Do you really need more SSD Storage on a MacBook?

So I remember last year when I bought a MacBook Pro 16, I custom ordered one with 4TB of SSD Storage which took 5 weeks since it's not a standard config which you cant just buy from a store. Now when I set it up and whatnot, I realized I am barely using any of that because all my documents, pics, etc were on the iCloud Storage which is very cheap. The only thing I guess I used the 4TB storage was to copy my entire movie library locally on the laptop but now that we have these very small sized portable SSDs I am wondering, is that really a must to buy more storage? What for? What am I missing here?

Reason I ask is because at the local stores here in Dubai they only have the new M1 Chipset MacBook Pro 13's with either 256GB or 512GB SSDs and only 8GB of RAM not the 16GB.

I hate waiting and was contemplating picking one of these little bad boys with their insane battery life for when I am out and about.

Also, is having an iPhone a MUST to be able to take advantage of all the features such as authentication and whatnot for Apple Pay and logging into my Apple ID? I'd hate to give up my Google Pixel 5 and pay an insane amount of money for these iPhones.

 

Keep your money. Dell's XPS 13 hangs with the M1 already with the new 11th gen chip.

 

I think most people can comfortably get away with the 512GB model. It balances some storage, good speed, and affordability. Most users today rely on streaming/cloud, not local storage of movies and photos. If you need a web/facebook/movie machine, 512GB is plenty for you. The 4TB is really reserved for those that rely on the machine for video editing/processing.

 

Even for professionals, depends on what you do, 512GB could be plenty for some and not enough for others. Like most of my father's corporate laptops come with 512GB, previously 256GB, he's a database admin at a large medical device corp (Medtronic) and most of his work is done through remote access to the corporate servers. That's why when you hear people say you need so and so specs for professional work etc it can be meaningless without context as to what you are doing (ie remote access, spreadsheets, image editing, compiling, 3D Studio, CAD etc)..... Like I have even seen 64GB RAM and like 2+ TB storage recommend as a minimum to be considered "proffesional" sometimes without even considering or asking as to the use case. Just a reminder to be careful when you see people throw around the word proffesional, sometimes people think the world revolves around them and their use cases and see other uses cases as not pro.

Having said that, I would "personally" try to get 16GB minimum for RAM though and 512GB for storage, unless you do very basic use like just surfing and streaming, especially with soldered devices.

Additionally just a reminder, in case this has any bearing your purchase decision, that M1 chip is a lower end part and is only in the low end 2 port version of the MBP 13", and the MB Air. The higher tier MBP 13" with 4 TB ports and 16' aren't yet updated, they'll likely get the higher end M1X or whatever is coming this year. So If you are wanting a higher end ARM Mac with more storage and ram options I'd wait.

 

Makes perfect sense. Apple just releases now products with no rumors or anything like when I bought the MBP Pro 15 last year after 40 days they release the MBP 16 Pro and I was kicking myself in the butt but luckily they gave me an exception and fully refunded the MBP 15 as I told they I was disappointed.

 

@Spartan@HIDevolution. Just remember, it's still a mac, all the baby farts and glitter apple and its fanboys toss around does not change that fact. You will buy it, use it for a couple of days and sell it at a loss again. As you did with the 16 pro. It's a piss poor operating system with a shiny case wrapped around it.

 

I just bought a 16" MBP simply to use Final Cut Studio LOL... I decided to go with the INtel version so I can still use windows 10/bootcamp if i desire.

 

How is final cut vs resolve?

 

I need 2tb minimum, but 4tb (x2 drives) preferably.