Review for light users - 2019 vs 2020 i5 vs 2020 i3 Macbook Airs
- Thread starter RiaKoobcam
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Thanks for the info. My brother has a base model HDD 2015 iMac 27” so if the MBA is comparable, I’d love that
RiaKoobcam
macrumors regular
I didn't have huge issues using Chrome on the MBA i3, and I haven't personally any of the new MBP line up.
Looking through the figures on Notebook Check, it seems like (unless they've changed the thermal design), the underside of the base model Pro case gets hotter (45c compared to 40c) under load than the i5 MBA. Just using a web browser and watchng Youtube wouldn't get it to those temperatures, though.
I found the i5 MBA uncomfortable for lap/sofa/bed use, but didn't find the same for the i3. I reckon get the base MBA i3 and if you're not happy with it, try the base MBP. I think the i3 should be right for you though - especially coming from the 11in MBA, even a Retina MBP would feel like a brick by comparison.
I just want to say thanks for such a useful review. This thread and a few others helped me make the decision to go with the base i3 model. I couldn't make up my mind between the base i3 MBA and the base 13" MBP. But now I feel like I made the best decision. I just received it today and coming from a 2011 13" MBA, it's pretty great!
RiaKoobcam
macrumors regular
An interesting addendum to my original review - Notebookcheck (the only site that actually collects data about this stuff that I've been able to find) has just posted their review of the i3 MBA in German.
As far as noise emissions go:
For temperatures:
Final word which might help those weighing up 2020 i5 MBA or 2020 MBP:
Check out their noise/thermal data here, it's laid out in table form. The long and the short of it is that, under load, the 2020 i5 they tested was twice as loud as the i3.
www.notebookcheck.com
As far as noise emissions go:
For temperatures:
Final word which might help those weighing up 2020 i5 MBA or 2020 MBP:
Check out their noise/thermal data here, it's laid out in table form. The long and the short of it is that, under load, the 2020 i5 they tested was twice as loud as the i3.
Apple MacBook Air 2020 im Test: Ist der Core i3 die bessere Wahl?
Die Einstiegsversion des aktuellen Apple MacBook Air 2020 stellt sich unserem Test. Reicht der Core-i3-Prozessor für den Alltag?
www.notebookcheck.com
shopgirl0047
macrumors newbie
@RiaKoobcam Thanks for this review! I'm in the same boat. I got the 2020 quad-core i5 MBA and noticed the fan going with just one chrome window open. It was going to replace my late 2016 MBP (hate the butterfly keyboard). I also noticed that the MBA's camera quality is significantly worse than my 2016 MBP. Decided to return the MBA and keep my MBP until the 14" MBP comes out hopefully next year.
RiaKoobcam
macrumors regular
@jgorman has helpfully just posted the review of the i3 in English - definitely worth a read if you're considering the 2020 MBA and you're not a video editor etc (and, importantly, if you're coming from a previous Macbook Air and want more of the same).
www.notebookcheck.net
Apple MacBook Air 2020 Review: Is the Core i3 the better choice?
The entry-level version of the new 2020 MacBook Air is in review. Is the Core i3 processor sufficient for your everyday tasks?
Blueberry123
macrumors member
@RiaKoobcam "I think the i3 should be right for you though - especially coming from the 11in MBA, even a Retina MBP would feel like a brick by comparison"
You highlighted another concern. Although I now want the new 13in, I will notice the extra weight. My wife has the 13in 2015 older design MBP and that definitely does feel like a brick compared to my 11in MBA!
As you pointed out the i3 MBA and the base MBP, should both be quiet and cool for browsing and watching youtube. Thanks also for your review re the i3 and i5 MBA, especially re fan and heat. Initially I was thinking to get the i5.
If I do choose the i3 MBA, hopefully the dual core will still work well in 5 years time for my basic use.
You highlighted another concern. Although I now want the new 13in, I will notice the extra weight. My wife has the 13in 2015 older design MBP and that definitely does feel like a brick compared to my 11in MBA!
