Many of my non-technical friends often seek my recommendations on which Apple device to purchase. I always begin by asking them about their priorities and intended uses.
My perspective on Macs shifted dramatically after the introduction of the M1 MacBook Air. Before that, my typical response to “which Mac should I buy for simple tasks like email, browsing, and writing” was frequently “consider getting an iPad with a keyboard instead…”
For everyday users with basic needs, the iPad was simpler, more portable, provided superior battery life, and featured instant on/off capabilities, plus the option for built-in cellular connectivity.
However, everything changed with the debut of the M1 MacBook Air. The combination of portability and battery efficiency offered by Apple Silicon has narrowed the gap significantly, making the compromises of iPadOS less appealing for most people.
These days, my go-to recommendation for about 80-90% of users is the base MacBook Air, suggesting an upgrade in RAM if the budget allows. This recommendation holds especially true now, as $999 affords you a 13-inch M2 model complete with 16GB of RAM and Apple Intelligence support.
In terms of iPhones, if a primary use is photography, that typically directs users to the latest Pro or Pro Max models. If not, however, the decision becomes more nuanced!
Depending on their desired features, the best value may lie in the current base model, the Plus, or the Pro variations. It could also include the previous year’s base model, last year’s Pro, or even the SE version.
Fortunately, with the release of the iPhone 16e and the streamlined selection across the series, the decision-making process is now more straightforward. The available choices today include:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Pro or Pro Max
For photographers willing to invest more, it’s still wise to opt for one of the Pro models, although the necessity is less compelling than it used to be.
The iPhone 15 is generally not advisable due to the absence of Apple Intelligence support. While that might not seem crucial at the moment, for anyone planning to keep their phone for 2-3 years or longer, it will certainly become a significant differentiator down the line.
Yet between the 16e and the 16, for those not requiring advanced camera features, there’s little justification for choosing the pricier model.
That said, it’s not to imply that the premium features are entirely superfluous. You may genuinely enjoy the Dynamic Island; you might value improved brightness in sunlight, or prefer to carry your MagSafe wallet everywhere.
This scenario is akin to the discussion between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. Unless you have a specific feature from the MacBook Pro that you need, the MacBook Air is usually the better choice. For non-photographers, the iPhone 16e has become my top recommendation for the iPhone lineup.
Photo: DMN collage of images from Apple and Matthew McBrayer on Unsplash
