Laptop for Office Work/Remote Desktop - MacBook Air Vs Other

bobkin on 26/06/2022 - 16:48
Last edited 26/06/2022 - 16:48

I need a new laptop for work from home purposes. I am currently using a 2015 MacBook Pro (bought new in 2017), which is doing the job fine, but another family member needs it. I use it for word processing, web browsing and running Remote Desktop (windows-based). The rate limiting factor with the remote desktop seems to be the internet connection. I am contemplating a MacBook Air m1 (given how long my MacBook has lasted), but some of the sub $1000 Lenovo and hp deals at the moment also seem good. I am not wanting to turn this into mac vs windows discussion, because I think either would be fine. What is important to me is that it lasts a long time and and runs efficiently. Is the MacBook worth the premium? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • rsmallri on 26/06/2022 - 17:12
    +1

    MacBook air M1 sounds good to me. It sounds like you would be able to claim depreciation on at least part of it so there may be less of an incentive to go for a cheaper machine

    • bobkin on 26/06/2022 - 17:47

      Thanks, I hadn’t considered the depreciation

  • AustriaBargain on 26/06/2022 - 17:42
    -1

    Get the MacBook, it's a cut above those $1000 Levonos.

  • Grissallia on 26/06/2022 - 18:05
    +1

    I have an expensive Lenovo work laptop I was provided in 2017. It is most definitely not "doing the job fine". A 2017 MBA would still be doing the job fine. My 2012 MBP is still completely usable, if I was in a situation where I was travelling.

    The Lenovo (which was well looked after) is so janky that I bought myself a M1 Mac mini as my primary work computer.

    If you can stretch, spring for 16Gb of RAM though, it's my single biggest regret with the M1 that I went with 8Gb (I do push it hard though…)

    • freefall101 on 26/06/2022 - 19:52

      What do you mean by "janky"? Software issue or hardware? I've had plenty of old dell/lenovo laptops and they hold up fine for many years and the thinkpads are usually great.

      2017 Macbook Air would work but would be annoying, low res screen, battery would need replacing, probably running incredibly low on storage (default was 128GB). Plus it stopped getting software support in 2019. I love Apple machines, there's 3 of them in my house (plus two iPhones and an iPad) but if I had a 2017 Air as my daily driver it wouldn't be hard to justify the upgrade.

      Biggest problem with the M1 is the adapters needed for dual screen too. As a home machine, I love my macbook. For work, they do have good keyboards and screens but the lack of ports and ram on default models is annoying.

      • Grissallia on 27/06/2022 - 10:09

        It's been a little flaky since it was about a year old. Occasionally, just doesn't turn on, necessitating a physical reset (disconnect power, hold down power button for at least 60 seconds, reconnect power), and it's slow as hell now.

  • this is us on 26/06/2022 - 18:27

    M1 is fantastic…

  • helloworld99 on 30/06/2022 - 09:58
    +1

    I have the M1 for this scenario and it's awesome. I just bought the base spec and it is fine. If you can afford it, I'd go the 16GB RAM. I didn't do this and sort of regret it. In saying that, it's still never been an actual issue and it's still really snappy and runs perfectly fine but it could make it last more years than buying the base spec. I don't store many files and the only thing taking up space on mine is installing the sims and I still have over 100GB free storage so I didn't bother with upgrading the storage.

  • bobkin on 30/06/2022 - 10:15

    Thanks everyone, just bought the m1. Went for the 8gb because of 10% off sale on Amazon and bought today before end of financial year

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