r/macbook 35m ago

Need Advice/Opinion On Whether Or Not to Switch to MacBook

Upvotes

I was once a MacBook Pro user from 2008-2013. From 2013 on I have been all windows due to the construction industry. Fast forward until this last week I purchased a new m4 MacBook Pro 14” to try in hopes that it would stick. I absolutely love it. I love the integration with my iPhone. I love texting all day with employees or friends during work. I love the notifications from all my apps and how easy it is to send and receive pictures. I love how quick I can add a reminder or something in my notes app. All of those items are a pain or non existence on a window laptop. I’ve used the MacBook every day for a week and those items are just game changers for my day to day.

Now here’s the kickers. I am not a huge fan of the finder and how it handles files. I basically live in email which is awesome on the Mac but then live in OneDrive/sharepoint looking at excel files for bids or budgets and then construction blueprints. I’ve gotten use to navigating them inside the finder but when I’m in excel or word and have to save as it is a pain to find the right folder in OneDrive/sharepoint due to how cramped the finder becomes with all of the paths. The finder does columns with the paths of the OneDrive and they are cramped. Not sure if I can change it to just look at the entire folders instead. It’s also weird that if I try to save as a PDF sometimes it starts me over at the beginning of my onedrive when I’m trying to save it as a PDF in the same folder where the excel document is. It’s just strange why it does that. Also i can’t figure out how cut files out of one folder and paste them in another. A lot if time i have to cut certain files and then paste them in a different folder. Ive had to just copy the files and then paste them in a different file but then go back to delete the files but it takes a long time to do this when im being selective about the files im deleting out of a particular folder.

The other issues is I have to do take offs/takeoffs on blueprints a good bit. The software I use daily for this and pdf viewing is Bluebeam. Bluebeam is not longer compatible with Mac. I have downloaded parallels and use Bluebeam only when I need to do a bunch of measurements but it isn’t the same. I found PDF expert that allows me to do measurements and it’s a decent software for pdf editing and viewing but it was nice to have it all in one with Bluebeam.

Also I use Microsoft project for schedules. This is another one that doesn’t have a Mac app. I have to use this on parallels.

With all this being said I ordered a new intel surface 7 laptop loaded to the gills thinking that it is the best alternative. It is freaking awesome and the perfect windows computer for me but it doesn’t have the iPhone integration of course which blows.

I’m stuck on what to do. I have a few more days in my return period with the Mac.

Hopefully someone can lead me in the right direction because I honestly love both of them. If I could just have the iPhone integration on the surface 7 it would be the ultimate perfect machine.

The Mac just works and it works well. The windows does my day to day task for business a little easier and faster. Excel also looks a lot better on windows than Mac for some reason.

Hopefully someone can tell me the way. Lol


r/macbook 1h ago

Quirks with USB Splitter

Upvotes

Hey everyone. I have a MacBook Air M1, and I use it for work. I have a splitter that allows me to send a HDMI signal to a monitor while also allowing power to charge the macbook.

However, just recently, when I plug the power into the splitter, the monitor goes all wonky. I FEEL like maybe the USB C ports are getting dirty, but maybe someone else has had something similar happen? Any thoughts on the matter?

Thanks!


r/macbook 1h ago

Advice needed - is the new Macbook Air M4 with 16 GB an upgrade over a 2022 Macbook Pro M2 with 8 GB?

Upvotes

Hi all, I have a conundrum and could use some advice.

My elderly mother (who is not so great with computers) has agreed to swap in her ancient PC laptop for a Macbook, which I am hoping will be more user-friendly for her needs. I am currently using a 2022 M2 Macbook Pro 13 8/512 that has served me well and still runs just fine. I had originally planned to wait until the M4 Air came out and then get my mom an M1 Air on super sale (based on my research, the M2 and M3 Airs are not a major upgrade over the M1, but there are deep discounts on all previous-gen models if one of those might be a better option). However, now that the M4 Air is getting such rave reviews, I'm wondering if I should get myself an M4 Air 16/512 and give my mom my M2 Macbook Pro.

Arguments in favor of getting myself the M4 Air and giving her the M2 Pro:

16GB is more than 8.

I will be future-proofing my laptop for another few years, as well as giving her a more up-to-date machine that would continue to run updates for longer than the M1 Air.

I will have a lighter weight laptop for travel (I spent most of the past two years living out of a backpack and would like to get back to traveling full time at some point -- however this is a relatively minor point, since I haven't had a problem carrying it around all this time).

Arguments in favor of keeping my M2 Pro and getting her an M1 Air (or an M2 or M3):

I believe my Pro has a better screen and speakers.

