2020 Macbook Air, 2018 Macbook Pro or Keep Macbook 12"

[solo118]

Hi All

I had my trusty 12" Macbook since 2016, which has the base m3/8/256. Overall it works for what I need it to do, but it is starting to feel it's age. I use it for work these days for emails/opening files and editing excel sheets and such. At night I stream, browse the internet and upload photos etc. I am not a heavy user. Never had an issue with the m3, but I think it's time. Or is it?

Right now if I wanted to upgrade, Microcenter has the 2020 Macbook Air (base) at $879 which seems too good of a deal. I can also find 2018 Pros with 256gb around $900 (which will likely be pre-owned which I am OK with) I am looking at 2018's as I heard the keyboards are much better starting from this year.

Given the two machines are around the same price, would it be worth getting one over the other? I have had the Pro Retina a few years back, and I did not mind the size. However I am curious if I will feel the difference between what I have, and the newer machines. If there is no huge difference, should I just keep what I have and wait for the next model to come for either model?

Thank you in advance!

 

[ruslan120]

I would keep the 12” and get an external display if it suits your needs. There will be better, faster models with (probably) better screens in the years to come and even maybe a power efficient, ARM mac. Even better suited for light work tasks and such.

Thought Process:
The Macbook Air is slightly bigger, has a slightly better battery, and has a better keyboard.

The Macbook Pro would have a much better screen but dated internals and the same, unreliable keyboard.

 

[Dhonk]

As someone that values light, I'm torn between trying to pick up a 12" Macbook and getting the Air. I used to use my iPad more on my couch, but now I'm using my 2014 MBP 13" and it's heavy. My thought my be to get the MBP for some of your heavier demands, but keeping your MB for casual browsing on the couch, in bed, or traveling.

 

[Billiejoe87]

Am I the only one not excited by an ARM Mac? The first few years are going to be horrible with app compatibility and kiss boot camp goodbye which is always fun for an occasional older game (Especially since apple discontinued 32 bit support and broke a tonne of the already limited older games it had in the process).

Without a doubt out of the options you have listed, I would buy the 2020 Macbook Air. My wife just upgraded her 12 Inch Macbook and the difference is night and day with performance, not to mention the better keyboard

 

[solo118]

As someone that values light, I'm torn between trying to pick up a 12" Macbook and getting the Air. I used to use my iPad more on my couch, but now I'm using my 2014 MBP 13" and it's heavy. My thought my be to get the MBP for some of your heavier demands, but keeping your MB for casual browsing on the couch, in bed, or traveling.

Thanks, but I do not need 2 machines. I will sell the 12", and put that money towards the newer mac. Just thinking if the '18 or '19 Pro is even worth it at this point compared to the 2020 MBA.

Am I the only one not excited by an ARM Mac? The first few years are going to be horrible with app compatibility and kiss boot camp goodbye which is always fun for an occasional older game (Especially since apple discontinued 32 bit support and broke a tonne of the already limited older games it had in the process).

Without a doubt out of the options you have listed, I would buy the 2020 Macbook Air. My wife just upgraded her 12 Inch Macbook and the difference is night and day with performance, not to mention the better keyboard

I definitely do not like being the guinea pig. I know not to buy 1st year Macbooks, as I was burned a couple of times.

 

[deeddawg]

Thanks, but I do not need 2 machines. I will sell the 12", and put that money towards the newer mac. Just thinking if the '18 or '19 Pro is even worth it at this point compared to the 2020 MBA.

It kinda depends on why you chose the 12" macbook vs the other options.

If it's shape/size/weight, then the 2020 MBA would probably be the way to go.

Also think about keyboards - 2020 MBA returns to the scissors style vs the butterfly versions on the 2018 or 2019 MBP.

That said, if you regularly do stuff requiring sustained CPU loads the MBPs may be the better choice -- but if the MB12 was fine you'd likely be fine with the 2020 MBA.

As for the rumored ARM based notebook - I concur. Software transition may be bumpy as well. I'd give that at least a few months if not a full year or two.

