Pre-purchase questions- please help

[Jays1022]

Hey everyone.. I’m new to macrumors and I would like some insights and opinions. Any would be appreciated! Since I’ve decided to wait till BTS promo to get anything, I’ve been having some time to look into more stuff.
So... im torn between 2 choices.

For context: I am a grad student. I use chrome for most things because our school uses chrome as a platform for certain extensions. I usually have 15-20 tabs open for articles. At the same time, I might have MS office and YouTube open.

I’m upgrading from a 2013 4GB RAM MacBook Pro- chrome just keeps crashing. As you can see, I’m looking for something to keep for the next 5-7 years. Or one that has better resell value if Apple comes out with ARMs next couple of years.

I can’t say I’m a pro user because I don’t do any hard core editing- just chrome. I’m worried about air’s thermals but I’ve seen posts that say it’s okay...but chrome???
I’ve been eyeing the iPad Pro as well because I want to do some art and just use it for leisure. I thought maybe just getting air with iPad would be nice since I can just keep air as a writing utensil and pro as leisure/YouTube/Netflix machine With p3.

Basically, My choices are:
- MBP 8th gen i5/16/256
- MBA i5/16/256 + iPad Pro 128Gb.
Which one should I get? Please help....

 

[cmaier]

Hey everyone.. I’m new to macrumors and I would like some insights and opinions. Any would be appreciated! Since I’ve decided to wait till BTS promo to get anything, I’ve been having some time to look into more stuff.
So... im torn between 2 choices.

For context: I am a grad student. I use chrome for most things because our school uses chrome as a platform for certain extensions. I usually have 15-20 tabs open for articles. At the same time, I might have MS office and YouTube open.

I’m upgrading from a 2013 4GB RAM MacBook Pro- chrome just keeps crashing. As you can see, I’m looking for something to keep for the next 5-7 years. Or one that has better resell value if Apple comes out with ARMs next couple of years.

I can’t say I’m a pro user because I don’t do any hard core editing- just chrome. I’m worried about air’s thermals but I’ve seen posts that say it’s okay...but chrome???
I’ve been eyeing the iPad Pro as well because I want to do some art and just use it for leisure. I thought maybe just getting air with iPad would be nice since I can just keep air as a writing utensil and pro as leisure/YouTube/Netflix machine With p3.

Basically, My choices are:
- MBP 8th gen i5/16/256
- MBA i5/16/256 + iPad Pro 128Gb.
Which one should I get? Please help....

if you want to keep it 5-7 years you are much better off with the MBP. The MBA will feel very long in the tooth in 5 years.

 

[Jays1022]

if you want to keep it 5-7 years you are much better off with the MBP. The MBA will feel very long in the tooth in 5 years.

I’m also debating about this. I’m worried if I get the air, and new ARM air machine will come out next year and the value of my air depreciates. The MBP is quite troubling too as it’s an 8th gen chip- I know the chip won’t matter much in performance now, but it’s the resale value I’m worried about. What do you think?

 

[JPack]

Get the minimum hardware that you need for the next 2-3 years. Beyond that period, the ARM transition will likely be complete and macOS for x86 is in doubt. Now is not the time to be buying 16GB of RAM.

 

[Jays1022]

Get the minimum hardware that you need for the next 2-3 years. Beyond that period, the ARM transition will likely be complete and macOS for x86 is in doubt. Now is not the time to be buying 16GB of RAM.

yeah...I think that’s smart. Which one do you think I should get? Air or Pro for now?

 

[JPack]

yeah...I think that’s smart. Which one do you think I should get? Air or Pro for now?

To me, the MacBook Air only makes sense with the i3. It's too thermally limited to take advantage of the i5. If you need quad-core, get the base i5 MacBook Pro.

 

[cmaier]

yeah...I think that’s smart. Which one do you think I should get? Air or Pro for now?

Given your usage, I’d go with air as long as you are willing to buy something new in a few years.

 

[Jays1022]

Given your usage, I’d go with air as long as you are willing to buy something new in a few years.

I think I will get soemthing new when arm is stable for acouple of years. 3-4 maybe? What specs should I get?
[automerge]1591855999[/automerge]

To me, the MacBook Air only makes sense with the i3. It's too thermally limited to take advantage of the i5. If you need quad-core, get the base i5 MacBook Pro.

