2018 15" 2.6ghz 16GB RAM 6 core Intel MBP vs 15" MBA M2 24GB RAM

[GoatmealJones]

My 2018 intel 2.6ghz 6 core is starting to have some minor keyboard issues finally. I am more interested in the the profile of the 15' MBA M2 than either of the 14/16" MBP M2 due to their thickness. Would the MBA 15" M2 be an upgrade performance wise, or more of a lateral move? I am planning on upgrading to 24 gb which would be a definite upgrade. Will this machine be uop for my days when I have 7 PowerPoint open, 20 text edit boxes, 50-100 tabs on Firefox, or would this be a disaster. Currently I can achieve this on my MBP but its slowing down significantly. Both machines with 512gb SSD.

 

[Shirasaki]

M2 will blow out CPU performance of any Intel Mac to date with no doubt (slight debate on Mac Pro but we can’t afford It so doesnt matter). Cooling can be a concern depending on where you live. Fanless doesn’t come cheap either.

24GB for 100 Firefox tabs? idk about That bud. Feels like you need 32GB of RAM or a larger SSD so more space for swap and prolong SSD lifespan.

 

[GoatmealJones]

Yes I use tons of cashe. I know its unusual but yes im very cliuttered and leave hundreds of tabs and almost 50 windows of notepads on my computer hidden at all times. My desktop has over 200 images/memes/files/ etc. If I could get a macbook air with 64gb ram i legitimately would. Its just how I operate even though it sounds nutty.

 

[Chancha]

It will be an upgrade on pretty much all fronts, while the form factor still feels quite like the 2018 15" in terms of thinness and portability. The only thing I can possibly agree on if someone say the air is an downgrade, may be the presence of the notch, or lack of ports on the right side.

Normally I'd suggest against 24GB on an Air but you seem to have laid out your case convincingly. I think you are making the right call to get the Air now, as it still new despite only having an M2, but then it will be so much better than your i7 anyway.

 

[GoatmealJones]

Thanks for your input. Yes I do like that the form factor is almost identical to the 15" 2018 model. I am looking at the 15" air 24gb RAM as a 2-3 year stopgap until the air "heir" allows for more ram. Its disappointing that the ram is limited to 24gb rather than 32. I think im going to go ahead with the 15" air M2 with the 24gb ram and if im really compelled then sell it for the next gen if more ram becomes option.

 

[Chancha]

I think the M1 M2 are designed with memory channels connecting to 2 DRAM modules, meaning the total RAM ceiling is limited by how much capacity a single module can have. For the moment Apple seems to be sourcing SK Hynix 12GB modules but not more, despite higher density modules available and Apple even use them in the Pros I think (16GB per, 24GB per). Unsure if it is a hardware design limit or simply marketing. I myself do not expect >24GB total on these base M series chip at least until M5 / M6 or even later, it may need another generation of node / design.

 

[GoatmealJones]

I think the M1 M2 are designed with memory channels connecting to 2 DRAM modules, meaning the total RAM ceiling is limited by how much capacity a single module can have. For the moment Apple seems to be sourcing SK Hynix 12GB modules but not more, despite higher density modules available and Apple even use them in the Pros I think (16GB per, 24GB per). Unsure if it is a hardware design limit or simply marketing. I myself do not expect >24GB total on these base M series chip at least until M5 / M6 or even later, it may need another generation of node / design.

I see, hopefully that is not the case and the 24 gb threshold is passed in the next generation. Its the smallest incremental upgrade essentially and leaves users wanting more.

 

[GoatmealJones]

Good news, just ordered the 15" 512gb w 24gb RAM in Silver just now . Hopefully it will arrive sooner than the projected time to my local apple store but not sure since its a "custom" order

 

[davidlv]

Yes I use tons of cashe. I know its unusual but yes im very cluttered and leave hundreds of tabs and almost 50 windows of notepads on my computer hidden at all times. My desktop has over 200 images/memes/files/ etc. If I could get a macbook air with 64gb ram i legitimately would. Its just how I operate even though it sounds nutty.

Your usage pattern is certainly wasting RAM, especially having 200 or so images or files cluttered on the Desktop.
Consider making 10 or so folders in your home folder and create alias to them for the Desktop, which will provide quick access but reduce your RAM footprint. I have 16GB in my MBA and have never seen the memory pressure go into the yellow or use swap - a small amount of memory compression, far less than 1GB, will show up at times.
I have often opened several Powerpoint and Word files, with Brave up and a dictionary app open too, still the computer never slows down or slows me down either. I doubt you will ever find 24GB limiting. But, if you do, bite the bullet and buy a 14" MBP Max with 64GB RAM (hear that? It's my wallet shaking in fear. )

 

[GoatmealJones]

The form factor is what won the air over me, almost neurotically. Luckily ill have an increase in ram dfrom 16 to 24. And hyes I am going to start the computer from scfratch and nkt imooirt anything and keep it as clea and organuized as I can niow that this laptop will be used at work pootentially with colleagues vieweing my desktop which cannot be nuts like it was . All I hope is this new air gives me 2 good years by then hopefully ram will not be limited to 24gb on the air models.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

The form factor is what won the air over me, almost neurotically. Luckily ill have an increase in ram dfrom 16 to 24. And hyes I am going to start the computer from scfratch and nkt imooirt anything and keep it as clea and organuized as I can niow that this laptop will be used at work pootentially with colleagues vieweing my desktop which cannot be nuts like it was . All I hope is this new air gives me 2 good years by then hopefully ram will not be limited to 24gb on the air models.

You will see. If your load is too high the MBA (unlike the pricier MBP) will throttle due to heat. Hopefully not.

 

[GoatmealJones]

Ill test it over the 14 day trial. If I find it doenst meet my nneeds i face under "typical stress" will think about returning for 14" M2 with 32gb RAM. I did manage college in 2017 using a 6 year old intel MBA 13 which was brutal, so my expectations are this machine will be fine.

Edit: I do think its insnane that the base 14" MBP comes w only 16gb RAM btw.

 

[davidlv]

Ill test it over the 14 day trial. If I find it doenst meet my nneeds i face under "typical stress" will think about returning for 14" M2 with 32gb RAM. I did manage college in 2017 using a 6 year old intel MBA 13 which was brutal, so my expectations are this machine will be fine.

Edit: I do think its insnane that the base 14" MBP comes w only 16gb RAM btw.

I fully expect that you will be fine with 24GB of RAM, and that the difference, only 8GB, between the upgraded 14" with 32GB and the smaller screen, will not be decisive. The 15" MBA hits a sweet spot with the 15" screen and the lightweight form factor. Unless you are doing extensive video editing or the like, very intensive computing, you will most likely not experience throttling due to excessive heat. The MBA is excellently engineered, so even if it does throttle a bit to control heat, it still will finish any task faster than the previous Intel-based machines. I seriously doubt that throttling will be an issue with your usage case.
In any case, you have 14 days to test it out. Bon Voyage.

 

[GoatmealJones]

Update: The machine has been able to handle heavy loads including mult. excel data sheets, multiple PDFs, 40 tabs, etc pretty easily. I am very satisfied with what I have seen thus far. I thought this would be a lateral upgrade from the 2018 mbp 15' 6core i7 2.6ghz 512 16gb but its way more than that. This things is snappy as hell. 1 click and you get an immediate reaction from the OS instantly. It is very satisfying and I am more than happy with this definite upgrade. Its not a "pro" but it is faster than my old pro by such a big margin that its almost hard to contemplate. It makes my 2018 mbp seem archaic, not even exaggerating.