Need help with choosing i3 w/16gb ram or i5 w/16gb ram pls...

[jackclown813]

I currently have a late 2011 i5 MBP. It's a little long in the tooth but still works well for what i use it for which is microsoft word for school work, browsing the web with multiple tabs open while running Youtube for music or iTunes. I notice my MBP's fan has been kicking on a lot as of late and my trackpad is having issues. Thus I am looking at getting a MacBook Air. I also need it for zoom for my kid's online learning. So would I be better off with an i5 with 16gb ram or would the i3 with 16gb ram do me just fine? Either of those should be faster than my late 2011 MBP. I hope I'm able to keep my future purchase as long as I've kept my 2011 MBP as well.

So my uses will be; microsoft word, browsing the internet while running youtube or iTunes, zoom for my sons elementary school distance learning, I will not play games on it and stream Netflix, Hulu and NFL Sunday ticket games.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[IngerMan]

Base 13-Inch MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air

Apple recently updated the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and the $1,299 base model remains a popular alternative to the $999 MacBook Air. To help with...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Jack Neill]

Base 13-Inch MacBook Pro vs. MacBook Air

Apple recently updated the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and the $1,299 base model remains a popular alternative to the $999 MacBook Air. To help with...

www.macrumors.com

I have been having this exact same debate in my head the last 24 hours. As of right now I am leaning towards the MBP because of the extra power. I keep Macs for years and in 2027 I will be glad I spend the few extra hundred so that macOS 22 runs better.

 

[twintin]

With the usage OP has, he will be fine even with an Air base for many years to come (had an Air 2012 base myself and now an Air 2020 base).

 

[sundialsoft]

You will have the device for several years. If you have to juggle the money get more ram and disk and stick with the base processor. If you are mostly using one app at a time then you will find the 1.3 is fine. Note that 8Gb ram is plenty for most people. My old MBA has 4Gb and worked fine for several years.
If you can afford the i5 then you will benefit but don't get that at the expense of disk.

 

[jackclown813]

Thanks for the replies and help. I am mainly using it for school work, browsing the web and occasional streaming of Nfl Sunday ticket games or youtube videos and need it for Zoom for my son's online education. I'm seriously considering the base right now because I will get it the fastest and it's cheaper but not sure if I should go 16gb ram or not?

 

[twintin]

Thanks for the replies and help. I am mainly using it for school work, browsing the web and occasional streaming of Nfl Sunday ticket games or youtube videos and need it for Zoom for my son's online education. I'm seriously considering the base right now because I will get it the fastest and it's cheaper but not sure if I should go 16gb ram or not?

Don't see anything in your usage that would indicate you need more than 8 GB (I have used 8 GB for 8 years with no issues, even with VMs). If in doubt, check your current MBP 2011 memory usage/pressure and take a pick based on that.

 

[strayts]

I don't think you need 16GB of RAM. 8GB is plenty for your uses. Even with some light photo editing thrown in, 8GB is fine.

 

[jackclown813]

Thanks for the help guys. I ended up ordering the base MBA and AppleCare a couple days ago from Apple with the education discount. I think the MBA should more than suffice for what I'm using it for which consists of streaming videos, surfing the web and office tasks.

 

[Sword86]

Please check back once you’ve got some time on. I’m interested to know what you think. S

 

[jackclown813]

Please check back once you’ve got some time on. I’m interested to know what you think. S

I've had a few days so far with usage consisting of surfing the web, streaming on Netflix and Hulu and have had no issues. I haven't heard the fans yet nor has it been hot. I'm really loving the MBA and I am glad I didn't spend an extra $100 when the base air is more than enough for me.