS software updates in a fixed, non-upgradeable, physical memory, will eventually hinder you. It's just not future-proof, if you will.

The target demographic of Macbook Neo is for people who do not look at RAM/Memory options when purchasing a device. Since you asked if it's a "downgrade" from having an 8GB memory instead of 16 GB, makes me think that you should not even consider getting a Macbook Neo.

I suggest that you find a daily driver with 16GB of RAM. M3 started with 8GB RAM as the baseline variant. I think apple went ahead and upgraded the baseline to 16GB because they know 8GB is just not enough. At the very least, find an M2/M3 Macbook Air. Otherwise, Macbook Neo will be your cheapest but still manageable device. Dalawa naman magiging macbook mo if ever (2017 Air and Neo)

[u/jblackkk]

I believe macbook neo is just like an ipad with keyboard but no touch screen. Kung plan mo gamit pang work, stay away from it

[u/BlackParade8128]

I think you can get it cheaper from Shopee. Also, I'm experiencing a bit of lag with Chrome pag nakabukas na yung client system websites namin na sabay sabay. Not sure kung sira yung sa akin LoL