2019 MBA vs 2017 rMB i7 i5

[Apples n' Stone]

Hi there,

I have been scouring the forum for as much information as possible on this one, and wanted to ask about user experiences and recommendations concerning the 2017 rMB and any of the Touch ID MBA models for basic computing tasks with a bit of multimedia.

I currently own a 2015 rMB and have decided to upgrade the device. It's my word processor; mainly, but I run it alongside bulky lecture slide powerpoints at University. These often have around 70 slides and various multimedia I may wish to copy over to a word processor or run alongside ion split view.

In short, the processor speed is driving me nuts! It's slow to import the files from PP to Word or Pages and I've been monitoring the RAM situation with Memory Clean, and it seems to have plenty at 8GB and leaves me about 3GB spare. Any information would be welcome!

Currently looking at the i5 2017 or an i5 rMB, please share or comment anything you think would help. Most appreciated!

 

[AustinIllini]

I would get the rMBA. It seems like a small thing, but biometrics on devices are a must for me now. Entering a password every time I want to open my laptop is quite a drag.

 

[ApplesandOranges]

One thing to consider is the keyboards. I believe both the laptops you are considering have the butterfly keys and you mention word processing as a major use for you. Many people have had issues, and many have not. I can't afford to take chances with my laptop, it needs to work all the time not just most of the time.

I can say from experience the 2017 keyboards are louder than most. Later versions have a membrane to keep out dust and are much quieter. Something to consider if you plan on typing during a lecture or class.

 

[AustinIllini]

One thing to consider is the keyboards. I believe both the laptops you are considering have the butterfly keys and you mention word processing as a major use for you. Many people have had issues, and many have not. I can't afford to take chances with my laptop, it needs to work all the time not just most of the time.

I can say from experience the 2017 keyboards are louder than most. Later versions have a membrane to keep out dust and are much quieter. Something to consider if you plan on typing during a lecture or class.

I had considered that as well, but if OP has a MacBook with the 1G butterfly keyboard and everything is fine, I would thin the same would be true of a refurb 2018 MBA or a new 2019 model.

 

[Apples n' Stone]

I had considered that as well, but if OP has a MacBook with the 1G butterfly keyboard and everything is fine, I would thin the same would be true of a refurb 2018 MBA or a new 2019 model.

That is indeed correct! No faults with the keyboard since 2015 but I appreciate that is just one device and have seen the trouble many people experienced. All original parts, no changes. In fact, the only thing that failed on it was the traditional UK 3 pin charging socket itself, which I have thousands of and they changed with no gripes. Odd one!
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One thing to consider is the keyboards. I believe both the laptops you are considering have the butterfly keys and you mention word processing as a major use for you. Many people have had issues, and many have not. I can't afford to take chances with my laptop, it needs to work all the time not just most of the time.

I can say from experience the 2017 keyboards are louder than most. Later versions have a membrane to keep out dust and are much quieter. Something to consider if you plan on typing during a lecture or class.

Thank you! It's a very interesting one; as like you say, it is almost a 50/50 split between who has had these prevalent issues, or not. I have so far (Touch wood); escaped any problems with my 2015 model. I used this throughout my A-Levels, and first two yers at University, so it's had a fair few essays (Including the AQA British A-level English, on the off chance anyone on this board suffered the RSI inducing course). I'd wager it's had more presses than the average laptop of it's age, albeit split between it and my 2013 rMBP. What do you use out of the newer options?