2019 i5 MBP to Base M1 MBA?

[PaladinGuy]

I have looked around, but I couldn’t find a thread on this specifically. I am considering selling my i5 2019 MBP and getting a base model M1 MBA. Trying out the Magic Keyboard with my iPad Pro has shown me how much more enjoyable it is to use a keyboard with a pleasant keyboard.

Those of you that have the base model M1 MBA, do you think I’d get better performance and this would be a good trade?

 

[Adenitz]

I think this is very good yt video and informative to you:

 

[xraydoc]

I have looked around, but I couldn’t find a thread on this specifically. I am considering selling my i5 2019 MBP and getting a base model M1 MBA. Trying out the Magic Keyboard with my iPad Pro has shown me how much more enjoyable it is to use a keyboard with a pleasant keyboard.

Those of you that have the base model M1 MBA, do you think I’d get better performance and this would be a good trade?

You need to tell us what your workflow is on your current machine for us to give you good advice. Is your current machine a 13" or 15"/16"?
For example, if you rely on Windows VMs, then I'd have to say No. If you're using Final Cut Pro X and comparing it to a 13" MBP with integrated graphics, then the answer would be Yes.
Do you require more than 16GB of RAM? Understand that while the M1 platform is very efficient, 8GB of RAM is still only 8GB of RAM. It's not magically equivalent to 16GB.

 

[PaladinGuy]

Sorry. I forgot to mention those details. I have a 13" MBP with 8GB or RAM and 256GB SSD. It's the two thunderbolt model. Basically, the entry level M1 MacBook Air has nearly the exact same numbers on paper with the added speed and efficiency of the M1 SOC. Most of my use comes from basic every day computing and also as a MBA student.

I do not run anything that is super graphic intensive. I got the Pro back in 2019 mostly because at that time the MacBook Airs were just so bad with the Intel chips.

 

[ghanwani]

I think it's worth making the switch. You may not notice a big performance difference, but it will run cooler and without fan noise, have much better battery life, weigh 0.2 lb less, and have a better keyboard. I'm about to make the switch too, but I'm coming from a 2019 MBA 8/256.

 

[Seanm87]

Sorry. I forgot to mention those details. I have a 13" MBP with 8GB or RAM and 256GB SSD. It's the two thunderbolt model. Basically, the entry level M1 MacBook Air has nearly the exact same numbers on paper with the added speed and efficiency of the M1 SOC. Most of my use comes from basic every day computing and also as a MBA student.

I do not run anything that is super graphic intensive. I got the Pro back in 2019 mostly because at that time the MacBook Airs were just so bad with the Intel chips.

In this case yes 100% go for it.

In regards to the keyboard the iPad Pro MK has nicer keys IMO. A lot of people think there isn't a difference but I think there is. Still its a million times better than the butterfly keys.

 

[PaladinGuy]

In this case yes 100% go for it.

In regards to the keyboard the iPad Pro MK has nicer keys IMO. A lot of people think there isn't a difference but I think there is. Still its a million times better than the butterfly keys.

From experimenting, I agree with you. I do think the keys on the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro are slightly nicer. I think it may be that they have a little more spring to them that assists with the keystroke. There's probably a technical word for that, but I can't think of it right now. I have to be able to use advanced features in Excel and other programs for school that prevent me from using my iPad Pro as my main device. If it were not for that, I think I would probably stick with my combo of my iPad Pro and the Magic Keyboard and just keep my i5 MBP around for the times where I had to have full MacOS.

I am allowing myself to splurge on one thing for my birthday. I don't really have to have the new MacBook Air or the Magic Keyboard. It just seems like the smarter splurge is on the device that I can actually use more. Once I finish my MBA degree, it won't be quite as important for me to have MacOS.

 

[xraydoc]

Sorry. I forgot to mention those details. I have a 13" MBP with 8GB or RAM and 256GB SSD. It's the two thunderbolt model. Basically, the entry level M1 MacBook Air has nearly the exact same numbers on paper with the added speed and efficiency of the M1 SOC. Most of my use comes from basic every day computing and also as a MBA student.

