MB to MBA 2020?

[happy orchard]

Hello! I currently have a 12-inch MacBook that I love so much it's my second. I know there's talk of a new 12" and talk of new laptops possibly coming this Applemas season; however, I'm curious about the latest MBA and how it might compare to what I love about the MB.

I like that the MB does NOT have a fan (so is never noisy): does the MBA have a fan? If so, what's your experience with it been like?

I love the weight and the edges. I actually use the laptop in my lap, so the MBP felt heavier than I liked and old MBAs sometimes felt like they were slightly kniving my skin.

What I'm thinking I'll like about the MBA: the slightly extra screen, the Touch ID, and the upgraded specs.

If anybody has any knowledge or experience they'd like to share, I'd enjoy and appreciate it. Thank you!

 

[Mike Boreham]

Plenty of threads about 2020 MBA in the MBA forum including may complaints about fan noise and heat, but also plenty of conflicting reports.

 

[happy orchard]

Sorry, meant to post this thread in the MBA forum. Here I meant to tailor the thread to ask if anybody had tried switching from the MB to the MBA and how that turned out...

 

[happy orchard]

Plenty of threads about 2020 MBA in the MBA forum including may complaints about fan noise and heat, but also plenty of conflicting reports.

Yes, I've heard about those issues for years, with different iterations of MBA. I guess I was looking for experience from someone who went from an MB to an MBA and learned from the adventure.

 

[smbu2000]

I recently switched from a 2016 MB (m7/8/512) to a base model 2020 MBA (i3/8/256).
Weight is hard to compare as the MB feels much lighter than the MBA, but it is still very portable. I do enjoy the larger screen size as well.

The MBA does have a fan although it didn't really spin up on the basic use that I'm using with the MBA. I did do the "copper shim" mod that is listed in the MBA forum, but I don't think it is absolutely necessary especially with the dual core i3 in the base model. The 4 core i5/i7 models probably benefit more as they use more power. My MB would also get fairly hot.

Moving from the 2016 MB m7 to the 2020 MBA i3, you'd think there wouldn't be that much of a difference in performance, but the MBA is just more responsive overall and feels snappier. I'm very happy with the performance even if it is only the base model. CPU performance between my upgraded 2016 m7 and the 2020 i3, the i3 is roughly 50% faster. The GPU performance is probably even more.

The MBA also fixes the "faults" I had with the MB. The magic keyboard is much better (IMO) than the butterfly keyboard. (I also have a 16" MBP with the magic keyboard.) Having two ports is much more convenient than the one on the MB. Plus they are both Thunderbolt3 (compared to the USB one on the MB) which is nice. I can also use the TB3 accessories that I already have with my MBP.

Overall I'm very happy with my switch. I've been using the MBA more than my 16" MBP lately, which is something that didn't happen with my previous MB. I have no problems carrying it around in my messenger bag.

With the new Apple silicon macs coming, it might be best to wait although Apple first gen. products are not usually the best. They might also drop the price of the current models if that happens. Then again if you can find a good deal on a current model it might be a good buy. I'd say definitely try it out first hand if you can.

 

[razmanugget]

We recently went from a 2016 MB (m5/8/512) to a 2020 i5 MBA (8/512). This was for my wife's machine.

She loves the extra screen size and thought she wouldn't get used to the laptop size, but she has no problems with it after a couple of months.

Of course, the MB was silent. The MBA we have is silent for the most part (latest version of Catalina); however, fans do spin up with MS Teams and Zoom meetings. Sometimes using Figma with Chrome will get the fans going too. But really this hasn't been an issue except for one or two times.

I wanted the i5 for her because it has the better GPU as well as the 4 cores. We have the Air connected to a 27" 4k monitor that's scaled. We also have the MBA open, so it's driving a lot of pixels. It rocks. Super, super smooth. Even better than my 2015 15" with the R9. Her machine is a dream next to mine which often sounds like a faulty radiator or a drone. I even bought some Airpods Pro to knock out the noise, but that's another story.

Anyway, I'd buy the exact same model again considering her use case. $100 was very little for such a huge step up in performance. She only has 8GB of ram, but that's fine for her usage. We didn't modify anything inside either (no shims). The MB couldn't handle a 4k monitor at all and even a 1080p seemed to stutter sometimes. The Air is amazing with 4k. Also, it plays 4k video files smoothly.

