Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Is Intel Macbook Air for $749 ($250 Off) Worth It if I am only writing?

M

MuckrakerJG

macrumors member
Original poster
Feb 1, 2014
81
139
Best Buy currently has the Intel Macbook Air from earlier this year for $749. I am not a power user, I am only going to use Safari to do some writing and maybe a couple of eBook programs like Vellum or Scrivener. Basically, text editing.

What does $250 get me that would be useful to me? 15 hour battery life instead of 10? Anything else? Was going to buy an M1 but now I'm tempted to get the savings. Anyone want to push me towards it or talk me out of it?
 
Owner of a 2020 Intel MacBook Air here!

I use mine for web browsing, YouTube watching & 'life admin'. For all of these uses it is more than capable. The Magic keyboard is lovely to type on in my opinion, so should definitely be good for long writing sessions (your mileage may vary of course). It's very fast to boot up and load apps, and rarely hesitates when I ask it to do multiple things at once (I have the i5 version with 16 GB RAM). It is pretty much overkill for what I use it for!

On the down side though, I'm lucky if I get 6 hours of battery life never mind 10 - I usually get between 4 / 5 hours, but I could squeeze more if I turned the screen brightness down. The laptop does get warm (not scolding hot) and the fans will sometimes kick up, though usually when they do it's because of some rogue process running in the background. Can get a tad distracting though and often has me thinking 'what's got the fans running this time?'.

Anyway, that's my experience with my Intel MacBook Air. I also have an M1 Mac mini, so I have a pretty good idea of what the experience is both sides of the fence (albeit only in desktop form where Apple-Silicon is concerned).

I'd say the biggest advantages of M1 from a light-user perspective would be:

- The battery life. You'll have more peace of mind when undertaking long writing sessions while travelling or otherwise using the computer away from home (if you don't travel with your MacBook then it's most likely a non-issue either way).

- The cool temperatures, and by extension the non-existent fan noise (which would get distracting if writing in a silent room)

- iPad app cross compatibility (there might be that one iPad app you wish you could run on your Mac, well with M1, you pretty much can)

Other than that, the other major advantages are the performance gains - most of which you most likely won't see if you're just using your MacBook for word processing (I'll be honest, I don't see any speed differences between my MacBook Air and Mac mini under light usage).

You also get a screen with a P3 colour gamut whereas the Intel MacBook Air doesn't have that. Most likely won't bother you unless you're into graphic design or do a lot of work with images. There's also slight improvements to the webcam (which is basically the same but the M1 cleans the image up a bit).

Don't get caught up in the hype - just buy what A) works for you and B) works for your budget. If money's no object, get the M1 no question. But if you think you could do with some extra cash for other expenses, you won't go far wrong with an intel MacBook Air in the short term (in the long term the Intel MBA most likely won't be supported software-wise for as long as the M1 MacBook Air, and it's resale value isn't likely to be as high).

Hope that helps!
 
  • Like
Reactions: turbineseaplane, sracer and jchap
Costco has the i3 Air for $699. But if it was me, I'd spend the extra $300 and get the M1 Air. Actually it was me! I just received my M1 Air on Monday and couldn't be happier. The extra cost of the M1 Air was money well spent. FYI: I write for a living, so writing is the main purpose of this computer.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: rafark and calstanford
First of all, I would never spend 8+ hours a day in front of a notebook computer's screen and keyboard, regardless of who makes it or the screen size.

Notebook computers have abysmal ergonomics. Small screen at the wrong height, poor keyboard at the wrong height, poor trackpad at the wrong height. Bad for your eyes, neck, back, arms, wrists, elbows, shoulders, etc.

You are better off getting a notebook computer that you find acceptable for periodic mobile use plus a decent monitor, keyboard and standard-size input device (mouse, trackball, trackpad) and maybe an adjustable height keyboard tray.

For your specific usage case, this means you should also consider Windows ultrabooks and Chromebooks and spend a little more on a better external monitor.

I looked at my own notebook computer usage and ended up replacing my well-appointed MacBook Air 2019 ($1600 at time of purchase) with a $750 Acer Swift 3 ultrabook running Windows 10 ($750).

