2018 Air or MacBook 12 Inch ('17)

[Dodgeman]

This has been a tough call for me.

$1250 MB 12 inch
256gb Memory
No fan = No noise
Smaller compact design

$1150 MB Air 2018
Bigger screen
Touch ID
Stronger Processor
New

Which there are some cons with each 1, the Air comes with 128gb memory vs. the 256gb.
Although the Air is 100 cheaper, and the MB12 is 100 more for a year 1/2 old machine.
I read where the Air screen is dimmer than the MB 12 inch, not sure if that is 100% factual or not...

It really is a tough call but those are the only things that stand out to me.
I like the smaller footprint and 256gb memory for future proofing, but at the end of the day this is a simple web browsing machine for me with the occasional word documents.

Not sure to spend the $100 extra $$ or save it.
Seems either computer would work and be enough for me.


What are you folks thoughts/opinions?

 

[nartycrem]

This has been a tough call for me.

$1250 MB 12 inch
256gb Memory
No fan = No noise
Smaller compact design

$1150 MB Air 2018
Bigger screen
Touch ID
Stronger Processor
New

Which there are some cons with each 1, the Air comes with 128gb memory vs. the 256gb.
Although the Air is 100 cheaper, and the MB12 is 100 more for a year 1/2 old machine.
I read where the Air screen is dimmer than the MB 12 inch, not sure if that is 100% factual or not...

It really is a tough call but those are the only things that stand out to me.
I like the smaller footprint and 256gb memory for future proofing, but at the end of the day this is a simple web browsing machine for me with the occasional word documents.

Not sure to spend the $100 extra $$ or save it.
Seems either computer would work and be enough for me.


What are you folks thoughts/opinions?

I had this dilemma, too, but after playing with the 12 inch MB at the Apple store, I felt it was too small for my needs. It just felt very cramped, and as a person who needs to have multiple applications open at once, the 12 inch felt too small to read a PDF, type a paper, and use a web browser, all at once. The 13 inch is the perfect medium...not too small, not too big.

If you have a Microcenter near you, I believe you can get the 256 gb MBA for 1199.

My eyes don't seem to notice the difference between the MBA and MB screen. I have a 2018 15 MBP that I have to use at 70% brightness to be comfortable, but in the same lighting condition, I use the MBA at 50% (I didn't mix the percentages up, and can't explain why 50% MBA is as comfortable as 70% MBP) I use the MBA below 50% brightness most days, but my eyes are sensitive to light so that might be why. I don't think brightness in nits tells you how good a display is. Things like contrast and color do. Take a look at both side-by-side and see what you prefer.

Another thing to consider is battery life. I didn't have the 2017 MB, but I did own a 2016 MB. Battery life was 7 hours at best, with most days hovering between 6-7 hours with my use (5-10 tabs open, Word, Adobe Reader, Excel, PowerPoint, Mail, Google Keep). On my 2018 MBA, I can go unplugged the entire day (8-10 hours if I'm pushing the machine, more if I'm just web browsing and typing papers), and I can run statistical programs with big data sets. To give you an idea, I have 7 PDFs open, Chrome with 5 tabs, Safari with 2 tabs, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Mail, Calendar, Google Keep, iMessage--I've had all of these on for the past 3 hrs and 41 min. I went from 100 to 82%, and Activity Monitor says I still have 10 hrs 20 min left. It's probably more like 6-8 hrs, but still pretty darn good.

 

[Dodgeman]

Yeah it is a tough call for me.
Did you do the 128gb Air?

 

[nartycrem]

Yeah it is a tough call for me.
Did you do the 128gb Air?

I did 256, but I have a bunch of programs and large files on it (the whole Adobe suite, stats programs, schoolwork from years ago, lots of graphics files, big data sets, videos) because I intend for it to be my primary device. I have 182 gb left out of 250 gb usable space.

I had a 128 gb MBP 2017 and it held all the files fine, too. I still had 35 gb left over after loading all of my stuff. But, I did have to go in every 2 months or so to clean out the trash, download, and junk files that built up to keep the drive around 30-35 gb free.

 

[Dodgeman]

I did 256, but I have a bunch of programs and large files on it (the whole Adobe suite, stats programs, schoolwork from years ago, lots of graphics files, big data sets, videos) because I intend for it to be my primary device. I have 182 gb left out of 250 gb usable space.

I had a 128 gb MBP 2017 and it held all the files fine, too. I still had 35 gb left over after loading all of my stuff. But, I did have to go in every 2 months or so to clean out the trash, download, and junk files that built up to keep the drive around 30-35 gb free.

Yeah long term the 256 is good for you.
For me seems 128 may do the trick.