Initially, we planned to wait and upgrade to Apple Silicon, but there was only 1 year left on the keyboard warranty and the keyboard was starting to have problems. I had had 4 of the MBs over the years and it seemed to be 50/50 for keyboard issues, which was a shame because I liked the butterfly keyboard. Also, I think it makes sense to wait for the Apple Silicon to be out for a year and then get V2 when the kinks get ironed out. I had a 2015 MB and it was incredibly slow GPU-wise. It really couldn't handle an external monitor very well and that was frustrating.

Hope that helps

edited to show my MB version

 

[OliveroNYC]

This year I went from 2017 MB (i5/8/512) to a 2020 i5 MBA (8/512) for a week. Went back to the MB.

MBA - Positive
Better screen
Bigger screen!
Bit faster
Better camera

MB - Positive
Better size
Less weight
No Fan
No need for tough id

The number one reason for going back to the MB was the lack of a fan. Quiet computing is something I don't want to go without.
My MB has the same (newer) keyboard, so no change there.

 

[ignatius345]

The 2020 MBA is gonna be a lot heavier and (I'd imagine quite a bit) faster than your MB, and it's going to have a keyboard with more key travel and a better web cam. TouchID is very nice to have.

I picked one up earlier this year (i5 processor) and while it's a nice machine, I'm surprised sometimes at how fast it isn't and how often it bogs down when I have work and personal user accounts both running. I suppose I'm to blame for getting 8GB RAM instead of 16. I also suspect the general suckiness of Catalina might have something to do with it.

 

[happy orchard]

I recently switched from a 2016 MB (m7/8/512) to a base model 2020 MBA (i3/8/256).
Weight is hard to compare as the MB feels much lighter than the MBA, but it is still very portable. I do enjoy the larger screen size as well.

The MBA does have a fan although it didn't really spin up on the basic use that I'm using with the MBA. I did do the "copper shim" mod that is listed in the MBA forum, but I don't think it is absolutely necessary especially with the dual core i3 in the base model. The 4 core i5/i7 models probably benefit more as they use more power. My MB would also get fairly hot.

Moving from the 2016 MB m7 to the 2020 MBA i3, you'd think there wouldn't be that much of a difference in performance, but the MBA is just more responsive overall and feels snappier. I'm very happy with the performance even if it is only the base model. CPU performance between my upgraded 2016 m7 and the 2020 i3, the i3 is roughly 50% faster. The GPU performance is probably even more.

The MBA also fixes the "faults" I had with the MB. The magic keyboard is much better (IMO) than the butterfly keyboard. (I also have a 16" MBP with the magic keyboard.) Having two ports is much more convenient than the one on the MB. Plus they are both Thunderbolt3 (compared to the USB one on the MB) which is nice. I can also use the TB3 accessories that I already have with my MBP.

Overall I'm very happy with my switch. I've been using the MBA more than my 16" MBP lately, which is something that didn't happen with my previous MB. I have no problems carrying it around in my messenger bag.

With the new Apple silicon macs coming, it might be best to wait although Apple first gen. products are not usually the best. They might also drop the price of the current models if that happens. Then again if you can find a good deal on a current model it might be a good buy. I'd say definitely try it out first hand if you can.

That was thorough and helpful: thank you! Happy that you've had such a positive experience.

 

[happy orchard]

We recently went from a 2016 MB (m5/8/512) to a 2020 i5 MBA (8/512). This was for my wife's machine.

She loves the extra screen size and thought she wouldn't get used to the laptop size, but she has no problems with it after a couple of months.

Of course, the MB was silent. The MBA we have is silent for the most part (latest version of Catalina); however, fans do spin up with MS Teams and Zoom meetings. Sometimes using Figma with Chrome will get the fans going too. But really this hasn't been an issue except for one or two times.

I wanted the i5 for her because it has the better GPU as well as the 4 cores. We have the Air connected to a 27" 4k monitor that's scaled. We also have the MBA open, so it's driving a lot of pixels. It rocks. Super, super smooth. Even better than my 2015 15" with the R9. Her machine is a dream next to mine which often sounds like a faulty radiator or a drone. I even bought some Airpods Pro to knock out the noise, but that's another story.

