MacBook Air i3 or i5?

[Puppuccino]

I’m in need of a new MacBook and I’ve decided the Air is the right machine for me, although I’m unsure whether I need to get the i3 processor or the i5.

I do often do bits of computer programming and video editing but it’s not to heavy.

Would an i3 be enough or is it too under powered? I’ll be honest computer hardware is a weak point. I don’t really know a lot about it.

 

[SwingOnThis]

I’m in need of a new MacBook and I’ve decided the Air is the right machine for me, although I’m unsure whether I need to get the i3 processor or the i5.

I do often do bits of computer programming and video editing but it’s not to heavy.

Would an i3 be enough or is it too under powered? I’ll be honest computer hardware is a weak point. I don’t really know a lot about it.

I was tempted to do the i5/512 upgrade at $1299 but ultimately decided against it. I'm a pedestrian user, I won't be running any intense programs or games. Plus, getting a MacBook for $999 just really appealed to me.

 

[AirBud]

The i5 has a better GPU along with better CPU performance. The CPU is about 10% better on single-core tasks and 50% better for multi-core. The GPU in the i5 is anywhere around 30-50% better. Granted, pushing this laptop hard for long will thermal throttle it so the biggest real world gains will be in multi-core tasks.

This would be the one upgrade to make it more "future-proof" imo (and it's only $100).

 

[Ericdjensen]

It's a cheap upgrade. Might as well

 

[unoporfavor]

The i5 has a better GPU along with better CPU performance. The CPU is about 10% better on single-core tasks and 50% better for multi-core. The GPU in the i5 is anywhere around 30-50% better. Granted, pushing this laptop hard for long will thermal throttle it so the biggest real world gains will be in multi-core tasks.

This would be the one upgrade to make it more "future-proof" imo (and it's only $100).

If fan noise and quietness, along with battery life are important, it seems sticking to the i3 is a better choice. Not for everyone of course.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I’m in need of a new MacBook and I’ve decided the Air is the right machine for me, although I’m unsure whether I need to get the i3 processor or the i5.

I do often do bits of computer programming and video editing but it’s not to heavy.

Would an i3 be enough or is it too under powered? I’ll be honest computer hardware is a weak point. I don’t really know a lot about it.

16GB RAM is more important for machine longevity imo. My MacBook Air was only retired a couple of years ago because 4GB became too big a bottleneck. It was a base i5 from 2012 and I was able to do light video editing and programming just fine. If you can afford it, get the i5 model for the better GPU since you also do some video editing.

 

[unoporfavor]

16GB RAM is more important for machine longevity imo. My MacBook Air was only retired a couple of years ago because 4GB became too big a bottleneck. It was a base i5 from 2012 and I was able to do light video editing and programming just fine. If you can afford it, get the i5 model for the better GPU since you also do some video editing.

Good call - the 16GB RAM is just a bit too expensive a jump unfortunately

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Good call - the 16GB RAM is just a bit too expensive a jump unfortunately

An i3 with 16GB RAM is still $100 cheaper than the base i5. I would personally get this config over the i5 if I was buying with a limited budget. Also consider that a longer lasting but slightly more expensive machine is cheaper overall.

 

[KPOM]

An i3 with 16GB RAM is still $100 cheaper than the base i5. I would personally get this config over the i5 if I was buying with a limited budget. Also consider that a longer lasting but slightly more expensive machine is cheaper overall.

You can custom an i5 for $100. So you can get a 16GB i5 with 256 for $1299.

 

[unoporfavor]

An i3 with 16GB RAM is still $100 cheaper than the base i5. I would personally get this config over the i5 if I was buying with a limited budget. Also consider that a longer lasting but slightly more expensive machine is cheaper overall.

Not in my region. the i5 is like USD$100 additional and the ram twice that. Also price sensitive at the moment with covid and reduced hours.
Thank you though - you make a good point. Think I'll stick with the 8GB and replace laptop in 3-5 years