I would go for the 12 mini for the extra screen real estate. Especially the mini physically smaller than the SE, perfect for your mom’s requirements

Perfect. It will last you for quite a while.

I need some advice from someone who’s more knowledgeable than me.

I am on 2019 intel macbook and I have been planning on an upgrade for awhile now. I am not too fussed on the “latest and greatest” since what I really want is just long battery life.

My normal use for a macbook is graphics design, web development/coding, illustrator, etc. And 20-30 tabs opened on Google Chrome at any given time.

I know for a fact that any spec on the M-series line up can handle what I throw at it since my intel can also handle what I am throwing at it right now.

But what I really want to know is if anybody knows if the M2 and M3, whichever is better, can play some games like World of Tanks and World of Warships? I have recently broken my gaming PC, so my macbook is the only working machine in the house and I have been stuck not being able to play any games now. I am thinking this overdue upgrade might be a good opportunity to turn me into 1-laptop-rules-all kind of deal.

Any thoughts of M2 vs M3 comparison in relation to World of Tanks etc.?

No it wouldn’t. You will hardly be able to utilise all the performance advantages in an M1, let alone and M2, so trading it for an M3 isn’t exactly a good idea economically speaking.

Whereas I have an intel macbook, my jump in performance for an M3 makes more sense.

Keep using your M2 until an M5 or M6 comes out.