Make your Mac last. Don't make these mistakes.

When buying a new MacBook, consider the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. The M4 chip is suitable for 70-80% of users, offering excellent value, especially in the MacBook Air, which is currently an incredible deal. The M4 Pro is for users needing more power for tasks like video and photo editing, while the M4 Max is for high-end video editing, GPU-intensive work, and AI applications.

Apple now offers a minimum of 16 GB of unified memory across all new Macs, which is sufficient for most users. Only upgrade unified memory if you know your specific programs or multi-tasking habits demand more than 16 GB. The speaker notes that his 16GB M4 MacBook Air handled 70-80% of his heavy video editing tasks.

The MacBook Pro has fans and better ventilation, allowing it to handle more intensive workloads without throttling, unlike the fanless MacBook Air. The Pro also boasts a significantly better screen and additional ports, such as an SD card slot, which could be beneficial for certain users.

It's generally recommended to avoid upgrading the internal SSD storage during purchase due to Apple's high prices. Instead, consider using external SSDs with Thunderbolt 4 or 5 for fast data transfer. The speaker, however, upgraded his for specific workflow needs related to frequent travel and large video projects.

To prolong battery life, use quality chargers and cables from reputable brands like Apple, Anker, or UGreen. Avoid cheap, unverified chargers. Heat is a major factor in battery degradation; use your MacBook on a flat surface to ensure proper ventilation, especially for MacBook Pros, and avoid using it on your lap or soft surfaces that block vents.

Apple's macOS effectively manages battery charging, so there's no need to manually adjust settings. A common misconception is that regularly draining and recharging the battery is good; it's actually a mistake. Keeping your MacBook plugged in when possible allows macOS to charge it to 80% and then bypass the battery entirely, extending its lifespan and reducing charge cycles. You can manually charge to 100% if you know you'll be on the go.

Regularly clean your MacBook with a microfiber cloth to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating, especially around vents. Avoid placing stickers over vents. Also, be cautious with hard shell cases, especially inexpensive ones, as they often don't consider thermal management and can cause your laptop to run hotter than it should. Soft pouches for transport are fine, but avoid hard cases during use.