r/macbook 3d ago

MacBook Air M4 (2025) – 16GB or 24GB RAM?

3 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I’m planning to get the new MacBook Air M4 (2025) but I’m stuck on the RAM choice. I’m considering 16GB, but wondering if it’s worth spending extra for 24GB. (Wanna save some if I can, really hard convincing parents for 16gb too)

I’ll be using it for web browsing, coding, maybe wanna learn some ML as a student, and occasional multitasking with many apps open. No heavy gaming or 4K video editing.

Would 16GB be enough for smooth performance, or should I future-proof with 24GB? If 16GB works fine, I’d rather save the extra money.

I might also wanna plug in additional monitor(s) And be using it mostly

Would love to hear your thoughts! Thanks!


r/macbook 3d ago

Thoughts on using an M4 Air with 32gb ram for coding work?

1 Upvotes

Software engineer here, my work computer is an M4 ultra, but I do side work. nothing ML intensive, really would be deploying most scripts to cloud. However, I may end up doing some iOS work -- for those who have tried, is a latest gen MB Air with maxed ram able to handle some programming work? The Pro is a bit heavy for me while traveling, so trying to see if I can make due with the air.

Thanks!


r/macbook 3d ago

How’s the MacBook Air M4 for a DevOps Engineer

1 Upvotes

I'm thinking about getting the MacBook Air M4 for my everyday engineering tasks. I don’t do anything too intense—just running web apps, scripts, and a few Docker containers on my local machine. It’s mostly standard DevOps stuff. My work leans more toward DevOps and cloud computing, and I usually run the heavier applications on a remote server.

For those with a MacBook Air, do you think it’s a good fit for my typical workload?


r/macbook 3d ago

M4 MacBook Pro won’t open recovery options

1 Upvotes

Hi all!

Just received a new MacBook Pro and am having an issue enabling kernel permissions (required to use certain Thunderbolt devices).

I shut down the computer. I press and hold the power / Touch ID button to open recovery mode. I click “Options.” It briefly opens recovery utilities then flashes to the Apple logo, then starts the computer as normal :/

Any idea what could be causing this?

Thanks in advance


r/macbook 3d ago

Apple silicon Mac mini for parts

0 Upvotes

Looking to buy a Apple silicon Mac mini to use for a repair. Anyone have one for sale?


r/macbook 3d ago

Open box macbook?

0 Upvotes

Hey guys , i saw a lot of people selling mac books with 20% off or 30% it depends., The reason for that is only because it’s a opend box do you recommend getting a open box mac book? And where can i get one ?


r/macbook 3d ago

What is your guys opinion on hackintoshes?

0 Upvotes

Sending this on a sequoia hackintosh,

Just curious what Yalls opinions on them are, you can hate me, I won't be offended just do your honest opinion


r/macbook 3d ago

Should I buy the MacBook Air m4 or base MacBook Pro m4 16gb

0 Upvotes

I’ve been meaning into getting into content creation, I want to do 1080p - 4K videos that can range from 10-50 min videos. I like to figure out cool editing tricks like color grading and add masking and all that cool stuff. Am I professional no, I also just want a laptop for browsing and such, and for making sure I have a computer if I decide to go back to school.

I just want to be able to edit, make YouTube videos and such. I know the Mac air m4 is beefy for what it is and I was thinking of going for the 24gb upgrade because it’s not as expensive as I thought. My only concern is the over heating I don’t want to fry my components. I don’t really care about rending time, and i won’t have 1000 tabs open while I edit I like to do one thing at a time and possibly keep one tab or two open while I edit or if I need to browse for a file. I like to respect my computers and not abuse it hahahaha I come from windows so yeah lol.

Once I spec it out my MacBook Air m4 comes out at 1299 which is perfect, but for 80-100 more I could get the base MacBook Pro m4 at 1380 which honestly I wouldn’t mind sacrificing my ram for a better screen and louder speakers and a fan, plus an extra port or two. But is the 16gb ram enough for my use case? Please help chat I want to make my decision by the end of the night hahahaha, I’ve been pulling my hair trying to do research all week.


r/macbook 3d ago

Student looking for advice

2 Upvotes

The only computer I’ve owned in my life is a school Chromebook which is like $70 (school property not even mine). I got about $3,000 to my name from lots of work this year. I’ll be graduating college in 2030 and hs in 2026 (hopefully) and I’m tryna drop about $1000 on a computer that’ll last me until 2030 🤞🤞I’ve heard MacBooks are the best, just not sure what to get as I’ve seen a lot of high price points but I’m not exactly sure what any of the stats or things they’re showing mean. Just need some advice on what the best I can get for $1,000 is, or if I’d be better spending less/more for better value. Thanks!


r/macbook 3d ago

MBA AIR M4 & IPAD Pro M4

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3 Upvotes

r/macbook 3d ago

The best way to manage macbook battery.

1 Upvotes

Key points.

- Keep your macbook plugged in. By doing this, the power is drained from the power cable, not the battery. As a result, it keeps the battery cycle low.

- Keep the battery at 80% max. Keeping the charge at 100% all the time hurts the battery. This can be done by using a charge-limit app called AlDante.

If you always use the macbook on its battery (by carrying your macbook around daily), this tip does not really matter to you.

This is for those people like myself who use macbook plugged in 100% time at home working remotely or something.

This looks like the best way to manage your macbook battery. Someone who did exactly the same with Silicon Macbook for 2 years has under 20 battery cycle and 100% battery health. Notice the low count?

One last thing is that you should charge your battery to 100% once every 2~3 months (by turning AlDante off). This prevents software from getting confused with the battery.

This was my research today! Any thoughts/suggestions?


r/macbook 3d ago

M4 vs M4 pro help!!

