Macbook air comparison 2013 to 2015?

[bap3221]

Looking for a used 13" macbook air because not sure if it is worth overpaying. What is the difference between the 3 models since 2013? Just gonna use it for coding and light graphic design use (because I have my pc desktop) so I dont need one that has more ram, bigger processor and whatnot. Just standard.

I wanted to get the newest macbook but the limit in ports and no magsafe makes me iffy.

 

[Y So Jelly]

2013- wireless ac, pciex2, Haswell, dual mics, phenomenal battery life with Mountain Lion
2014- minor clock bump
2015- broadwell, pciex4, thunderbolt 2, best battery life if you want to use Yosemite

 

[avemestr]

Although you do not need the additional RAM today, I'd highly recommend that you pay the extra to get 8GB.

It's virtually impossible to upgrade after purchase, and 8GB will most likely extend the usefulness of the MBA for a couple of years down the line.

 

[brdeveloper]

Although you do not need the additional RAM today, I'd highly recommend that you pay the extra to get 8GB.

It's virtually impossible to upgrade after purchase, and 8GB will most likely extend the usefulness of the MBA for a couple of years down the line.

Agreed. But then you get near-rMBP prices. I think these 4GB 2015 MBAs will show their age around 2018-2019. Perhaps until then, there will be PCIe SSD upgrades which can fill the entire 4-lanes PCIe 2.0 bus, reaching near-2000MB/s.

At this speed, the limited RAM capacity won't be a big issue, since swapping speeds will be blazing fast. You'll only care if you're working in a single process which requires more than 3GB of RAM at once for a long time.

SHORT ANSWER: although it would be good having 8GB in a MBA, it would be a better deal just buying a base retina 13" MBP.

 

[Airboy1466]

Looking for a used 13" macbook air because not sure if it is worth overpaying. What is the difference between the 3 models since 2013? Just gonna use it for coding and light graphic design use (because I have my pc desktop) so I dont need one that has more ram, bigger processor and whatnot. Just standard.

I wanted to get the newest macbook but the limit in ports and no magsafe makes me iffy.

Virtually you won't notice a difference atleast I don't coming from a 2013 to my current 2015

 

[old-wiz]

Bought a 2013 MBA for my wife, configured 8gb ram and 512gb storage and the i7 processor. works well and she loves it for travel. she will be able to use it for a good 5 years.

 

[Boyd01]

I have the same model, coming up on its second anniversary now. I run powerful software sometimes, like Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro. It can handle everything I do, no plans to upgrade anytime soon.

When Apple has the 2013 refurbs on their site, I think they represent a lot of bang for the buck.

 

[Taskman]

Running mid 2013 here as well A's it's about to become two years. I have no plans to update at all until earliest next year if even that. I do recommend 8GB RAM and 256GB storage and you'll get a great machine.

 

[bap3221]

Virtually you won't notice a difference atleast I don't coming from a 2013 to my current 2015

what about battery? Im hearing mixed reviews. As long as i stick to mountain lion will i be cool on my 2012 battery wise? Not sure if the extra hundred bucks are worth for an extra few hours that may not work as promised...

I think 2012 is 4 hours.

 

[motrek]

what about battery? Im hearing mixed reviews. As long as i stick to mountain lion will i be cool on my 2012 battery wise? Not sure if the extra hundred bucks are worth for an extra few hours that may not work as promised...

I think 2012 is 4 hours.

If you do anything intensive, the 2015 model will have significantly better battery life than the 2013/2014 models.

The 2013 model has much better battery life than the 2012 model.

 

[jdechko]

In my opinion, there are only 2 reasons to buy a 2014 at this point: 1) if you can get it for the same price or cheaper than a 2013 model, and 2) if you can find one that still has a warranty on it (maybe). Other than that, there is a .1GHz speed difference between the '13 and '14 models.

The 2015 is going to be a bit faster and have a better GPU. The 2013 Air was and still is a fantastic machine. I've had my 2013 11" for almost 2 years, and I still love it like the day I got it.

 

[david91]

2015 model , has a better GPU and faster processor. it would always be more priced too.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Bought a 2013 MBA for my wife, configured 8gb ram and 512gb storage and the i7 processor. works well and she loves it for travel. she will be able to use it for a good 5 years.

I have the exact same model, and it is excellent. It has - quite literally - travelled the world with me, and is easily the best computer - for portability, power, battery life, reliability - that I have ever had.

I have the same model, coming up on its second anniversary now. I run powerful software sometimes, like Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro. It can handle everything I do, no plans to upgrade anytime soon.

When Apple has the 2013 refurbs on their site, I think they represent a lot of bang for the buck.

Agreed. The 2013 models represented a significant improvement on the 2012 models, and I would argue that they represent very good value for money.

Running mid 2013 here as well A's it's about to become two years. I have no plans to update at all until earliest next year if even that. I do recommend 8GB RAM and 256GB storage and you'll get a great machine.

Likewise agreed.

what about battery? Im hearing mixed reviews. As long as i stick to mountain lion will i be cool on my 2012 battery wise? Not sure if the extra hundred bucks are worth for an extra few hours that may not work as promised...

I think 2012 is 4 hours.

The 2013 model offered a significant - and quite striking - improvement on battery life from that offered in the 2012 model.

There seemed to have been a minor upgrade in the 2014 model - nothing of huge significance, but still, obviously, a lot better than what was available in 2012.

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In my opinion, there are only 2 reasons to buy a 2014 at this point: 1) if you can get it for the same price or cheaper than a 2013 model, and 2) if you can find one that still has a warranty on it (maybe). Other than that, there is a .1GHz speed difference between the '13 and '14 models.

The 2015 is going to be a bit faster and have a better GPU. The 2013 Air was and still is a fantastic machine. I've had my 2013 11" for almost 2 years, and I still love it like the day I got it.

You have expressed what is also my position very well.