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11" - i5 vs i7 battery life and heat difference
- Thread starter entatlrg
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In the same boat as many others in this thread. I have an i5 11 but debating the i7. Most apps seem to open lightening fast and can't say I have an issue waiting another 15 seconds or so to encode a video or audio track if that's the tradeoff. Beyond that I'm just doing word processing, web, and the typical daily stuff. I am impressed with how fast Powerpoint (office 11) opens. And it never really gets hot nor do the fans kick in to an audible level.
Just doesn't' seem worth it to upgrade for what I use it for. Either way these things are fast compared to even what was available a year ago much less many of my older laptops.
Just doesn't' seem worth it to upgrade for what I use it for. Either way these things are fast compared to even what was available a year ago much less many of my older laptops.
There are thread on this very topic. Search the forums buddy. You will find the best answer there along with peoples reaction to the i7 and heat.
No reply is better than a useless one
It's a genuine question, many people looking for the same info. Crap posts like this just clutter up threads,,,,
It's not rocket science, 'when doing similar tasks does one run warmer or louder' ...
No reply is better than a useless one
It's a genuine question, many people looking for the same info. Crap posts like this just clutter up threads,,,,
Ask a vague question and you'll get a vague answer
It still depends on what you are doing. Run it hard and the i7 will run hotter than the i5, but answering emails it won't.
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Vague to you, clear to others.
Enough already ... move along...
I'm ordering an i5 now, when it arrives I'll put up the results we want to know.
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Just bought the 13" i5. Thinking it might be a better move than the i7. If it is, which I think it is... the i7 will be heading backing to apple. The extra heat on the i7 drove me to buy the i5. Rather be cooler everyday than a tad faster on certain ocassuons and 5-10 degrees warmer.
You have to track the cpu frequency or performance as well, not doing this will only yield the temperature for those use cases. The processor will throttle down if too hot, which theoretically could make an i7 processor have longer battery time than an i5 during full load.
The proper test is to load all 4 threads to maximum using cputest ( http://www.coolbook.se/CPUTest.html ) for example using 4 instances and run until the temperature reaches steady state. When temperature reaches steady state, stop the load test and directly do a quick cpu benchmark and see what the performance is. If the cpu is underclocked you will get a significantly lower score than when doing the benchmark on a cool computer.
Thermal underclock is a sign of bad design or over spec'd cpu to me, but some users may benefit of a "over-dimensioned" cpu. But the issue is that to test heat between cpu configurations you'll have to know the cpu frequency, otherwise the results can't be compared.
If using windows there are tools to monitor cpu frequency, so it's a lot easier to test.
I really wish CoolBookController would soon be updated to undervolt i5/i7 CPUs. Because if that were the case, I'll get the i7 version in a heartbeat, now not so sure. I got the 2010-version 11' MBA , so I'm holding out for IvyBridge anyway. Those will probably run noticeably cooler than SandyBridge.
SandyBridge doesn't support undervolting. No matter if they update coolbook for Lion it still will be of no use to you.
Likely IvyBridge wll be the same.
So true. 'if you have to ask.....'
I was actually going to return the 11" i7, but i've realized that this is a fine package, and considerably faster than the other variants.
Heat? who cares as long is it doesn't crash, and anyway it's not bad.
Before you swap , if you do,
be great if you could put both machines side by side and time some video encoding or iMovie tests?
I have the i5 and just love it but I do a lot of video creation on it and I'm wondering if the gains of the i7 are worth the additional heat....
When working with video creation the i5 fans get going strong but the machine keeps cool enough for my liking.
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I'll try. But I honestly don't think I'll be too impressed with the results. I did findout something interesting. Cold boots for the i7 is a tad faster. That includes apps. But after that they appear to be almost the exact same. I've tired it with Aperture, iPhoto, Mail, Safari, iTunes and Photoshop. Ive tried it with other, but I'm not going to list them all. But I think you get the idea. If you don't mind the extra heat on i7 then it might be worth it to you. As for me I prefer it to be silent and cool.
How hot is the i7 vs. i5 - maybe you can give some examples (min, max, avg.)?
I am getting my i7 soon and would like to have an idea .
My 1st generation MBA just went to 80c while running firefox, pokerstars, and youtube..
