Here in the States I've been able to order from my old university campus store and get the EDU discount - they (campus store) specifically extends that benefit to alumni.
If you went to Uni, perhaps something similar is possible where you are.
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Review for light users - 2019 vs 2020 i5 vs 2020 i3 Macbook Airs
- Thread starter RiaKoobcam
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Here in the States I've been able to order from my old university campus store and get the EDU discount - they (campus store) specifically extends that benefit to alumni.
If you went to Uni, perhaps something similar is possible where you are.
Sure it can and a new MBP probably does it even better, but the point of my clip was to show that the base model is more capable than most i5 buyers think.
As a side note, not sure how much of a difference it makes, but in your clip the Airs own display was used and an 4k/8-bit video was edited. In my clip, an external display was used and an 4k/10-bit video was edited (unknown frame rate on both). Also the i5 playback dropped frames, but not as much as with the i3.
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Yeah, it is always hard to find apples to apples comparison in terms of video editing, cause there a lot of them 8 bit, 10 bit, 400mbs or 150mbs.
Truly agree with you. i3 is very capable machine and on par with no Touch Bar MBP 13 2017 in terms of long distance performance and even faster at everyday tasks due to 10th gen IPC increase and ddr4 ram speeds.Sure it can and a new MBP probably does it even better, but the point of my clip was to show that the base model is more capable than most i5 buyers think.
Definitely worth to buy an i3 - i am waiting for back to school deal.
I'm signing off for now - thanks to everyone who's still sending kind words my way re: the tests that I ran and my attempt at a review, it's very nice.
I'm still very happily using a 2019 (now with a copper modded heatsink because it was fun) for 50% MacOS/50% Windows 10 and it handles everything like a champ. My partner's still using the base model 2020 i3 for MacOS only tasks (and has even started video editing on it!) and is also really happy with it.
I won't be around to answer any specific questions about which model MBA/MBP is best for light use, but the community around here is great and they'll be able to help out. See you for the 2021 refresh!
Peace ✌
I'm still very happily using a 2019 (now with a copper modded heatsink because it was fun) for 50% MacOS/50% Windows 10 and it handles everything like a champ. My partner's still using the base model 2020 i3 for MacOS only tasks (and has even started video editing on it!) and is also really happy with it.
I won't be around to answer any specific questions about which model MBA/MBP is best for light use, but the community around here is great and they'll be able to help out. See you for the 2021 refresh!
Peace ✌
Maybe, if you are using it directly on your lap without a portable desk between you and the computer. I have the 2020 i5 air, and have hardly ever heard the fans, and mine is cool. However, that’s probably because I always use it on a hard surface, such as a desk or a portable desk. I don’t want to block the openings that are at the bottom towards the hinge.
If you insist on using it directly on your lap, or put it on bed coverings, the pro might be better due to the cooling system.
I've found the Air does fine on my lap - I've not delved into it but suspect air can flow either direction from the screen/body junction. I've also seen reports on the MBP forum of folks who've switched finding the MBP was hotter on their lap due to heat being conducted to the bottom case. My MBP15 certainly is hotter on my lap.
Ria, thanks for your review, skilled comparisons, and thoughtful insights!
Please don't be a stranger. We could use your observations on other topics, too!
Please don't be a stranger. We could use your observations on other topics, too!
I agree with the above as well.
This thread has pushed me over the edge. I have been messing around for ages and ages, between all the different 2020 models of the Air and even the 10th gen MBP. It finally got to the point where I gave up and was going to hold off to see what does in the next few years.
I’m replacing a late-2008 MB unibody (OWC SSD, 8 gig ram, new battery) that the keyboard and trackpad died recently. Been using an iPad Air 2 for years, only firing up the MB on the odd occasion. Real light user here...about the lightest you’ll see on this site. Decided to finally match my usage to the device rather than drop $$$ for power I’ll never access.
I do nothing that requires any power beyond what my iPad will do, but I miss the extra things a laptop offers. (just want to get with the times, so to speak) My 2008 will not Airplay or sync with iCloud and using an unlit BT keyboard is a real pain. Talk about running hot!!! Wow. And it’s a huge brick.
I’ve decided to just go get an i3/8/256. For the price it’ll be I’ll just keep it for as long as it doesn’t piss me off and simply replace it with whatever, when that time comes. Whew. S
Video conferencing will use up a ton of CPU/GPU power, depending of the codec and the acceleration used.
Nowadays, I simply use my phone for the conference call. Mobile chipsets are highly optimized for this real time video encoding stuff. Regular computer CPUs are not. This is why we can see phones handling 4k videos easily, while it takes a desktop CPU plus a hefty GPU to do so on a regular computer.
Nowadays, I simply use my phone for the conference call. Mobile chipsets are highly optimized for this real time video encoding stuff. Regular computer CPUs are not. This is why we can see phones handling 4k videos easily, while it takes a desktop CPU plus a hefty GPU to do so on a regular computer.
Nice write-up.
I ordered my i5/16/256 as a BTO shortly after the 2020 MBA was anounced. I have not had the same issue as others with loud fans and excessive heat. Indeed, for day-to-day word processing, browsing and light photo work, my fans almost never come on or sit at idle (2700RPM). The machine is fast and responsive, too.
One thing I will note is battery life is not as good as expected. I came from an older 2013 11" MBA i7/8/256 which I'd already replaced the battery on, so it still had great battery life compared to the new model.
I'm about to pull the trigger on another MBA for the wife and have been tryig to decide between the base model i3 and upgrading to the i5. She doesn't do any heavy lifting and the extra battery life looks attractive. She will be coming from a 2016 based model MacBook Pro.
As an alround package, the MBA is pretty good. I love the new keyboard – it beats the hell out of the 2016 MBP, which was replaced twice under warranty. I also prefer the ergonomics – the MBP profile tends to cut into your palms if you rest them on the front of the machine like I do when I type. The screen is great, and I haven't really noticed much difference in portability between the new 13" and my old 11" MBA, which was similar in size (but a bit lighter).
At this stage, the i3 MBA with education discount is looking like a bit of a bargain, but for an extra US$70 the i5 looks good too. It's a shame the heat issues is a bit of a crap shoot, so for that reason alone I may go with the i3 even though I'm more than happy with my own i5.
I ordered my i5/16/256 as a BTO shortly after the 2020 MBA was anounced. I have not had the same issue as others with loud fans and excessive heat. Indeed, for day-to-day word processing, browsing and light photo work, my fans almost never come on or sit at idle (2700RPM). The machine is fast and responsive, too.
One thing I will note is battery life is not as good as expected. I came from an older 2013 11" MBA i7/8/256 which I'd already replaced the battery on, so it still had great battery life compared to the new model.
I'm about to pull the trigger on another MBA for the wife and have been tryig to decide between the base model i3 and upgrading to the i5. She doesn't do any heavy lifting and the extra battery life looks attractive. She will be coming from a 2016 based model MacBook Pro.
As an alround package, the MBA is pretty good. I love the new keyboard – it beats the hell out of the 2016 MBP, which was replaced twice under warranty. I also prefer the ergonomics – the MBP profile tends to cut into your palms if you rest them on the front of the machine like I do when I type. The screen is great, and I haven't really noticed much difference in portability between the new 13" and my old 11" MBA, which was similar in size (but a bit lighter).
At this stage, the i3 MBA with education discount is looking like a bit of a bargain, but for an extra US$70 the i5 looks good too. It's a shame the heat issues is a bit of a crap shoot, so for that reason alone I may go with the i3 even though I'm more than happy with my own i5.