2020 MBA i5 or keep 2011 MBP

[Aviboy97]

Hey everyone,

It's been a while since I've been on here since I haven't purchased an Apple produce, other than an iPhone, in quite sometime.

I have a Early 2011 MBP 13" i5 with upgraded RAM (8MB max) and SSD 500gb. Also just put in a new battery as the "service battery" warning came on and Apple doesn't support my model anymore.

This computer has been fantastic. Other than the OEM hard drive crashing last year, it's been flawless. I was considering upgrading before it went.

I've been looking at the new MBP's as well as the MBA's. To get the specs I want in a MBP 13" 512gb SSD, it's $1,700. That's a bit steep, IMO. So, I started looking at the MBA's. The new 2020 MBA 13" 512gb w/ 1.1GHz. My question here, is this MBA that much faster and reliable as my 2011 has been? Is it worth the $$$? I can't justify the $$ for the MBP. I'm trying to see if upgrading is even worth it at this point.

For use, this is mainly for Internet work (school for the kids and basic Internet use) and some gaming. I feel I've been using it a lot more due to the COVID-19 quarantine .

Any thoughts would be apprecaited. Thanks in advance.

 

[deeddawg]

Been a while since I owned my 2011 MBA but I'd say the 2020 MBA would run circles around it.

Consider buying from a place where you can return it if not satisfied and go for it.

I highly recommend doing a fresh new Time Machine backup to an external drive and letting Migration Assistant use that.

 

[mtneer]

If your machine is working fine and is doing whatever you expect it to do, why not just keep it going. Keep a time machine backup for the time when you really need to upgrade.

 

[Kvvvn]

I just upgraded to the base model Air from a base model early 2011 MBP with upgraded 500 GB SSD and 16 GB RAM. My MBP had become sluggish, loud, and hot from personal and work tasks which include running AutoCAD. After a few days with with the Air this is 100% a better all around experience. The only thing I keep thinking about is a potential 13" Pro refresh coming up.

 

[Aviboy97]

If your machine is working fine and is doing whatever you expect it to do, why not just keep it going. Keep a time machine backup for the time when you really need to upgrade.

That's what I plan on doing. I can't justify it at the moment. I appreciate the input.

 

[TenthDoctor]

I just upgraded from a MacBook 2011 to a MacBook Air 2020, and I am pleased. Unfortunately there are some apps I like that do not have 64 bit upgrades yet, so I will need to use my old computer for those.

The new computer is much faster than my old one.