Which Black Friday Deals to consider

Haven’t checked the specs but this is the time to buy anything at cheap prices.
If you have someone coming to India, go for it

It would be a worthwhile investment on a longer run if you are used to MacOS. My 2017 macbook air running core i5 5th gen itself is still capable to handle every task I throw at it decently well so the new M1 based machine would easily last 5 to 7 years.

Apple generally offers a gift card or so as part of black Friday or Christmas campaigns so do keep a tab on the offers going to be announced by them.

Never buy the first version of anything. 🙂🙂

It’s a good product.
However, don’t buy something because it’s a good deal. Buy only if you need it.
Hope you know that you will need additional budget for a monitor (+KB & Mouse).
A 4K monitor will normaly cost upwards of 15k. Though I was lucky to get one at less than 8k last Diwali.
Pairing this device with a cheap keyboard won’t look good. So consider another 5k for that. Check out KB deals from Canada, semi-premium models will be comparatively cheaper there.

Consider this – it’s anyway not portable. So how does it matter if it is 2-3 times the size! Other than the looks/physical design.
You can get a decently sized desktop box for much lesser, will be Windows/Linux, not mac.
If you have decided to go for a mac, then yes, your pick is very good.

I will recommend M1 based Apple products. I have many friends using it and it’s blazing fast at significantly lower energy consumption.It is not the first version as same chips have been used in iPhone and iPads for years now. I am looking to get myself today. Not sure how much discount I’ll get with education promo.

Do get the 16GB version in any case. It runs smooth on 8GB but it won’t be future proof.

Check this! He’s one of the most genuine tech youtubers!

I heard it got very good performance and new m1 hardware has potential to handle.
I think you already got your thoughts on it and checked all the reviews. You are on the verge to buy it looking at the price but bit skeptical
Based on your requirements 8gb would suffice as said by @getready

GOOD STUFF

• Blazing performance
• Existing apps run very well on M1 chip
• Appealing price for the power it offers
• Now with Wi-Fi 6

BAD STUFF

• Fewer USB-C ports than Intel model
• Unified memory tops out at 16GB
• Doesn’t support external GPUs
• Truly awful speaker

Source: https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/17/21570046/ap...

Does Mac come with international warranty?

What specifications you are getting for 65K ?

Because the basic version is 64k around here and 58k if purchased through University discount.

A very good option if you are comfortable with MacOS but make sure it has international warranty applicable in India else in case of bad luck entire purchase amount may go down the drain.

I’m not even sure what the hell is M1 cpu. I don’t use MAC OS, probably never will, being a gamer mainly and content consumer force me to stick with Windows 10, which is garbage anyway. What’s the closest Intel or AMD cpu of this M1?

@mrKool_JJ wrote:

Haven’t checked the specs but this is the time to buy anything at cheap prices.
If you have someone coming to India, go for it

Sign of Trader

@raghupro wrote:


It would be a worthwhile investment on a longer run if you are used to MacOS. My 2017 macbook air running core i5 5th gen itself is still capable to handle every task I throw at it decently well so the new M1 based machine would easily last 5 to 7 years.

Apple generally offers a gift card or so as part of black Friday or Christmas campaigns so do keep a tab on the offers going to be announced by them.

@bikidas2060 wrote:


Never buy the first version of anything. 🙂🙂

@enapster wrote:


It’s a good product.
However, don’t buy something because it’s a good deal. Buy only if you need it.
Hope you know that you will need additional budget for a monitor (+KB & Mouse).
A 4K monitor will normaly cost upwards of 15k. Though I was lucky to get one at less than 8k last Diwali.
Pairing this device with a cheap keyboard won’t look good. So consider another 5k for that. Check out KB deals from Canada, semi-premium models will be comparatively cheaper there.

Already have Benq 4K monitor

@enapster wrote:


Consider this – it’s anyway not portable. So how does it matter if it is 2-3 times the size! Other than the looks/physical design.
You can get a decently sized desktop box for much lesser, will be Windows/Linux, not mac.
If you have decided to go for a mac, then yes, your pick is very good.

@TintinSnowy wrote:


I will recommend M1 based Apple products. I have many friends using it and it’s blazing fast at significantly lower energy consumption.It is not the first version as same chips have been used in iPhone and iPads for years now. I am looking to get myself today. Not sure how much discount I’ll get with education promo.

@enapster wrote:

Do get the 16GB version in any case. It runs smooth on 8GB but it won’t be future proof.

@getready wrote:


Depends on software optimizations too (I Feel Apple did a better job w/ MacOS than Windows 10)
I’ve had a PC with just 8GB RAM until few months back and that used to be more than enough for all my needs (
- 4K HDR HEVC local streaming @ higher bitrates
- 20+ tabs via Chrome
- FHD/4K Editing/Grading via Premiere Pro
But i did face issues when i was editing/grading longer 4k videos @ v.high bitrates so upgraded to 16+16 (A bit of overkill as even at peak usage i don’t usually see 50% of the RAM Usage)
Based on OP requirements, 8GB should be more than enough for web browsing and 4k local streaming but apple knows if someone is getting the new mac mini for its superfast CPU/GPU (New M1 handles 4K/8K RAW editing via PremierePro/Resolve with Ease) then they would obviously opt for additional upgrades (512GB SSD for 200$/20k, 16gb RAM for 200$/20k & ….) // RAM & SSD are soldered to M1 Motherboard //

@awake wrote:


Check this! He’s one of the most genuine tech youtubers!