So i3/8gb/256? The base air?

 

[Blueberry123]

If you do buy the air, buy from a retailer that allows you to return it, just in case it does not perform well after your testing. I have not yet read on these forums they are using multiple tabs on chrome on a 2020 MBA. Maybe an owner can test and answer for you?

Chrome uses more power and memory than using Safari. The MBA review at androidauthority - "I found the laptop slowed down once I opened more than 10 tabs on Chrome. Safari is better optimized for macOS so I bit the bullet and switched. Problem solved! Now I can open upwards of 20 tabs without issue".

I use multiple tabs 10-15 with chrome on a 8gb 2013 MBA without problem for the last 7 years. Although this has an intel u series 15 watt cpu together with a heat pipe, ie. an active cooling system, compared to the lower watt cpu and passive cooling system on the 2020 MBA. So I would expect using chrome, you would experience more fan noise and heat using the MBA, compared to the 2020 base 8th gen MBP.

Some users in the MBP forum have said they switched from 2020 MBA to 2020 base MBP and now have no issues using chrome. You need to test the MBA yourself and the websites you use, because everyones personal use case is different. The MBA may work fine for you. Equally you may need the base MBP for your workload.

8gb is good for today, but if you are looking long term 5+yrs, then consider 16gb for multiple chrome tabs and other apps. The transition to ARM is another consideration and a new purchase may only receive limited support and updates. Good luck!

 

[Jays1022]

If you do buy the air, buy from a retailer that allows you to return it, just in case it does not perform well after your testing. I have not yet read on these forums they are using multiple tabs on chrome on a 2020 MBA. Maybe an owner can test and answer for you?

Chrome uses more power and memory than using Safari. The MBA review at androidauthority - "I found the laptop slowed down once I opened more than 10 tabs on Chrome. Safari is better optimized for macOS so I bit the bullet and switched. Problem solved! Now I can open upwards of 20 tabs without issue".

I use multiple tabs 10-15 with chrome on a 8gb 2013 MBA without problem for the last 7 years. Although this has an intel u series 15 watt cpu together with a heat pipe, ie. an active cooling system, compared to the lower watt cpu and passive cooling system on the 2020 MBA. So I would expect using chrome, you would experience more fan noise and heat using the MBA, compared to the 2020 base 8th gen MBP.

Some users in the MBP forum have said they switched from 2020 MBA to 2020 base MBP and now have no issues using chrome. You need to test the MBA yourself and the websites you use, because everyones personal use case is different. The MBA may work fine for you. Equally you may need the base MBP for your workload.

8gb is good for today, but if you are looking long term 5+yrs, then consider 16gb for multiple chrome tabs and other apps. The transition to ARM is another consideration and a new purchase may only receive limited support and updates. Good luck!

I understand. I’m just hoping if I do get 8GB, I’m able to use it for aleast 3 years for ARM to be intergrated completely. I want to choose air and ipad because of price and also I can divide my work load. Air for just school work, ipad for content creation and movies?

 

[jlc1978]

How do you anticipate your needs changing in 5-7 years? If you see yourself using the mac pretty much the same way than any machine that meets your needs today will in the future. The only issue is how liong Apple supports a Mac in terms on OS updates, but any Mac bought today is likely to EOL at about the same time so it's not a big issue; especially if the machine still meets yoiur needs without the update.

Now, if you see your needs changng significantly and more power will be needed, then go for a more capable MBP.

As for content creation and movies, if the Air can't do it I doubt an iPad will be much better. What you need to do is pick some use cases and then see how various choices perform.

So far, you've identified:

• Using Chrome with multiple tabs
• Content creation (what type?)
• Movies (Watching? Making?)

In the end, decide on a budget and needs, then buy what fits your budget and needs.

 

[Jays1022]

How do you anticipate your needs changing in 5-7 years? If you see yourself using the mac pretty much the same way than any machine that meets your needs today will in the future. The only issue is how liong Apple supports a Mac in terms on OS updates, but any Mac bought today is likely to EOL at about the same time so it's not a big issue; especially if the machine still meets yoiur needs without the update.