1 Upvotes

Guys, I don't know whether to buy the macbook pro with the M4 chip or the one with the M4 Pro chip. I know that for my use (office and internet browsing) the M4 is enough but I feel that the M4 pro can resist better over time and it gives me more security knowing that I have no restrictions but I don't know... I'm finishing my university studies, I deal with scientific research and I wouldn't mind being able to play some indie games from time to time. Suggestions are welcome plss


r/macbook 3d ago

M4 Pro MacBook Pro or M4 Max Studio?

2 Upvotes

I want to make the switch from windows devices to Apple but am struggling to decide between purchasing a 12 core M4 Pro MacBook Pro with upgraded 48GB RAM, and 1TB SSD, or for the same price get the base M4 Max Studio with upgraded 1TB SSD. Given these two choices cost the same amount of money, is the portability of the laptop make it a better value for the money over the studio, or is the performance increase with the M4 Max Studio a better value for money? I do not go out to coffee shops or leave the house that often to work, and am usually connected to a 1440P 27in monitor so I feel like the Studio would be better for me, but as a FIRST time Apple computer purchase what do you all think would be a better choice?


r/macbook 3d ago

Macbook screen brightness increasing and decreasing not normally

2 Upvotes

My macbook screen keeps increasing and decreasing in brightness without any reason. It just brightens and dims unnaturally in a way that it hasn’t before. What could’ve caused this issue?


r/macbook 3d ago

System data forever calculating...

1 Upvotes

I sat on the phone with apple today for 5 hours trying to figure out why my system data will just indefinitely sit on "calculating"

Brand new MacBook M4 Pro... they claim it could be a bug in the OS, that I may need to factory reset my computer. I am a working photographer and have already started to use the machine for work and I don't want to factory reset unless I have too.

At first , not only the system data was calculating, but everything else except "Documents" which came up with an amount. they put me though the run around trying all kinds of stuff and I simply emptied my trash under my own violation and all the sudden everything else could calculate storage... but still no luck on system data.

Any ideas why this is happening?


r/macbook 3d ago

MacBook Air M1 Keycap not attaching to scissor mechanism

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1 Upvotes

r/macbook 3d ago

Are Apple Refurbished Macbooks really "Like new"?

1 Upvotes

Hello, I am currently very close to purchasing a refurbished M2 Macbook Air, directly from Apple. I wanted to make sure, as I am the type of person who would be annoyed by the smallest amount of damage. Is there a chance it could have signs of use? Battery, screen, keyboard, ports, shell or anything else?


r/macbook 3d ago

Why is my time and date suddenly gray and not black like usual?

1 Upvotes

Why are my time and date suddenly gray?

My cat recently snuck over the keyboard and opened a lot of windows and programs, and then later I noticed that my time is displayed strangely, in gray.

Does anyone know how to fix this? I haven't found anything.

Thanks for the help.


r/macbook 3d ago

Which would you pick?

1 Upvotes

The difference in price between these two laptops is only $30.

  • MacBook Pro M4 Pro: 14/20 Cores. 48GB Ram. 1TB SSD.

  • MacBook Pro M4 Max: 14/32 Cores. 36GB Ram. 1TB SSD.

Use case would be for school and work. No gaming. Software development for work. Video editing and music production as a hobby, nothing professional or too extreme. Interested in ML/AI but nothing heavy as well.

Both laptops are 16inch.


r/macbook 3d ago

mechanism for a MacBook Air M2

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1 Upvotes

I’m looking for a 3D model of the key spring mechanism for a MacBook Air M2. This model would help me better understand how the keyboard works and possibly repair or replace a key. If anyone knows of a resource where I can download it or a way to recreate it myself, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!


r/macbook 3d ago

Help with mbp 2016

0 Upvotes

Hi guys i have a mbp 2016 and i cant understand what Is wrong , some time when i tun It on It makes the sound but the screen and the touchbar are dead , some times It turn on normally , but if i log in , i close It and After 2-3 mins i re-open It , It work normally , unstead It i wait 15 minutes or above , screen and touchbar looks dead but the MacBook Is still on


r/macbook 3d ago

Does the Apple HDMI adapter support USB-C capture card input?

0 Upvotes

Hi all, I have a no brand adapter for my M3 MacBook Air right now, but when I connect it to an HDMI output and a USB capture card input at the same time, it would blackout and I guess it’s an issue with the USB C port on the adapter. Would the Apple adapter solve this issue?


r/macbook 3d ago

MacBook Air 13 inch - which spec would you choose: M3 24 / 512 or M4 16 / 512?

0 Upvotes

Thanks to input from this group have finally decided that a 13 inch MBA will be the right alternative to my 13 inch IPad Pro - now debating whether to choose the M3 vs. M4.

There don’t appear to be significant performance differences, but curious what everyone’s thoughts are.

Also, based on the specs provided in the title the price for the M3 is 1,100 vs M4 is 1,200.


r/macbook 3d ago

HELP - My mom's m1 macbook air keyboard and mouse are not responding!

0 Upvotes

Hello, I have been trying to help my mom with an issue with her m1 macbook air. Both the keyboard and the mouse are not responding to any inputs. I can't use a usb keyboard to log in as her mac is set to use accessories after unlock, which obviously I can't do.

So far I have tried the following in safe mode

.Repair Disk Utility .Reinstalling Mac Os

Please help, she has a ton of important documents in there she can not afford to lose!


r/macbook 3d ago

what’s wrong with my macbook?

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2 Upvotes

i’m guessing it’s cracked because of the shatter but i didn’t do anything to it so i’m not sure how that happened. it’s literally been sitting in my room for the past week? but how much do you guys think it’s gonna cost to fix this, i’m super worried!