Hi! I need some advice because I’m really torn. For context, I’m a college student. My cousin plans to buy me either a MacBook Neo or let me have their current iPhone 14 Pro Max once they upgrade to a new phone (probably around September or November). I can only choose one.
Here’s my current setup:
iPad Air M2 (2024) – I use it for note-taking, Google Docs, Canva, presentations, online classes, and basically all of my schoolwork. So far, it’s been more than enough for my needs.
iPhone 11 (128 GB) – This is my current phone. The LCD has already been replaced with a non-original one, and the battery has also been replaced. It still works, but it’s definitely starting to show its age.
Initially, I was leaning toward getting the iPhone because I feel like my phone is the older device that needs replacing first. The only thing making me hesitate is that my cousin mentioned their iPhone 14 Pro Max doesn’t have the 0.5× ultra-wide camera showing up in the Camera app. I don’t know the full details yet because we haven’t really talked about it, so I’m not sure if it’s a software issue, a previous repair, or a hardware problem.
On the other hand, I’ve never owned a MacBook before. Although I already have an iPad Air M2, I’m wondering if having a proper macOS laptop would be a better long-term investment, especially as a college student. Though my iPad Air M2 serves me well in terms of my academic work and also the reason why I want to have the iPhone instead.
If you were in my position, which would you choose?
Get the iPhone 14 Pro Max (assuming everything else works fine, except for the missing 0.5× camera)
Ask for a MacBook Neo instead
I’d really appreciate your thoughts and reasoning.
TL;DR: My cousin is either giving me their iPhone 14 Pro Max after they upgrade or buying me a MacBook Neo. I already have an iPad Air M2 and currently use an aging iPhone 11 with a replaced LCD and battery. The 14 Pro Max apparently has an issue where the 0.5× camera isn’t showing up. Which would you choose?