I think I need to upgrade my MBA. Can you help me figure out what I need?

[jazzhands]

Hey everyone. I bought a refurbished early 2020 Macbook Air last year. I believe I made a bad choice and I should have gotten a MBP.

I use Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom frequently. They're both very laggy -- edits don't show until full seconds after clicks. Having multiple browser tabs open makes it sound like a jet engine about to take off. Google Backup and Sync makes it very hot.

---

These are the details of my current computer:

Model: G0X99LL/A

MacBook Air 1.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 - Retina, 13-inch, March 2020

Processor: 1.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

Memory: 16 GB 3733 MHz LPDDR4X

Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics

Storage: 1 TB flash storage (just over 60% free)

---

I think I need a Macbook Pro, but I'm not sure which specs would be best. Can someone help me narrow it down? I can answer more questions or provide more details if needed.

Thanks in advance. Cheers.

 

[Nbd1790]

It seems like you're doing intensive work in Photoshop & Lightroom. I personally use a 2015 MBP 15 inch for Photoshop and it runs pretty smooth (although, my work is on the lighter side creating flyers and such). Although, I do have times where it can take a second to load a small change.

The power difference between the new M1 chips and the older Intel chipsets are substantial - especially when it comes to the Air. I would recommend going down this route if its an urgent matter, go with a Pro and get 16gb of ram with more storage than you need (60% free on your current machine is PLENTY) so perhaps stick with that storage option.

IF you can hold out, rumors suggest a decent refresh is in the pipeline for this year to the Pro models. Potentially an even better processor than the current M1's that are available now (not to say this wouldn't be enough for you) and hopefully a 32gb RAM option (which if you can, go for it) and you should be more than okay with a future proof model for years. The only thing I would recommend if you're sticking with Apple is avoid the current Intel offers, as they haven't been updated and are most likely going to be replaced with Apples in house ARM processors.

Hope this helps answer your question!

 

[jazzhands]

It seems like you're doing intensive work in Photoshop & Lightroom. I personally use a 2015 MBP 15 inch for Photoshop and it runs pretty smooth (although, my work is on the lighter side creating flyers and such). Although, I do have times where it can take a second to load a small change.

The power difference between the new M1 chips and the older Intel chipsets are substantial - especially when it comes to the Air. I would recommend going down this route if its an urgent matter, go with a Pro and get 16gb of ram with more storage than you need (60% free on your current machine is PLENTY) so perhaps stick with that storage option.

IF you can hold out, rumors suggest a decent refresh is in the pipeline for this year to the Pro models. Potentially an even better processor than the current M1's that are available now (not to say this wouldn't be enough for you) and hopefully a 32gb RAM option (which if you can, go for it) and you should be more than okay with a future proof model for years. The only thing I would recommend if you're sticking with Apple is avoid the current Intel offers, as they haven't been updated and are most likely going to be replaced with Apples in house ARM processors.

Hope this helps answer your question!

I'm really not doing intensive work in PS or LR. I don't even know how to do intensive work in either program. But I guess my computer can't tell the difference.

Thank you for the recommendations. Is it likely that the 32gb RAM option will only be available in the 16-inch MBP?

Either way, I would love something more future proof, so I'll hold out for a bit longer and see what the next release offers.

 

[JPack]

Unfortunately, the Intel-based MacBook Air wasn't designed for any heavy productivity. Even though Apple offered an i5 and i7 option, the MBA doesn't have proper cooling to take advantage of those processors. But M1 MBA is far more powerful and doesn't need active cooling to achieve high performance. It doesn't sound like you need a MBP, rather you just had a really bad experience with the Intel-based Air.

 

[Fishrrman]

Wait 4-6 more weeks until the new m1x models are announced.
THEN make your decision as to "what to buy next".

If you do an "impulse buy" RIGHT NOW, you're going to be disappointed in the near future.

 

[ignatius345]

Hey everyone. I bought a refurbished early 2020 Macbook Air last year. I believe I made a bad choice and I should have gotten a MBP.

I use Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom frequently. They're both very laggy -- edits don't show until full seconds after clicks. Having multiple browser tabs open makes it sound like a jet engine about to take off. Google Backup and Sync makes it very hot.

---

These are the details of my current computer:

Model: G0X99LL/A

MacBook Air 1.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 - Retina, 13-inch, March 2020

Processor: 1.2 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7

Memory: 16 GB 3733 MHz LPDDR4X

Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics

Storage: 1 TB flash storage (just over 60% free)

---

I think I need a Macbook Pro, but I'm not sure which specs would be best. Can someone help me narrow it down? I can answer more questions or provide more details if needed.

Thanks in advance. Cheers.

I had the same 2020 Intel Air, albeit the i5 with only 8GB of RAM. Obviously lower specs than yours.

I traded it in on a 2020 M1 Air, base model, and it's night and day. I've worked a little with Photoshop and it's great. Power consumption is about 1/3 of the Intel Air, and it just never ever gets hot. And this is just the 8GB model.

My advice, however you go, is to definitely skip any Intel Macs at this point. Also, Photoshop now has a native Apple Silicon version.