Employees, even those who use Apple laptops, need new computers regularly; The challenge is deciding which model of Mac laptop each employee really needs.
Small businesses tend to be experts in their own fields rather than experts in knowing the capabilities of different Macs, so matching Apple laptop models to specific business purposes can be confusing. The fact that Mac laptops start at $999 (that's the cost of a 13-inch MacBook Air equipped with an M1 chip at the time of this writing) makes it particularly important for small businesses looking to minimize expenses. and optimize investments make the right decision. .
The following tips, collected over 20 years as co-owner of a managed services provider that continually helps businesses select and deploy the most appropriate technology equipment, should help you make these Mac laptop purchasing decisions.
Start by reviewing the employee's business needs.
Small businesses should first take the time to carefully consider the actual daily tasks and responsibilities an employee typically performs before choosing a specific MacBook, keeping in mind that not all employees need a MacBook Pro.
For example, let's say your office administrator frequently uses common document and spreadsheet applications, manages QuickBooks responsibilities and sends invoices using a web-based tool, and a couple of times a year, formats and distributes an email newsletter featuring top-notch artwork and images. A basic MacBook Air is more than capable of meeting this employee's business needs; The advanced graphics capabilities of an M3-powered MacBook Pro are not necessary.
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While Apple is sometimes criticized for producing stylish but expensive computers, Mac laptops earn a reputation for reliability, build quality, and performance; Even a basic 13-inch MacBook Air powered by M1 offers impressive capabilities. Apple's MacBook Air M1 includes a high-quality LED-backlit display that supports True Tone and P3 wide color technologies needed when working in advertising, marketing, graphic arts, merchandising, social media, imaging, video production and other industries . These models also include Apple Silicone chips that boast impressive performance and battery life. M2 models, an example of which is shown in Figure Awill further enhance the performance capabilities of the MacBook Air and expand the laptop's capabilities and potential compatibility with future operating systems.
Figure A
Ask the employee what is more important: mobility or desk use?
Next, ask your employee if mobility or desk use is more important. For example, Apple's 13-inch MacBook Air and 14-inch MacBook Pro naturally appeal to employees who travel more than others and value portability. Other employees regularly use their Macs as desktop replacements, so they prefer larger displays, like those that come standard with a 15-inch MacBook Air or even a 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Fortunately, most businesses don't need to pay $2,499 for a basic 16-inch MacBook Pro. In cases where a mobile employee often works from the office and needs a larger screen, all MacBooks can support at least one external display, and that second monitor can be a simple $250, 27-inch enterprise-grade device . This means small businesses don't have to shell out $1,599 for Apple's 27-inch Studio Display, designed to meet strict digital photography and film requirements, unless the employee is performing complex image and video production tasks that require They often require color matching capabilities.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 technology is usually a cost-effective option. When a user's CPU and graphics requirements exceed the capabilities of the MacBook Air line (for example, when an employee requires more audio or video editing and rendering capabilities, the ability to develop and test AI code and programming, or draw 3D drawings and edit and produce high-resolution images), simply moving up to the base MacBook Pro offers a surprising increase in capability.
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Apple's M3 MacBook Pro, introduced in late 2023, adds support for AV1 decoding to help drive more efficient, high-quality video production. Other upgrades the MacBook Pro offers include a Liquid Retina by enabling smoother and smoother video performance. The machines also feature an upgraded high-fidelity sound system with six speakers and a set of studio-quality microphones to improve the quality of audio playback and video conferencing.
Face this fact: more demanding business needs require more processing power
Even in small businesses, some users still need greater processing power to handle more demanding tasks. For these users, Apple is offering M3 Pro and M3 Max chip upgrades and a larger 16-inch size within its MacBook Pro line, an example of which is shown in Figure B. Because post-production professionals who edit and render high-resolution video, perform statistical calculations, or routinely work in resource-intensive AutoCAD environments often also require multiple external displays, the high-end 16-inch M3 Pro and Max models MacBook Pros can handle additional displays. In fact, up to four in the M3 Max model, with three of those screens with 6K resolution and a fourth with 4K resolution.
Figure B
But such demanding capabilities are often rare, especially in most small businesses. While there are exceptions, the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air will qualify for all of the most common office responsibilities, including using office productivity suites, sending and receiving email, operating web-based applications, and working from the office or on the road.
Where employees spend significantly more time creating and editing audio and video content, the 14-inch MacBook Pro should prove a compelling upgrade that's capable of meeting most advertising, marketing, social media, and media needs. similar to small businesses.
Remember this: MacBook Airs adequately equip most small business users, while the MacBook Pro addresses the exceptions
In small businesses, the need to upgrade beyond the powerful capability provided by Apple's M3 MacBook Pro will rarely arise. However, AI developers and audio and video engineers often work with complex and demanding software applications and data that require the higher-performance M3 Pro and M3 Max chips found in the MacBook Pro. While Apple offers systems that meet or exceed even the demanding computing needs of professionals, small businesses should be prepared to pay. For most other common tasks, Apple's MacBook Air and entry-level MacBook Pro should prove worthy of most small organizations.
