Plz help with Mac computer one more time? Prime Day

[nicolewi]

I posted a poll earlier; iMac replacement vs switch to Macbook Air. Most people said Macbook. HOWEVER, I thought about how I use my computer and decided to go with another iMac. I didn't want to buy a bunch of accessories. I like having an easily accessible, always-on big screen; I like a regular keyboard, and I don't have issues with it not being portable. I like my little workstation area and feel like I can use an iPad for portability as needed.

THAT SAID...now it's Prime Day and I really want to order today and the better buy appears to be Macbook Air (I am talking about all M3 models). 

IMAC--Research indicated I should upgrade the "unified memory" (like RAM I guess?) from the standard 8 GB to 16 GB to be on safe side for longevity of use. This appears to not be possible anywhere except Apple.com. Which means no sales, or else I just go with the standard 8 GB which apparently is OKAY except for graphics-heavy....but I wonder if I will do more with family videos, etc, and then wish I had the 16 GB??

I could get a 10 core GPU with standard 8 GB and 512 storage for $1550 today vs $1700 regular...but that's the standard. if I upgraded to 16 GB (as recommended?? ?but maybe not needed?) and bought via Apple the cost is a very expensive $1900 that I feel is getting too high.

MACBOOK AIR--the really good deals seem to be on the Macbook Airs. 

Could get a 15", 16 GB unified memory and 512 storage for $1450 on Amazon...so that's better specs, right?? For less $? Is this a much better deal, as it appears to be? Or am I missing something?

Would I be dumb to get the iMac and is it really time to leap to the laptop??? Can I make it work for me? DH is zero help and is less tech-y than I am.

I think I know the answer but would love advice from people who are better at this. Thank you!

PS also there are deals today on external monitors as well

[UMaineTeach]

I think you should get the iMac you want and not be lured by Amazon deals.

You know why you want it and have considered it carefully.

[polarbearfans]

I would get what you want. If you have kids, the Apple Store has always given me the student discount, so some savings there.

I ended up getting a MacBook Air for myself because I like moving around the house. But I do at times hook up an external mouse and keyboard since I don’t like the touchpad and laptop keyboards but I already had all that stuff from my iMac. I also have an external monitor since I like using two monitors at times.

Better to pay more for what you want than a sale on something good enough.

[nicolewi]

After all this… I decided just to wait until Black Friday! Lol. But I did a ton of research and thinking and I know the exact options I would want in an iMac versus the MacBook Air. I’d be OK with either one pending deals available!