2017 Macbook vs Macbook Air?

[aeroencychris]

Hi,

My sister is looking at upgrading from her broken-down Macbook Air (likely 2015 model). Her initial choice was just a Macbook (likely the i5, Kaby Lake model just released) but I also saw the base model Macbook Air refreshed wish an i5 now up to 1.8ghz instead of 1.6. What architecture is the Air on, and would it make a huge difference vs the newer gen Macbook?

 

 

[shadowbyte]

the air is still on Broadwell, 5th gen

it's actually slower than the CPU in the 12 inch macbook, which is saying something, considering that the macbook is passively cooled.

the 12 inch macbook also has the 4k kaby lake decoder module thing that gives better battery life when streaming 4K video

 

oh, also, the screen on the 12 inch macbook is far ahead of the MBA's. 

[aeroencychris]

Just now, shadowbyte said:

the air is still on Broadwell, 5th gen

it's actually slower than the CPU in the 12 inch macbook, which is saying something, considering that the macbook is passively cooled.

the 12 inch macbook also has the 4k kaby lake decoder module thing that gives better battery life when streaming 4K video

Then should I go with the new 2017 model for $1339 or look at a 2016 refurb?

Also, i5 I assume instead of the m3? She wants this to last at least 3 years

[Zando_]

Just now, shadowbyte said:

the air is still on Broadwell, 5th gen

it's actually slower than the CPU in the 12 inch macbook, which is saying something, considering that the macbook is passively cooled.

the 12 inch macbook also has the 4k kaby lake decoder module thing that gives better battery life when streaming 4K video

Yup. The air just got a slight speed bump, not an architecture bump. And the new i5 and i7 MacBooks look awesome! Except... one port. You could probs get a 13" touchbar MacBook Pro for around the same price, and it's not that much thicker. 

[Zando_]

Just now, cdsboy2000 said:

Then should I go with the new 2017 model for $1339 or look at a 2016 refurb?

Also, i5 I assume instead of the m3? She wants this to last at least 3 years

Defo i5 over m3. M3 is decent, but will lose to an i5 any day. 

[shadowbyte]

Just now, cdsboy2000 said:

Then should I go with the new 2017 model for $1339 or look at a 2016 refurb?

Also, i5 I assume instead of the m3? She wants this to last at least 3 years

I'd look on the used market as well

the 2017 model has the 2nd gen butterfly switches, which are far better than the keyswitches on the 2016 model, so if she does a lot of typing, then maybe is worth it?

the i5 is basically the last gen m5, Intel just changed their naming scheme for Kaby Lake. 

but yes, I'd suggest at least the i5

[aeroencychris]

1 minute ago, Zando Bob said:

Yup. The air just got a slight speed bump, not an architecture bump. And the new i5 and i7 MacBooks look awesome! Except... one port. You could probs get a 13" touchbar MacBook Pro for around the same price, and it's not that much thicker. 

Not great  I think she's be using a USB A hub anyways which has a ton of ports

 

[aeroencychris]

Just now, shadowbyte said:

I'd look on the used market as well

the 2017 model has the 2nd gen butterfly switches, which are far better than the keyswitches on the 2016 model, so if she does a lot of typing, then maybe is worth it?

the i5 is basically the last gen m5, Intel just changed their naming scheme for Kaby Lake. 

but yes, I'd suggest at least the i5

She tried the 2016 switches and said they were fine, so I think she can adapt to whatever

She's fairly reluctant to purchase used since she's had a lot of battery/quality problems in the past

[shadowbyte]

1 minute ago, Zando Bob said:

Defo i5 over m3. M3 is decent, but will lose to an i5 any day. 

it's actually an i5 Y series processor, essentially the last gen core m5

[Zando_]

2 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

Yup. The air just got a slight speed bump, not an architecture bump. And the new i5 and i7 MacBooks look awesome! Except... one port. You could probs get a 13" touchbar MacBook Pro for around the same price, and it's not that much thicker. 

Rats. It's about $400 more, unless you get one without the touch bar. 

[shadowbyte]

Just now, cdsboy2000 said:

She tried the 2016 switches and said they were fine, so I think she can adapt to whatever

She's fairly reluctant to purchase used since she's had a lot of battery/quality problems in the past

then check out the Apple refurbished section

make sure you get something with enough storage now, as, as you probably know, the storage is non-upgradable.

