MBA i5/16GB RAM/512 GB SSD or MBP 13" i5 (8th Gen)/16 GB RAM/512 GB SSD?

[spamaka]

Hello all,

I currently have a 2016 MacBook 12" with 8GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD. While the MacBook is ok for most personal tasks (email, web browsing, YouTube, an iMovie project once in a while, etc.), it's not great for Work from Home. Work is Windows-based so I run a VM on a MacBook using VMWare Fusion so I could use Windows-specific software and I split the 8GB memory between the Mac and the VM. For work, I have to analyze very large datasets. The MacBook gets very hot and the VM experience is slow and laggy. I've had to boot up in Windows with Bootcamp most of the time so all the computer's resources are available; doing this makes the MacBook more usable but not great once I'm working on data sets. I would prefer to do Mac with VM though (it's weird seeing a Windows boot up logo on my Mac ) which is why I am thinking of upgrading to a new laptop.

I want to have 16 GB of RAM to future-proof the laptop and hopefully make things faster as well as 512 GB for the SSD which I'm thinking of splitting between Mac and Windows. I think an i5 would be good enough; I don't think I need an i7. So given that, I priced a MacBook Air i5/16 GB RAM/512 SSD and a MacBook Pro 13" i5 (8th Gen)/16 GB RAM/512 SSD; the difference is only about $100 (I have access to .edu pricing). I was looking at the higher end MBP 13" with i5 (10th Gen) but that's another $300 which I don't really want to spend. Right now, I'm leaning towards the MBP config but I would like to hear what your thoughts are.

Thank you!

 

[spamaka]

Maybe my previous post was too wordy

My 2016 MacBook 12" does not do well when running a Virtual Machine (Windows) so I'm thinking of getting a new laptop and trade-in the MacBook to offset some of the cost. What would you recommend: MBA i5 (10th Gen)/16 GB RAM/512 GB SSD or MBP 13" i5 (8th Gen)/16GB/512 GB? The MBP would cost only $100 higher but would I get better performance with the i5 10th Gen in the MBA and more future-proofing?

 

[Zahni]

You get for 100$ more an MBP I5 Gen10

 

[spamaka]

You get for 100$ more an MBP I5 Gen10

With education pricing in the US, I can get the MBA configuration that I want at $1379 and the MBP at $1489. The MBP I5 10th Gen would be $1699 so $320 more than MBA and $210 more than MBP.
With taxes and Apple Care, the MBP I5 10TH Gen would be over $2000 and I've never spent that much on a computer before. Is it worth it?

 

[MSUspartn]

Too funny I am in this same buying predicament and just posted a similar thread only with 1TB vs 512,. Im starting to lean towards the macpro. My use case is less than yours (apple photos mostly and word processing) but I am somewhat future-proofing since I don't buy a computer often. (Coming from a 2009 MBP, lol) Seems like the MacPro may last longer since its faster even though the chip is older. Would love to hear what you decide.

Screen seems to be better to vs the air. and even though the air has newer memory the pro should go faster.

 

[spamaka]

@MSUspartn LOL, we do have the same predicament! Like you, I am leaning towards the MBP i5 8th Gen. I've never had a "pro" laptop (had a white iBook, then 11" MacAir, and now 12"Macbook) but working from home is pushing me to the MBP. I was (am?) going back and forth because while MBP is just slightly pricier at the specs I want, it has older I5 and slower memory than MBA. Even though most articles I've read or reviews I watched seem to point to MBP as the better machine anyway, my inner voice is doing the "but you're spending more for older tech" message LOL.

I'll probably read/watch more reviews so I can rationalize the MBP with my brain LOL. And if I go MBP, my 4-6 year laptop cycle might be as long as yours

 

[1215799]

Hello, I'm in the same situation, I have an AIR 2020 i5/8GB/256GB which is on the way, but now I'm think of returning it and purchase the Macbook Pro 2020 base 8th. gen i5/8GB or 16GB with 256GB instead.
I have read so many negative comments about the Air regarding heat issues, but at the same time I just feel pying a higher price for an 8th. gen is just how should I say a bit strange (I don't consider the 10th gen. PRO because it's ridiculous expensive).

