30 core GPU, 12 core CPU. 32GB ram, 1tb SSD. This spec would have costed like 5k 2 years ago. If U use discounted gift cards, you can get it to like 2430
fml, why did I buy the 24/512 MBA?
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch with M2 Max Chip, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD (Silver, 2023) $2699 + Delivery Only @ JB Hi-Fi
880
PJohn Barosa on 16/07/2025 - 08:39 jbhifi.com.au (2859 clicks)
Last edited 16/07/2025 - 11:21 by 3 other users
Last edited 16/07/2025 - 11:21 by 3 other users
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Honestly the 15 inch Macbook Air is great for my needs. Weight/battery life is superior to this pro.
But damn that M2 Max would have been such a great flex machine, and only for a few hundred dollars extra.
flex machine
I guess, if that's what you're going for…
You know you're dealing with apple fans if 32gb RAM and 1tb storage is a flex
@Bargainer99: I don't even like any Apple products, except for Macbooks. Half my comments here are me making fun of Apple users
But this laptop's RRP was like 5k, and it still has a pretty powerful processor even today. And the iGPU is one of the strongest
I study CS, so most my classmates have Macs. Flexing each other laptop's specs, is kinda like our way of greeting each other. M2 Max would ensure I'd win every single time.
@John Barosa: The real pros will buy a thinkpad and put linux on it. Or at least this was back in my day.
@AlgoTrading: I'm a big FOSS supporter, and a big Linux fan, but Linux is shit on laptops. Battery life sucks, and you have to restart the computer, to change the graphics card.
@John Barosa: Same thought. Only reason I'm on MBA M4 is because I'm trying to de-Windows myself despite being a Windows user for decades. With that said, you can buy the cheap sub-$1000 laptops and convert them to Ubuntu/Mint laptops by running several recommendations you can generate using ChatGPT including things like graphics, hotkeys, fan control, power optimisation. Works well and I do have two Linux laptops (they were like $499 each) and one Linux mini-PC (using GMKTec)
@marshmall0w2: @John Barosa
How easy is it for a Windows expert and a person with basic MS DOS knowledge to learn Linux?Do you guys have any good recommendations for learning guide and or video tutorial for Linux beginner
I am technically inclined and comfortable coding in SQL / SPSS basic R etc.
@utsc: SPSS might not work well with Linux since it's older and is a Windows thing. But SQL and R themselves are okay. Maybe look into the newer version of IBM's SPSS?
@utsc: Never heard of SPSS in my life. Honestly I woudln't consider myself a linux pro, I'm just a fan.
But you should change ur attitude towards linux imo. Don't go into it thinking it's gonna be difficult. Don't choose hard/experimental distros, choose reliable stable ones, such as Fedora or Ubuntu. Installing these operating systems are just as easy as Windows. The "difficult" part about Linux, is that u have lots of options, to do one task, but with Windows, there's always one option..
For example, on Windows, if you want to run the free "Civ 6 platinum edition" from epic games, you download epic games, then install civ, then click 'play". Epic doesn't have a client on linux, so you have to use something called "Heroic". then you have to choose the proton/wine version. imo it's not hard, but I guess for some people it's easy to feel overwhelmed.
Since ur already at least a basic programmer, you have experience troubleshooting, which will go a long way. Good luck, you'll never want to go back to Shitdows
@utsc: Nowadays with ChatGPT/Gemini/Copilot it's not really easy to get started. Even popular tech YouTubers have started producing more Linux content. It all depends on what you want to do. JayzTwoCents recently made a video about Bazzite that's perfect for gaming. Many folks swear by ArchLinux (no idea, I've never used it).
If you have no projects in mind, probably start with Bazzite.
@John Barosa: I currently have Linux Mint on my Lenovo X390. Battery life and stand-by time is so much better on Mint compared to Windows.
@mangolassi: I had Linux/Windows on my HP, and battery was slightly better on Windows. Plus i just had issues, probably cause of the Nvidia GPU. I take my mac to uni, i don't want to troubleshoot it.
@John Barosa: Nvidia is the biggest problem with Linux. They are notoriously bad supporting open source drivers. Better off using a device with AMD or Intel graphics cards.
I prefer https://youtu.be/vp5i0jQggK4?t=75 , but the US prohibits better mobile (in the pocket) solutions. Their OS is IoT capable & superior ;)
lmao Taki, you are SO DESPERATE to hate on Apple, you trawl every single thread. Do you really not have anything better to do?
@ThithLord: Hating Apple, is like hating cults. Whenever I see someone with a iPhone, I make sure to remind them, how overpriced and shitty it they are. I like to think of myself as a teacher.
@John Barosa: Nothing beats the impotent hatred from iPhone-bashers. Everyone else will continue on with their lives.
