m3 or i5?

[macbook123]

I got the m3 Deal for $1150 with 256 GB on Cyber Monday. Haven't opened it yet. Is the m3 a good idea or is the i5 much better?

 

[frings]

The i5 from what I've read is only useful if you want the 512gb SSD, otherwise the difference in performance isn't worth the increased price. There's some benchmarks on the forum where the i5 is barely faster than the m3.

 

[Mlrollin91]

From all my research, the i5 is not a true i5. Its still a mobile class processor but "falsely advertised" by intel as an i5 to think you are getting true i5 power. With all things considered, its no more than a 10% increase. After a few weeks of toying back and forth, I got the m3.

 

[EugW]

If you are satisfied with 256 GB, stick with the m3. Here is my thread on the topic, with benchmarks:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...uns-of-cinebench.2073415/page-2#post-25271927

I have the m3 with 256 GB SSD (and 16 GB RAM). It's great!

 

[Bart Kela]

More than any other Mac, the MacBook benefits less from faster CPUs because of hardware design constraints.

Since there is no cooling fan, the system will manage the CPU so it does not exceed a certain temperature. For processes that require an extended CPU load, that means the system will throttle down the processes. So even if you have an i7 1.4GHz CPU with Turbo Boost to 3.6GHz, it won't run at 3.6GHz for very long.

My four year old MacBook Air (11" 2013) is actually about 10% faster at transcoding video than my i7 MacBook 2017. That's because it can rev up the fan to deal with excess heat.

I bought the BTO version of the MacBook because I wanted 16GB RAM and the 500GB SSD. Make your purchase decision based on RAM and storage, not about the CPU speed.

 

[macbook123]

It still has no HD webcam, right? I totally forgot about this when buying. Might have to return it. 480p is a complete dealbreaker for me.

 

[EugW]

It still has no HD webcam, right? I totally forgot about this when buying. Might have to return it. 480p is a complete dealbreaker for me.

Yeah, the camera kinda sucks.

 

[Bart Kela]

It still has no HD webcam, right? I totally forgot about this when buying. Might have to return it. 480p is a complete dealbreaker for me.

Well, you have the option of spending another $30 on a third-party webcam that'll do 1080p if it is that important to you.

 

[adam1080]

Just ordered the maxed out MacBook.

I knew not having the best would haunt me, and I won’t even notice or think about the money in a month. (But I would always wonder if more specs would have been better...)

The poor camera doesn’t bother me. I have maybe used the camera on my iMac 3 times in 5 years.

I will prolly be bummed when and if the new one comes out next year. Especially if it gets faceID and another USB-C port or possibly better screen.

I bought a BTO maxed out iMac 5 or so years ago and have used it every day. It is still a great computer. I’ll be happy to get 3(max of 5 prolly) out of the MacBook.

I also have a Dell XPS 15 from work and may make them get me a MacBook Pro in a year or so to replace it, but we will see.

I still have no idea if I will regret this purchase... and after buying from BHphoto to save $100, I will have no return option once I open it...

 

[06tb06]

My four year old MacBook Air (11" 2013) is actually about 10% faster at transcoding video than my i7 MacBook 2017. That's because it can rev up the fan to deal with excess heat.

Personally I would have liked to see Apple release the 2015 MacBook as the new Air design, then release 2016 MacBook Pro non-TB model as the new MacBook. Just like they did in 2008. Same enclosure, less powerful system spec wise.

 

[Kierikka]

I will prolly be bummed when and if the new one comes out next year. Especially if it gets faceID and another USB-C port or possibly better screen.
...

Personally I dont think they will put in another usb-c port, just bump up the speed a little. Look at the Macbook Air, it has not change much since 2010. Apple only do design changes when they need it.