 

[LFC2020]

Hello, I'm in the same situation, I have an AIR 2020 i5/8GB/256GB which is on the way, but now I'm think of returning it and purchase the Macbook Pro 2020 base 8th. gen i5/8GB or 16GB with 256GB instead.
I have read so many negative comments about the Air regarding heat issues, but at the same time I just feel pying a higher price for an 8th. gen is just how should I say a bit strange (I don't consider the 10th gen. PRO because it's ridiculous expensive).

Apart from the updated graphics card in the 10th gen models, the price isn’t worth it for that little bit extra cpu gains over the 8th gen.

I’d spend that little bit extra on the base pro for the better screen and better thermals, instead of the air.

Might as well get the 16 gig ram option since it’s cheaper on the base model pros.

 

[1215799]

yeah I guess i will send the AIR 2020 back and get the base Pro 2020 with 16GB Ram

 

[oghowie]

Max Tech is supposed to have a video on this comparison this weekend. I returned my I5 16gb MBA and just received the base MBP.

 

[leminhhien]

@MSUspartn LOL, we do have the same predicament! Like you, I am leaning towards the MBP i5 8th Gen. I've never had a "pro" laptop (had a white iBook, then 11" MacAir, and now 12"Macbook) but working from home is pushing me to the MBP. I was (am?) going back and forth because while MBP is just slightly pricier at the specs I want, it has older I5 and slower memory than MBA. Even though most articles I've read or reviews I watched seem to point to MBP as the better machine anyway, my inner voice is doing the "but you're spending more for older tech" message LOL.

I'll probably read/watch more reviews so I can rationalize the MBP with my brain LOL. And if I go MBP, my 4-6 year laptop cycle might be as long as yours

As I have known by far, although the 8th gen MBP doesn't have an up-to-date specs but its performance is far better than the MBA.

 

[1215799]

well looks like I'm going to return the AIR 2020 wthout even opening it, because it would give me a bad feeling always to know that the CPU will be running at 100C in basic tasks and the fan noise.
I will get the base PRO 2020 i5 8th gen. / 256GB / 16GB and tend to silver color

Here is a comparison bewteen the base 2019 PRO 13 and the new base 2020 PRO 13 by Luke Miani

 

[1215799]

Max Tech is supposed to have a video on this comparison this weekend. I returned my I5 16gb MBA and just received the base MBP.

 

[oghowie]

In summary, if you care about performance at all get the MBP. If you're not getting the base MBA, get the MBP instead.

I'm glad I returned the MBA. The MBP already feels a little faster, but that's probably due to the faster SSD.

 

[MSUspartn]

In summary, if you care about performance at all get the MBP. If you're not getting the base MBA, get the MBP instead.

I'm glad I returned the MBA. The MBP already feels a little faster, but that's probably due to the faster SSD.

Great video. Thank you for posting. I think it’s decided. Ordering the 13 mbp 16gb and 1tb. Seems like a better computer overall than the air and something that will last longer from a performance perspective.

 

[KPOM]

Hello all,

I currently have a 2016 MacBook 12" with 8GB of RAM and 512 GB SSD. While the MacBook is ok for most personal tasks (email, web browsing, YouTube, an iMovie project once in a while, etc.), it's not great for Work from Home. Work is Windows-based so I run a VM on a MacBook using VMWare Fusion so I could use Windows-specific software and I split the 8GB memory between the Mac and the VM. For work, I have to analyze very large datasets. The MacBook gets very hot and the VM experience is slow and laggy. I've had to boot up in Windows with Bootcamp most of the time so all the computer's resources are available; doing this makes the MacBook more usable but not great once I'm working on data sets. I would prefer to do Mac with VM though (it's weird seeing a Windows boot up logo on my Mac ) which is why I am thinking of upgrading to a new laptop.