Anyway, I'd buy the exact same model again considering her use case. $100 was very little for such a huge step up in performance. She only has 8GB of ram, but that's fine for her usage. We didn't modify anything inside either (no shims). The MB couldn't handle a 4k monitor at all and even a 1080p seemed to stutter sometimes. The Air is amazing with 4k. Also, it plays 4k video files smoothly.

Initially, we planned to wait and upgrade to Apple Silicon, but there was only 1 year left on the keyboard warranty and the keyboard was starting to have problems. I had had 4 of the MBs over the years and it seemed to be 50/50 for keyboard issues, which was a shame because I liked the butterfly keyboard. Also, I think it makes sense to wait for the Apple Silicon to be out for a year and then get V2 when the kinks get ironed out. I had a 2015 MB and it was incredibly slow GPU-wise. It really couldn't handle an external monitor very well and that was frustrating.

Hope that helps

edited to show my MB version

It does help: thanks! I use a lot of RAM so I was wondering if that might kick in the fan more. I've had Apple laptops that have fans and have never loved them. But I'm curious as technology advances if the hardware has a higher threshold before it needs a fan.

 

[happy orchard]

The 2020 MBA is gonna be a lot heavier and (I'd imagine quite a bit) faster than your MB, and it's going to have a keyboard with more key travel and a better web cam. TouchID is very nice to have.

I picked one up earlier this year (i5 processor) and while it's a nice machine, I'm surprised sometimes at how fast it isn't and how often it bogs down when I have work and personal user accounts both running. I suppose I'm to blame for getting 8GB RAM instead of 16. I also suspect the general suckiness of Catalina might have something to do with it.

Hmm, I'm a big fan of more RAM, too. I've gone less RAM before and vowed to never go low again! Also, it's funny how just a bit more weight can feel so much heavier. 'funny' might be the wrong word when we're actually experiencing it though.

 

[ascender]

I've been using my wife's 2020 Air for the last week or so and as much as I love the 12" MacBook, the keyboard, touchid, the larger screen and even the two ports make this a very nice machine. Its not a direct replacement by any means, but if you're looking for a relatively lightweight Mac laptop, I'd find it hard to justify buying a 12" just now when you can get an Air for £999.

I really hope there's a new ultra-portable 12" MacBook with the sort of specs we find in the iPad Pros. FaceID, nice fast processor, two ports, no fan... that would be a great machine.

In terms of weight, the 12" MacBook was the only recent Mac laptop that you could genuinely put in your bag and not even realise its there. There's just nothing like that in the current range, although its all relative and the Air is still a pretty light machine all things considered.

 

[smbu2000]

This year I went from 2017 MB (i5/8/512) to a 2020 i5 MBA (8/512) for a week. Went back to the MB.

MBA - Positive
Better screen
Bigger screen!
Bit faster
Better camera

MB - Positive
Better size
Less weight
No Fan
No need for tough id

The number one reason for going back to the MB was the lack of a fan. Quiet computing is something I don't want to go without.
My MB has the same (newer) keyboard, so no change there.

Are you sure that you used a 2020 MBA? The 2020 MBA uses the magic keyboard which is not the same as the butterfly keyboard in the MB. The 2018 and 2019 MBA also used the butterfly keyboard, but that was changed for the 2020 MBA.

After using the magic keyboard, I found it hard to go back to using the butterfly keyboard on MB.

 

[2984839]

I have a 2017 MacBook and a 2018 Air, and the 12" MacBook is better than the Air in every way except performance, and that is very marginal. It's really only noticeable when running VMs. The MB is much lighter, quieter, cooler, cheaper, and I prefer the keyboard too, though the new non-butterfly keyboards would be better than both.

 

[OliveroNYC]

Are you sure that you used a 2020 MBA? The 2020 MBA uses the magic keyboard which is not the same as the butterfly keyboard in the MB. The 2018 and 2019 MBA also used the butterfly keyboard, but that was changed for the 2020 MBA.

After using the magic keyboard, I found it hard to go back to using the butterfly keyboard on MB.

My MB keyboard was replaced in early 2020 as some of the keys were sticking. I agree it is much better.