[bdcravens]

Are these features that most people want, or features that power users who prefer the cheaper MBA want?

FWIW, you can get multiple displays on an MBA with a DisplayLink hub.

> macbook pro max ultra ultimate m4$

The 14" MBP starts at $1599.

[dangus]

Notable, the 14” MBP that is $1599 has the same display limitation because it doesn’t have the Pro chip. You need the $1999 one with the Pro chip.

But I agree with you as a generality: there’s a lot of ways for savvy people to buy an Apple system at a somewhat reasonable price that has the features that are segmented away to Pros.

For example, get a previous model. The M2 Pro 14” either Apple refurbished or lightly used. You can also get the current models refurbished (that’s full warranty and essentially new condition).

Could go all the way back to the M1 Pro and it’s really a very similar machine.

Another example: the education discount they’ll give to anyone without verification.

Further example: authorized resellers. Costco has the M3 Pro for $1799.

[bdcravens]

Yes, I missed that. Looks like the cheapest with a Pro chip is $1999. Microcenter has the same deal as Costco: $1799.

I used a factory refurb for a while last year, an M1 Pro with 16GB of RAM. It handled everything I threw at it (mostly backend dev using Docker Compose) easily, and it was only $1300, which is cheaper than an M3 MBA with the same memory.

[gorbypark]

I recently discovered that the MBA supports two external monitors if one of them is an iPad via sidecar. I've been using an iPad as an extra screen for my mobile setup (MBA M2) when on the road for a while , and recently upgraded to a 14" portable monitor and was pleasantly surprised that both work at the same time.

Side note: the 14" monitor is a game changer if your priorities are light weight and portability. Roughly half the weight of an iPad and even bigger and only like 60 euros. I went with the 2K resolution model and it's great price/quality ratio wise (using BetterDisplay to bump up into HiDPI mode).

[jwells89]

Sidecar works really well. Been using my 12.9” iPad with it and with a cheap folding stand with this setup I’m almost as productive traveling as I am back home with dual 26” monitors.