Is it worth upgrading?

[adann91]

Trying to decide whether it's worth upgrading from my i5 2020 MacBook Air to the new M1 version (looking at 8GB version). Contemplating it currently with the trade in price + get a small discount through the NHS.

Anyone done this upgrade and is it worth it or should I stick to what I have?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Outside of being faster, silent, and able to handle more tasks at once, I doubt you would see much difference in light day to day. usual web, mail, office, YouTube type usage.

 

[ctjack]

I would say that m1 opens apps/tabs faster than Air on intel. M1 speed on everyday tasks is on par with 6-8 core Win laptops.
I have m1 Air and I am thinking about maybe upgrading to the M2 Air down the road while selling this. This way I should be able to swap my hardware for $200 for a new model. If this calculations hold true for your case then I would definitely upgrade. But if you pay more than $200 then it might be not worth it.

 

[darngooddesign]

It's worth it if you want a silent computer with big battery life which rarely gets warm.

 

[pmiles]

I'd have to ask just why you feel the need to upgrade a 2020 computer? Is your computer failing you in some respect? Crashing? Battery failing to hold a charge? I ask myself these questions when making such decisions. Would you buy a new car a year after purchasing the current one because it had a better sound system?

Most computers should last you a good 5 years before they reach the point of needing to be replaced. Doing so before then would suggest that you have a computer that doesn't meet your needs in some way.

In what ways does it currently not meet your needs and how would the new computer do so in such a fashion as to make the decision a no-brainer?

 

[Robbosan]

Yes, i sold the 2020 air too hot and slow, got the M1 it's faster and doesn't even get warm, both base models. And way better battery, do it.

 

[tis]

My question is why were people buying the old MacBook Air with all its caveats, but now think they need a new faster computer simply because it was taken to a different level. Personally, I would have never bought a MBA before M1. I always bought Pros. The old MBA’s were too slow and had too many deficiencies, but if you felt it was sufficient when you bought it, it’s probably sufficient now.

 

[ctjack]

My question is why were people buying the old MacBook Air with all its caveats, but now think they need a new faster computer simply because it was taken to a different level. Personally, I would have never bought a MBA before M1. I always bought Pros. The old MBA’s were too slow and had too many deficiencies, but if you felt it was sufficient when you bought it, it’s probably sufficient now.

There are a lot of factors. $300 upgrade to Pro is huge for some, others needed computer asap to get their job done and had no time to wait for M1. Now they are trying to upgrade for less money spent, while their intel Air is still not too old.
The thing is that even MBP owners would highly benefit from M1 and might be thinking about switching.

 

[Jack Neill]

I have a i5/8/512 and I just picked up a M1/8/512 today. The best GB5 I could pull on my i5 with a thermal pad was around 3400, first one on the M1 was 7700. It was worth to me.