Now, if you see your needs changng significantly and more power will be needed, then go for a more capable MBP.

As for content creation and movies, if the Air can't do it I doubt an iPad will be much better. What you need to do is pick some use cases and then see how various choices perform.

So far, you've identified:

• Using Chrome with multiple tabs
• Content creation (what type?)
• Movies (Watching? Making?)

In the end, decide on a budget and needs, then buy what fits your budget and needs.

I have a desk top already that’s windows. It mainly used for gaming so I need one that’s portable for school and if I do research papers I can just bring a laptop to the library. I meant content creation as in just art and drawing lol. Movies as in Netflix and YouTube really.

 

[JPack]

So i3/8gb/256? The base air?

Yes, that would be my suggestion. If you have an immediate need for quad-core, like hosting large Zoom meetings or doing 4K video editing, then get the base model MacBook Pro.

Whatever you buy, don't try to future-proof for tomorrow by buying more than what you need today. The software support simply isn't expected to be there in 5-7 years. Perhaps I'll be proven wrong on June 22, but historically, Apple has never taken half-measures. If they intend to make the ARM transition, it won't be any longer than what's necessary.

 

[Jays1022]

Yes, that would be my suggestion. If you have an immediate need for quad-core, like hosting large Zoom meetings or doing 4K video editing, then get the base model MacBook Pro.

Whatever you buy, don't try to future-proof for tomorrow by buying more than what you need today. The software support simply isn't expected to be there in 5-7 years. Perhaps I'll be proven wrong on June 22, but historically, Apple has never taken half-measures. If they intend to make the ARM transition, it won't be any longer than what's necessary.

I think your right. For an i3, I just hope it will work with Chrome well and won’t burn me when I put it on my lap lol. Hopefully the new update is doing well for MBAs. I do want to get something abit better for resale purposes tho. To my understanding, MBAs aren’t as good for resale. So for a 1000 dollar MBA I’m hoping to sell it for atleast half the price in about 2-3 years? Lol. I don’t know if it’s possible.

 

[jlc1978]

I think your right. For an i3, I just hope it will work with Chrome well and won’t burn me when I put it on my lap lol. Hopefully the new update is doing well for MBAs.

I'd go to an Apple store and play with an Air for a while to see how it handles Chrome.

I do want to get something abit better for resale purposes tho. To my understanding, MBAs aren’t as good for resale. So for a 1000 dollar MBA I’m hoping to sell it for atleast half the price in about 2-3 years? Lol. I don’t know if it’s possible.

I would not worry about resale, given Apple appears to being going to ARM. You can look at what Apple offers as trade in on a 2 - 3 year old MBA to get an indication of what one might be worth at the low end using those prices to calculate depreciation. There are other companies that buy used MBAs that could also give you an idea of the depreciation.

 

[Jays1022]

I'd go to an Apple store and play with an Air for a while to see how it handles Chrome.



I would not worry about resale, given Apple appears to being going to ARM. You can look at what Apple offers as trade in on a 2 - 3 year old MBA to get an indication of what one might be worth at the low end using those prices to calculate depreciation. There are other companies that buy used MBAs that could also give you an idea of the depreciation.

Unfortunately, I can't go to apple because of the pandemic and loooooooong line ups. sigh. I did just order the i5/16 to try out. I forgot to add apple care and apparently, there is no education discount for it if I pay later. sigh. Anywho, I might try it out first and see. If it doesn't hold up to my usage, ill go and get a MacBook pro base model with no upgrade. Since im sellinh it in the coming 3-4 years, 8gb ram would be enough for now. base model pro is around the same price as the air config so and I believe it'll be easier to sell too? maybe? lol.

 

[ajaan]

I have the i5/16/256 Air. Similar to your use except I use G Suite for Business at work. Usually, too many tabs and apps open. Instead of Chrome, I use Brave, which is built on Chrome, but better for privacy, and all the Chrome store extensions work fine. Every is fast, works fine, and with Brave I haven't noticed a particularly big battery drain. Also use MS Office and so on at the same time. Also do all my grad school work on it with ease. None of this strains the Air in the slightest.

