Replace MacBook Pro (Retina, 13", Early 2015) with MacBook Air 2020?

[pabvillar]

Hello world,

This is my first post

My wife and I travel by bicycle around the world and started to do some vlogging. Before I used iMovie to share clips with friends but now I'm using Final Cut Pro. The thing is that I don't take my computer everywhere because of weight / volume reasons.

FCP works ok in my computer although is not super smooth. I was wondering if "upgrading" it to a MBA 2020 with the i5 processor would be any difference or an iPad will be a better choice.

Feel free to see some of our videos, here is the one where we got stocked in Costa Rica during Corona virus.

Here is the screenshot of my current MBP:

Here is the description of the MBA I may trade it for:

• Retina display with True Tone
• 1.1GHz quad-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor
• Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics
• 8GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory
• 512GB SSD storage¹
• Magic Keyboard
• Touch ID
• Force Touch trackpad
• Two Thunderbolt 3 ports

Thank you!
Pablo

 

[James_C]

Hi, you should see a noticeable improvement in performance as the Air has a quad core processor rather than dual on your current MBP. FCPX is an app that will use multiple cores. Memory and SSD should be faster as well on the 2020 Air.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Hello world,

This is my first post

My wife and I travel by bicycle around the world and started to do some vlogging. Before I used iMovie to share clips with friends but now I'm using Final Cut Pro. The thing is that I don't take my computer everywhere because of weight / volume reasons.

FCP works ok in my computer although is not super smooth. I was wondering if "upgrading" it to a MBA 2020 with the i5 processor would be any difference or an iPad will be a better choice.

Feel free to see some of our videos, here is the one where we got stocked in Costa Rica during Corona virus.

Here is the screenshot of my current MBP:
View attachment 943875
Here is the description of the MBA I may trade it for:

• Retina display with True Tone
• 1.1GHz quad-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor
• Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics
• 8GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory
• 512GB SSD storage¹
• Magic Keyboard
• Touch ID
• Force Touch trackpad
• Two Thunderbolt 3 ports

Thank you!
Pablo

Final Cut Pro X isn't available (yet) for iPad, so I don't know how comparable that is. Benchmarks do suggest an improvement over your Early 2015 13" Pro on the 2020 Air with the quad-core Core i5. However, given the thermal issues on the 2020 MacBook Air, I wouldn't recommend getting it. There's a whole stickied thread on these forums for people who have modded the thermal system of the 2020 MacBook Air because what it comes with stock really is insufficient.

That said, you will very likely find that the 2020 13" MacBook Pros are still lighter than what you're used to from the Early 2015 13" MacBook Pro. The 2-port version will still be way faster than what you have, but I'd honestly, go with the four-port model if possible. That will get you the best overall improvement.

Though, what you probably want to do is (a) hold onto your 2015 13" Pro (because it's still a fantastic computer and the last portable Mac with USB-A and many other convenient amenities) and (b) wait for Apple Silicon Macs to arrive. The MacBook Air and 13" MacBook Pro are rumored to be among the very first Macs to make the jump.

 

[James_C]

However, given the thermal issues on the 2020 MacBook Air, I wouldn't recommend getting it. There's a whole stickied thread on these forums for people who have modded the thermal system of the 2020 MacBook Air because what it comes with stock really is insufficient.

True, there are a number of people that are experiencing heat problems with the new MacBook Air. However the i7 Chip is the primary cause. There are people who have the i7 and running FCP X without a problem. The OP should be OK with the i5. In any case it it is a problem he can always return it.

However I agree that if he can wait hopefully we will see an Apple Silicon Air or 13" Pro before the end of the year.

 

[Yebubbleman]

True, there are a number of people that are experiencing heat problems with the new MacBook Air. However the i7 Chip is the primary cause. There are people who have the i7 and running FCP X without a problem. The OP should be OK with the i5. In any case it it is a problem he can always return it.

However I agree that if he can wait hopefully we will see an Apple Silicon Air or 13" Pro before the end of the year.

Actually, I've heard issues all across the board with all of the processor options (primarily the i3 and i5; the i7 doesn't seem to be as popular). Hell, saw one instance of someone having thermal issues just running Chess on the i3 model.

 

[pabvillar]

Thank you all for your replies. I’ll definitely wait for the new Apple MacBooks and maybe get a Pro again.