I’m torn between two 2020 models: base MBA vs base MBP. I have generally light use with occasional photo postproduction with Elements (I would purchase the new edition of this). I’m coming from a late 2011 MBP with max RAM and a SSD I installed. Any suggestions?
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.
Base MBA vs Base MBP
- Thread starter Psy101
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Elements as in Photoshop Elements?
From what you describe an MBA will do great. I spend a fair bit of time in Lighroom, Aperture, and PhotoMechanic in my i5 MBA and it works great. Only gets the fan going when I'm converting a few dozen RAW images or hundreds of previews.
From what you describe an MBA will do great. I spend a fair bit of time in Lighroom, Aperture, and PhotoMechanic in my i5 MBA and it works great. Only gets the fan going when I'm converting a few dozen RAW images or hundreds of previews.
Sorry. Yes, Photoshop Elements. I typically do some minor adjustments (color, levels, sharpness) if needed and some cropping. The only large image transfers I have are for occasional online storage.
Besides image transfers, any other times the fan kicks on? Since I’m coming from a 2011 MBP with an i5 dual-core processor, would the i3 still be a good choice? My guess is it’s bound to be faster than what I’ve got. I know the i5 is just a $100 upgrade but I’m concerned about the fan noise.
Besides image transfers, any other times the fan kicks on? Since I’m coming from a 2011 MBP with an i5 dual-core processor, would the i3 still be a good choice? My guess is it’s bound to be faster than what I’ve got. I know the i5 is just a $100 upgrade but I’m concerned about the fan noise.
Quite a lot of the benefit from the quad core chip is lost as it has to self-limit for temperatures, so the dual core is probably the best option on the Air, unless you get the i5 bundled in if you want 512GB storage (I generally prefer stock options to BTO in case there are any problems). Similarly I don't think you'll benefit from the Pro which is about maintaining performance for very heavy sustained loads (e.g. rendering video) - which doesn't tend to happen with photo editing. So I'd go with either the $999 or $1,299 stock Air models depending mainly on how much storage you want. If you look around a bit you might be able to get $50 or so off too, which you won't if you start adding non standard options
Benefit of the additional cores is the system remains pretty snappy even when a couple cores are tied up exporting photos or similar operation. At least that's what I've found on mine when checking email or using Safari while Lightroom was doing it's face-analysis on a couple thousand photos (wanted to see how hot the bottom case got in a sustained workload)
We also see some software with artificial limitations - zoom disallowing virtual backgrounds on dual-core cpus.
So while the i3 will do the job, IMHO it's still worth going to the i5.
I was torn on this also and have been doing TONS of research. Just ordered the MBP yesterday with 16gb and 1tb. I do about the same workload however decided that the better screen was worth it. Also too many complaints on the air. While i am sure they are overblown it wasn't worth it to me to have issues. The air and MBP were within $80 of each other. Should have at the end of the month!
I’m typically not a multitasker. When editing photos and uploading them, I let the computer work on that task alone—a habit from having older machines. Would there still be a benefit for the i5 if I’m not multitasking or would the i3 handle it just as well?