Within the next month i plan on getting a new macbook, but i'm torn between the air and the pro. I think the pro might be too much for the basic things i'll be doing, but it has better thermals.
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How has the new MBA been for basic users?
- Thread starter notatechperson
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The thermals did have some user issues in the beginning, much of it was apps not playing well with the new Gen 10. Since the last update 10.15.5 I think temps fans and battery life all improved. I started mine up on the latest update, and temps have never been a issue. It’s been a cool machine, long battery life and no fan noise. In the end you need to decide, Touch Bar Yes/no, comfortable wedge design for typing, battery life Air + hour, 4 ports vs 2 ports, price. It’s that simple. What one gets you excited? The simplicity of the wedge design with function keys or the Touch Bar and labeled pro?
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I don't really care about most of that stuff. I only care about whether or not it's gonna get the job done without getting extremely hot or the battery draining too fast. Thank you for replying, i really appreciate it!
Mine is a i5 and it barely gets warm much less hot, with Safari/Photos/Music/Pages/Numbers running. Thermals being an issue seem way overblown.
Agreed. And the basic users will mostly buy the base model i3, which should have even less thermal issues.
Same here. I just got my 2020 MBA to replace a 2010 MBA. My old 2010 was still working just fine, but the fan was coming on more and more. This made me worry about how long it would still function if it was heating up so much. I didn't want to wait for something like a motherboard failure to replace it so I jumped on the new Air. It's been wonderful for my first month. Never heard the fan come on at all with my usage being pretty much the same as you. I use Adobe Acrobat Pro and Photoshop Elements (lite) often. Both could tax the old 2010 but the new 2020 handles those programs with ease.
I remember (barely) when my 2010 Air was new how snappy it felt. But with only 4GB of RAM that snappiness faded. I never really noticed it as this was a slow process. But when I fired up the new MBA with the i5 and 16GB of RAM it was another revelation. Snappiness: restored!
Another thing I love on the new 2020 MBA is the keyboard. Judging by the reviews this is a polarizing issue but I absolutely love the keyboard. It is NOT "clicky" or loud, and the key travel is ideal for how I type. I thought the trackpad was strange until I turned off Hepatic Touch. Then it was back to how my 2010 behaved, something on which I came to rely. Before turning off Hepatic Touch I was unable to click/hold to drag files around. I like to save images to the Desktop and then manipulate/edit them before sorting them to folders in Pictures. Same thing with PDFs and Acrobat Pro.
I am interested in this as well- I am about to buy a 2020 MBA. The fan on my 2015 MBA with 2.2 Ghz i7 is often howling. I am not a power user either, though I do have a lot of tabs open in the browser often.
So do I understand from here that generally speaking, the i3 will not have as many issues with heat due to lower power? Or does it ‘max out’ earlier, and create more problems?
Also, will extra memory make much of a difference?
Hope I am not highjacking, and hope this might also be of interest to the OP!
So do I understand from here that generally speaking, the i3 will not have as many issues with heat due to lower power? Or does it ‘max out’ earlier, and create more problems?
Also, will extra memory make much of a difference?
Hope I am not highjacking, and hope this might also be of interest to the OP!
I got my i5/16/256 MBA in early April and I've had zero issues with it. I typically have from 3-15 tabs open in a browser, along with the Calendar and Messages apps, sometimes Outlook, Word, and/or Excel. The only times the fans have been loudish have been the first day or so while it was indexing, and then when watching Facebook live videos within Chrome - however, when I watch those in Safari the fan is never audible. I work with the computer in my lap about half the time and it never has gotten uncomfortably warm, usually not even noticeably so. The keyboard issue is down to personal taste, but I like this keyboard way, way better than the one in the 2019 MBP I use for work.
Also, I set up a Boot Camp Windows install to run on an external SSD and that runs well, though the fans go mad when I have it running Windows updates.
Overall I've been really happy with it.
Also, I set up a Boot Camp Windows install to run on an external SSD and that runs well, though the fans go mad when I have it running Windows updates.
Overall I've been really happy with it.
Not hijacking at all!! I have the same issue with my 2010 MBP. I plan on keeping the new air for at least 5 years, so i'll be upgrading to 16gb of ram just as a precaution, but if you feel like the 8gb is not enough for you, then go for it. As for the whole i3 thing , I don't know much about that, but some people have said that the i3 runs cooler than the i5 and that's all I can tell you.
The $1299 base 8th gen MBP will give future headroom for performance. The 2020 MBA has a question mark because of the reported thermal issues. There have been negative tech reviews and users on these forums who have either returned the MBA, particularly the quad cores, due to reported heat and fan noise, or the MBA did not perform for their use case. There is also a very active MBA thread on heatsink modification to improve the thermals.
If you choose the MBA, buy it from Apple or a retailer that allows you to return it, just in case it does not work for you. The 2020 MBA is great value at $999. The i3 is reported to be cooler and quieter than the i5 and have longer battery life. Using safari should provide a good experience. Video conferencing seems to be an issue for some using a MBA and you need a i5 quad core to share screens using Zoom.