@ThithLord: Well they made the wrong choice, and someone has to educate them. iPhones are inferior in every single way.
iPhones are inferior in every single way.
[ citation sorely needed ]
I'll take the uniform and user-friendly navigation across iOS platform, Apple Pay, Family Sharing, Resale Value, efficient OS, Superior security features, Extensive Accessibility Features, Superior Customer support (literally no other company compares), Day-0 OS update, zero bloatware, premium apps supported as a priority over any competitor.
@ThithLord: Android doesn't need to be efficent, cause we've got way more ram. My base S25 has got 12, even the top of the line Pro Max only has 8 or something.
Resale value doesn't matter, when the Samsung's price is MUCH MUCH lower.
Security features? Android is extremely secure.
User-friendly? iPhones feel so unnatural to use. My work phone is an iPhone 14, and it's so weird. My Android is easier to use.
Do you actually care about new update features?
I'll give you bloatware.
Premium Apps? Oh I'm gonna destroy ur world. iPhone apps are CRAP!!!! iPhone users can't even use firefox, they use the webkit version, made with Hunter Biden's laptop. This is important cause firefox has the best ad blockers. iPhone users can't torrent on their phones, nor can they run emulators. Literally paying more for less.
Only grandparents need "customer support". I've never called customer support once! It's better to use Google fu anyway.
@ThithLord: I bet if you were in America, you'd vote for the (profanity) liberals, like all iPHone users. Typical lilberal, has too much money.
@ThithLord: I despise unethical companies in the country that's using your money to BULLY Australia & the world ;) Legacy is what I care, not selfishness & show-off
@taki: Nah. The world is like a neighbourhood and we share a house with our big brothers, America, Japan and SK and EU.
America/Japan/SK work hard and play harder. They are normal straight people, who engage in ethical non monogamy.
EU is unemployed, a massive mooch, and thinks they're the shit, because they're the oldest brother and gay. He has rainbow colored hair, and frequently invites his gay hook ups, India and China, who pretend to be gay, only to steal everything in EU's room.
America is just trying to teach us independence, so we can LEAVE the house, and get our own. You can't expect to mooch of a country forever, Donald Trump is being perfectly reasonable. I'd much rather support America, then that (profanity) parasitic mooch of continent. I'm personally boycotting all EU/Canada products, which is easy, cause I do not buy Eurotrash.
Kinda irrelevant since we’re NOT the US.
@FujinShu: We/our governments are controlled by US :(& Murdoch media). Remember Gough Whitlam's Coup? No more free Uni, dental Medicare (that the Greens are asking back)… Our resources sold for much less than the processed goods from Asian countries (eg. smarter China) & we are pushed to waste trillion$ on AUKUS to bully our premium partner China for US interest, while our border is freely guarded by sharks ;)
We/our governments are controlled by US :(& Murdoch media). Remember Gough Whitlam's Coup? No more free Uni, dental Medicare (that the Greens are asking back)…
Either you're an independent government, who can manage his own affairs, or you're a puppet states, who has no control of his own borders. The independent country has conscription, authoritarianism, and spends way more on military, or you are Australia currently.
I'd rather be the puppet personally! Our kind big brother America saved us from socialism, be grateful, we would have ended like Yugoslavia, do you want that?
I am literally just speccing up a replacement for my 2016 15" Macbook Pro. Only upgrading because it is starting to slow down, I can't get updates for it and word(which I need as I am job hunting) isn't supported anymore.
I am very tempted by this…
Pretty sure the M2 max still beats the m4 in most scenarios, and the pro beats the air for most use cases outside of portability?
Yes, I was mainly thinking about the portability and the general use case for almost everyone. The MBA is probably more than enough for the vast majority of use cases. The MBP M2 Max is definitely still relevant today.
It's 20-30% slower than the M4 Pro, which is not much more $, simpler architecture, faster single core, newer wifi and firewire, better silicon (more power efficient), and is like 2 years newer.
Cool kids use M2 Max tho.
Because that's better compared to this shite?
On what basis? The M2 Max is going to be a better machine in nearly every way compared to the M4 MBA.
Even in terms of portability, they weight nearly the same (MBP is only 90g heavier) and the MBP has smaller length/width than the MBA.
Each to their own of course, but I'd take MBP in a heartbeat.
I was thinking more than just weight. No fans and less heat. More portable size (13"). Overall less issues.
I personally drive an ultraportable nowadays with a desktop RTX 5090, and do have a backup portable editing machine in the form of my RTX 4090 laptop, but I find myself not editing on the fly as much and hence not really using my powerhouse laptop.
I had the M1 Max but wanted Adobe on Windows more. I daily drove the MBA M1 extensively back then before moving to MBA M4 13" with the discount code and coupons getting it to about $1000.
Ask Siri?
