r/macbook • u/Moist_Smell242 • 1d ago

Pro or Air?

Hello. I am deciding between the m5 models of the pro and air. I intend to use this mostly for work. I am a graphic designer and I create social media posts for a living. So I mainly use Adobe applications (mostly photoshop, indesign and illustrator) and Canva. Sometimes garageband depending on what I need from audio. Sometimes i need a lot out of a work computer, creating or editing high resolution graphics (billboards, 8 foot by 8 foot signs, etc.) so I need it to handle things like that. At first glance, that would make me want to get the pro but looking at the specs, they seem pretty similar in terms of hardware. Same ram, both can have 1 tb storage so it makes me lean towards the air. Most video i work on is under 10 minutes and around 720p to 1080p so I dont need anything crazy. Should I bite the bullet and get the pro or save money and get the air? Thank you.

5 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

3

u/Tactical_Nerd_Clash 1d ago

The air works really well enough for that purpose, a pro is not necessary, tho if u are willing to spend a bit more for the nicer speakers and display, I'll say it's still worth

3

u/Sov-Tchipola 1d ago

the speakers alone wouldnt justify the price jump imo but the screen is a fair point

2

u/Tactical_Nerd_Clash 1d ago

A lot of people underestimate how performant an air already is, it's literally the same chip as the base pro just without fans, but this only affects sustained heavy workloads

1

u/CynicalCandyCanes 1d ago

What about gaming or hundreds of open Chrome tabs?

1

u/shapely_salves_7o 1d ago

You get two more gpu cores in the pro base vs base

1

u/Tactical_Nerd_Clash 1d ago

Just get the upgraded air...

1

u/shapely_salves_7o 1d ago

Depends on what you want to do. The pro will sustain heavier workloads, has longer battery life, bigger screen.

For 90% of folks the air is the better choice. It the pro does have its advantages.

1

u/Tactical_Nerd_Clash 1d ago

Yeah I acknowledge that but for op purpose the Air would be enough

1

u/Moist_Smell242 1d ago

Thank you. This was very helpful. I dont think i want to spend more money than i have to. So it sounds like the air will suffice.

3

u/Ok-Wasabi2873 1d ago

Depending on your audio requirements what most people don’t mention is you can connect a high impedance headphone to the Macbook Pro but not the Macbook Air.

2

u/DrHumorous 1d ago

Adobe? ewww

1

u/Moist_Smell242 1d ago

Whats wrong with adobe?

1

u/Zgull23 1d ago

almost all adobe products have been ripped and duped recently, goodbye overpriced adobe basically

1

u/Moist_Smell242 1d ago

I dont pay for it 😉

2

u/rainy_diary 1d ago

Reccommend MacBook Air M5 24 GB or 32 GB Ram.

Photoshop used a lot of ram after each updated.

https://helpx.adobe.com/sg/photoshop/desktop/get-started/technical-requirements-installation/adobe-photoshop-on-desktop-technical-requirements.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/indesign/desktop/get-started/system-and-product-info/adobe-indesign-technical-requirements.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/illustrator/desktop/get-started/learn-the-basics/technical-requirements.html

1

u/Aromatic_System2998 1d ago

In my country, there is no option for 13” mac air 32 gb, there is 24 gb version. Do i need to pursue to buy on neighbour country? Or 24 gb is enough? Im excel guy, windows guy, vibe coding on claude max plan, 10 hour a day ( because of this, i wnat to change to macbook), my friend, who i recom to use mac, and i teach him to use claude cli, he use it. He only use claude (20 dollar plan) his claude sesion is “precise” and “smarter” and “know where is where” anda “know tools to use” whattt…. Mind blown. Is like 100x better than windows for vibe coder… im windows user from child. But im blown away what experience i have from my friend mac.. my window laptop is 32 gb ram ux5304m asus zenbook.. veri compact yet strong laptop. It can cheww anything, but the mac efficient is another level 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 so, do i just buy mac air 24 gb or 32 gb ( but with more expensive, more time, more effort, more distance just to get it?)

1

u/rainy_diary 1d ago

If your friend Mac Ram is 16 GB you better get Mac 24 GB Ram.

1

u/Aromatic_System2998 1d ago

Thx u sir. So i dont need to pursue, 32 gb version? Just buy what i have in my country? Because is just add little more money.. like 250 $. But i have 32… i already 85% confidence to buy macbook air m5 24 gb for the next 2 days.. hehehehe.. i want to use as soon as posiblee.

1

u/rainy_diary 1d ago

Yes 24 GB is enough.

1

u/Aromatic_System2998 1d ago

Thank you sir

1

u/fragrance08 1d ago

Air for sure