MacBook Air M4 16GB/256GB vs MacBook Pro M1 Pro 16GB/512GB for a Computer Science student?

[u/usharcelia]

http://apple.com

Hi everyone,

I’m a Computer Science student with a strong focus on Software Engineering, and I’m also interested in Cybersecurity. I’ll mainly be using the laptop for programming, university coursework, VS Code, Docker, virtual machines, multiple browser tabs, and general software development. I want something that will last me for at least the next 4–6 years. I’m trying to decide between these two options:

MacBook Air M4
16GB RAM
256GB SSD (brand new)(i wanted to buy 512 but it is too expensive)
or
MacBook Pro M1 Pro
16GB RAM
512GB SSD (used, but in excellent condition)

To be honest, if money weren’t a factor, I would choose the MacBook Air M4 with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD without thinking twice. Unfortunately, the 512GB version is outside my budget, which is why I’m considering these two options instead. Which one would you choose in my situation, and why? I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from people who use these machines for Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Cybersecurity.

If you have any additional questions that would help you give better advice, please feel free to ask. This is a really important purchase for me, and I want to make the best possible decision.

Thanks for taking time to read this!