I do not run anything that is super graphic intensive. I got the Pro back in 2019 mostly because at that time the MacBook Airs were just so bad with the Intel chips.

Think about the M1 MacBook Air then. You get the exact same performance as the M1 MacBook Pro for shorter processor-intensive workflows, and it's less than 10% slower for long-duration high-CPU/GPU workflows. It's lighter than the MBP as well. Tradeoff is a somewhat smaller battery than what's in the M1 MBP and peak brightness of the display is lower (but otherwise identical).

The 7-core GPU of the base model MBA is around 10% slower for graphics-intensive work. For office-style work, you'll never see a difference. I personally went with the upgraded 8-core GPU and upgraded RAM/SSD, but I prefer the extra storage and RAM for a few specific uses.

 

[AdamNC]

I have a similar workflow as you and I got the MBA 8/512. Figure I would get the slightly better GPU, and more storage. I LOVE THIS MACHINE. powerful, smooth, great battery life I use it roughly 6-8 hours a day and charge it every 2- sometimes 3 days.

 

[PaladinGuy]

I have a similar workflow as you and I got the MBA 8/512. Figure I would get the slightly better GPU, and more storage. I LOVE THIS MACHINE. powerful, smooth, great battery life I use it roughly 6-8 hours a day and charge it every 2- sometimes 3 days.

Did you go from a MacBook Pro?

 

[PaladinGuy]

I have been using the MacBook Air M1 for about a day now, and I’m pretty pleased. I’m still a little worried that I may regret giving up 500 nits screen and slightly nicer speakers and microphones. The fan...not really sure that I’ll be pushing it enough to matter very much.

It seems that the M1 MacBook Air is definitely a step up from my 2019 13” MBP in all other ways.

 

[AdamNC]

Did you go from a MacBook Pro?

I went from a top of the line HP Envy360. 10th gen i7, 32gigs of ram, and 32 gigs of Optane.

 

[trevpimp]

I would trade for a better keyboard the M1 MacBook Air keyboard feels so good I can type on it all day in any position needed

Its a safe bet to stick with Apple silicon so any chance of jumping on the wagon would be a good opportunity

 

[BigMcGuire]

I have a 2020 13' MBP (i7, 32GB, 2TB ssd). I could sell this to Apple ($1630+) and completely cover a 2020 M1 MBA (16GB/1TB ssd). It's even more alluring to me now that my work gave me a 2019 15' MBP ... for work - replacing a slow HP i7 8th gen.

But what's holding me back is that the 2020 13' MBP was 2x the cost that I'd get for it, and it works really well with my EGPU. EGPU keeps the fans from turning on with normal use with my 4k monitor (I don't do much other than Age of Empires and Starcraft II).

I really would like something I could use on my lap without a lap desk. The 2019 15' MBP scalds my legs. My 2020 13' MBP stays cool as long as I don't do anything too intensive. Both make my hands too sweaty to use for long periods of time on the lap though.

Still - pretty much decided to keep the 2020 13' MBP for at least a few years, then jump on the M1, M2, whatever ship. But it's so attractive, especially when my local Apple Store has an M1 MBA 16GB/1TB SSD in stock, right now. lol.

Now that I have a work provided MBP, I don't use my 13' i7 MBP for intensive tasks or much at all anymore. Choices choices.

 

[AdamNC]

I say do it. I love my M1. It's one off the best computers I have ever had.

 

[tps3443]

I have a 2020 13' MBP (i7, 32GB, 2TB ssd). I could sell this to Apple ($1630+) and completely cover a 2020 M1 MBA (16GB/1TB ssd). It's even more alluring to me now that my work gave me a 2019 15' MBP ... for work - replacing a slow HP i7 8th gen.

But what's holding me back is that the 2020 13' MBP was 2x the cost that I'd get for it, and it works really well with my EGPU. EGPU keeps the fans from turning on with normal use with my 4k monitor (I don't do much other than Age of Empires and Starcraft II).