I had this — the 14-inch chassis couldn’t handle the heat generated by the M2 Max.
Yeah this is a huge hand sweater when you need to use it directly Summer
Yep had to put at least a stand on the bottom for better air flow.
I'd get refurbished M1 Max MBP 16 for less than this from one of eBay sales. might even get 64gb RAM. M1 Max to M2 Max wasn't a big difference, MBP 16 always >> MBP 14, and more RAM is always better than less.. will last you a few years
and when it comes to, say, Apple Metal optimised apps, M1 Max is still faster than M4 Pro. M1 Max only beaten by M2 Max, M3 Max, M4 Max in Apple metal. and Ultra skus that didn't go into MBP
14 makes a big difference for form factor and weight though if thats what you want.
2 inches can have the biggest impact
I had MBP 14 before and found it claustrophobic. MBP 16 FTW
You can get applecare on these ones. For students, this is invaluable. I've broken 4, of the 5 laptops I've owned, and I'm probably gonna break the 5th at some point. Macs are hella delicate, I broke my M1 Macbook Air in the third month I owned it. Only Apple can repair them, so applecare is kind of a must have.
How are you breaking your Macbooks out of curiosity?
You know that magnetic charging cable people really like? If that slips out between the screen and the keyboard while you’re putting your laptop away, and the screen closes with even minimal force, expect a ripping crack in the screen. Never used the magnetic charging cable again, just usb C. Was really surprised how fragile it was. “Luckily” had AppleCare but was still out of pocket and had to send it away for repair. (MacBook Air M2 15inch)
@jbj123: well just never do that. I don't know how, honestly. I have been working in IT for 21 years and there wasn't a single time when I closed a laptop with something between keyboard and the screen.
I only broke one Macbook. I stepped on it. My fault. fixing the screen, would have cost more than it was worth.
not sure what you do with yours. I am on my 4th MBP and just a couple tiny scratches here and there.
but I agree Apple care plus exists for a reason
I'm accident prone
This. I got a 16inch M1 Pro brand new last year for 2.5k. Added AppleCare on. Was a great upgrade from my old intel mbp.
I bought one of these second hand with these specs for circa $1900 last month.
$2700 new or less with dc giftcards is very good
op only has $5k in shares $150 in the bank, will have to sell half lol
So spewing that my o/s holiday is in 3 days time (to claim GST). Probably be sold out by then :(
Buy it today then
Rang them up. They have 30 in stock. Could be safe to hold out.
You know you have 60 days to claim trs?
I’m at 63 days 😂, forgot to add the 6.
Would this be ok for watching youtube?
yes
no
For those people who do not know the difference.
If your main purpose is just for general usage, such as checking emails, PDF or word document, online shopping and browsing internet, MacBook Air is more than adequate.
MacBook Pro is designed for higher CPU and GPU required applications, such as video editing, high graphics gaming etc.
If you have plenty of cash and don't know where to spend it on, go for a MacBook Pro.
cant it help hunt down bargains faster?
It also asserts your dominance as alpha, in CS classes.
let me put it this way mate. even if you go to AOC and configure MBA 13 to have 32GB RAM and 1TB storage, it will set you back $2580. it makes no sense to do that since you can have MBP 14 here for just a few bucks more.. much better screen, much better speakers, ports, also ability to expand storage further with something like JetDrive Lite (I have a 512GB sits flush in the SD card slot, awesome for low speed storage extension). this is a great deal.
This spec would have costed like 5k 2 years ago
Hardware is no longer Apple business model but app store.
But since losing the legal battle with Epic Games and lack of innovation, things will get worse.Keep in mind that Apple locked the hardware ID with firmware so unless you pay for an Apple "specialist", you cannot do anything hardware wise.
3y ago, I got a Legion 5 Pro laptop to install Linux with RTX3050, Wifi6, 32GB, 2x NVMe storage, 1600p display for $1600 from $2200.
$2700 for a basic hardware for 2025 standards, proprietary hardware including CPU, plus Apple practices, this has to be the worst investment.
You can get better hardware for 2025 standards for less by buying a fine line between gaming and office laptops, and as a bonus you get "of the shelves" hardware upgrades.
Who asked
Lenovo inflate their prices so much, it's like EB having a "sale"
Considering buying a mate's used M1 max 32 GB for 1400$, immaculate condition. I'm upgrading from a 2017 MacBook Pro 16GB which struggles to run Ollama, local LLMs, other CPU / RAM intensive tasks. Would this be a better buy? Not too concerned about getting used since I know it's a solid buy. Not sure if I could justify paying double the price for a new machine if the performance gain isn't all that much.
No! If you need CPU power, DO NOT buy an M1 Max. The M1 Max and the M1 Pro have the same 10 core CPU, the only difference is GPU power, bandwidth and media encoders.