@hotchap wrote:


I heard it got very good performance and new m1 hardware has potential to handle.
I think you already got your thoughts on it and checked all the reviews. You are on the verge to buy it looking at the price but bit skeptical
Based on your requirements 8gb would suffice as said by @getready

GOOD STUFF
* Blazing performance
* Existing apps run very well on M1 chip
* Appealing price for the power it offers
* Now with Wi-Fi 6

BAD STUFF
* Fewer USB-C ports than Intel model
* Unified memory tops out at 16GB
* Doesn’t support external GPUs
* Truly awful speaker

Source: https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/17/21570046/ap...

@Runjesh wrote:


What specifications you are getting for 65K ?

Because the basic version is 64k around here and 58k if purchased through University discount.

@guest_999 wrote:


A very good option if you are comfortable with MacOS but make sure it has international warranty applicable in India else in case of bad luck entire purchase amount may go down the drain.

@ithehappy wrote:


I’m not even sure what the hell is M1 cpu. I don’t use MAC OS, probably never will, being a gamer mainly and content consumer force me to stick with Windows 10 ,which is garbage anyway. What’s the closest Intel or AMD cpu of this M1?

Lot’s of good and mixed opinions.

Here are some of my thoughts:

1) For a device to do web browsing and 4k streaming/ local playback  Mac mini seems overkill. Same things  can be done with a under 5k fire stick 4k or Mi Box 4k….. And a decent mid-range laptop….. ……….. from 2015.

So unless you want or need Mac OS exclusive apps I Don’t see a compelling reason to get it.

2) Yes Apple M1 silicon is great(est). Now it can run even iPad and iPhone apps  because M1 is based on ARM architecture not x86 like Intel or AMD.

But because Mac mini is a desktop, people would likely want to run x86 applications. And lots of such x86 apps are yet to release a version that can natively run on M1 to fully utilise it’s Power. But Apple is currently Using Rosetta 2 translation layer to “emulate x86” which actually doesn’t fully utilise M1 capabilities but solves the compatibility issue to a great extent.

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3597949/e...



3) If really want an Apple product always keep in mind that Apple is the  worst company to milk their customer dry for repair after warranty is over. You might have heard that phrase ‘costs an arm and leg’… Well if you need to repair your out of warranty Apple device you’ll truly understand meaning of that phrase.

They’ve put serious measures to stop 3rd party  repair or self repair.

4) There’s no denying that Apple is more than just a phone or computer manufacturing company. Owning one certainly give you Extra cool factor.  So you might consider spending extra  for something like MacBook Air, especially if you need mobility.

Is there any cheap 3rd party extended warranty you can buy for Mac?

Not a good choice for gaming. MacOS anyways is pretty poor in this regard so not much of an issue. No post-purchase upgrades. Apple as usual charges exorbitantly for higher configs.
Right now M1’s biggest bragging point is performance/Watt. Would have made for a good HTPC but AV1 decode is missing?
BootCamp doesn’t seem likely so no Windows install to paper over the glaring holes in the Mac catalogue.

Am out of touch with Apple ecosystem but have been reading rave reviews about M1 chip. Having said that, here is a review countering all the praises this has been getting.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickmoorhead/20...

I am getting the base variant of MacBook Air at 81K. It includes student discount and 6000 rs cash back on HDFC Credit Card. Is this the best I can get? Mac mini will go for 58K with student discount. It is cheaper but I think laptop is a better deal since I am getting a display, backlit keyboard, trackpad, web cam, Touch ID, mic, battery backup and portability.

Let me know your thoughts.

@Total_Fun wrote:

Lot’s of good and mixed opinions.

Here are some of my thoughts:

1) For a device to do web browsing and 4k streaming/ local playback  Mac mini seems overkill. Same things  can be done with a under 5k fire stick 4k or Mi Box 4k….. And a decent mid-range laptop….. ……….. from 2015.

So unless you want or need Mac OS exclusive apps I Don’t see a compelling reason to get it.

2) Yes Apple M1 silicon is great(est). Now it can run even iPad and iPhone apps  because M1 is based on ARM architecture not x86 like Intel or AMD.

But because Mac mini is a desktop, people would likely want to run x86 applications. And lots of such x86 apps are yet to release a version that can natively run on M1 to fully utilise it’s Power. But Apple is currently Using Rosetta 2 translation layer to “emulate x86” which actually doesn’t fully utilise M1 capabilities but solves the compatibility issue to a great extent.

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3597949/e...



3) If really want an Apple product always keep in mind that Apple is the  worst company to milk their customer dry for repair after warranty is over. You might have heard that phrase ‘costs an arm and leg’… Well if you need to repair your out of warranty Apple device you’ll truly understand meaning of that phrase.

They’ve put serious measures to stop 3rd party  repair or self repair.

4) There’s no denying that Apple is more than just a phone or computer manufacturing company. Owning one certainly give you Extra cool factor.  So you might consider spending extra  for something like MacBook Air, especially if you need mobility.

@LIMBO wrote:Not a good choice for gaming. MacOS anyways is pretty poor in this regard so not much of an issue. No post-purchase upgrades. Apple as usual charges exorbitantly for higher configs.
Right now M1’s biggest bragging point is performance/Watt. Would have made for a good HTPC but AV1 decode is missing?
BootCamp doesn’t seem likely so no Windows install to paper over the glaring holes in the Mac catalogue.

@cashif wrote:Am out of touch with Apple ecosystem but have been reading rave reviews about M1 chip. Having said that, here is a review countering all the praises this has been getting.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickmoorhead/20...