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Stick with MBP, or exchange for new MBA?

brook923

brook923

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 19, 2020
3
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I am a current teacher who is getting my license in real estate. I need a laptop for photo editing, possible video editing, and just to run basic programs that I would need for real estate.

I recently purchased a MBP and only upgraded the storage to 256GB.

If I get the new MBA and pay the $100 upgrade to a quad-core processor, how much of a difference will there be in the two machines?

I can get the educator discount and save about $300.

Is that worth it for a newer machine with the updated keyboard?

I've never owned a Macbook, so I don't know the difference.

Thanks for your help!
 
If you recently purchased a MBP I would imagine it's a 13 inch 2018/2019 model? If thats the case, you already have a quad core processor that will be superior to the one in the MBA. When it comes to Photo Editing, you can certainly get by with lower specs (especially for just light photo editing in your field of work). Video is where things will get a bit trickier, but you'll have an easier time doing that with a MBP over a MBA.
 
Nbd1790 said:
If you recently purchased a MBP I would imagine it's a 13 inch 2018/2019 model? If thats the case, you already have a quad core processor that will be superior to the one in the MBA. When it comes to Photo Editing, you can certainly get by with lower specs (especially for just light photo editing in your field of work). Video is where things will get a bit trickier, but you'll have an easier time doing that with a MBP over a MBA.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is the 13 inch model. I had read all of the hype about the keyboard and wondered what the difference would be between the MBA's quad core and the one on the MBP.
 
The new air will have the new keyboard, but otherwise it will generally be slower than the MBP. The 13 inch models still haven’t been updated to the new keyboard, and who knows how long that will take. Honestly, if it’s just photos, the air could
do just fine for you. I haven’t tried Final Cut Pro on an air, so I don’t know about how well it will handle 4K video, but you’re really talking about small clips, right? The pro will be faster for encoding the video for uploading to real estate sites, but if you’re really worried about that, you should get a 16”. I suspect that’s not that central to your job though.
 
profcutter said:
The new air will have the new keyboard, but otherwise it will generally be slower than the MBP. The 13 inch models still haven’t been updated to the new keyboard, and who knows how long that will take. Honestly, if it’s just photos, the air could
do just fine for you. I haven’t tried Final Cut Pro on an air, so I don’t know about how well it will handle 4K video, but you’re really talking about small clips, right? The pro will be faster for encoding the video for uploading to real estate sites, but if you’re really worried about that, you should get a 16”. I suspect that’s not that central to your job though.
Click to expand...

Yes. I think most agents hire people to do videos, but I was just considering the possibility of needing to edit my own at some point.

What's the hype about the new keyboard? Why is it so much better?
 
It’s more about how bad the old keyboard is. For most folks, it’s just a matter of time until keys stick or stop responding entirely. Apple has a repair program for it, but some folks have had their keyboards replaced multiple times. The only laptops right now with the new keyboards, that should be more functional, are the 16” pro and the brand new air.
 
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profcutter said:
It’s more about how bad the old keyboard is. For most folks, it’s just a matter of time until keys stick or stop responding entirely. Apple has a repair program for it, but some folks have had their keyboards replaced multiple times. The only laptops right now with the new keyboards, that should be more functional, are the 16” pro and the brand new air.
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I second this. I had to return two 2016-2018 era MacBook Pro's because of the keyboard. It was awful.

I don't imagine you're going to be editing 4K drone film---if you're just doing basic video editing (even some 4k), I think the MacBook Air is fine with the improved integrated graphics.

I'd kick that MBP to the curb and the keyboard is the biggest reason. The Air will probably do everything you need it to do and 1) your keyboard won't jam and 2) you won't wear your fingers out banging on that butterfly keyboard.
 
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*Personally*, I had terrible keyboard issues on two 2016 nTBs I've had... the first one I returned early on due to the issues, the second one took some time for them to manifest then I managed by popping keycaps.

I finally had a topcase replacement on that machine, in early 2018, and it's been fine since. Also got an '18 model early last year for work, and it's been fine as well. I do clean my keyboards once a week or so, but at least in my experience, the problem was greatly ameliorated to the point where I'm not clamoring for the new keyboard.

I do welcome its arrival once the 14" form factor lands.
 
brook923 said:
Yes. I think most agents hire people to do videos, but I was just considering the possibility of needing to edit my own at some point.

What's the hype about the new keyboard? Why is it so much better?
Click to expand...
Earlier generations of butterfly keyboards were notorious for malfunctioning if debris got in them. AKA if you were eating over your computer it would cause big problems. Apple improved the design but it was too late because they already got a bad rap. Many people didn't like the short key travel anyway.

I would wait to see what's coming with the new 13" (Maybe 14") MBP. Rumor has it coming out this year. If you bought the Air and the new Pro came out you will be kicking yourself.
 
Are you trying to decide before the return period ends? If so, seems like you could roll the dice and keep your MBP, return it and wait for a refreshed MBP with the new keyboard (possibly delayed due to COVID19) or go with the airz
 
Nbd1790 said:
If you recently purchased a MBP I would imagine it's a 13 inch 2018/2019 model? If thats the case, you already have a quad core processor that will be superior to the one in the MBA. When it comes to Photo Editing, you can certainly get by with lower specs (especially for just light photo editing in your field of work). Video is where things will get a bit trickier, but you'll have an easier time doing that with a MBP over a MBA.
Click to expand...

This is factually not true.