This M2 Max has more powerful cores, and 12 of them. But personally I'd try to find an M3 Pro, cause M4 Pro, which has a MASSIVE generational improvement is probably out of your price range.
Hey there,
I got a 14" M1 Max with 32gb and 24gpu cores and a 1tb for about $1800 about 6 months ago. Worth every penny. Moving from your 2017 is going to feel like night and day. I purchased the MBA M4 with 16GB and then started using local LLMs frequently and needed the extra ram, so I returned it. Also the M1 Max has double the memory bandwidth. For the price you are getting a steal! I say go for it!
Did you know you can buy Apple devices and then return them in two weeks with no questions asked? I did that with the MBA and realised the M1 Max was better suited. If you live in a big city you can also do the return thing and play around for a couple of weeks.
I moved up from the MBA M1 with 8GB ram.
it's a good buy. personally I got MBP 16 M1 Max with 2TB storage and 64GB RAM and that's the dream LLM machine. I only paid $1500 but the battery was busted and I had to replace it. got $100 battery from Amazon, replaced it myself, and it's very solid. considering that this config was going for $6500 on launch. look around for a good deal. I've seen refurbished mint condition on eBay and some refurbished Mac sites for $2500 with 64GB RAM. with LLM it's all about RAM, and M1 Max also has 400GBs bandwidth that is only beaten by M4 Max. M4 Pro has 270GBs or thereabouts.
the speed difference will be immense, do it
That is a very decent price.
I recently purchased the entry-level Mac 4 mini with 10core CPU and 10core GPU - and upgraded to 32gb/ram and the 10GbE network adapter with 256GB SSD.
That purchase came to ~1490 and I got fly-buys of around $150; So say $1350I then purchased a standalone 2TB SSD and external NVME enclosure - which was roughly another $300
Add keyboard and mouse - $100So we are now at $1750.
If one were to get the discounted gift cards and pick this M2 max up for $2430 - then effectively for $680 or so more you are getting something completely portable, excellent display, and touch-id.
Touch-id for me is one thing I really miss on the the mac mini compared to my work macbook pro. Being able to quickly do MFA and not needing to locate a phone is extremely convenient.
The other thing is that external thunderbolt 4 nvme enclosures using asmedia 2464pd chipset currently have issues with going to "sleep". So having a large internal drive is advantageous over the external connected drive in my opinion.
Ordered this just two days ago, and it has it delivered today. I was planning to buy the M4, 24GB, 1TB but I pulled the trigger on this as soon as the deal popped up.
I'd agree this isn't for everyone's need, but for those who are considering the entry-level mac pro M4, this is a much better deal. You get roughly the same CPU power, more RAM and a better overall GPU (downside is you will have two fewer years of software support compared to the newer M4).
Oh FFS. Bought. :P
I'll buy your MBA!
This is also a good unit in clamshell mode. Get a nice 4k monitor of your choice, use HDMI or thunderbolt for 120hz
No. Buy the Mac Studio M2 Max, for 600 dollars less. Better thermals, more ports and more compact
Yes but then not dual purpose
Only 2 left in the country. Just picked up the last one in store in Brisbane
And gooooone
Got mine today. Most expensive purchase made from an oz bargain post haha. (I was starting to look around at options to upgrade though)
Hmm in the settings it says the Apple Care window has expired. I tried to get the purchase date updated (as it's basically 2 years old) but there's some kind of issue that they need to escalate to another department… Hope these aren't dodgy, from JB HiFi…
You're fine don't worry. The Applecrae window DOES start from when you buy the machine.
YOu have to call apple, then they will make you give you give the receipt, then they will reset the applecare date, on their system.
Then you can buy Applecare instore or online. DON"T FORGET, Apple has 10 percent off apple care education. And also try to use 10 percent off gift card. You have a 60 day window to buy applecare, so you should be fine.
source: Did this with the M3 24/512 air
Thanks!
Yep all good now. Though they did for a moment have an issue with the fact the purchase date was the 16th, but the invoice was issued on the 17th …. I said, yeah I ordered online and they probably didn't process the order until the next day ..? How would that be a red flag. Geez.
For anyone coming back to check this, I just went through this today.
They wanted an invoice with the serial number on it, which the JB one doesn't show. They just asked me to write or type it on there and that was good enough.
Kind of spewing I let this deal go.
Typing on my MBP 14 2021 32 / 512
haha I passed on this too so I could get tax back on a flight coming up later in the year. There will be other deals (I hope) lol
Prayers have been answered.
the day I dont check ozb! I need another prayer to check ozb at the same time lol
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/918003
For those who missed out on the M2 Max, Officeworks is selling M3 Max laptops for the same price! :O
marshmall0w2 on 16/07/2025 - 08:43 Comment score below threshold.