I want to have 16 GB of RAM to future-proof the laptop and hopefully make things faster as well as 512 GB for the SSD which I'm thinking of splitting between Mac and Windows. I think an i5 would be good enough; I don't think I need an i7. So given that, I priced a MacBook Air i5/16 GB RAM/512 SSD and a MacBook Pro 13" i5 (8th Gen)/16 GB RAM/512 SSD; the difference is only about $100 (I have access to .edu pricing). I was looking at the higher end MBP 13" with i5 (10th Gen) but that's another $300 which I don't really want to spend. Right now, I'm leaning towards the MBP config but I would like to hear what your thoughts are.

Thank you!

If you are using a virtual machine, I’d go with the MacBook Pro. Even though it has only the 8th gen processor, it will be better for a VM since its CPU has more power. That said, for another $200 you can get the 10th gen i5/16/512 model. I’d consider that, as well.
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With education pricing in the US, I can get the MBA configuration that I want at $1379 and the MBP at $1489. The MBP I5 10th Gen would be $1699 so $320 more than MBA and $210 more than MBP.
With taxes and Apple Care, the MBP I5 10TH Gen would be over $2000 and I've never spent that much on a computer before. Is it worth it?

I think it is. I also have the 2017 12” MacBook, and while it’s still my favorite (especially when we can travel again), I figure that the Ice Lake (10th gen) Pro is worth it. If I’m going to put up with the extra weight, I might as well “max out” the performance. The 8th gen has a really quick CPU that holds its own against the 10th gen, but also consider that the extra money gets you 2 additional ports (and the convenience of being able to plug in on either side), a better speaker, and better graphics.

 

[Billiejoe87]

I returned my i5 MacBook Air 2020 for the Base Model MacBook Pro with 512GB Hard Drive and 16GB Ram. Literally $150 AUD difference between the Pro and the Air when getting 16GB ram and the 512GB Hard Drive.

I keep seeing reviewers suggesting to skip the base MacBook Pro for the 10th Gen model, but in Australia the difference in price is $550 more for the same size hard drive and Ram between the two Macbook Pro's. Is it really worth such a price premium? It seems like the Base MacBook Pro still has good performance.

 

[leminhhien]

I returned my i5 MacBook Air 2020 for the Base Model MacBook Pro with 512GB Hard Drive and 16GB Ram. Literally $150 AUD difference between the Pro and the Air when getting 16GB ram and the 512GB Hard Drive.

I keep seeing reviewers suggesting to skip the base MacBook Pro for the 10th Gen model, but in Australia the difference in price is $550 more for the same size hard drive and Ram between the two Macbook Pro's. Is it really worth such a price premium? It seems like the Base MacBook Pro still has good performance.

I also had such thinking while considering whether to save 500$ or go for higher base 10th gen CPU for my current work or not... and after lots of reviews and researches, I have gone for 1799$ base version.
With 500$, I/we will have below boost when comparing to the 8th gen version:
- higher (16%) CPU performance
- higher (70%) GPU perfomarnce
- higher (30%?!) SSD performace
- higher RAM performance
- higher sound performace (more 2 basses so its sound is louder)
- dual fan (8th gen is 1 fan)
...

 

[Billiejoe87]

With 500$, I/we will have below boost when comparing to the 8th gen version:
- higher (16%) CPU performance
- higher (70%) GPU perfomarnce
- higher (30%?!) SSD performace
- higher RAM performance
- higher sound performace (more 2 basses so its sound is louder)
- dual fan (8th gen is 1 fan)

It is clear the upper MacBook Pro is an all round better machine, but outside of the sound, I don't know that any normal user would notice the difference unless their game ran a little better. It's not hard to notice the difference between the Air and Pro when the air can't play a 4K Youtube video or run chrome without the fans ramping up and the video stuttering. I am also finding the brightness limiting on the Air as I don't have fantastic eye sight. I doubt this will be a problem on any model of MacBook Pro.

The SSD isn't necessarily better when comparing 512GB models as the reviewers themselves are saying they are comparing the 256GB Base MacBook Pro and 512GB Upper MacBook Pro. The larger hard drive option on the base MacBook Pro may make the results much closer.