My own personal concern is using a 2020 MBA for multiple chrome tabs which I have done smoothly on a 2013 MBA for the last 7 years on my lap, and has been cool and quiet. I am weighing up the same choice as MBA v MBP. When the Apple shops re open in UK, I will have a look at both. I prefer the MBA form factor and function keys, but may be persuaded by the better screen of the MBP. Good luck choosing the best for you.
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In my opinion, the MacBook Air with quad-core i5 is only a "feel good" upgrade, simply because it's thermally limited. The moment you load the processor for a minute or more, it becomes thermally limited and performance is capped. There's no way to cool 9W without a fan on top.
If you buy the Air, stick with the dual-core i3. If you want quad-core, get the base MacBook Pro. Even though it has a 8th gen processor, the fact that it has a proper thermal solution means it runs circles around the i5 Air. Not to mention the faster SSD on the Pro.
If you buy the Air, stick with the dual-core i3. If you want quad-core, get the base MacBook Pro. Even though it has a 8th gen processor, the fact that it has a proper thermal solution means it runs circles around the i5 Air. Not to mention the faster SSD on the Pro.
Yes, although I also was happy with it prior to the update.
If you are doing anything GPU required, i5 Air will be noticeably faster(in the range of +20% - +60%) under 1-2 min loads, and base MBP will be 2 times faster if you are stressing GPU for more than 5 minutes.
I’m surprised the MBP that much faster under sustained load.
I suspect sustained load would matter more to me. I’d be most likely to run into a limitation when playing a high bitrate video or a game.
I suspect sustained load would matter more to me. I’d be most likely to run into a limitation when playing a high bitrate video or a game.
Oh yeah! Surely it will be better for games (that is a fact). And you will also enjoy its' performance under the sustained load.
I want to add my use case here for everyone's benefit. Hope this helps potential buyers and current owners.
My use case:
- browsing websites
- typing
- photo management and editing
- video encoding/ recoding
- website design
- graphics design
- gaming
- virtual machine
Browsing Websites
Tools Used: Safari coupled with an advertisement blocker
I use Safari, I have used Safari ever since I hopped on to the Apple wagon. I have a large number of tabs open, the highest ever counted was an obscene 52 (please do not judge). I close as I finish reading, researching, taking notes. Websites are not just text websites, they are a mixture of graphically intensive websites, YouTube tabs, and dynamic content portals, etc.
Typing
Tools Used: Bear Notes, Apple Pages, Ulysses, Day One, OmniOutliner, OmniFocus, etc.
I use my computer to type a lot. There are some text editors I use.
Photo Management And Editing
Tools Used: Apple Photos, Canon Digital Photo Professional, Affinity Photo, PhaseOne's Capture One Pro
I use Photos as my default photo management software, coupled with iCloud for syncing photos across my Apple ecosystem that comprises the computer and the phone.
I use this computer for editing RAW photos, using manufacturer's software as well as PhaseOne's Capture One, and the experience is just fine for a person who is not making money from photography and is not into editing photos for several hours daily. Changes and edits are reflected almost in realtime, if not in realtime, depending on the processing required and the complexity and level of edits.
Video Encoding/ Recoding
Tools Used: Handbrake
I sometimes need to manipulate videos to change their formats, change their quality, etc. for putting them up on websites.
Graphics Design
Tools Used: Affinity Designer, Affinity Publisher
I use this computer to design and create posters, pamphlets, social media infographics, and such. Experience using these software mentioned is stellar. Rare case of stutter experienced, otherwise the computer tackles everything just fine. Poster sizes up to 5 ft x 6 ft have been done smoothly, not tested beyond. 5000 x 5000 px files are generally designed, and then manipulated to various sizes as needed.
Gaming
Games Played: Deus Ex Human Revolution
Ever since I am on the Apple wagon, my gaming has drastically reduced. However, I have played on this computer an old game called Deus Ex Human Revolution. The game was playable (smooth experiential frame rate) just fine at fine-tuned settings (low-medium) and I was not able to play this game smoothly (constant stutter) on a 2011 MBP with Radeon 6770m 1 GB VRAM dedicated chipset.
Virtual Machine
Tools Used: VMware Fusion
I occasionally need to use a Windows 10 virtual machine for some tasks, and I am able to use it smoothly without stutter. Fans do not howl, they just ramp up some. Temperatures are managed well. I do not play games using the virtual machine, I only use it to run a couple of Windows software.
Which notebook am I using for all of this?
MacBook Air, 2017
- 1.8 GHz dual-core i5
- 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM
- 256 GB SSD
- Intel HD Graphics 6000 with 1536 MB dedicated VRAM.
General Comments
The computer is used for browsing websites, making notes, typing long-form content, creating infographics, posters, designing websites, editing RAW photos, using Microsoft Excel, using FTP software, running a Windows 10 virtual machine, etc. Using the computer for activities such as email, iMessage, file and folder management and transfers, downloading, etc. is a given. The way I use this computer is not basic, I can be found doing tasks simultaneously with more than a few apps open together at times. Almost always, Safari along with OmniFocus and a text editor and Telegram Messenger are open, and other times, Safari along with a text editor such as Bear Notes and a page-layout software such as Apple Pages is open along with Affinity Publisher. 1Password and ad blocker are two third-party services that are always running in the background.