Went for the i5 because it's a $100 upgrade, and it's not just a CPU upgrade, the GPU is also upgraded from the Iris Pro G4 to the Iris Pro G7, which is the same as in the 1799 more expensive Pro. I wanted all the help I could get for a 4K external display.

Coming from the 2019 base Pro, which is pretty much the same spec as the 2020 base Pro, there's no contest. I find the Air superior in every way. Quieter, fans spin up less, lighter, cooler better battery, much better speakers, faster, and better overall spec too. Just a more enjoyable total package. For the same piece as the base Pro, I get better GPU, Double RAM (and faster), and 10th gen over 8th gen Intel chip.

2019 base Pro was the worst and hottest Apple computer I've bought for a long time. The 2015 Pro we still have is better and handles grad school stuff better too (SPSS for stats, Office, bibliographies, too many thing open etc).

 

[Jays1022]

I have the i5/16/256 Air. Similar to your use except I use G Suite for Business at work. Usually, too many tabs and apps open. Instead of Chrome, I use Brave, which is built on Chrome, but better for privacy, and all the Chrome store extensions work fine. Every is fast, works fine, and with Brave I haven't noticed a particularly big battery drain. Also use MS Office and so on at the same time. Also do all my grad school work on it with ease. None of this strains the Air in the slightest.

Went for the i5 because it's a $100 upgrade, and it's not just a CPU upgrade, the GPU is also upgraded from the Iris Pro G4 to the Iris Pro G7, which is the same as in the 1799 more expensive Pro. I wanted all the help I could get for a 4K external display.

Coming from the 2019 base Pro, which is pretty much the same spec as the 2020 base Pro, there's no contest. I find the Air superior in every way. Quieter, fans spin up less, lighter, cooler better battery, much better speakers, faster, and better overall spec too. Just a more enjoyable total package. For the same piece as the base Pro, I get better GPU, Double RAM (and faster), and 10th gen over 8th gen Intel chip.

2019 base Pro was the worst and hottest Apple computer I've bought for a long time. The 2015 Pro we still have is better and handles grad school stuff better too (SPSS for stats, Office, bibliographies, too many thing open etc).

It seems that there are good machines and lemons lol. Some people get really bad temps that it’s scary. However, it seems like the newer batch of machines are functioning abit better and less temp issues. I really want to enjoy the air. Got the gold too.

 

[sundialsoft]

I don't use Chrome. I'm finding the i5 MBA 2020 to be an excellent machine. I'm not financially hampered and have owned a 15" MBP in the past. Having watched all the review videos they all ran benchmarks to get the MBA to cook which is kinda unfair. The initial reviews of the MBP 2020 indicate it's mainly just the keyboard that's improved.

I suggest you find out if the 2020 MBP performs ok with chrome and get enough ram and ssd cause it's not upgradable.

 

[Jays1022]

I suggest you find out if the 2020 MBP performs ok with chrome and get enough ram and ssd cause it's not upgradable.

You mean 2020 MBA? I’ve ordered it yes. Going to try it out when it arrives July lol.

 

[sundialsoft]

You mean 2020 MBA? I’ve ordered it yes. Going to try it out when it arrives July lol.

Nope, I suggested the MBP because the MBA is known to be poor with chrome. I use Safari with my MBA and it's a really nice machine but Chrome is not meant to be very good with several tabs open. I don't use that browser so can't confirm.

 

[ctjack]

Chrome is not meant to be very good with several tabs open.

Chrome also struggles on my dual fan dual core MBP 13. I have repasted it month ago, but still Chrome is unpredictable. Sometimes can be as normal as Safari, but a little time later you discover yourself in 85-90C CPU zone.
I had no problems on Win laptops, so i guess it is about optimization on MacOS. To be precise lack of it.

 

[ajaan]

try brave. More private, and with a fare few tabs open for numerous hours, each one with something from gsuite with business open (docs, sheets, drive etc) that I'm working on, it's fine for me

 

[ltb7]

if you want to keep it 5-7 years you are much better off with the MBP. The MBA will feel very long in the tooth in 5 years.

my 2011 MBA still running! is it just luck as it has been dropped, fallen + been around the block?!?

about to get a new one but torn between MBA + MBP, leaning toward MBA since it's been great for a decade but current reports of heating are not helping my decision - what to do?