Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

2017 Air vs 2020 Air i5

K

Kierkegaarden

Cancelled
Original poster
Dec 13, 2018
2,424
4,137
I’m considering upgrading my 2017 Air to a 2020 Air i5. Usage primarily in Keynote, Sketch, Affinity Designer (like Illustrator), Pages.

Will this be enough of an upgrade to make the leap? I don’t have a Retina display laptop or desktop, so that by itself would be an upgrade.

I’ve heard of heat issues with the 2020 Air, but they be any worse than the 2017 Air?
 
Kierkegaarden said:
I’m considering upgrading my 2017 Air to a 2020 Air i5. Usage primarily in Keynote, Sketch, Affinity Designer (like Illustrator), Pages.

Will this be enough of an upgrade to make the leap? I don’t have a Retina display laptop or desktop, so that by itself would be an upgrade.

I’ve heard of heat issues with the 2020 Air, but they be any worse than the 2017 Air?
Click to expand...
This is incredible ~ I have these same exact questions.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: kazune_karin and IngerMan
IngerMan said:
The biggest gains will be the screen and keyboard. 2 of the most important things on a laptop in my opinion. So it makes perfect sense. Everything else is just bonus.
Click to expand...
Im staying With my mba 2015 arm is comming ;)
Ps
Iwonder what it will be with parallels and windows (x86) support. Parallels do not want to reveal anything except strict. cooperate with Apple. My work requires access to Windows software so it is necessary for me; I wonder what the future holds...
 
IngerMan said:
The biggest gains will be the screen and keyboard. 2 of the most important things on a laptop in my opinion. So it makes perfect sense. Everything else is just bonus.
Click to expand...
Why is the keyboard better compared to a 2017 MBA?
 
The butterfly keyboard issues, I’ve had 2 of them. .500mm stroke vs 1mm stroke. Huge difference in typing correctly for me. Huge difference in failure.
 
ghanwani said:
The 2017 MBA is pre-butterfly.
Click to expand...

This MacRumors article says different

MacBook Pro / Air Keyboard Issues (Repeating, Stuck, Unresponsive)
Monday May 4, 2020 6:16 PM PDT by Juli Clover
Apple in 2015 and 2016 introduced updated keyboards for its MacBook and MacBook Pro, debuting new butterfly keys with home switches beneath each key that minimize thickness while also providing a satisfying press under the fingers.
13inchmacbookprokeyboard-800x475.jpg

Unfortunately, Apple's butterfly keyboards are highly controversial and have been called out as one of the company's worst design decisions due to their penchant for failure due to small particulates like crumbs or heat issues. All butterfly keyboards in ‌MacBook Pro‌, MacBook, and MacBook Air models introduced between 2016 and 2019 (and 2015 in the case of the MacBook) have butterfly keys that could be vulnerable to failure.
 
Last edited:
IngerMan said:
This MacRumors article says different
...
Click to expand...
The article is somewhat imprecise because it groups all the models (MB/MBP/MBA) and the range of years.

This one shows all MBAs and their specs.

All Apple MacBook Air Specs (2008-Current): EveryMac.com

Tech specs for all Apple MacBook Air from the original to the latest (2008-Current). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, storage details, configuration options and more.
everymac.com everymac.com
If you scroll to the bottom and click on one of the 2017's you will see they use the old-style chassis. Butterfly keyboard is called out only in 2018 with the new chassis.
 
ghanwani said:
The article is somewhat imprecise because it groups all the models (MB/MBP/MBA) and the range of years.

This one shows all MBAs and their specs.

All Apple MacBook Air Specs (2008-Current): EveryMac.com

Tech specs for all Apple MacBook Air from the original to the latest (2008-Current). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, storage details, configuration options and more.
everymac.com everymac.com
If you scroll to the bottom and click on one of the 2017's you will see they use the old-style chassis. Butterfly keyboard is called out only in 2018 with the new chassis.
Click to expand...


I did more research and you are correct.

Apple website for keyboard replacement program.

Eligible Models
To identify your computer's model and to see if it is eligible for this program, choose Apple () menu > About This Mac. Eligible models are listed below.
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
 
IngerMan said:
I did more research and you are correct.

Apple website for keyboard replacement program.

Eligible Models
To identify your computer's model and to see if it is eligible for this program, choose Apple () menu > About This Mac. Eligible models are listed below.
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
  • MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
  • MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
  • MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
Click to expand...
Thanks for your input. Yes, the 2017 Air keys would have more travel than the 2020 — but, I still may like it more. The display should look sharper too.

Now just a question of if the performance gains would warrant the investment. Or maybe I’ll wait longer like another poster mentioned and pick up an Arm Mac.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kazune_karin and jgorman
Kierkegaarden said:
Thanks for your input. Yes, the 2017 Air keys would have more travel than the 2020 — but, I still may like it more. The display should look sharper too.

Now just a question of if the performance gains would warrant the investment. Or maybe I’ll wait longer like another poster mentioned and pick up an Arm Mac.
Click to expand...

I doubt you would notice much in terms of performance gains. I don't have a 2020 i5 which has better graphics, but with the 2019, the system has noticeable lag when loading pages with a lot of images (e.g. when loading a channel page on youtube), likely worse than the 2017 in terms of responsiveness (using Chrome). Maybe the 2020 i5 will equal the responsiveness of the 2017. If you want something super responsive go for one of the Pro models, but then those have an issue with getting quite hot.

I came from a 2017 and 2019 MBPs and I chose to trade responsiveness for running cool, less weight, better battery life, and quietness. It's totally fine for my use and I don't mind the slight lag.

Do you think you need more performance?
 
ghanwani said:
I doubt you would notice much in terms of performance gains. I don't have a 2020 i5 which has better graphics, but with the 2019, the system has noticeable lag when loading pages with a lot of images (e.g. when loading a channel page on youtube), likely worse than the 2017 in terms of responsiveness (using Chrome). Maybe the 2020 i5 will equal the responsiveness of the 2017. If you want something super responsive go for one of the Pro models, but then those have an issue with getting quite hot.

I came from a 2017 and 2019 MBPs and I chose to trade responsiveness for running cool, less weight, better battery life, and quietness. It's totally fine for my use and I don't mind the slight lag.

Do you think you need more performance?
Click to expand...
I certainly wouldn’t want a step back in performance of the 2017. I wouldn’t be accessing the web or playing games on it — even so, maybe it makes sense to stick with what I have until next year.
[automerge]1592965720[/automerge]
jgorman said:
I would hold onto your 2017 a little longer and see what the new ARM macs look like at the end of the year.



Reviews show your 2017 runs cooler than the 2020 i5 Air.
Click to expand...
Good idea ~ I will probably do just that. I like the 2017, but seems a bit sloppily built compared to my 2011 Air. The bottom doesn’t appear completely straight, so I get a snapping sound when typing occasionally.
 
Kierkegaarden said:
Good idea ~ I will probably do just that. I like the 2017, but seems a bit sloppily built compared to my 2011 Air. The bottom doesn’t appear completely straight, so I get a snapping sound when typing occasionally.
Click to expand...


Are you saying the bottom case is uneven? If so that could be from battery Swelling and should be looked at immediately.
 
IngerMan said:
Are you saying the bottom case is uneven? If so that could be from battery Swelling and should be looked at immediately.
Click to expand...
Nah, it’s just the metal bottom out of whack. Maybe the aluminum is not as rigid as in the 2011. I’ve pulled it off and there is some flex.

I should have caught this when I first purchased, but I bought from B&H — I like them generally, but will never buy another Apple product from them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back