With this, I have only found that the computer feels stressed only rarely, and I am confident that newer Air machines can only be better than this. So, even the 'base' i3 today is going to be more than sufficient for a lot of tasks, not just browsing and watching videos and typing some text. It is more than capable of handling a lot of 'pro' tasks, just not at blistering speed. That said, it will not be painfully slow either, it depends on complexity.
Anyone with the aforementioned use case can comfortably go with the base i3 with 8 GB and 256 GB disk. However, the better bet would be quad-core i5, 16 GB and 512 GB disk for a long, happy time with your new MacBook Air.
Any MacBook Pro, even the base, would only be better than this, but might not be required.
My use case:
- browsing websites
- typing
- photo management and editing
- video encoding/ recoding
- website design
- graphics design
- gaming
- virtual machine
Browsing Websites
Tools Used: Safari coupled with an advertisement blocker
I use Safari, I have used Safari ever since I hopped on to the Apple wagon. I have a large number of tabs open, the highest ever counted was an obscene 52 (please do not judge). I close as I finish reading, researching, taking notes. Websites are not just text websites, they are a mixture of graphically intensive websites, YouTube tabs, and dynamic content portals, etc.
Typing
Tools Used: Bear Notes, Apple Pages, Ulysses, Day One, OmniOutliner, OmniFocus, etc.
I use my computer to type a lot. There are some text editors I use.
Photo Management And Editing
Tools Used: Apple Photos, Canon Digital Photo Professional, Affinity Photo, PhaseOne's Capture One Pro
I use Photos as my default photo management software, coupled with iCloud for syncing photos across my Apple ecosystem that comprises the computer and the phone.
I use this computer for editing RAW photos, using manufacturer's software as well as PhaseOne's Capture One, and the experience is just fine for a person who is not making money from photography and is not into editing photos for several hours daily. Changes and edits are reflected almost in realtime, if not in realtime, depending on the processing required and the complexity and level of edits.
Video Encoding/ Recoding
Tools Used: Handbrake
I sometimes need to manipulate videos to change their formats, change their quality, etc. for putting them up on websites.
Graphics Design
Tools Used: Affinity Designer, Affinity Publisher
I use this computer to design and create posters, pamphlets, social media infographics, and such. Experience using these software mentioned is stellar. Rare case of stutter experienced, otherwise the computer tackles everything just fine. Poster sizes up to 5 ft x 6 ft have been done smoothly, not tested beyond. 5000 x 5000 px files are generally designed, and then manipulated to various sizes as needed.
Gaming
Games Played: Deus Ex Human Revolution
Ever since I am on the Apple wagon, my gaming has drastically reduced. However, I have played on this computer an old game called Deus Ex Human Revolution. The game was playable (smooth experiential frame rate) just fine at fine-tuned settings (low-medium) and I was not able to play this game smoothly (constant stutter) on a 2011 MBP with Radeon 6770m 1 GB VRAM dedicated chipset.
Virtual Machine
Tools Used: VMware Fusion
I occasionally need to use a Windows 10 virtual machine for some tasks, and I am able to use it smoothly without stutter. Fans do not howl, they just ramp up some. Temperatures are managed well. I do not play games using the virtual machine, I only use it to run a couple of Windows software.
Which notebook am I using for all of this?
MacBook Air, 2017
- 1.8 GHz dual-core i5
- 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM
- 256 GB SSD
- Intel HD Graphics 6000 with 1536 MB dedicated VRAM.
General Comments
The computer is used for browsing websites, making notes, typing long-form content, creating infographics, posters, designing websites, editing RAW photos, using Microsoft Excel, using FTP software, running a Windows 10 virtual machine, etc. Using the computer for activities such as email, iMessage, file and folder management and transfers, downloading, etc. is a given. The way I use this computer is not basic, I can be found doing tasks simultaneously with more than a few apps open together at times. Almost always, Safari along with OmniFocus and a text editor and Telegram Messenger are open, and other times, Safari along with a text editor such as Bear Notes and a page-layout software such as Apple Pages is open along with Affinity Publisher. 1Password and ad blocker are two third-party services that are always running in the background.
With this, I have only found that the computer feels stressed only rarely, and I am confident that newer Air machines can only be better than this. So, even the 'base' i3 today is going to be more than sufficient for a lot of tasks, not just browsing and watching videos and typing some text. It is more than capable of handling a lot of 'pro' tasks, just not at blistering speed. That said, it will not be painfully slow either, it depends on complexity.
Anyone with the aforementioned use case can comfortably go with the base i3 with 8 GB and 256 GB disk. However, the better bet would be quad-core i5, 16 GB and 512 GB disk for a long, happy time with your new MacBook Air.
Any MacBook Pro, even the base, would only be better than this, but might not be required.
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