MacBookAir 11" 2012 vs 2015

[Giuanniello]

I have a pretty 2012 MBA 11" with a base config i5 4GB 128GB, I would like to upgrade the storage to 256 (easy task) but at some point I thought I might give it to a friend and buy a refurbished one on the Apple Store, there are some 2015 models with the same 4GB and 256GB storage (still not a lot but enough when I am on the move), the main difference seems to be battery life (which would be more than welcome) and the graphic card, I don't mind processing power, for heavy tasks I use my MBPro 15" with quad core i7 and 16GB (which will get a solid state drive after summer), would just like to hear your opinion about 2012 vs 2015 and what do you think about my 2012 one as a present to a person who always used PC and who currently is with no computer.

Thank you very much

Giovanni

 

[motrek]

I have a pretty 2012 MBA 11" with a base config i5 4GB 128GB, I would like to upgrade the storage to 256 (easy task) but at some point I thought I might give it to a friend and buy a refurbished one on the Apple Store, there are some 2015 models with the same 4GB and 256GB storage (still not a lot but enough when I am on the move), the main difference seems to be battery life (which would be more than welcome) and the graphic card, I don't mind processing power, for heavy tasks I use my MBPro 15" with quad core i7 and 16GB (which will get a solid state drive after summer), would just like to hear your opinion about 2012 vs 2015 and what do you think about my 2012 one as a present to a person who always used PC and who currently is with no computer.

Thank you very much

Giovanni

The upgrade would be nice but it's up to you to decide if it's worth it. The battery life improvement is because the processor is much more efficient, so the 2015 model will also run cooler and quieter (and faster) than your 2012 model.

The 2015 model will also have USB 3 which can be convenient if you transfer things to/from external drives.

The 2012 would be a nice gift to anyone, if they don't already have something better.

 

[DavidLynch]

The 2012 is still a fine computer. If you're looking to upgrade to a newer refurb then the 2015 will be a big upgrade. That said, the 2013 and 2014 models are steals if you can get them from the Apple refurb store. 2013-15 MacBook Air are extremely similar (all have USB 3.0, wireless AC, PCIe memory). All you're getting is incremental processor upgrades. The biggest upgrade from the 2015 model was faster memory and the 11" didn't get that, so the 2013 11" Airs from the Apple refurb store are about as awesome a deal as you can get in my opinion. Going from a 2012 to a 2013 or 2014 you're going to get all of the improvements you'd notice going to a 2015.

 

[Boyd01]

The 2015 model will also have USB 3 which can be convenient if you transfer things to/from external drives.

I get confused by the MBA timeline, but I *think* USB 3.0 was introduced in 2012 (I know my 2011 MBA had USB 2.0). But 802.11ac wifi was introduced in 2013, and that is a nice improvement if you have a compatible router and use network disks.

 

[DavidLynch]

I get confused by the MBA timeline, but I *think* USB 3.0 was introduced in 2012 (I know my 2011 MBA had USB 2.0). But 802.11ac wifi was introduced in 2013, and that is a nice improvement if you have a compatible router and use network disks.

This is correct. 2012 has USB 3.0. 2013 added a couple major upgrades including the 802.11ac wifi and PCIe based memory. Plus 2013 is the start of the great battery life improvements.

 

[Giuanniello]

I went for a 2015 refurb 13" with 256GB SSD, it will give more room for storage (I mainly use the Air to download pics when I am around or when I gotta show them to somebody) and a larger screen to play with my editing apps, the 11" will go to a special person who never got a Mac before, I will upgrade the SSD from 128 to 256 and use the old one as a backup disk in an external case.

I think the 2015 is a big upgrade battery life wise and the larger screen will do it even better but I do really love this little think I am using to type right now...

Thank you everybody

 

[z31fanatic]

Good decision. Enjoy your new Mac.