The perfect BUDGET Apple Ecosystem doesn't exi-

Recently I was exploring making a video on the 'minimum requirements' Apple Ecosystem. How usable are the cheapest/oldest Apple products still supported in their respective OS? Well, very quickly I found that those devices kinda suck. So I changed the premise (I'm allowed to do that). I submit to you that for $1300 you can build yourself an absolutely excellent Apple Ecosystem

time stamps
0:00 'Minimum spec' Apple Ecosystem
1:25 The *perfect* ecosystem
2:20 MacBook
3:55 iPhone
5:56 iPad
7:59 Apple Watch
8:36 Total cost and why it's such a good value!
10:05 A new ecosystem is SO expensive...

#appleecosystem #macbookair #ipadpro #bestbuy, #BestBuyPartner

Gear:
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[sweealamak]

This is where Apple leads the industry. The Ecosystem and longevity of their products are remarkable. My Series 1 Apple Watch still works perfectly with my iPhone 14 Pro, M1 MBA and iPad Pro. I consider it my budget setup because they can be used for years making it affordable over the long run.

[Max_Eye]

As a person from Europe I'm crying about these prices.... An M1 for around 400$??!?!? The lowest you can get it here is about 700€ and that's if your REALLY lucky

[joaocanhoto]

These ecosystem video you do are immensely helpful. They provide excellent perspective on apple purchases. I always consult these whenever I'm in the mood to buy. Please continue to do these in future as Apple updates the line-up.

[sShamSss]

you are "right on the money" with this one Luke. If you add the AirPods 3 to the list (an absolute must-have for the ecosystem), you would have validated my apple product build-out.

[poontony]

Thank you for sharing this perspective. It’s great to see a review where a normal or “average” consumer like myself can get the most of out today’s technology at a reasonable price without having to spend the most on the latest and greatest. It’s also a great video for a small or medium business owner to also get their organization on the latest tech and budget accordingly in these challenging economic times. This video has a really invaluable perspective — please keep making them!

[brentwinterbottom]

Watching this video on my 2018 iPad Pro 11 inch. I bought it when it was new and I am now going on over five years of use and still going strong.Tremendous value.

[louismiles]

I used an 11 Pro for a few days whilst my 13 mini was in for repair. The battery wasn't the greatest but it's so damn comfortable, even compared to the mini. The performance holds up well and the cameras rival my 13 mini, sometimes beating it!

[billhart]

Luke, exactly what I needed to hear. I need total refresh and you just gave me the road map! I've been sidelined for 5years because of health reasons but have just picked up a new contract and insurance so my 2011 MBA 11", iPhone 6s(last with a headphone jack), and iPad Air 2 (with a burned screen) are all long past their need for update, and the addition of an Apple watch would help my health monitoring. Thanks!

[JackStavris]

During Luke’s sponsor spot I paused the video and guessed what the products would be and I nailed them, I guessed M1 MBA, iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 12, 2018 iPad Pro and an Apple Watch 5. All are currently the best right now, especially the iPad and the MacBook. I’m currently writing this on my 2018 iPad Pro 11 that I’ve owned since 2020 and it’s still a great device I don’t see replacing anytime soon. I also own the Apple Watch Series 4, and considering a Series 5 or maybe even a Series 6 is not all that more expensive, I’d just buy one of those instead. I’ve had my Series 4 since 2018 which was a pre-order one that shipped in October 2018 and it’s still good, it does everything you’d want it to do, but battery life took a nosedive after watchOS 10 was installed, so if you own one like me it’s still fine to use but I wouldn’t go out buying one now.

[nathanaelkugler]

Very good video, Luke, thanks!

I agree with most of the list, except the iPhone (because I like small phones, I would get the 12 mini, but for most people the normal 12 would be a sensible choice, and cheaper than the 11 Pro)

My personal ecosystem cost around 1800€ (bought all of it used):

- M1 Pro 14" MacBook Pro (1100€)
- 11" iPad Pro 2018 (200€) + Apple Pencil (90€)
- iPhone 12 mini (140€)
- Apple Watch 7 41mm (110€)
- Airpods Pro (140€)

Very satisfied with most of it (especially the low prices I paid for them), just the Airpods Pro are too expensive, and the battery of the 12 mini isn't the best, but thats a trade-off I can live with for the small size (and price)

[JRomeSr.]

I strongly agree with the ecosystem you have put out! In fact, until just recently, I had basically the same thing (minus the iPad). Currently, and this is my opinion, I have the ideal ecosystem which consists of the 15” MacBook Air (got for $899), iPhone 11 Pro Max (got for $350), the Apple Watch S6 (got for $150), and the AirPods Pro 2 (got for $90). Altogether that’s a price of about $1500 which is about as much as the new MacBook Pro 😎

[ErikBrainOS]

I've been waiting for another  ecosystem video!
Luke, your apple ecosystem videos are the ones who hooked me into it from the first place, I remember how a few years ago after searching for some information about the ecosystem, I run into one of your videos and it convinced me to rethink about buying a new iPhone 12 Pro, instead I bought a used iPhone Xs, used  watch s4 44mm, and a pair of new AirPods Pro 1st gen.
It even convinced me to sell my intel MacBook Pro 16" 2019 and use my 2012 Unibody 13" for one more year!

My current  ecosystem:
M1 Pro MacBook Pro 16" (2nd hand!)
iPad Pro 2020 11" (2nd hand!)
 watch s4 44mm eSim (2nd hand!)
iPhone 15 Pro (New)
AirPods Pro 2 (New)

Great video.

[noliv]

The biggest thing I'm getting from this video is how cheap the second hand market is in the US… getting the same models here in France would be a lot more expensive.
I have an iPhone 11 Pro and I would say a cheaper regular iPhone 11 would be my choice for this mission, the third lens is useless (so low quality that I don't recommend using it at all) and I'm fine with LCD screens.
Apple Watch 4 is still great to me too, the rest of the selection (M1 mba + iPad Pro) is still perfect indeed. 👍

[therealturtlenecktech]

7:03 loved when you typed out an essay on the ipad desktop

[cs]

As an Android/Windows User, I'm quite shocked for the value you've got with these items. Keep up the good videos!

[DraconicAux]

Had the MacBook Air M1 (2020) for about a year now, and it's amazing. the battery is so large it can last for about 3 days without a charge with light-moderate usage, and it effortlessly runs photo editing programs let alone lighter programs like writing. It's the perfect work machine like everyone says.

[sir.fender]

"It has bezels the size of Oklahoma". As being an OK native, I am baffled by this.

[Craftysheep-dppp]

hey luke my macbook pro recently stopped working and I was wondering if you had a spare macbook that is relitively new That you don't need if I could have it becaude I am currently doing my homework on my phone and It has proven to be verry dificult. Thanks

[tvandever]

One of your best Videos. All of these products make sense. This is the best way to get into Apple products.

[oscarperez]

I would also recommend considering the Mac mini + iPad Pro with sidecar instead of MBA. This is my current medical school setup and it's amazing. Pair with a stand for a modern iMac G4 typebeat.