MacBook for programming? m3 vs m7

[noblex]

Hello, I would like to buy AS SECOND COMPUTER, a light notebook that I will use mainly to write code.

I am an Android developer and from time I would like to learn swift for iOs.
My main pc is a 17" i7 which work just perfectly for my usage. I can build a complex Android solution in about 40sec

So, anyone programming with the new MacBook? I'm tempted by the m7 256 (same price as m5, but 500Mhz higher clock on both cores seems quite an improvement).

Could anyone give me info about compiling times? Would them be considerably higher on m3 cpu?

Thanks

 

[c0ppo]

Can't compare it to you, since I use 2015 model (1,2GHz). I don't use Android Studio Much, rather do most of my work in corona sdk and Unity 3D. But no hiccups or problems at all. To my surprise this little thing runs like a champ.

But if you have rather large projects and compile times matter to you, then look at rMBP 13. It won't throttle as easily as rMB, still rather small and compact device.

 

[KPOM]

I'm not a coder but the benchmark times on the m7 are noticeably higher than the m3. The m7 benchmarks about as fast as the base model 13" Broadwell MacBook Pro for short bursts. If you are compiling massive blocks of code and are taxing the processor for long periods of time, the Core m will throttle, but even then the m7 should outperform the m3.

Something else to consider is the m5. The 512GB SSD is somewhat faster than the 256GB SSD (at least in write times), and the m5 delivers significant improvement in benchmarks from the CPU (nearly as much as the m7 in real world tests except for applications like Final Cut that benefit from the faster GPU).

I did briefly have the m5 and the m7, and side-by-side the m7 opened and closed Parallels Desktop slightly faster, though not something I'd have noticed otherwise.

 

[noblex]

I'm not a coder but the benchmark times on the m7 are noticeably higher than the m3. The m7 benchmarks about as fast as the base model 13" Broadwell MacBook Pro for short bursts. If you are compiling massive blocks of code and are taxing the processor for long periods of time, the Core m will throttle, but even then the m7 should outperform the m3.

Something else to consider is the m5. The 512GB SSD is somewhat faster than the 256GB SSD (at least in write times), and the m5 delivers significant improvement in benchmarks from the CPU (nearly as much as the m7 in real world tests except for applications like Final Cut that benefit from the faster GPU).

I did briefly have the m5 and the m7, and side-by-side the m7 opened and closed Parallels Desktop slightly faster, though not something I'd have noticed otherwise.

Therefore, between 512 m5 and 256 m7 (same price) model, which one would you get?

 

[KPOM]

Therefore, between 512 m5 and 256 m7 (same price) model, which one would you get?

I'd go with the m5. Since it is a "mainstream" model, you might be able to find a good deal on an open box model at Best Buy or another re-seller. The m7 is a CTO model that is only sold at Apple and a handful of other retailers.

 

[KPOM]

I'm not a coder but the benchmark times on the m7 are noticeably higher than the m3. The m7 benchmarks about as fast as the base model 13" Broadwell MacBook Pro for short bursts. If you are compiling massive blocks of code and are taxing the processor for long periods of time, the Core m will throttle, but even then the m7 should outperform the m3.

Something else to consider is the m5. The 512GB SSD is somewhat faster than the 256GB SSD (at least in write times), and the m5 delivers significant improvement in benchmarks from the CPU (nearly as much as the m7 in real world tests except for applications like Final Cut that benefit from the faster GPU).