New MBA or MBP for YouTubing teacher?

[CucumberSwords]

Was waiting to see what the Pro update would bring, but it seems like you have to spend quite a bit to actually get the new processor or higher RAM.

I currently have a late 2011 MacBook Pro updated to 8gb RAM. I have been very happy with it, but it runs quite hot now and is showing much wear. It runs basic apps like a champ aside from the heat, but the screen is scratched and the spacebar has a huge divot along with the bottom screws and feet always falling out. Running things like Photos or iMovie get it chugging and struggling pretty heavy.

I originally got a MBP because I had an interest in graphic design, but I now only dabble rarely. I am a high school teacher and my main uses have been browsing and lesson planning, but I also head the yearbook & school newspaper and often run an InDesign knockoff app to design pages and newsletters. Now, with teaching remotely I have started a YouTube channel and find I enjoy it enough to want to continue making videos even when school resumes.

I don’t game and I won't be doing any sort of extensive or “professional” video editing.

The Air (16gb i5) is tempting because it is priced well and my laptop is falling apart while I have an increased remote workload. But will it be enough for my use?

I thought buying a MBP might future-proof me more, but this latest update doesn't seem like it. Unless I spring for the higher-spec, which might be silly if larger updates are coming.

An alternative would be to hang on to my current MBP and see if there's the rumored major update within the year, but again they are still rumors.

Thoughts?

 

[Steve121178]

The new MBP will 'future proof' you for a while.

 

[profcutter]

Sounds to me like the i5 MacBook Air should do the trick. Unless you want to spend 2k, the mbp really is that much of an upgrade over the air. In real life it would probably run faster as long as you sprang for the 10th gen chips because of improved cooling, but for your usage, an air would save you a bundle, and you could see if it worked for you. I imagine it would be an improvement over your current set up, not a massive investment, and I suspect that the MBP will eventually get a real revamp, since all they changed was the keyboard.

 

[maflynn]

The new MBP will 'future proof' you for a while.

future proofing is a marketing term to get you to overspend.

The MBA will be up to the task now and the future.

 

[profcutter]

On second thought, after looking at the Apple store for education, if you don’t need 1tb, you can get the base model 10th gen for 1700, it’s tempting.

 

[Steve121178]

future proofing is a marketing term to get you to overspend.

The MBA will be up to the task now and the future.

If he plans on using iMovie like he stated then the weedy CPU in the MBA will have it's work cut out in 2020 never mind in 3-5 years time.

If I was performing any work that was taxing on the CPU and wanted a machine to tide me over for 5+ years then I wouldn't be looking at the MBA.

Some friends with the new 2020 MBA are underwhelmed with the performance. And the machines inability to dissipate heat is a concern.

Just my opinion...

 

[dirteater666]

discounted base 16"
dont overlook it

 

[supertiffany]

if you will do video editing (the light video editing is a vague term, you might have different kind of light) but really if there is video editing involve just dont go with any of the Air because of its lack of cooling

 

[profcutter]

If he plans on using iMovie like he stated then the weedy CPU in the MBA will have it's work cut out in 2020 never mind in 3-5 years time.

If I was performing any work that was taxing on the CPU and wanted a machine to tide me over for 5+ years then I wouldn't be looking at the MBA.

Some friends with the new 2020 MBA are underwhelmed with the performance. And the machines inability to dissipate heat is a concern.

Just my opinion...

Which processor did your friends buy? I’m wondering if the i5 would make a real difference in that case.

 

[deeddawg]

Which processor did your friends buy? I’m wondering if the i5 would make a real difference in that case.

The MBA really isn't set up for sustained CPU compute loads. More for brief bursts then back to idling.

So my i5 2020 MBA for photo editing / culling / tweaking works great since it's quick CPU hits then idle. Occasionally sustained CPU for a couple minutes while exporting / converting a batch of images - but that's also usually time to grab another cup of coffee or whatever so less impactful.

If the video editing is gonna strain the CPU on a more continuous basis and if it's something one's gonna do regularly, then the MBP is probably going to be the better choice. I don't ever do much of anything with video so can't comment on how it handles it.

 

[jpadhiyar]

To answer your question, let's break down the futureproof point a bit further.

You are currently a teacher who dabbles with graphics, for essential work MBA is a good option. However, if you want to pursue graphic design seriously, you will need a CPU with better performance, aka MBP.

Don't decide a device based on what you need right now. Also, consider what's your plan for the future, what you want, or not want. I agree that there is a $300 price difference, and that's a significant amount of money. But if you are serious about exploring new avenues, you might recover the price eventually.

So, your futureproofing is not just limited to device sustainability; it also needs to account for your dreams, hobbies, and aspirations for the time to come.