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Just yesterday, I got into a very interesting discussion. Two people argued that getting new hardware now doesn’t make sense, as the news won’t be released until fall. But how is it? Does waiting make sense, or is it worth getting something now?
I’ll look at the whole situation from the perspective of Apple devices. You may be surprised, but I’ll tip you on three evergreen devices and one for professionals.
Does it make sense to get some computers right now?
I have a very simple lesson on this topic, always get and choose devices when needed. Otherwise, you can wait forever. The reason is simple: companies may have two more generations in the labs for testing when something is introduced to the public and goes on sale.
And as a result, if you think of things in terms of the next generation being better and you wait for it, you have to realize that the moment the generation you are currently waiting for comes out, you face the same problem again because the next generation may be better again.
Sometimes it will be better in performance and energy efficiency, but there will always be an improvement. How fast it will be is helped by the various manufacturing processes and the efficiency of waste heat removal. So the conclusion on whether it’s worth getting some equipment is clear. Absolutely yes, if you need it now.
Tips on specific equipment
I work on various platforms, but I enjoy my work with Apple products, which I will focus on in my recommendations. I currently see four options I would recommend for work. Starting with the cheapest and gradually moving on to fully professional devices.
Apple MacBook Air M1
Yes, I have just recommended a device introduced in 2020. If you buy this Apple MacBook Air with M1 and add 16GB of unified memory, you get a great portable device that will never disappoint you. It has passive cooling, so you’ll never be disturbed by a fan while you work.
Yes, it can sometimes get a little breathless for more demanding tasks, but it can handle anything sooner or later. Another advantage of this device is that it is a complete device, i.e. display, keyboard and trackpad. If you are travelling or intend to carry this device, you will get a full-featured machine that can currently be on sale for less than $1000.
Apple Mac mini M2 Pro
The next device I decided to put on my recommendation list is the Mac mini with the M2 Pro. Specifically, I would opt for the model fitted with 1TB of memory, 32GB of unified memory and a processor with 12 cores. I’m deliberately not mentioning graphics cores.
This tremendous mini-computer will bring you a lot of joy, it even outperforms the Apple Mac Studio in my tests, but I won’t kid you. The configuration I mention will cost slightly more than the basic Mac Studio, but you will have a machine that will last you for years.
Mac mini is small, but I would use it more as an alternative to a desktop PC. Its main advantage is absolute silence, even when the fan spins, so you hardly know about it. Another advantage is the choice of custom peripherals. So you choose the monitor size and parameters that suit you and add a keyboard and mouse.
While I’m at it recommending personally, I have been using for years peripherals from Logitech, which is, at least from my point of view, a great choice for work. Specifically, I use the duo MX Keys and MX Master 3S.
If you prefer a smaller keyboard, I can recommend MX Keys mini, and if you do not mind noisier clicking and a lower DPI range, then you can choose the new cheaper model of the mouse MX Master 3. As for the monitor, I have a budget 27″ LG with 4k resolution. There it’s very much about your preference, whether you prefer a finer display or a larger display area.
Apple MacBook Pro 14″ M2
In this case, I’d go for the 32GB unified memory option and the M2 Pro with 12 cores at the CPU. This should be the ideal combination for the work this MacBook Pro’s body can handle without any problems. I wouldn’t go for a combination with the M2 Max and a 14″ body, as the 14″ and 16″ have the same cooling design, but the 16″ version is more robust cooling since it is larger.
However, Apple itself seems to be aware of the potential cooling issue, as if you choose the M2 Max in a 14″ body, the MacBook will be a few grams heavier, which could mean using a different material for cooling, for example. Now there’s nothing left to do but mention why the 14″ is an ideal candidate for a new machine.
In terms of portability, this is a very balanced device. You get great performance in a compact body. If you don’t need the M2 Max, this will be the perfect companion for work, travel, flights, etc. Great battery life complemented by brilliant performance in a body like this is a great choice for me. However, I promised we would also look at a professional choice together.
Apple MacBook Pro 16″ M2
Here are a few reasons to choose the 16″ MacBook Pro. Only the 16″ MacBook Pro will offer maximum performance if you need maximum performance. As it offers the so-called High Power mode. which means a little less battery life for you but, at the same time, constant operation without CPU and GPU limitations. As much as I dislike it, this would be a deal breaker for me the moment I get a new MacBook Pro to choose from.
Because very often, I work with machines at the limits of their capabilities, and this is what unlocks the full potential of a new device. Yes, it’s not so much a compact device. The difference in size is not so marked, and the difference in weight is 300g.
Where you will notice the difference is the price, but when you are looking for a premium device, probably a few hundred dollars will not play a role for you, and you will choose the best option rather than save money at the cost of possible limitations.
If you don’t need a graphics card for your work, you can safely choose the M2 Pro variant with 19 GPU and 12 CPU cores. The M2 Max makes sense when you are dealing with video and effects, want to try some gameplay, or are dealing with a job dependent on graphics performance. Otherwise, I would opt for a pure M2 Pro with 12 CPU cores, as this same CPU block is what the M2 Max has.
Wrap up
In this article, I’ve gone through 4 tips for machines from Apple’s current lineup with you. You’ll find that if you need the device now, it doesn’t make sense to wait. You can see from the configurations that I didn’t exactly skimp on the size of the unified memory or the processors. My recommendation is based on the work I do.
All the machines have passed under my hands as well. So I’m not advising purely based on parameters but on my user experience. This may be skewed because I always extract the maximum potential from the machines. But none has ever betrayed me.
