M2 vs M5 option, which one should I pick?
Hey everyone, I am looking for some advice on which of these two models to grab directly from Apple.
The options:
- Refurbished 13" MacBook Air (M2, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — 1.089 €
- New 13" MacBook Air (M5, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) — 1.339 €
The context: I am a graduate physics student, so if not on a unicluster, I'll probably be doing a fair amount of coding, simulations, and data work now and then.
The thing is I really like the matching space-grey setup I already have with the Ipad/Iphone and dislike the navy hue that the Midnight finish has when it's in direct sunlight (saw it in a store once, not a big fan). Unfortunately, space grey was dropped from the Air lineup after the M3.
Is it a terrible idea to buy an M2 in 2026 for my case? Or is the M5 jump so massive that I’d be crazy to pass it up for aesthetics?
I’m hoping the M6 might bring Space Gray back as an option, but for now, I’m stuck. Do you think the M2 still has enough legs for a few years of grad school, or should I just get the M5 in silver (or even midnight) and call it a day?
edit: both options are taken directly from Apple's online store!