Discussion
I’m supplementing my MacMini with a new laptop as I need the portable ability to edit videos when away with work. These are relatively big videos that I’ve been doing in iMovie so far, but will also be upgrading to Final Cut Pro this year. Each video is 4k and ends up in final edit as being 15 - 20GB in size. I thought I might get away with a MacBook Air, but after visiting one of these Select retailers at the weekend (the sort of second tier Apple Store) I was told I’d need a Pro because of the better cooling of the machine via its fans. It sort of made sense, but they were trying to get rid of some stock, so it made me wonder if I do need to spend that extra £400 (or so) or will an Air do the job?
As always, any advice appreciated, but be warned - I’m a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to technical stuff, so any questions to help with the advice will need to be asked in a very gentle, non-techy way!
As always, any advice appreciated, but be warned - I’m a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to technical stuff, so any questions to help with the advice will need to be asked in a very gentle, non-techy way!
The Pro definitely has better sustained performance when all the cores are active because of the fan. How long do you have all the cores flat out, and is a a ~30%(at a guess) slow down acceptable when you get everything properly hot?
The other thing to keep in mind is that the M4 Pro is available now, the M4 Air is likely to launch in the spring.
The other thing to keep in mind is that the M4 Pro is available now, the M4 Air is likely to launch in the spring.
I had an air and recently changed to a pro.
As well as the better cooling for performance you also get better sound and a great screen too. I wa using the air as a second screen as well when at a desk and 13.3 was too small. The pro despite being only 14 inch is much easier to use due to the better quality screen.
The trade in value of a pro is better than an air, so if you change every say 3 years you will get more back making it not that much more expensive.
As well as the better cooling for performance you also get better sound and a great screen too. I wa using the air as a second screen as well when at a desk and 13.3 was too small. The pro despite being only 14 inch is much easier to use due to the better quality screen.
The trade in value of a pro is better than an air, so if you change every say 3 years you will get more back making it not that much more expensive.
Edited by Whataguy on Tuesday 31st December 06:20
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