Deals: Amazon Takes Up to $150 Off M2 MacBook Air Models in Latest Sales

8GB RAM = no

Depends what you're using it for.

I have a 16GB M1 Pro and an 8GB M2 Air. For general purpose computing (heavy MS Office use, browsing with a ton of tabs, email, Apple Photo editing) there is no difference between the two. The increased memory pressure does show up in Activity monitor, but the machine does not slow down at all.

Sure - the 8GB machine isn't suited for 8k video editing, running VMs, large hi-res photoshops, Logic Pro, but as an every day computer for general purpose computing it is excellent.

This 8GB fear mongering needs to stop. It's a perfectly fine amount of memory for this machine's target market.

8GB RAM = no

I suspect a lot people are holding onto their M1’s and even older Intel MacBook Air’s. For what most people do on a computer, in this economy, splurging 1,000 to 1,500 on a new laptop is not worth it.

Just last week, I scored a lot of 3 still in perfect condition 15 inch 2014 - 2015 MBP’s that were heading to ecycle. Restored my macOS Sierra Time Machine on one and so far impressed by how super fast it is. Got back my Photoshop CS6 btw.

Gonna upgrade it to Mojave and leave it that. Don’t know what I will do with the other two. Maybe install Mavericks on one and Monterrey on the other.

But it just goes to show a lot of this is planned obsolescence on Apple’s part. Apple could very well support every Mac sold in the last 10 to 12 years. The one I restored, I watched YouTube videos on it and it was buttery smooth.

These two things can both be true: (1) a 8Gb M1 or M2 Air will run great today for nearly all uses and (2) pretty much everyone should buy these computers with 16gb minimum. These are potentially 10 year machines. And the history of Mac OS is that being RAM constrained with often be what really makes the computer not very usable as it gets older.

That's my thought too. 8GB might be ok for now, but every Mac I've owned lasted close to 10 years. I highly doubt that 8GB of RAM will be enough in a few years. RAM is cheap these days, I don't understand why Apple puts just 8GB as standard.

Don't get me wrong. I do think that 16GB is better than 8GB, but it's not needed for most people, and most people don't buy them for 10-years. For them, by the time they need more RAM, they will be looking to update to an M3, M4, M5 MacBook and all the features that they offer.

Just to be clear - I don't disagree with the points you make. My responses above were really aimed at the person who said that 8GB = No. There has been a lot of discussion on the forums about how 8GB and the slow SSD make this a poor machine and that's just not true. I got mine as a secondary couch computer and didn't expect much from it. I thought I would keep it for a bit and then give it to a school age relative. But I am genuinely surprised at just how good it is, how fast it is, and how capable it is. In truth, I could use it as my main machine (although would need more than 256GB if it was my only Mac).

I don't think it's a disservice to post about my actual hands-on experience for those who think that they might not be able to spend the extra on the 16GB RAM that they might not need. It's a machine that I would recommend to anybody who just needs a good laptop for 'normal people' computing needs. For those with heavier weight computing needs (and those folks generally know who they are) a base M2 is a great choice - especially if there's a discount!

Amazon would be the last place I’d buy a Mac from.

What a weird attitude you have!! If it is several hundred dollars cheaper, you would rather be the ultimate fanboy and buy from Apple? Your money I suppose…

No one should buys these. Get a base M1 for basic tasks, or a base M1 MacBook Pro 14" for everyone else. This iteration has no reason to exist but for those who want to waste money foolishly.

Better screen, better webcam, MagSafe. All things worth paying for IMO. But I agree thate no-one needs any of them, they are more like luxury items. The base M1 is still a superb computer for everyone.