Need advice on picking a new laptop?
Need advice on picking a new laptop?
Hi everyone
I want to start by saying I've always preferred Windows, but lately I really want to switch to Apple.
After the most recent purchase, a MSI 1500 euro caused many issues—high temperatures, a battery that overheated during half an hour, a display that stayed open without falling, and a keyboard that stopped working after a short time. This has been happening for about three years now.
Now I'm searching for a good laptop that can last at least five years and doesn't have all these problems, because I'm getting tired of it.
I've been looking around, especially with the arrival of the M1 chip. If before I had no doubts about Windows or Apple now I'm starting to hesitate.
I need your help—I'm looking for something that doesn’t have high temperatures and a long-lasting battery. I mostly use it for daily tasks like Netflix, YouTube, university work, and I also use Adobe Suite.
I don’t really care much about gaming; before it was something I actively sought, now it doesn’t interest me as much. I just want something affordable and not too heavy.
The display is very important to me.
What do you think about MacBooks? Is it worth it? Do they actually last longer than Windows?
Please clarify your thoughts.
Thanks in advance
P.S.: Sorry for my English mistakes
What is your budget and which Adobe products are you using? If you prefer the 14” Pro, it’s better than the base M1; the M2 would likely be a better choice than the M1 base chip due to its improved media engine that matches the M1 Pro and higher models. For Macs, battery life will be better, delivering comparable performance while handling workloads efficiently. The claim about longer lifespan isn’t clear—official updates suggest reduced OS support after five years, though this could shift with the Apple Silicon release. From a durability standpoint, aside from some butterfly keyboard issues (2016-2019), the device remains solid and still supported by users of 2012 Pros today.
I’m planning to use Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, Illustrator, and Premiere.
I’ve heard that M2 chips run slower on M1 and have higher temperatures—does that really matter?
Do you think an Apple would be a better choice?
What alternative could work well on Windows with long battery life and performance in cold weather?
MacOS is quite straightforward to grasp, though there are some initial hiccups such as keyboard shortcuts. Generally, pressing Cmd+space opens the Spotlight search tool, which is really handy for finding settings, programs, or files. Personally, I favor Apple’s free Office suite over Office 365. There are numerous tutorials available, and if you get stuck, you’ll quickly learn how to tackle tasks. There are also basic guides for new users when they first boot up, as well as updates for each OS release—like transitioning from Catalina to Big Sur or from 11.65 to 11.66.
The M2 chip is warmer than the M1, but only during active use; the 13” Pro model wouldn’t appeal to me either. Still, I’d suggest the 14” display for better performance, along with its superior hardware—better chips, longer battery life, and improved input/output features. You’re not restricted to just one external screen. Standard configurations include 16GB RAM and 512GB storage on the base 14”, compared to 8GB and 256GB in the M2 models. Raising the RAM to 16GB and storage to 512GB makes these models nearly identical in price to the standard 14” version. All the programs you mentioned run smoothly on Apple silicon, ensuring optimal performance.
Switching to MacOS could feel like moving to an iPhone, but the ecosystem works seamlessly. It handles everything from major features like Sidecar and Continuity to simple actions such as sharing links via Safari or sending messages through the Share button.
If you reply and then answer, it will alert others. 😉
If you're not interested in gaming and primarily use Adobe software, you're looking for something that runs smoothly with excellent battery performance. If you can afford it, the Macbook Pro 14" is a top option in my mind. For a more budget-friendly alternative, the Macbook Pro 13" would be my next recommendation. I prefer the Pro model over the Air because of its active cooling system.
Oh thanks. What could be considered the Windows alternative? Just curious about it.
But the main question is: is there a Windows laptop that meets those needs—good battery life, display quality, low temperature performance, and strong processing power?
So you're wondering if I should wait for the new MacBook Pros to arrive? Because for me, €2000 is already a limit.
I also saw that Apple doesn’t update its operating systems as often as Windows does, is that accurate? How does that work?
Thanks.
Usually, several years of updates would make you feel more satisfied with Windows since Windows 11 isn’t long-lasting and will be supported for a decade. You can only purchase what’s in stock, depending on how urgent your need is for a new device. It’s likely that the 14" and 16" models will receive an update early next year, maybe using an M2 chip. It’s hard to predict exactly how much more powerful they’ll be at this stage. If it uses an M2-based chip, it might just be a smaller upgrade.
Personally, I wouldn’t face any problems buying a Mac or Windows machine with 12th gen Intel or 6000 series AMD. All options are highly capable and will stay that way for a long time. If you’re worried about regret later if something better appears, it might be wise to wait.
Thanks,
the purchase of the M1 Pro is a considerable investment: about 2,300 euros. I'm trying to decide whether to buy it, and I don't want a device that needs replacing in a few years. If I decide to buy it, what advice would you give me? Should I also get a USB-C adapter to add more ports? How do battery cycles function?
I know it's tough to assess without handling your tasks, but I expect a Macbook Pro to remain functional for much longer than two years. I wouldn't opt for 8GB of RAM; I'd prefer at least 16GB. There are three Thunderbolt 4 ports that can connect to any USB-C device. If you require additional ports or USB A connections, you'll need a USB-C adapter with the necessary ports. Regarding battery life, it's comparable to other lithium-ion devices, which typically last around 500 charge cycles before capacity drops significantly. The exact number varies due to usage patterns, environment, and battery quality. Some batteries outlast others, but factors like charging habits and temperature play a role. Frequent shallow charges are better than deep discharges. Apple can replace the batteries, so this isn't a major concern for you. You don't need an Apple device either—many solid Windows laptops are available at lower prices. If you're interested in your workload, Adobe and graphic design tasks like Photoshop and Illustrator are common. Do you also work with video editing or 3D modeling?