With shelter-in-place/work-at-home mandates where I live, the notebook computer is parked away since I'm sitting in front of my 32" QHD Dell monitor and Keychron K8 keyboard.

Just food for thought.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jchap, ctjack and AAPLGeek
If you are anything but a really light user or need the money to pay the rent, I would recommend the M1 Macbook Air. The intel is slow and hot.

I assume the sale price is for the 2 core base version. The single core performance is already subpar, but the really troublesome part is the 2 cores. Almost all devices are heading towards 4 to 8 cores and software is beginning to finally use more than 2 cores including web browsing. I do notice the decreased performance to my older 13 in macbook pro which is only slightly slower than the current intel version. Websites have more delays, waking from sleep takes the computer longer, switching apps is also slower.

Whenever I do go back to my older computer, I find myself getting frustrated with the slowness. It is only going to get worse, as programs become optimized for even more cores.

I wouldn't scoff at the battery life either. I do appreciate having to charge less often.

The math also doesn't make sense. With Apple, you usually don't come out ahead money wise, specially with upgrades, but right now the Macbook Air is an exception. For 33% more money, you get about 70% more single core performance, about 250% more multi-core and gpu performance, and 36% more battery.

Yes, you could get by with the older intel macbook air, but I don't see why you would want to.

If price is really an issue, then Apple is not the place for saving money. You could easily go for a windows laptop for half the price and still get the job done if that is all your after. Another unorthodox option for saving money is to get the basic Ipad and a keyboard for it. If all you are doing is writing and surfing, then the ipad should be able to get the job done.

For a good experience, I find the price of the macbook air very reasonable right now for what you are getting (disregarding the paltry 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB SSD). If you can get the M1 a bit cheaper through a work discount or a sale like mentioned earlier, then it makes even more sense.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Suzatlarge and calstanford
MuckrakerJG said:
Best Buy currently has the Intel Macbook Air from earlier this year for $749. I am not a power user, I am only going to use Safari to do some writing and maybe a couple of eBook programs like Vellum or Scrivener. Basically, text editing.

What does $250 get me that would be useful to me? 15 hour battery life instead of 10? Anything else? Was going to buy an M1 but now I'm tempted to get the savings. Anyone want to push me towards it or talk me out of it?
Click to expand...
well I had bought 2 MacBook Air's back in February and both ran hot and the fan was constantly on. For that reason alone, I'd only go M1 over intel.
 
im a writer too, with a 2018 MBA. i literally just hit purchase a new M1 MBA, to be here in 1-2 weeks.

my current machine still meets my needs but i wanted to get away from the butterfly keyboard (haven't had any issues yet but every keystroke feels like a ticking time bomb). plus sellmymac.com is going to give me $550 for this machine, which, again, i'm a writer not a math guy, but i believe that's more than 50% than what i initially paid for it two years ago. i imagine that the bottom is going to fall out of the resell market pretty soon.

so to me that upgrade was a no brainer. gets me away from the butterfly keyboard, doubled my storage (128 to 256) and on the new M1 platform.

get the M1 and you'll be set for a long time. get the intel and the sunsetting will always be there off in the horizon...
 
No. Unless you really need the money, get the M1. I sold my 2020 Intel MBA i5 for the M1. The battery life alone is worth it - mine lasts 3x longer than the i5.
 
M1 all the way. I've migrated from the 2020 i7 MBA to the i7 2020 MBP and now M1 MBA. I love that there's no fan. Laptop is almost always cool and 12+hours of battery life is just too good. Screen has better colors too

Even if you're going to be using it for mostly writing, being able to watch YouTube, Netflix, even Zoom meetings without a fan noise ever coming on is a Godsend.

Not to mention the M1 will be supported for much longer than the i3 MBA. Even surfing on the net has the M1 beating the Intel MBA by a country mile
 
  • Like
Reactions: lambertjohn
MuckrakerJG said:
Best Buy currently has the Intel Macbook Air from earlier this year for $749. I am not a power user, I am only going to use Safari to do some writing and maybe a couple of eBook programs like Vellum or Scrivener. Basically, text editing.

