u/stderr_to_dev_null

>NOTE: using Spain prices, in Germany they are ~45-50 euro lower across the board which means that percentage wise, the same differences apply between models

Base Neo model: 700 euro

M4 Air 13" base: +200 euro (+28.6%)

• +2x RAM
• +M4 chip
• +TouchID
• +bigger & better screen (DCI-P3 colorspace) with true tone
• +magsafe with fast charge
• +2 thunderbolt ports
• +better camera with center stage
• +faster SSD
• +illuminated keyboard
• +much larger battery capacity and higher autonomy
• thinner
• basically same weight

M4 Air 13" 512gb SSD: +324 euro (+46.3% vs Neo)

• everything from base M4 air
• +2 core GPU
• +2x SSD with higher transfer speeds -> significant future proofing

You get so much more for just 200 euro -> less than 30% increase. You get significant future proofing for 324 euro extra.

Even with education discount it can be difficult to justify it, especially as a long term investment (min 4-5 years). Maybe for people with VERY tight budgets who also happen to be HUGE Apple (MacOS) fans (I personally can't stand it).