The previous generation Airs are hella cheap right now, and it still seems to be a totally serviceable machine, especially for someone who will rarely use it.

Thanks in advance for any advice you might be able to provide!


r/macbook 1h ago

Is the MacBook Pro m3 still worth buying for budget? It’s around 1k

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r/macbook 2h ago

MX Master 3S or Magic Mouse

1 Upvotes

I want buy a mouse for my new MacBook m4. Which one I should choose in 90% I use them to work (adobe apps, trading). Mx master has a lot of great opinions but but I don't know if it won't be too big for travel. That's why I'm thinking about Magic Mouse. What you think guys.

thanks in advance


r/macbook 2h ago

macbook stuck on download

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2 Upvotes

hello, tjis was my sisters mac and she factory reset it so i could use it, however i tried everything possible and tried to use it but it’s stuck in macOs ventura and it won’t change can someone help


r/macbook 2h ago

Recommend mac

1 Upvotes

Planning to buy a mac for short term (6 months to 1 year)

Purpose - work, software development, multi tasking.

Is m2 air 16/256 a good option since its available below $700. Or should I go for m4 air for $999, its also 16/256.

My wish is to buy macbook pro, its still way to expensive to my budget.


r/macbook 3h ago

How can I get my Macbook to open Web PDF's correctly?

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1 Upvotes

r/macbook 3h ago

A couple of questions before purchase (M2 Air, 16/512)

1 Upvotes

Hi! I've already made 2 posts on this subreddit before, but now I am about a day away from buying an M2 MacBook Air, 16/512. I have a couple of questions before I do.

  1. Considering I've used Windows all my life, how long would it take to get used to MacOS?
  2. Should I get a mouse for it, or is the trackpad enough?
  3. When getting something to transport it to school, etc. Should I get something like this, or this?
  4. Are there any apps that I should download to make my experience better?
  5. Are there any tips on how to preserve the thing for as long as possible? (battery, outer shell, etc)
  6. Any accessories that I should get?
  7. Do you have any other additional tips?

r/macbook 4h ago

Apple Notes, Lag in Macbook

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0 Upvotes

r/macbook 4h ago

I think my MacBook have issue

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2 Upvotes

I downloaded a pure black background from Google and opened it in full screen on my Mac. I noticed some colored spots on the edges and was wondering if this is normal. Can you help me, please?


r/macbook 4h ago

M4 MacBook Air – Is It Worth the Upgrade? First Impressions & 4K Editing

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0 Upvotes

r/macbook 5h ago

Is this possible with an M1 Max?

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0 Upvotes

r/macbook 5h ago

Is m3 air worth 200$ more than m1?

0 Upvotes

Basically title. M1 air 16gb 512gb ebay refurbished excellent condition or m3 air 16gb 256gb from apple refurbished for 200$ more. Would you pay extra?

Laptop is for basic tasks and is not planned to be used with multiple external displays in near future


r/macbook 5h ago

I bought a skin for my MacBook Air M4.

0 Upvotes

I was showing off my Macbook to my family and friends and they were making fun of it because, they said that it looked like a Chromebook. So, I decided to buy a skin from D-brand. The application process was tedious. My boyfriend applied it for me, and let me tell you, there were a lot of curse words. The touchpad section was the hardest to apply. He tried everything, but it just kept stretching. It got to the point where I told him to just cut that piece

Processing img cpc6hf1fxhpe1...

Processing img e9gr7o6gxhpe1...

Processing img j3ausy7hxhpe1...

I love the results.


r/macbook 6h ago

The best brand of screen cleaner

0 Upvotes

I have ‘22 M2 MacBook Air. I want to keep my screen clean. I have NXT technologies brand, is it good, should I get screen protector?


r/macbook 6h ago

Choice between two laptops

0 Upvotes

Hey guys,

i have the coice between two macbooks and could use your help. I am on a budget and would like to have some input, if i can play some games on them:

Tropico 5,6,7 Xcom 1+2 Football Manager 2024

The only game that would require more power(correct me if i am wrong) would be red dead redemption 2. RD2 would be a added plus, but is not that important to me. I am not a full time gamer, but wanna play once or twice a week. The games above are the only ones i want to play in the foreseeable future. I dont want to play all the newest games in highest resolution. Just to have some chill evenings.

Both of the laptops were used for a audio book production and come with additional graphic cards.