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I don't want to cause trouble (unlike some others
But i'm returning the 11" i7.
Heat is a major issue. It's really bad. I also have the 1.6ghz core duo version ULV, and THAT runs cool as a jewel .
I'm going to try the 1.6GHZ version, even though I have doubts. I'm pretty sure that is a Easy bake oven also, but I may keep that, not sure.
As if you couldn't predict this.
Oy vey
Sorry to hear your machine baked you.
smcFanControl seems to work great under Lion and will let your mac run cooler for those occasions when you prefer your kneecaps go unfrosted. I haven't yet upgraded to an i7 machine (but will do so-- can use the 4-core functionality) and smcFanControl will be something added early-on.
Unsurprising.
The i7 would have a significant edge in applications that really exercise OS X's multicore functionality, but in everyday usage for most folks there'll be very little difference.
I have the 11 inch, i7, 256 ssd
gotta tell ya, this thing runs a lot hotter than my first mac air, last generation. I am not a power user, not a lot of things open, backlit keyboard off and its sitting in my lap and I can feel the heat being generated and I do not like it!
I may have to look into downgrading, this is not acceptable.
gotta tell ya, this thing runs a lot hotter than my first mac air, last generation. I am not a power user, not a lot of things open, backlit keyboard off and its sitting in my lap and I can feel the heat being generated and I do not like it!
I may have to look into downgrading, this is not acceptable.
Honestly I'm a poweruser. I have an i7 2600k at home (highest end Sandy Bridge processor on the market currently). I have it over clocked by approximately 41% (from 3.2GHz to 4.8GHz). The rest of the computer reflects the processor in terms of performance, aside from having no SSD (I used to, but I swore SSD's off for now... aside from the one in my Air).
Anyways, my point is: As a power user (I use photoshop, encode things, game relatively often, run lots of stuff, etc, etc), using the Air is a delight. I can have iTunes open while running 10 browsers, while having a game sitting minimized in the background (not an intense game... but a game like Angry Birds), while having something else going on, and the i5 processor on my 11-inch handles it just fine. Everything gets by awesomely. Obviously this gets the processor hot (as it would the i7), but that's not part of the discussion since we're comparing the differences, instead of the similarities.
So I'd say unless if someone needs quicker processing power, they should just stick with the i5. I mean, I can only see someone needing an i7 if they're doing one of the following things:
- using the Air as a desktop replacement solution, where when hooked up to a power source, they're doing a lot of processor-intensive work; in this case, that individual shouldn't have purchased an Air in the first place... or, if it works fine for them, I certainly hope they purchased the AppleCare. Excessive heat will ruin a laptop over time.
- using the Air for tasks from time-to-time that really do require to be finished as quickly as possible. Ex. on-the-go work of some sort that really is best finished in the shortest amount of time (idk... some sort of photoshopping or I don't know what would fit into this category).
I can't see anyone really needing an i7 over an i5 in any given situation for the most part. It's more a psychological thing, as both processors handle the same tasks just as well. The only truly measurable scenarios are when there's longer tasks (encoding/etc), where an i5 may take 10 minutes, while the i7 only takes 7.5 minutes.
For me, it was worth saving the $135 + taxes (which would amount to $151). That money I can put toward an iPad purchase if, ever in the future, they release a version (iPad 3 or iPad 4) which I feel has improved to a standard of my liking (currently I feel like it is an oversized iPod... fun... but not quite fun or useful enough *yet*). Or I could put it toward any other number of things. The i5 gets all my stuff done great. Even gaming when I want to.
Side topic, but why have you sworn off SSDs? Is it the security? Reliability concerns? Something else?
On average 5 - 10C while doing the same exact task on each machine. The only time where they were the same was when they are idle. I didn't buy it to idle, so I can't really consider that a benefit.
13" i7 going back, runs warmer, fans run more often
I've had my 13" i7 since Monday, CTO direct from Apple. Compared to my 2010 13" ultimate it ran much warmer, fans kick in more often and at a higher (louder) speed even when moderately pushed.
When idling or sending an email it's no problem and it didn't bother me until last night when using it on the couch. When emailing, surfing, design in CS5, video playback ... it gets toasty, hot on the bottom and very warm on the palm-rest.
That and reading here convinced me to head out and buy a 13" i5/4/256 today.