 

[mtneer]

Hi All

I had my trusty 12" Macbook since 2016, which has the base m3/8/256. Overall it works for what I need it to do, but it is starting to feel it's age. I use it for work these days for emails/opening files and editing excel sheets and such. At night I stream, browse the internet and upload photos etc. I am not a heavy user. Never had an issue with the m3, but I think it's time. Or is it?

My 2p - The computer is a tool and by your own confession if your current tool does everything you expect out of it - why unnecessarily spend? I would instead save or invest that money appropriate with your station in life.

 

[edubfromktown]

As someone that values light, I'm torn between trying to pick up a 12" Macbook and getting the Air. I used to use my iPad more on my couch, but now I'm using my 2014 MBP 13" and it's heavy. My thought my be to get the MBP for some of your heavier demands, but keeping your MB for casual browsing on the couch, in bed, or traveling.

I had a 2017 12" 1.4 GHz/512 which I sold before acquiring a 2020 Air core i7/16/512. The Air is definitely snappier and not THAT much heavier. I'd go with an Air unless you want to roll the dice on a keyboard that may be squishy or have some keys fail sooner rather than later.

 

[deeddawg]

As someone that values light, I'm torn between trying to pick up a 12" Macbook and getting the Air. I used to use my iPad more on my couch, but now I'm using my 2014 MBP 13" and it's heavy. My thought my be to get the MBP for some of your heavier demands, but keeping your MB for casual browsing on the couch, in bed, or traveling.

To echo @edubfromktown - the weight difference between the rMB12 and MBA isn't huge - though 2.03lb (0.92kg) vs 2.8lb (1.29kg) seems like a lot on paper, it doesn't feel all that different in hand or on my lap. Noticeable but not too much so in comparing my 2015 MB12 to my new MBA, one in each hand. Since you'd be coming from 3.5lb (1.57kg) either one will seem a lot lighter.

Real question is the MB12/MBA difference worth spending $1100 on a 2017 7th-gen m3 with 8/256 MacBook 12" vs. $1000 on a 2020 10th-gen i3 with 8/256 MacBook Air? Spending more on a three year old model? (Now while the MB12 has no fan to spin up, mine definitely could get warm on my lap in certain circumstances, though typically due to crappy third party software)

While I can't speak to the 2017 MB12 keyboard, the one on my new MBA is miles better than on my 2015 MB12.

 

[solo118]

As an update- I ended up selling my Macbook 12" M3 for a great price, and got the base 13" Air. I do not think it was a bad decision, considering I got it for $879 from Microcenter. The specs are 8gb/256gb so same as my 12", so nothing really lost here by getting the base system.

I just set it up, which was a PITA, but overall seems nice and snappy. Screen size is much bigger, and definitely better on my eyes. I am LOVING LOVING the updated (old tech) keyboard, what a difference.

 

[edubfromktown]

As an update- I ended up selling my Macbook 12" M3 for a great price, and got the base 13" Air. I do not think it was a bad decision, considering I got it for $879 from Microcenter. The specs are 8gb/256gb so same as my 12", so nothing really lost here by getting the base system.

I just set it up, which was a PITA, but overall seems nice and snappy. Screen size is much bigger, and definitely better on my eyes. I am LOVING LOVING the updated (old tech) keyboard, what a difference.

Congrats- that is definitely a few steps up the performance ladder.

I had two 12" MacBook's m3 (which my wife now uses) and an i7. Apple replaced the keyboards under warranty and the i3 replacement keyboard was much nicer than the one on my i7. That was one of the factors that had me gravitating toward the 2020 Air.

 

[solo118]

Congrats- that is definitely a few steps up the performance ladder.

I had two 12" MacBook's m3 (which my wife now uses) and an i7. Apple replaced the keyboards under warranty and the i3 replacement keyboard was much nicer than the one on my i7. That was one of the factors that had me gravitating toward the 2020 Air.

I did not have many keyboard issues, but this keyboard is just so much better. I would like to call it old school cool. I just need to get used to the bigger size of the thing but I am enjoying more screen real estate.

 

[psychedelia]

My conclusion is this : I will definitely hang on to my MacBook 12" (i5) until the MBP 14" is out.