Choosing a processor for 2020 MBA

[BeckyG]

"..... the Tjmax of the CPU."

Hello. This is the kind of language I understand. Would you be so kind as to advise me, in this kind of language, which is better: 2 cores at 2.4 GHz or 4 cores at 1.1 GHz? I am trying to decide if I should upgrade my 2013 MBP to a new 2020 MBA. If you have a moment, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

 

[AustinIllini]

Seems to me the answer is probably the upgraded processor with more RAM, but not so much the device price encroaches on the MacBook Pro models.

 

[jgorman]

Hello. This is the kind of language I understand. Would you be so kind as to advise me, in this kind of language, which is better: 2 cores at 2.4 GHz or 4 cores at 1.1 GHz? I am trying to decide if I should upgrade my 2013 MBP to a new 2020 MBA. If you have a moment, I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

Hi, generally, the new 2020 MBA with 4 cores at 1.1 GHz has better performance. The reason is the new 2020 MBA uses a 10th generation processor with more instructions per clock, so its CPU can do more in one "GHz" than older processors can do in one "GHz." In addition, the 2020 MBA CPU can turbo boost or go up to 3.5GHz very briefly. As shown in the benchmark below, the 2020 MBA can be faster by 24% in single-threaded operations and 42% in multi-threaded operations.

However, I am not sure how much faster it will be in your use. The reason is heat can reduce the 2020 MBA's performance because of a few factors. First, the 3.5GHz turbo boost quickly adds power to the CPU and raises its temperature. Second, Apple lets the CPU temperature stay relatively high. While your 2013 MBP keeps the CPU at around 85 degrees C when it is working for awhile, the 2020 MBA keeps the CPU at 100 degrees C. Both CPUs have the same junction temperature: 100 degrees C. Lastly, the 2020 MBA has no heat pipe to quickly dissipate heat like your 2013 MBP. If the system gets too hot, it will lower performance to lower its temperature.

 

[BeckyG]

Your explanation is really helpful- thank you very much! But, I’m afraid I’m still unsure about making the purchase. I shall continue my decision making... thanks again!

 

[ctjack]

Your explanation is really helpful- thank you very much! But, I’m afraid I’m still unsure about making the purchase. I shall continue my decision making... thanks again!

Hi! I also have also almost the same laptop. Mine late 2012 MBP.
So now i was also looking for an upgrade. So overall Air is better here, but worse there and so on. It really depends on what is your main purpose of using laptop?
For me it is that new Air is 2 times better than my MBP 2012 in some cases and almost the same at another use cases. Personally it's been 8 years of evolution, and i am not willing to pay only for 2 times better specs $1000. But it could make sense for you, because 2 times better - it is still better.
But Air has 400nit display brightness, while my mbp has 354 nit. No DCI-p3 coverage for my MBP and no coverage for Air. Only new MBPs do have 500 nit brighter display with a lot of colors(DCI-p3).
While I am waiting for MBP 13/14" 2020, which should be 4 times better than my old MBP. It would make sense to buy it for me.
On the other hand, MBP 16 offers 7 times more power than my laptop. And new non Mac laptops with Ryzen have 10 times more power than mine.
So i really have to sit down and think about it, which one will be better.

 

[BeckyG]

So i really have to sit down and think about it, which one will be better.

I used another website (I don't know if I can write it on here) to compare my MBP and the i5 2020 MBA, and then I made a spreadsheet and I'm adding all of these bits and pieces that I am finding and that people on MacRumors are sharing. I do realize I should not make a decision on these points alone. I understand what I use the machine for and how I use it are also a factor I should consider and I can't really put that on a spreadsheet and compare it to anything.

I just really want that wedge shape, because, when we are not experiencing a pandemic, I am running around a campus all day to different meetings. Most of the time I am using Microsoft Remote Desktop to be on my desk PC.

But I also think that lack of a heat pipe, that @jgorman wrote about above, could be a concern for me as I do use Camtasia; now, due to working from home all the time, I know I will be using the software and pushing the machine even more frequently.

You are right in that the new MBA is years better, but I'm not 100% sure it will be for me and how I use it. My 2013 MBP has never (knock on this wooden table) left me down...but I really want that wedge shape! I don't know why - I just do.

 

[ericinboston]

I would definitely not get the i7 yet.
Reason: Thermal throttling. It may be that the upgraded CPU performance evaporate during longer loads - especially if Apple again was too cheap to include a heat pipe.

Wait for reviews and proper benchmarks, for example from Notebookcheck.com. Their reviews are detailed and thorough.
I would never buy the cat in the bag when spending more than 200 bucks.

I have the 2020 MBA with the i7 chip and I can tell you first hand it throttles substantially! Throttling begins within 3 minutes of running an app that uses a lot of cpu power. It throttles the CPU/cores below 50% of their true speed/performance! The work my app is doing should be completed in 3 hours or less and it is taking 9 hours. Yup.

This is going back to Apple. I spent $1500 on this because it included an i7 chip and it's throttled to death. I have no idea why Apple even bothers offering fast CPUs if they are just going to be throttled terribly.

I'm really bummed to return this...it's a very nice machine except for the throttling.