What does $250 get me that would be useful to me? 15 hour battery life instead of 10? Anything else? Was going to buy an M1 but now I'm tempted to get the savings. Anyone want to push me towards it or talk me out of it?
Click to expand...
For writing, you can get by with almost any reasonably modern Mac, so long as it has a good keyboard, a decent battery and can run the software you need to run. My main use is writing as well (Ulysses, Final Draft, Highland 2) and although I talked myself into buying exactly the MacBook Air you are considering, I could just as easily write every word I need to write on the old 2015 MacBook Pro I was using before.

Devil's advocate for the M1 MacBook Air: the battery life on the 2020 Intel MacBook Air is... ok but not great. I'd estimate maybe 6 hours of normal use, could maybe push to 7 if I turn screen brightness down, etc. The battery life on the new one is supposed to be massively better. That alone (plus the zippiness and better resale value) might tip it toward spending the extra dough if you can spare it.
 
Guys, a 28-year-old Pentium II running Windows 98 SE still runs MS Word from that time and will still respond to keyboard input.

Word processing is perhaps the least taxing common usage case on the planet.

There are YouTubers who have been shooting & editing 4K/60Hz video on their smartphones for years.

Writing may be difficult but not in any sense of computing power. The fact that people here are recommending the M1 is a joke.

Hell, I have a five year old Retina iPad mini which would be a completely valid system if it had a decent external keyboard.

Like I alluded to earlier, a $200 Chromebook is adequate for word processing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: turbineseaplane and asv56kx3088
Erehy Dobon said:
Guys, a 28-year-old Pentium II running Windows 98 SE still runs MS Word from that time and will still respond to keyboard input.

Word processing is perhaps the least taxing common usage case on the planet.

There are YouTubers who have been shooting & editing 4K/60Hz video on their smartphones for years.

Writing may be difficult but not in any sense of computing power. The fact that people here are recommending the M1 is a joke.

Hell, I have a five year old Retina iPad mini which would be a completely valid system if it had a decent external keyboard.

Like I alluded to earlier, a $200 Chromebook is adequate for word processing.
Click to expand...

OP wants a Mac. We all like Macs. That’s why we are here. We are simply advising the OP that if they want to buy a Mac, then they should buy the newest machine. Even it costs a little bit more than an intel machine. For all the reasons already stated.

Writing is more than just a word processor. At least for me. There’s research, organizing, project management, viewing and revising proofs, etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kazmac, Chung123, Jeepguy01 and 1 other person
Well, it sounds like the OP has pretty simple requirements, and the base intel MBA will be more than capable of performing these tasks. I have the 2020 i3 MBA, and it's a wonderful machine. I almost never hear the fan. I think the i5/i7 run hotter. For the OP's purposes, the M1's biggest advantage will be better battery life, but the i3 MBA is pretty good in that department too....just not as good as the M1.

To add context, the OP might consider what tech they could buy with the $250 savings from the intel MBA. For example, if the OP needs a phone, the iPhone SE is on sale right now for $250 at numerous big box stores. Or, perhaps the OP would like an Apple Watch SE, which can be found on sale for $250 or less.

For some people with simple needs, the M1 advantages might be pretty marginal compared to the i3 MBA in real world day to day usage. I remember when the 2020 intel MBA was released 9 months ago, it received rave reviews. It was the cat's pajamas! Now there is a new kid on the block, but the intel MBA didn't suddenly become a terrible computer.

That said; the OP can't go wrong. If the OP buys the base intel MBA, it will serve him/her well for many years. If the OP buys the M1, he/she will enjoy a great machine with Apple's latest chip. No lose situation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cdcastillo
My opinion: You'd be fine with a 2020 MacBook Air (Intel). I am also a writer, and use almost the same programs as you, but I have a 2015/2017 Macbook Air. It's perfectly acceptable for what I do. Honestly, I'd always avoid purchasing version 1 of any product though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back