MBA i5 vs i7 - Will I notice the difference?

[mbeckman03]

Hi,

I have decided on purchasing a MBA with 8GB of memory and 256 GB SSD.

With that said, I am hoping to get some advice on the processor.

My main use of the computer will be:
- Photo and Video storage and editing
- Multiple programs open at the same time
- Streaming to Apple TV
- Average downloading and streaming

I know the i7 is about 15% faster but is that 15% truly noticeable?

I do plan on having this computer for about 4 years.

Thanks in advance!

 

[GGJstudios]

My main use of the computer will be:
- Photo and Video storage and editing
- Multiple programs open at the same time
- Streaming to Apple TV
- Average downloading and streaming

I know the i7 is about 15% faster but is that 15% truly noticeable?

Based on the usage you describe, it's unlikely you'd notice much of a difference, if any, between the i5 and the i7. RAM will impact that usage more than a faster processor will.

 

[jksu]

Hi,

I have decided on purchasing a MBA with 8GB of memory and 256 GB SSD.

With that said, I am hoping to get some advice on the processor.

My main use of the computer will be:
- Photo and Video storage and editing
- Multiple programs open at the same time
- Streaming to Apple TV
- Average downloading and streaming

I know the i7 is about 15% faster but is that 15% truly noticeable?

I do plan on having this computer for about 4 years.

Thanks in advance!

i originally went i5 but for none other than the geek bench results that showed an impressive jump with the 11" i7, i decided to just spring for the i7 to future proof the computer a bit more....

if you're pinching pennies, the i5 is surely the better deal for non-cpu intensive day to day work.

 

[mikeytrend]

Would anyone recomend the i7 over the i5 for VMWare and compiling code? I'm looking at getting the higher end 11" MBA and upgrading the RAM for sure, but I'm on the fence about the i7.

 

[snapper64]

Would anyone recomend the i7 over the i5 for VMWare and compiling code? I'm looking at getting the higher end 11" MBA and upgrading the RAM for sure, but I'm on the fence about the i7.

As compiling code will be fairly processor intensive and the i5 on the 11" is 1.7GHz (rather than 1.8GHz on the 13") I'd recommend upgrading the CPU.

Looking at GeekBench scores the 11" i5 scores ~5700 and the i7 does much better at ~7000.

 

[mikeytrend]

As compiling code will be fairly processor intensive and the i5 on the 11" is 1.7GHz (rather than 1.8GHz on the 13") I'd recommend upgrading the CPU.

Looking at GeekBench scores the 11" i5 scores ~5700 and the i7 does much better at ~7000.

Oh wow, that is quite the jump. Looks like I'll be getting an i7 as well. Thanks for the geekbench scores!

 

[hardax]

Oh wow, that is quite the jump. Looks like I'll be getting an i7 as well. Thanks for the geekbench scores!

Don't get too hung up on he numbers. The difference between 5700 & 7000 is not going to be noticeable.

 

[Cliff3]

Would anyone recomend the i7 over the i5 for VMWare and compiling code? I'm looking at getting the higher end 11" MBA and upgrading the RAM for sure, but I'm on the fence about the i7.

My use of VMWare formed my rationale for choosing the i7. Not because of the higher clock, but rather the extra 1MB of L3 cache.

 

[Sounds Good]

When it comes to i7 vs i5...

1. How much does it affect battery life?

2. How much does it affect heat?

Thanks...