I thought I had it all sorted out. I made a steadfast choice to purchase a refurbished M1 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM at half the cost of a brand new M4 model, for reasons I’ll elaborate on shortly.
Ironically, it’s the exceptional performance of the M1 that puts me at risk of selling it and opting for the new, glossier M4 model…
I mean, I penned this on the day the M4 MacBook Air was unveiled.
If you’ve been contemplating a MacBook Air purchase as either your first model or a replacement for an aging Intel version, this is a prime moment to take the plunge.
Yet, I thought I would be safe since I really had no justification for acquiring a brand new Mac that would mainly stay tucked away in a drawer.
A tale of two Macs
For many years, I owned two Macs: a heavily upgraded 17-inch MacBook Pro, and a more basic 11-inch MacBook Air. The size and weight differences meant that my MBP essentially functioned as a desktop device that I also took abroad, while the MBA was my go-to for working in coffee shops for an hour or two. Both Macs held significant value for me.
Things took a turn with the release of the second-gen 12.9-inch iPad. Combined with the Magic Keyboard, it became my new portable Mac alternative. Consequently, the MacBook Air found itself resting in a drawer as a backup work machine in case my MBP was ever out of commission. It served that backup role on a few occasions when prior MBP generations required repairs.
A shift occurred again when I acquired the M1 Max 16-inch MacBook Pro. It was smaller and lighter than older Intel models, allowing me to use it for most coffee-shop work, contributing to the diminishing relevance of my iPad.
Since my MBA was only used for a few days every few years, there was really no reason to replace it – it could’ve stayed in that role until it reached its end. Unfortunately, that day came when I tried to lend it to a friend, only to find it wouldn’t boot up, with diagnostics revealing repair costs exceeding its value.
So I bought an M1 MacBook Air
I have a knack for coming up with rationalizations for buying new gadgets, but even I couldn’t figure out how to justify a brand new M4 MacBook Air, given its two intended roles:
- Primarily resting in a drawer in case my MacBook Pro requires repairs
- Occasionally serving as a coffee-shop machine when I want to avoid carrying my MacBook Pro
With such limited use, I obviously wouldn’t consider another Intel model, and moving to an M3 would lead me down a slippery slope to the M4. Thus, the decision boiled down to the M1 or M2, as their performance difference was irrelevant to my needs, making cost and design the deciding factors.
Theoretically, design should favor the M2 model due to its significant updates in bezel thickness and aesthetics. However, I adore the wedge shape and was disappointed when Apple phased it out. Thus, I happily found a pristine refurbished M1 with 16GB RAM for just over half the cost of the M4 model.
Longevity didn’t seem much of an argument
An argument for choosing the M4 model could revolve around longevity. In theory, I’d enjoy 4-5 more years of usage from the newer model, which should ideally also reflect in resale value.
However, considering I was content with a 12-year-old model, longevity wasn’t a compelling selling point. While shopping around, I discovered that the resale market for MacBook Airs is rather unconventional!
By examining completed eBay sales, I noticed little logic dictating pricing. There were sellers on eBay seeking Apple Silicon prices for Intel machines, and they were actually succeeding! It seemed that cosmetic condition and photo quality mattered significantly more than model generation. My hunch is that a large segment of the market consists of buyers who only know they want “a Mac laptop” at worst, and “a MacBook Air” at best. For many, specifications and age don’t factor in as much.
Thus, from a resale perspective, longevity appears to be a weak argument for pursuing new models.
Adding to the point, the machine I’ve acquired feels and looks brand new. I’ve tested all of my essential applications, and even Final Cut Pro operates smoothly while the device remains pleasantly cool to the touch.
But there’s an odd problem
The device is too impressive!
The day following its arrival, I found myself with an hour to kill at a coffee shop between meetings and social engagements. In the past, I would have packed my iPad and keyboard to do some writing, but this time I opted for the MacBook Air instead. It fit perfectly in the same pocket as my bag and weighed less than the iPad and keyboard combined.
On the tube to the coffee shop, I pulled it out and wrote part of an article. It felt so much better to use than the iPad. The same experience continued in the coffee shop. Now, I’m reconsidering whether this might evolve into a more frequent machine than I’d originally envisioned. If that’s the case, it could potentially justify a greater expenditure.
What would I gain for twice the price, given that the performance gap is negligible for my mobile needs?
Many of the features are inconsequential for me. A slightly larger screen with 25% more brightness – no big deal. Size and weight differences are too minor to matter. Spatial Audio doesn’t apply to my usage.
On the flip side, there are features I would at least appreciate: a better camera and Voice Isolation with the mics are nice-to-have features for video calls. MagSafe sounds appealing, and fast charging is a welcome addition. While longevity isn’t a consideration for a product I’ll use sparingly, I do value having the latest version of macOS when using a machine regularly.
Regarding design, that’s a bit of a toss-up. While I’d appreciate the slimmer bezels, I do have a fondness for that wedge shape!
I understand that not many will take my word for it, but I’m still undecided. While skeptics certainly have statistics backing them, I’d like to highlight the many instances where I’ve either tried an Apple product before returning it or managed to resist altogether. There’s the first-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Vision Pro … well, ok, I’d like to mention the two instances of my resistance.
Place your bets.
