Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Anyone here upgrade from a classic MacBook Pro 15" to an Air 15?
- Thread starter definitive
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Well I upgraded from a 2019 Air; which honestly; was the biggest waste of money I have ever spent on a laptop. I cannot believe how slow that thing was even with 512/16. I can tell you the M2 smokes my 2019 air. I could not imagine what it would be like coming from a 2012 or older.
I’m not planning on getting the MBA 15” at this time, but just got out my MBP 2015 15” yesterday that has been sitting since I got my MBP 2021 14”, and… That 1” difference in screen size does make a big difference. It just feels comfortable to view and use, maybe the perfect size in that regard. Although it may be just a plain-Jane LCD (and a lower brightness level than the new MBA), it still looks great.
On a 2015 15" MBP right now and really enjoy it as a "net machine" ... do wish the battery life was better, that's about it.
The 2015 15" MBP was an Apple All-Timer
I had a 2012 Macbook Pro 15" that I bought new. I sold it on eBay in 2020 to buy a Macbook Pro M1 13" in 2020. The speed display quality were head and shoulders ahead of the 2012 MBP. I am now swapping my M1 MBP for a 15" Air. I really want the larger display.
A decade+ of progress will make anything be heads and shoulder above anything previous.
To the point that I wonder why anyone whose circumstances allows them to buy new after a decade isn't replacing it already.
I had 2 15” retina MBPs - and I just got the 15” MBA. The screen feels bigger. Although looking at the specs from the time it’s not. But boy does it feel it. Maybe I just got too used to my 13” MBA. The computer is so light compared to the old MBPs. I love it.
Sympathetic to that, up to a point. We could reverse that perspective, however! 😎
If your vintage Mac does what you want, does it well, and is still fun and functional to use, then why bother spending $1,000-$2,500 when you don't need to?! Especially if you have other things you'd rather spend it on!
I have a unibody Mid-2012 15 that I upgraded with an SSD and 16GB. It stays on the desk in my room and I use it a decent amount for casual web and streaming.
I've been excited for a 15 inch MBA. Went down to Apple the other day to see it hands-on as a possible replacement for that old 2012.
Nah. Can't justify almost 2k for the spec I'd want when the 2012 still works as well as it does. Besides the heft it's not a significant difference IMO. Contrary to what Apple wants you to think, you don't need their latest Laptop to do most tasks well.
I've been excited for a 15 inch MBA. Went down to Apple the other day to see it hands-on as a possible replacement for that old 2012.
Nah. Can't justify almost 2k for the spec I'd want when the 2012 still works as well as it does. Besides the heft it's not a significant difference IMO. Contrary to what Apple wants you to think, you don't need their latest Laptop to do most tasks well.
???
Same scenario. Same use case. And, the last two posts are from people who feel similarly.
We‘d agree with you that the current Mac laptops are superior — in many or even most ways — to our vintage, classic ones. But we also realize that, even though we can afford it, we don't need to spend a thousand or two thousand dollars (!), when our current Macs get the job done just fine!
We're not collectors, either…
Here are several other reasons…
We might hold off buying a new laptop when, depending on the laptop, it means *losing* some features we value — e.g., SD slot, Ethernet or HDMI port, USB ports on both sides, use of superb 32-bit software we rely on, etc. Weight differences and having a non-PWM display also come into play.
No new MacBook has *all* the features we want or solves *all* of those problems!
On the other hand, if one's aging laptop has issues — e.g., my old workhorse MBA has one broken USB port, a 2nd one that sometimes needs a hub, and a tired battery — then, a new laptop is worth considering!
Even then, some people might still wait until the problems really interfere with their work or until MBAs with M3 chips start appearing!
Hope that gives you an idea of why many of us, even with disposable income, don't rush out to buy new Macs … and why others of us are mulling it over! 😎
I exclude these use cases as I know clients paying for the services provided by the unsupported Mac have not changed their job requirements in more than a decade.
So what incentive other than preventive maintenance is there to replace them?
But the other examples... it is just no interest to replace because money's better used elsewhere.
Some people need battery life that lasts longer than a couple of hours.
You (and we) have now neatly answered your own wondering. There are lots of reasons!
That's the point we're making. People can afford to buy a new laptop, but have no need to do so…
By the way, it's not just “work requirements”, but entertainment, hobbies, research, personal, family, communication, etc. requirements haven't changed — or they may have changed but their current laptop still handles them well — or well enough.
