So I can choose any two of the three -

  1. Upgrade to 15 inch (+240 USD)
  2. Upgrade to 512 GB SSD (+240 USD)
  3. Upgrade to 16 GB RAM (+240 USD)

I really like the bigger display of 15 inches as Im not used to smaller screens and the m1 air 13 inch i have just feels too small at times.

But for the performance, is it better to upgrade RAM and SSD of 13 inch rather than switch to 15 and upgrade just RAM or just SSD.

Also upgrading the ssd is cheaper in some cases by 100 usd due to offers but 16GB ram upgrade is always 240 usd which is a lot.

I will mainly use it as my daily machine for college work, coding(data science and ai/ml stuff), little bit of image and video editing, etc.

Any suggestions?

  • alexauga@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I have the 13" MBA M2 512 SSD/16GB and it’s overall a great system for daily productivity. Interestingly my work computer is an M2 MBP (touch bar) with 512GB SSD/24GB RAM and my personal MBA feels snappier. So there may be something to be said around diminishing returns from 16GB to 24GB from a completely unscientific perspective

  • ozkook19@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Go with RAM. In the worst case senario when you face a problem in the other two subjetcs, there is always the external ssd and extra monitor solution for that.

  • themarouuu@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I think that the consensus advice on this subreddit is that if you do 2 upgrades on a 13, might as well get the 14" and get waaaaaay more bang for buck. You’ll get 16ram, 512 ssd, a much better processor, + way waaaay better screen, speakers and track pad, and on top of that you get extra ports.

    I’m talking about the base m2 14" of course, since we’re talking about an m2 air.

    I mean it’s a no brainer.

    And don’t let anyone fool you, there is virtually no portability difference between a 14 and a 13 inch.

    • TheCh0k3@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I would love to get a m2 14’’ but in India I cant find them anywhere near me. Apple has stopped selling them and I was told to look for retailers that might have them in stock but most of them just have m2 pro max which is then waaaaay out of my budget

      • themarouuu@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        That sucks. Cause even the 14 M1 Pro is a better experience than the M2 Air. Can you get an M1 Pro?

        If not, I personally would go with a 15" and the 16 RAM. Even though the M2 has a slower ssd at 256gb which kinda sucks, it’s still better to get the extra screen and ram which will be way more noticeable than a faster ssd.

        To summarise it best to worst:

        - Base M2 Pro 14"

        - Base M1 Pro 14"

        - 15" Air with 16 ram

  • Own-Illustrator-143@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I mean, you are not gonna see that much of a difference between your m1 air and a m2 in performance. If I were in your position I would either get the 15 inch m2 air or get an external display.

    This is as long as your current air works fine for your workflow.

  • CourseEcstatic6202@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    The store currently shows $200 for ram and SSD upgrades. $180 if you go through the education store. I would do 2-3 but that is just me. I really like the form factor of the 13” and find I value its portability more than screen size. YMMV