2012 MBA vs 2017 MBA

[johannnn]

A family member has the 2012 base model, and it is turning amazingly slow recently.
The 2019 MBA is around a third more expensive than the 2017 MBA (old design) here in Sweden.
I told her that the 2017 display sucks as much as the 2012 model, but in contrast to the 2019 model it has a reliable keybord and she won't need to get USB-A adapters.
She's now about to buy that 2017 model.

Do you guys know if that 2017 model is significantly better than the 2012 model? Since speed of the current computer is the main reason she's getting a new one.
I think these are the models I'm talking about: https://everymac.com/ultimate-mac-c...ir016&prod2=MacBookAir033&prod3=MacBookAir036

For CPU performance, is it ok to compare the Geekbench 4 scores? Then the 2017 is ~30% faster than the 2012, and the 2019 is further ~20% faster than the 2017.

Both the 2017 and the 2019 has 8GB RAM instead of 4GB which is great.

The 2012 has HD Graphics 4000, the 2017 has HD Graphics 6000, and the 2019 has UHD Graphics 617. Is the 6000 much better than the 4000? I assume that the 2019 has a better GPU in order to drive the retina display, but I'm more wondering if the 2017 is better than the 2012.

The battery life of 2012 is 5h (and since she's had the computer since 2012, I assume the battery is crap today), while 2017 gets 12h and the 2019 gets 12-13h. But the 2017 has a larger battery, and a much weaker display, so I assume the real battery life is better on the 2017...

 

[AxelFoley]

You have done a lot of research to decide whether to go with a 2017 MacBook Air or a 2019 MacBook Air. You already know that either model will be a significant upgrade over the 2012 model that she (your family member) has.
I have the 2019 MacBook Air. I have also worked with the 2017 MacBook Air. I purchased the 2019 model because it has the Retina display with True Tone while the 2017 model has the LED Backlit display. The keyboard on the 2019 is just fine and has been improved in design from the models that were having issues. Don't bother considering this as an issue. I bought the 2019 version solely based on the display quality. I miss the USB-A ports however there are adapters available out there to accommodate.
I recommend that, if at all possible, have her try out the 2019 MacBook Air at one of the retail stores in Sweden. Not sure how difficult it will be to get your hands on a 2017 model as well.
She can then conclude that the 2017 model will look and feel the same as 2012 however will be faster and the 2019 model will have a better display (retina) and will also be faster. Give her something to compare with that she can try out and your decision will be a lot easier.

Axel F.

 

[MultiFinder17]

Yes, the 2017 should be noticeably faster than the 2012. it has double the RAM, a much faster SSD, and significantly better graphics.

I will mention one thing, though; if she’s looking to save as much as possible, consider the 2015 Air. It’s the exact same computer as the 2017 and has the exact same specs other than the CPU being 200MHz slower. Same CPU generation, same SSD, same GPU, etc.

 

[johannnn]

You have done a lot of research to decide whether to go with a 2017 MacBook Air or a 2019 MacBook Air. You already know that either model will be a significant upgrade over the 2012 model that she (your family member) has.
I have the 2019 MacBook Air. I have also worked with the 2017 MacBook Air. I purchased the 2019 model because it has the Retina display with True Tone while the 2017 model has the LED Backlit display. The keyboard on the 2019 is just fine and has been improved in design from the models that were having issues. Don't bother considering this as an issue. I bought the 2019 version solely based on the display quality. I miss the USB-A ports however there are adapters available out there to accommodate.
I recommend that, if at all possible, have her try out the 2019 MacBook Air at one of the retail stores in Sweden. Not sure how difficult it will be to get your hands on a 2017 model as well.
She can then conclude that the 2017 model will look and feel the same as 2012 however will be faster and the 2019 model will have a better display (retina) and will also be faster. Give her something to compare with that she can try out and your decision will be a lot easier.

Axel F.

Glad to hear that the 2019 keyboard is good. I was thinking to buy to myself the MBA when it gets updated with the new MBP keyboard. But Apple for whatever reason decides this is a "pro feature", then I guess I'll be happy with the most recent scissor keyboard as well.

Yes, the 2017 should be noticeably faster than the 2012. it has double the RAM, a much faster SSD, and significantly better graphics.

I will mention one thing, though; if she’s looking to save as much as possible, consider the 2015 Air. It’s the exact same computer as the 2017 and has the exact same specs other than the CPU being 200MHz slower. Same CPU generation, same SSD, same GPU, etc.

Cool to hear that the SSD is also faster. I don't find any direct comparison, but comparing http://osxdaily.com/2012/06/19/macbook-air-2012-ssd-benchmarks-vs-macbook-air-2011/ and https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-13-2017-Laptop-1-8-GHz-Review.230010.0.html and https://consomac.fr/news-10886-des-ssd-moins-rapides-dans-les-macbook-air-de-2019.html, it seems that the 2017 has ~double the write speed and ~triple the read speed compared to the 2012 model. And comparing 2019 vs 2017, the 2019 has a bit faster write and equal read compared to the 2017.

I guess that for "normal users", the read speed is more important than the write speed (opening files and programs etc), and in that regard the 2019 is not faster than the 2017.

Very interesting to hear that the 2015 is ~equal to the 2017 model! Unfortunately it's not an option in this case as she wants to buy the computer new from store. I don't know how it is in other countries, but here many stores sells both the 2017 and the 2019 model.

 

[MultiFinder17]

Cool to hear that the SSD is also faster. I don't find any direct comparison, but comparing http://osxdaily.com/2012/06/19/macbook-air-2012-ssd-benchmarks-vs-macbook-air-2011/ and https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-MacBook-Air-13-2017-Laptop-1-8-GHz-Review.230010.0.html and https://consomac.fr/news-10886-des-ssd-moins-rapides-dans-les-macbook-air-de-2019.html, it seems that the 2017 has ~double the write speed and ~triple the read speed compared to the 2012 model. And comparing 2019 vs 2017, the 2019 has a bit faster write and equal read compared to the 2017.

I guess that for "normal users", the read speed is more important than the write speed (opening files and programs etc), and in that regard the 2019 is not faster than the 2017.

Very interesting to hear that the 2015 is ~equal to the 2017 model! Unfortunately it's not an option in this case as she wants to buy the computer new from store. I don't know how it is in other countries, but here many stores sells both the 2017 and the 2019 model.

Ah, fair enough; the 2017 is still a very solid performer today, and she should love it just as much and more than she did her 2012!