The new MacBook Air actually gets an option with i5 or i7 quad-core processors that can turbo boost to either 3.5 or 3.8GHz that is a newer process (10nm). The thing also has 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports and Iris Plus graphics that is at least twice the speed of the 2018/2019 MacBook Pro now.

While I'd agree that a 2020 13-14 inch MacBook Pro will probably demolish the MacBook Air, the Air in 2020 is actually no slouch at all.

In fact, I'm also highly considering the Air now over waiting for a potential 14" MacBook Pro because:
1. I do not like the touch bar at all. It makes it very hard to adjust things.
2. The Air now has a quad-core option as well that can turbo quite high and it's still keeping power consumption to under 30W (according to the charger specs). Meaning the processor is no longer "neutered" like the previous generation.
3. It seems the 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports now have full specs.
4. Butterfly keys suck.
5. I DO NOT like the touch bar at all. I know I said that twice but the point must be hammered home.

That 14" MacBook Pro probably won't come until June at the earliest, or Apple may even delay it even further due to coronavirus. Who knows...
 
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adeelrahman said:
Not necessarily. Touch Bar sucks.
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Do you really think the Touch Bar will be the only difference between the new MacBook Pro coming out and MacBook Air?

Apple is going to separate the models further emphasizing the Pro model will be for power users while the Air model as its name implies will be for.users who need more portability. This is all speculation but much of it is by people who’ve been right before. That’s why I said the OP should wait to see what the Pro model is like.
 
russell_314 said:
Do you really think the Touch Bar will be the only difference between the new MacBook Pro coming out and MacBook Air?

Apple is going to separate the models further emphasizing the Pro model will be for power users while the Air model as its name implies will be for.users who need more portability. This is all speculation but much of it is by people who’ve been right before. That’s why I said the OP should wait to see what the Pro model is like.
Click to expand...

The 13" has never (or at least not recently) been a "Pro" machine. That's been the 15, 16 and 17 inch MBP. It's more of its own tier between the Air and the larger Pro. And the 13" had brought a bit more value since they stopped upgrading the previous gen Airs. It'll be interesting to see what they do to upgrade the 13" Pro, b/c the new Air isn't too far behind.

Also, I think 13" is the sweet spot. Work issued me a 15" MBP (which is overkill), and it just doesn't have the portability of the 13" - it takes up too much space in meetings and at the cafe. With a 14" coming, i'll be intrigued to see the new dimensions.

But back to the OP, I took the plunge and am trading in my 2018 13" MBP for a new Air. The scissor switch keyboard and physical function keys were more than enough to convince me to "downgrade." The upgrade in processor and gpu were icing on the cake.
 
For the things you describe, the Air will give you everything you need, and it does have the newer (better) keyboard. It's the 13" computer to buy right now unless you have a particular need for extra power, such as pro-level video editing.
 
Faster machines are faster for video editing but I manage on my 2015 MacBook Pro 13” for 1080p

which is good enough for uploading to the internet for non professional movie making. It’s away better than DVD which is where we were a couple of years ago.

The air will do your jobs just fine.

just get the i5 or i7 model

im upgrading to an i7 MBA 13”; it’s on order already

it will be significantly faster than my old pro. Which woulddo what you need to do already.
 
I’m tired of waiting for the new pro. I think I’ll Order the new air (I7 and 16gb ram). I won’t get it until April. If they release the new macbook pro, I’ll return the air. This seems like an option for me.
 
kocered said:
I’m tired of waiting for the new pro. I think I’ll Order the new air (I7 and 16gb ram). I won’t get it until April. If they release the new macbook pro, I’ll return the air. This seems like an option for me.
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If it's within the 14 day return window. The Air would be lighter so if you're doing light tasks it would be the better choice.
 
russell_314 said:
If it's within the 14 day return window. The Air would be lighter so if you're doing light tasks it would be the better choice.
Click to expand...
I’ll be doing coding and music production. I was gonna buy 2019MBP with 16gb upgrade to base model. But now, with the new air with 10th gen processors and new keyboard, it seems like a more viable option than the 2019 pro. But, we don’t know the thermal structure of new air. What do you think?
 
Something to consider is the number of ports. The new MBA like its predecessor has only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, both on the same side. Obviously one port will be needed for charging, leaving essentially only one port for plugging in an external drive or some other peripheral. Two of the 13" MBP models have four Thunderbolt 3 ports, which can make it possible to plug in a couple peripherals as well as keeping the machine charging at the same time.
 
Clix Pix said:
Something to consider is the number of ports. The new MBA like its predecessor has only two Thunderbolt 3 ports, both on the same side. Obviously one port will be needed for charging, leaving essentially only one port for plugging in an external drive or some other peripheral. Two of the 13" MBP models have four Thunderbolt 3 ports, which can make it possible to plug in a couple peripherals as well as keeping the machine charging at the same time.
Click to expand...

for the price difference to the pro you could buy a charging dock with Ethernet, video out, etc.
 
bill-p said:
This is factually not true.

The new MacBook Air actually gets an option with i5 or i7 quad-core processors that can turbo boost to either 3.5 or 3.8GHz that is a newer process (10nm). The thing also has 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports and Iris Plus graphics that is at least twice the speed of the 2018/2019 MacBook Pro now.
Click to expand...

In terms of power, I normally rely on GeekBench to give me a general idea. The quad core i5 in the new Air tested at 2658, while the quad core i5 in the Pro tested at 3933 (the i7 coming in at 4198). I find it hard to believe that they would release a cheaper laptop and actively sell it next to a "pro" model for less money that was more powerful.
 
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