I really would like something I could use on my lap without a lap desk. The 2019 15' MBP scalds my legs. My 2020 13' MBP stays cool as long as I don't do anything too intensive. Both make my hands too sweaty to use for long periods of time on the lap though.

Still - pretty much decided to keep the 2020 13' MBP for at least a few years, then jump on the M1, M2, whatever ship. But it's so attractive, especially when my local Apple Store has an M1 MBA 16GB/1TB SSD in stock, right now. lol.

Now that I have a work provided MBP, I don't use my 13' i7 MBP for intensive tasks or much at all anymore. Choices choices.

I have a Macbook Air M1 with (8 Core GPU) and 16GB ram, with 1TB SSD. It is a beast! This thing handles anything, you sit it in your lap, and it doesn’t even get warm. I love this machine.

I originally had a M1 Air 8GB/512GB model, but I ended up exchanging for this 16GB/1TB model.

I am a power PC user with a 5Ghz (18/36) desktop CPU, and this machine does nothing but impress me. First mac i’ve ever owned.


Its crazy what the M1 silicon does to last gen or even current gen intel powerhouse i7 processors.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I have a Macbook Air M1 with (8 Core GPU) and 16GB ram, with 1TB SSD. It is a beast! This thing handles anything, you sit it in your lap, and it doesn’t even get warm. I love this machine.

I originally had a M1 Air 8GB/512GB model, but I ended up exchanging for this 16GB/1TB model.

I am a power PC user with a 5Ghz (18/36) desktop CPU, and this machine does nothing but impress me. First mac i’ve ever owned.


Its crazy what the M1 silicon does to last gen or even current gen intel powerhouse i7 processors.

I say do it. I love my M1. It's one off the best computers I have ever had.

I did it. Traded in the 2020 MBP 13' i7 for a MBP M1. I'm absolutely floored how instant everything feels - how after setting everything up the laptop fans aren't screaming and I'm not overheated with this thing on my lap. Absolutely no lag.

What got me in the end - MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2020) - Geekbench Browser - "Intel doesn’t currently ship an eight-core Ice Lake mobile CPU, but Apple also ships Intel’s quad-core, ICL-derived Core i7-1068NG7. That chip scores 1352 / 4914."

Local Apple store had an M1 in stock. Set up trade in process via website. Spent less than 10 minutes and $200.

I imagine as time goes on I'll enjoy this more and more, lol.

 

[tps3443]

The M1 air was so revolutionary, it made me purchase (my first mac ever in my life) lol. And that was when I bought my M1 Mac air lol.

Apple isn’t stuck anymore running Intel cpu’s. So now they were finally able to
build an efficient cool running fast machine.

Intel CPU’s suck power. They can be fast, but that’s at the cost of power and heat. My 7980XE in my desktop pulls well over 1100 watts (Just from the CPU) when running heavy AVX loads.

 

[BigMcGuire]

The M1 air was so revolutionary, it made me purchase (my first mac ever in my life) lol. And that was when I bought my M1 Mac air lol.

Apple isn’t stuck anymore running Intel cpu’s. So now they were finally able to
build an efficient cool running fast machine.

Intel CPU’s suck power. They can be fast, but that’s at the cost of power and heat. My 7980XE in my desktop pulls well over 1100 watts (Just from the CPU) when running heavy AVX loads.

I have a Dell Precision laptop (work provided) with Xeon processors. I've never heard a laptop so loud or so capable of heating up my office in minutes... Was great in the winter. Going to have to run the AC a bit more in the summer...

I'm absolutely floored setting up my M1... My i7 MBP was fans running and burned my legs because the case was so hot. M1 is cool. In fact, it's freezing (I have windows opened so it's getting cold) - but the metal is actually freezing - like when I go to my MacBook in the morning after it being off all night - that's what it's doing now while downloading iCloud data, photos, and installing applications. I cannot say how astounded I am - I've been using tech for a long time. Wow.