As you pointed out the i3 MBA and the base MBP, should both be quiet and cool for browsing and watching youtube. Thanks also for your review re the i3 and i5 MBA, especially re fan and heat. Initially I was thinking to get the i5.
If I do choose the i3 MBA, hopefully the dual core will still work well in 5 years time for my basic use.
@jgorman has helpfully just posted the review of the i3 in English - definitely worth a read if you're considering the 2020 MBA and you're not a video editor etc (and, importantly, if you're coming from a previous Macbook Air and want more of the same).
Apple MacBook Air 2020 Review: Is the Core i3 the better choice?
The entry-level version of the new 2020 MacBook Air is in review. Is the Core i3 processor sufficient for your everyday tasks?
Seems video editing works fine too. 😊
RiaKoobcam
macrumors regular
Huh, that's crazy. For those that don't want to watch the full thing, the long story short (ha) from this guy was that if you're shooting in 1080p the i3 does a pretty good job - better than he was expecting.
I mean, if video editing is your job or source of income, I'd still recommend a Pro. But for hobbyists like amateur drone pilots, GoPro users, video montages... seems like the base MBA can handle that kinda workload
MacRazySwe
macrumors 65816
Thanks for the thorough testing, really valuable.
I had planned to replace my 2018 i5 with the 2020 Quad Core i5, but I really appreciate this computer being dead silent and cool to the touch. Like you say, I hardly ever hear the fans and it's probably due to the fact that it can run at 0 RPM.
I was so looking forward to the Quad Core, but I also had a 13" MacBook Pro previously and I do not miss that heat/fan noise. Very unappealing for a modern laptop.
Looks like you can't have your cake and eat it...
I think I will actually stay with my current Air longer than I had planned. At least I've got 2 more years of warranty on the keyboard if it does go wrong.
I had planned to replace my 2018 i5 with the 2020 Quad Core i5, but I really appreciate this computer being dead silent and cool to the touch. Like you say, I hardly ever hear the fans and it's probably due to the fact that it can run at 0 RPM.
I was so looking forward to the Quad Core, but I also had a 13" MacBook Pro previously and I do not miss that heat/fan noise. Very unappealing for a modern laptop.
Looks like you can't have your cake and eat it...
I think I will actually stay with my current Air longer than I had planned. At least I've got 2 more years of warranty on the keyboard if it does go wrong.
Thanks for the thorough testing, really valuable.
I had planned to replace my 2018 i5 with the 2020 Quad Core i5, but I really appreciate this computer being dead silent and cool to the touch. Like you say, I hardly ever hear the fans and it's probably due to the fact that it can run at 0 RPM.
I was so looking forward to the Quad Core, but I also had a 13" MacBook Pro previously and I do not miss that heat/fan noise. Very unappealing for a modern laptop.
Looks like you can't have your cake and eat it...
I think I will actually stay with my current Air longer than I had planned. At least I've got 2 more years of warranty on the keyboard if it does go wrong.
Except I have now had an i5 for a month and have yet to hear the fan even once and that has been the experience of numerous people here.
Testing is no substitute for real world use.
I also use mine extensively on a couch on my lap.
Last edited:
Interesting. I've yet to find my i5 to be uncomfortable for lap use and I've used it that way for several evenings. Haven't used it on the sofa or bed yet, but it's been perfectly comfortable on my lap.
What were the circumstances in which you had this discomfort?
[automerge]1589544590[/automerge]
What website? I've had Chrome open on multiple tabs and my i5 remains silent & cool. Only thing that seems to start the fan was YoutubeTV - likely due to a video codec since YTTV doesn't work in Safari.
ctjack
macrumors 68000
Here is the video with i5 as opposed to the i3 in your video. It seems like i5 don't have stuttering playback problems with 4k, while i3 does.
RiaKoobcam
macrumors regular
I can remember the first time - using on lap on the couch, 3 or 4 tabs of Brave, and the fans were going at about what I now know to be 4000rpm, and my legs were uncomfortable.
