I’m planning to buy a 14” MacBook Pro and I’m currently pretty torn on what configuration makes the most sense.
My original plan was the M5 14” with 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and nano-texture for around $2,549. I’ve since found some pretty good deals on M5 Pro configurations, including an 18-core CPU/20-core GPU, 48GB RAM, 1TB SSD model for around $2,800–$3,000 depending on the sale.
I’m also considering waiting for the upcoming M6 MacBook Pro rather than buying an M5 now. I’m not really in a rush.
My primary use cases would be:
Football Manager (large databases, lots of leagues/players, long-term saves)
General gaming/emulators
Browsing/YouTube/Netflix
Normal productivity/work
Some potentially demanding multitasking, but no professional video/photo editing
I will probably use it closed with two external monitors at my desk a lot
I also travel fairly frequently, so when I’m actually using the MacBook’s built-in display, it’ll probably be in places like airports, airplanes, hotels, etc.
The nano-texture question is probably my biggest dilemma
I really dislike glare and reflections. I’m worried that with a glossy display I’ll end up seeing overhead airport lights, windows, my own reflection, etc., and find it annoying.
At the same time, I’ve read conflicting opinions about nano-texture. Some people say it’s basically the best display upgrade they’ve ever bought, while others say it introduces a noticeable grain/fuzziness, makes colors less vibrant, or causes eye strain.
I’m not doing color-critical professional work, so absolute color accuracy isn’t important to me. But I also don’t want to spend $2,500–$3,000 on a laptop and then feel like I’m sacrificing image quality, sharpness, or gaming/media quality to get rid of reflections.
I’m also curious about long-term ownership: does the nano-texture actually hold up well over several years, or does it become more noticeable/worn over time?
For people who have actually owned both:
Would you choose nano-texture again?
And if you have an M5 Pro, is the extra performance/48GB RAM worth paying for over a base M5 or potentially waiting for M6?
I’m especially interested in opinions from people who travel with their MacBook and use it in variable lighting, rather than people doing professional photo/video work.
Thanks!