Glad to see you're agreeing with us that there are many reasons why many people “whose circumstances allows them to buy new after a decade
In fact, they may not even use the money for anything, it just leave it were it is!
That - battery life - and that the fans spin-up under any load, which the MBA doesn’t do ;-) The other advantage to the older MBP are the ports, although it does have a couple older USB ports and the almost useless (unless the to USB-C adapter is used) TB2 ports, it does have HDMI and SD card. The MBA 15” will be a great computer for it’s big and bright display, lighter, processing power, and yes, those only two but modern USB-C ports. A good up-grade (if you’re having the urge to spend some money), but then I think the discounted MBP 14/16 M1 [if you are getting any MBA upgrades) is a better value.
Last edited:
The reason is that it's still in very good working condition, despite not having the latest version of the os. It still lasts up to 5 hours on a new battery. Has 16 gigs of RAM and a 500gb SSD.
I was hoping for a M3 15" Air, but that will probably come out next year. It's the reason why I'm undecided. I'm planning on a BTO version, so I'd like to have a newer CPU as well for the amount they're charging.
I have 2018 MBP 15-inch screen, and I would like to "upgrade" it to an M2 Air. But I'm wondering how lighter it is compared to the MBP. I always preferred a bigger screen, but now I finally have a studio display, so I'm debating if I should just get the 13-inch or continue with 15-inch.
15” MBA is 3.3 pounds. 2018 15” MBP is 4 pounds. So, .7 of a pound or about 18% lighter.
Specs:
2023 15” MBA
support.apple.com
vs.
2018 15” MBP
support.apple.com
Those Apple pages have lots of other info on the laptops, too.
Specs:
2023 15” MBA
Size and Weight
- Height: 0.45 inch (1.15 cm)
- Width: 13.40 inches (34.04 cm)
- Depth: 9.35 inches (23.76 cm)
- Weight: 3.3 pounds (1.51 kg)
MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023) - Tech Specs – Apple Support (AU)
vs.
2018 15” MBP
Size and Weight
- Height: 0.61 inch (1.55 cm)
- Width: 13.75 inches (34.93 cm)
- Depth: 9.48 inches (24.07 cm)
- Weight: 4.02 pounds (1.83 kg)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
Those Apple pages have lots of other info on the laptops, too.
Do you think I’ll feel much difference holding it? There’s nothing worse then “yeah it kind of feeling lighter” instead of “that’s so much lighter, it’s so much more comfortable now!”15” MBA is 3.3 pounds. 2018 15” MBP is 4 pounds. So, .7 of a pound or about 18% lighter.
Specs:
2023 15” MBA
Size and Weight
- Height: 0.45 inch (1.15 cm)
- Width: 13.40 inches (34.04 cm)
- Depth: 9.35 inches (23.76 cm)
- Weight: 3.3 pounds (1.51 kg)
MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023) - Tech Specs – Apple Support (AU)
vs.
2018 15” MBP
Size and Weight
- Height: 0.61 inch (1.55 cm)
- Width: 13.75 inches (34.93 cm)
- Depth: 9.48 inches (24.07 cm)
- Weight: 4.02 pounds (1.83 kg)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support
Those Apple pages have lots of other info on the laptops, too.
It's a lot lighter. You'll appreciate not just the lightness but also the more uniform body, the better display, and the better keyboard.
The 15” MBA will also be much faster and have much longer battery life than the 15” MBP!
It should also feel lighter and more comfortable.
The only way to be sure, in advance, though, is to check it out at a store, that is, if you have an Apple Store or Best Buy near you.
It should also feel lighter and more comfortable.
The only way to be sure, in advance, though, is to check it out at a store, that is, if you have an Apple Store or Best Buy near you.
What is "better" about the display in the MBA 15 vs a very recent MBP 15?
Just more color support?
(really unlikely a typical MBA buyer/general consumer will ever notice such a thing)
On paper they are basically the same, save for the Notch configuration on the MBA
More color accurate, as you noted.
Better response time (less motion blur, less ghosting/trailing)
No PWM
MacBook Air 15" M2 display measurements:
Apple MacBook Air 15 2023 M2 review: The everyday MacBook now in 15 inches
In review today at Notebookcheck is the new Apple MacBook Air 15 with the M2 SoC and 16 GB of RAM.
MacBook Pro 15" 2018 display measurements:
Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 (2.6 GHz, 560X) Laptop Review
We review the new Apple MacBook Pro 15 2018 including the new Coffee Lake processor. Apple also updates its flagship device with DDR4-RAM, TrueTone display, and improved keyboard.