If the MacBook Pro upgrade between models actually represented the exchange rate difference the same way upgrading ram does in the MacBook Pro, and it was about $300 - $350 difference between the two models I would upgrade to the upper model. At $550 it just seems to be a ripoff in Australia.

Of course if you have very pro level requirements then you may need the upgrade regardless.

 

[mbaire]

I returned my i5 MacBook Air 2020 for the Base Model MacBook Pro with 512GB Hard Drive and 16GB Ram. Literally $150 AUD difference between the Pro and the Air when getting 16GB ram and the 512GB Hard Drive.

I keep seeing reviewers suggesting to skip the base MacBook Pro for the 10th Gen model, but in Australia the difference in price is $550 more for the same size hard drive and Ram between the two Macbook Pro's. Is it really worth such a price premium? It seems like the Base MacBook Pro still has good performance.

same here in europe
I was waiting for the release of the new MBP, and I was a little disappointed with the non-update, especially regarding the frequency of RAM, after all the i5-8257U processor was released in Q3-2019 (no it's from the Pleistocene era) and it performs very well from the tests I've seen, it doesn't deflate like the 10th gen in the MBA
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... and now I doubt whether to buy it already (i5/256/16) or wait to avoid falling into the apple trap, I'm afraid that in autumn or at the end of the year they will launch the really update (and I'm not referring to the 14 ”screen)

 

[mbaire]

Do you think there will be a noticeable difference in speed when opening applications between the 10th gen processor (MBA i.e.) compared to the MBP base (8th gen)?

 

[leminhhien]

Do you think there will be a noticeable difference in speed when opening applications between the 10th gen processor (MBA i.e.) compared to the MBP base (8th gen)?

it depends, of course.
with some basic tasks, I think you cannot notice the difference but with pro that needs immediate response from the machine, MBP may be the better one.

 

[spamaka]

If you are using a virtual machine, I’d go with the MacBook Pro. Even though it has only the 8th gen processor, it will be better for a VM since its CPU has more power. That said, for another $200 you can get the 10th gen i5/16/512 model. I’d consider that, as well.
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I think it is. I also have the 2017 12” MacBook, and while it’s still my favorite (especially when we can travel again), I figure that the Ice Lake (10th gen) Pro is worth it. If I’m going to put up with the extra weight, I might as well “max out” the performance. The 8th gen has a really quick CPU that holds its own against the 10th gen, but also consider that the extra money gets you 2 additional ports (and the convenience of being able to plug in on either side), a better speaker, and better graphics.

Thanks for your feedback @KPOM ! Between the MBA and MBP, I have decided with the MBP after reading everybody's comments here and the other youtube comparisons that came out this weekend. As you said though, why not go the with the 10th gen instead of the 8th gen? That part is undecided. Ideally I would get the 10th gen but financial prudence is telling me that the 8th gen would be good enough. Are you getting the 10th gen to replace your 12" MacBook?

 

[KPOM]

Thanks for your feedback @KPOM ! Between the MBA and MBP, I have decided with the MBP after reading everybody's comments here and the other youtube comparisons that came out this weekend. As you said though, why not go the with the 10th gen instead of the 8th gen? That part is undecided. Ideally I would get the 10th gen but financial prudence is telling me that the 8th gen would be good enough. Are you getting the 10th gen to replace your 12" MacBook?

It will be in addition to the 12” MacBook.

 

[magbarn]

I too have a 2016 MB 12 m5 model that was getting way too slow for me. Originally got a 2020 i7 MBA to replace it, but I wasn't satisfied with performance (particularly the CPU and SSD - I do photography so the slower SSD is noticeable vs my 2019 MBP 16.) so I returned it and got a 10th gen MBP 13. Man, it's FAST, feels about as fast as my MBP 16 in regular tasks and is just slight slower than the 8 core i9 MBP 16 in Lightroom export. It's closer to the performance of the MBP 16 than it is to the 2020 MBA i7 when running Lightroom.