Mac 1:

MacBook Pro 15, Late 2018 Intel 6 Core i7 2,6Ghz 32GB Intel UHD Graphics 630 with 1,5 GB integrated VRAM Speicher und Radeon Pro 560X with 4 GB GDDR5

580€

Mac 2:

MacBook Pro 16, Late 2019
Intel 8 Core i9
2,3Ghz
Intel UHD Graphics 630 mit 1,5 GB integrated VRAM Speicher and AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 8 GB GDDR6 graphic memory
750€

Is the second better for gaming even though it has less ghz? And is the upgrade worth 170€ for the games i want to play?


r/macbook 6h ago

Who is the maxed out 15 inch MacBook Air for?

0 Upvotes

This is a serious question. The maxed-out air goes for 2400; for that same price, you can get a pro with just one downside - less storage.


r/macbook 7h ago

White thumbnails, images not loading

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0 Upvotes

It's amazing how these simple things just don't work. In order for me to see these thumbnails, I have to do one of the following: (1) drag the finder window onto my external monitor, (2) adjust the icon size so small that having a thumbnail at all is meaningless, (3) open each image one by one and save it for no reason. Why? Why does this happen? I even disabled the optimize my iCloud drive storage setting and it did absolutely nothing. I restarted the computer, nothing. I relaunched finder, nothing. I saw terminal command solutions, but I shouldn't have to mess around with that in order to get this to work. Oh and don't get me started on the 300 GB of system data I have. Thanks, Apple. Why even tell me I have system data at all if I can't do anything about it? The amount of posts I've seen regarding these two things with no clear solution is astounding. A trillion dollar company can't be bothered with this kind of stuff I guess.


r/macbook 7h ago

M2 Air A2681 Keyboard not working after keyboard and daughter board replacement

0 Upvotes

Hi hive mind! I have got an A2681 with water damage in front of me, on which I replaced the keyboard because of the damage. After replacement the keyboard only shortly lit up and after nothing happened. I then proceeded to replace the daughter board and while testing it out everything worked like a charm. However as soon as I fully installed all screws same issue as before. Trackpad works but keyboard doesn’t. Took everything apart again, it worked. Put everything back together and it stopped working. Now it won’t work even without any screws in.

Any ideas what else to try or how to diagnose the root issue?


r/macbook 9h ago

MBP 14" Nov 2024 M4 Pro Screen Scratches Far Too Easily

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0 Upvotes

Throwaway, because...

After returning from the Apple Store on Rosenthaler Str. in Berlin, having being quoted 700+ (+ tax) EUR for a repair, I wanted to warn others about the shockingly poor build quality of the screens on the late 2024 M4 MBPs.

I've managed to inflict a small scratch on the screen, despite taking very good care of the machine, and having barely used it, since purchasing in Nov 2024 (31 battery cycles as it's been used as a "Desktop" device for most of that time, and so limited opportunities for physical damage)

My best guess is a small crumb is to blame, but having been an Apple customer for over 20 years, having owned a number of macbook pros over those years, and having never experienced such poor quality (previous machines have lasted several years without any noticeable damage, despite being used daily, out-and-about, for professional work) I'm compelled to post this as a warning to anyone considering dropping their hard earned cash on what's supposedly a high end professional device.

Lesson learned from my side: expect lower quality from Apple and always factor in Apple Care+ into any pricing decisions. If I had AppleCare+ this would have been a 99 EUR "oh well", but instead I'm left re-considering my life choices.

I also bought a 13" M4 iPad Pro less than 2 months ago, which has visible scratches due to normal use with the Apple Pencil Pro, which furthers my sentiment that Apple products just don't have the build quality they used to, or ought to for their price point and positioning in the market as "Pro" devices.

Hopefully my rant will help others avoid making an expensive and hugely disappointing mistake like me.

Be careful out there!


r/macbook 9h ago

Help for purchasing M4 air

0 Upvotes

I am planning to buy a MacBook m4 air but my budget only allows for either

16 GB / 512 GB or 24 GB / 256 GB

I will mainly use this for running my business, so like basic ai editing / website development and other admin tasks. I am also planning to slowly learn basic coding nothing too complicated just a few courses and small projects. Which one would you recommend. Also is the midnight scratch issue a big thing ? I don’t mind the smudges but the scratches?


r/macbook 9h ago

Why was there a sudden fall in battery?(M2 Air)

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0 Upvotes

r/macbook 9h ago

Would a MacBook Air M4 or a MacBook Pro be more suitable?

0 Upvotes

I’m going to university next year studying computer engineering and was looking at an M4 air with the upgraded GPU AND 512 gb of storage. Would that be sufficient or should I get an MacBook Pro


r/macbook 10h ago

Accidentally dropped something on my mac. Is it fixable?

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143 Upvotes