Like you, I'm not in the habit of constantly monitoring my CPU temps etc, so that triggered me to search for 'Macbook Air i5 2020 hot'. And as we've discussed, the answers to that query are pretty varied
daijholt
macrumors 65816
Very good write up. I've just pulled the trigger on a 2019 Certified Refurb from Apple, arriving at the logic that the 2020 i5 is thermally unsustainable, and that the £240 saving was not worth losing for the sake of 10th gen and the new keyboard.
Honestly though, thanks for taking the time to go into so much detail. It really has helped me be confident in my decision.
Honestly though, thanks for taking the time to go into so much detail. It really has helped me be confident in my decision.
RiaKoobcam
macrumors regular
You're most welcome, I hope you're happy with your 2019!
blaugrana69
macrumors 6502
Was that the 128GB at £759 - I’ve been looking at the refurbs (as well as the 2020 i3) but having some difficulty deciding on storage.
SurferJoes
Suspended
The base model Air is Apples Best Buy imo.
I paid $1550AUD for it.
My iPhone 11 Pro 256gb $1999.
I paid $1550AUD for it.
My iPhone 11 Pro 256gb $1999.
ExplodingMogwai
macrumors newbie
Just had to re-register on here (was first here in 2004 looking at 12" Powerbook but can't find or remember my account!) to say thank to RiaKoobcam too though still not sure what to doas you'll see below!
I'm obviously in the same kind of place you were Daijholt. I'm on a struggling 13"MBP 2010 refurb (bought in 2011). I was looking at a new discounted 2019 Air in Jan/Feb and was going to hit buy, then saw rumours about a new line so held off. 2020 MBA came out, nice base price drop and a couple of sites offering £50 off that price. Decsion made.....ah themal issues (for some it seems)....and rumours of new 13/14" MBP so held off again. Been flying back and forth between 2020 airs and pros for days since. THEN the 2019 MBA refurbs come up at £759.
ARGGGHHHHHHHHHHH
I'm probably a lighter user than I iike to think so browsing, music/video streaming, office type activity. I have been looking at something like Ableton for dabble in music but realisitically I might not get round to it so it's not a massive decider. I might do some very very basic video editing but we're talking phone footage of kids to share with family, not Avatar 2. Normally I'd go for the highest spec I can afford so the machine lasts as long as possible but I'm erring towards the £750 or £800 (256gb SSD) 2019 MBA refurb. It oddly feels more logical to buy what I was going to buy just 2 months ago for a lot less and put the £200-250 saving aside for 2-3 years once there's been a proper - ARM? - refresh? So....any advice?
blaugrana69
macrumors 6502
The 2019 256GB for £809 looks a decent deal if you don’t mind the Butterfly Keyboard, as it was £1299 new I believe ? However I can get the Education Store discount so that makes the 2020 i3 £899. So 809 vs 899, I imagine the majority would recommend the 2020 at £90 difference.
ExplodingMogwai
macrumors newbie
Yeah I didn't go into that extra headscratcing in my post as my daughter can get the Edu discount. Wasn't sure I can really use it for myself. I assumed Apple check when you register the machine? If you haven't seen it have a look at EduStore in the UK. They only do edu disconts obut have base 2020 MBA currently £816. That would be a no brainer I guess but same issue about me using it for myself. Maybe I'm just being too honest!!
blaugrana69
macrumors 6502
I had no issue with a 2020 iPad Pro I bought last month through the Apple Education Store - qualify through my wife’s ”unidays” account. Wasn’t aware of the EduStore (thanks) would probably be ok too as she has an ac.uk address. However looks like they’re out of stock on the base 2020.
One thing that appeals about the 2019 is that it looks like it has a better battery.
One thing that appeals about the 2019 is that it looks like it has a better battery.
ExplodingMogwai
macrumors newbie
Thanks, may give it a go. Back to the headscratching!!. Edustore go in an out of stock really regularly so might be worth checking in now and then.
jackclown813
macrumors newbie
Thanks for the reviews guys. I made my decision a couple days ago and went with the base MBA with AppleCare. I figured it would be fine for the light usage I intend to throw at it. Should arrive between the 26th and 28th of this month. I've been meaning to upgrade my late 2011 MBP for years but I didn't want to have anything to do with the butterfly keyboard.