YES, there is FOR SURE a difference. The i5 is cooler and quieter. I noticed that the moment I started sycning my Evernote and Dropbox database while installing CS5, Fusion/Win7, and Office, to tax it more I played back video at the same time too.
From install to using the i5 on my lap the last few hours it's noticeably cooler and silent. I'm surprised there's such a difference.
I don't have statistics, benchmarks, iStat installed and that's not my concern. 'Real world day to day use is.
Bit of a hassle ordering a CTO i7, installing everything, then phoning around to find a store with an i5 in stock, installing everything again ... but I'm happy to say it was worth it. I'll package up the i7 on the weekend and back it goes.
One a side note, today Apple delivered our 11" i5/4/256 today as well ... it's all set up now too ... very HAPPY to say no problems with heat, the fan didn't come on during install any more than it did with the 13" i5. I'd say the 11" i5 runs surprising cool and quiet and it is very fast compared to the 11" 2010 Ultimate.
So far so good. For me the i5 was an huge upgrade from the i7.
That's all the testing for me ... I have a company to run ... so I can pay for this Apple obsession
I've had my 13" i7 since Monday, CTO direct from Apple. Compared to my 2010 13" ultimate it ran much warmer, fans kick in more often and at a higher (louder) speed even when moderately pushed.
When idling or sending an email it's no problem and it didn't bother me until last night when using it on the couch. When emailing, surfing, design in CS5, video playback ... it gets toasty, hot on the bottom and very warm on the palm-rest.
That and reading here convinced me to head out and buy a 13" i5/4/256 today.
YES, there is FOR SURE a difference. The i5 is cooler and quieter. I noticed that the moment I started sycning my Evernote and Dropbox database while installing CS5, Fusion/Win7, and Office, to tax it more I played back video at the same time too.
From install to using the i5 on my lap the last few hours it's noticeably cooler and silent. I'm surprised there's such a difference.
I don't have statistics, benchmarks, iStat installed and that's not my concern. 'Real world day to day use is.
Bit of a hassle ordering a CTO i7, installing everything, then phoning around to find a store with an i5 in stock, installing everything again ... but I'm happy to say it was worth it. I'll package up the i7 on the weekend and back it goes.
One a side note, today Apple delivered our 11" i5/4/256 today as well ... it's all set up now too ... very HAPPY to say no problems with heat, the fan didn't come on during install any more than it did with the 13" i5. I'd say the 11" i5 runs surprising cool and quiet and it is very fast compared to the 11" 2010 Ultimate.
So far so good. For me the i5 was an huge upgrade from the i7.
That's all the testing for me ... I have a company to run ... so I can pay for this Apple obsession
I've had my 13" i7 since Monday, CTO direct from Apple. Compared to my 2010 13" ultimate it ran much warmer, fans kick in more often and at a higher (louder) speed even when moderately pushed.
When idling or sending an email it's no problem and it didn't bother me until last night when using it on the couch. When emailing, surfing, design in CS5, video playback ... it gets toasty, hot on the bottom and very warm on the palm-rest.
That and reading here convinced me to head out and buy a 13" i5/4/256 today.
YES, there is FOR SURE a difference. The i5 is cooler and quieter. I noticed that the moment I started sycning my Evernote and Dropbox database while installing CS5, Fusion/Win7, and Office, to tax it more I played back video at the same time too.
From install to using the i5 on my lap the last few hours it's noticeably cooler and silent. I'm surprised there's such a difference.
I don't have statistics, benchmarks, iStat installed and that's not my concern. 'Real world day to day use is.
Bit of a hassle ordering a CTO i7, installing everything, then phoning around to find a store with an i5 in stock, installing everything again ... but I'm happy to say it was worth it. I'll package up the i7 on the weekend and back it goes.
One a side note, today Apple delivered our 11" i5/4/256 today as well ... it's all set up now too ... very HAPPY to say no problems with heat, the fan didn't come on during install any more than it did with the 13" i5. I'd say the 11" i5 runs surprising cool and quiet and it is very fast compared to the 11" 2010 Ultimate.
So far so good. For me the i5 was an huge upgrade from the i7.
That's all the testing for me ... I have a company to run ... so I can pay for this Apple obsession
Thanks for the update. I hope I'm happy with the i5. You might want to update your signature.