[aeroencychris]

Just now, shadowbyte said:

then check out the Apple refurbished section

make sure you get something with enough storage now, as, as you probably know, the storage is non-upgradable.

 

What does Core M mean? I also see core m3, m5, and m7

Typo?

[aeroencychris]

2 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

Rats. It's about $400 more, unless you get one without the touch bar. 

https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook

Any reason why almost all of these except the m3's are 512GB?

[shadowbyte]

Just now, cdsboy2000 said:

 

What does Core M mean? I also see core m3, m5, and m7

Typo?

it's Intel's low power CPU division

m3 is i3, m5 i5, and so on

idk why that one doesn't have a number after it though

[aeroencychris]

6 minutes ago, shadowbyte said:

it's Intel's low power CPU division

m3 is i3, m5 i5, and so on

idk why that one doesn't have a number after it though

so, worth getting a refurb m5 512GB for like $100 less?

[Zando_]

39 minutes ago, cdsboy2000 said:

https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook

Any reason why almost all of these except the m3's are 512GB?

I think that's the base configure. No one tweaked theirs before buying it, apparently. 

[DrMacintosh]

Performance wise you won't notice a difference. Both with struggle if you load them up. If you want performance the base MacBook Pro will be significantly better. 

 

Just dont get the Air unless you don't care about the screen or really want MagSafe + legacy ports. 

[domandric034]

If you use that Macbook for Office use, web browsing, playing music, movies then Macbook Air is good. If you don't want spend another $1000 on dongles then Macbook Air is way to go.

[DrMacintosh]

2 minutes ago, domandric034 said:

If you don't want spend another $1000 on dongles then Macbook Air is way to go.

Oh that's bull. 

 

Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter 4K HDMI (30Hz), Type-C Pass Through, Gigabit Ethernet, SD/Micro Card Reader, and 3 USB 3.0 Ports For MacBook 12 and New MacBook Pro 2016 (Silver) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FWT7MEK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wIIqzb199RXQT

 

There are cheaper ones too. Way more I/O than any laptop could dream of. 

[domandric034]

Just now, DrMacintosh said:

Oh that's bull. 

 

Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter 4K HDMI (30Hz), Type-C Pass Through, Gigabit Ethernet, SD/Micro Card Reader, and 3 USB 3.0 Ports For MacBook 12 and New MacBook Pro 2016 (Silver) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FWT7MEK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wIIqzb199RXQT

 

there are cheaper ones too.

Thanks for that cheap dongle then he can rock on with Macbook. 

[DrMacintosh]

2 minutes ago, domandric034 said:

Thanks for that cheap dongle then he can rock on with Macbook. 

An equivalent dongle exists for like $10 less. It's the Amazons Choice 

[aeroencychris]

@DrMacintosh @domandric034 @Zando Bob @shadowbyte

I'm sorry to disappoint you all, but she went with a 13-inch Macbook Pro with Touch Bar because of the novelty factor...

I mean, I guess whatever works for her? I can't imagine her ever using the performance (or touch bar for that matter) but if it makes her happy then that's fine.

Thanks for all the help

[Zando_]

1 minute ago, cdsboy2000 said:

@DrMacintosh @domandric034 @Zando Bob @shadowbyte

I'm sorry to disappoint you all, but she went with a 13-inch Macbook Pro with Touch Bar because of the novelty factor...

I mean, I guess whatever works for her? I can't imagine her ever using the performance (or touch bar for that matter) but if it makes her happy then that's fine.

Thanks for all the help

Didn't disappoint me! I love those Macs! I want to get one, but I also really want a 7 Plus (still on the 6 Plus ), but they expeeeeeeeeeeeeeensive!

[aeroencychris]

2 minutes ago, Zando Bob said:

Didn't disappoint me! I love those Macs! I want to get one, but I also really want a 7 Plus (still on the 6 Plus ), but they expeeeeeeeeeeeeeensive!

I'm more just disappointed that she would spend so much on something that won't really help her. The sales rep apparently said it was great for photo editing, but I know my sister uses Lightroom which isn't Touch Bar-supported. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Zando_]

2 minutes ago, cdsboy2000 said:

I'm more just disappointed that she would spend so much on something that won't really help her. The sales rep apparently said it was great for photo editing, but I know my sister uses Lightroom which isn't Touch Bar-supported. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yeah, and just photo editing would be fine on a MacBook.