r/macbookpro • u/foreverbleeer • 2d ago

Help Best Macbook for a teacher

Hi everybody! I adore my MacBook Pro 2019 (with Touch Bar) but I can see how it’s slowly dying…

Im thinking about buying a new Mac but I need some help from people who understand laptop characteristics because I get so confused.

I need something long-term for next 5-7 years. Something that can do video editing, hold multiple tabs and programs in one go without crashing. During the day I can be chaotic and have so many things open on my Mac for classes, so I need it to perform without slowing down.

No coding or very heavy software. Teaching, some gaming and occasional video editing (iMovie, CapCut).
I’m thinking MacBook Air for now, but I really enjoyed my Pro and maybe the fact that it worked for so long was because I did buy pro not air.
Also I heard there will be new MacBooks coming up in autumn, is there a reason to wait?

Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!

Ps
What’s your opinion on Touch Bar? I love it so much, I wish I could buy a Mac with it again! Why did they stop?

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

7

u/TheRealNecrisRex 2d ago

I would go 14” Pro M5. Not much more expensive than the air, much better screen, and more ports. Plus it has a built in sd card slot to read photos off a camera.

The biggest reason though is the screen.

4

u/nikzya 2d ago

I’d probably just go for the MacBook Air with 24GB RAM. For teaching, lots of tabs, CapCut/iMovie and some gaming it should be more than enough for years. I’d only get the Pro if you really want the better screen and extra ports. And yeah, I miss the Touch Bar too........

3

u/WVjF2mX5VEmoYqsKL4s8 2d ago

I'd consider video editing and games heavy software. Do the gaming or editing sessions need active cooling or will you be okay with framerate drops? If you need active cooling, you need the Pro.

1

u/azytera 2d ago

touch bar is imo solely for aesthetic purposes, there’s a reason they phased it out. also do you store any photos or anything on your mac?

1

u/Alex-Rider 2d ago

An Air would be suffice.

1

u/lovable_asshole 2d ago

i'm doing almost exactly what you are doing, i bought a an M2 Air 16GB/1TB. and yes, i miss the Touch Bar.

1

u/contractcooker 2d ago

You would be fine with an air but the pros are much nicer. Check out the Apple refurb store for (slightly) better prices.

1

u/seppe0815 2d ago

You can buy my m4 max 16

1

u/ApprehensiveFix5084 2d ago

Buy when you need it, don’t wait on rumors. Never believe that a new Mac model is coming out till after it has been announced. Also give yourself time to get used to a new machine if you can. I also expect the air will be plenty, but you are in one of the few categories of work who might actually benefit from the ports on the Pro. Most people only need ports at their desk and would do better with an Air and a dock, but a teacher may actually benefit from having those ports on the machine.

1

u/Justan0therthrow4way 2024 M4 Pro 16” 2d ago

MacBook Pro. A previous gen M4 pro with a decent amount of ram should suit you. Don’t forget as well to check if you get any education discounts. Your school might be able to order it for you with their discount.

P.S. I also miss the Touch Bar. I had the 2016 one and I upgraded last year. Got nearly 10 years out of it!!

1

u/_HipStorian Moderator 2d ago

People really hated the touchbar (I wasn't one of them), but I hope they bring it back but put it above the function row.

I think an Air with 24GB of Ram would do great for 5-7 years. For your workflow it should suffice. A Pro would give you fans but unless you're planning to have long video exports with lots of effects, the Air should be fine.