Upgrade 2020 i7 16gb MBA to M1 MBA?

[gogogut]

During the lockdown (Sept 2020), I had to get my kids a laptop for remote schooling. I jumped on a Costco deal for a 2020 MB Air 13" 1.2 i7 with 16GB and 256GB. I was excited at the promise of power and longevity for our family computer. I didn’t even consider it when Apple released the M1 laptops a few months later. The kids happily used the 2020 MBA for Zoom, Microsoft, YouTube, and Roblox. And I used it as the main computer for family photos management on an external hard drive and syncing all of our iOS devices.
A little over a year later, I am considering trading it in for a baseline M1 MBA. My 2020 has constant issues with recognizing my iOS devices and syncing. When I tried to use it for work, Zoom made the fans scream and it felt way overworked in comparison to my 2019 MB Pro I use for work. I was truly surprised that the MBA couldn't handle my fairly-basic work needs of Google docs, Mail, and Zoom. And that the syncing issue hasn't improved with OS updates.
So I am considering making the swap to a M1 MBA. The kids won't notice anything, but I will, and it might be a little better future-proofed with Apple Silicone. I hope the iOS syncing would finally work and that it could fill in for my work computer at times. Might tempt me to swap my work MBPro for the M2 MBA when it comes out.
Apple will offer me $550 trade-in on the MBA, which seems low for what so recently was a near top spec MBA. I can get Education pricing from Apple for a new M1 MBA at $899, leaving me with a $350 upgrade (plus AppleCare). But I have seen some better prices recently from other retailers, even as low as $799. But where do I find a better price for my used MBA? Can I get a better trade-in or sale price to help lessen the upgrade price difference? I obviously do not NEED to make this change, so I don't want to waste any more money than I have to.
Any advice or thoughts on the transition, the decision, and the sell/buy transactions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
RJ

 

[StoneJack]

Well, I am moving from Intel i5 2019 13 inch 8/256 to MBA 16/512. My intel Macbook pro is fine and working OK, but battery health is down to 86% (which I assume will worsen further), M1 seems to be good choice for video with 16GB and I want 512GB storage and also lighter carry weight. I am expecting delivery very soon, will share impressions. I am going to sell Intel macbook as soon as MBA comes. I don't expect much loss and original prices seems to be close, though of course, MBP will be sold at lower price, perhaps 700 dollars or so. Anyway, for me it is clear upgrade. Trade in seems OK, a bit harsh, but less problems. I will also buy AppleCare+

 

[throAU]

I bought a 2020 i7 16 GB MBA on release.

The M1 will be a massive upgrade. They're much, much more responsive (even when lightly loaded) and no fan. Its a huge jump.

 

[Pugly]

I had the quadcore i5 2020 Air for a couple weeks, but returned it. It was really disappointing to me, I upgraded from a 2015 Air i7... and it just wasn't that much better. The fan was on constantly, and it was barely any faster... and I don't think it could really handle the retina screen that well either. I had a decent amount of laggy interface usage on a external screen. I wanted to like it... but nope wasn't good enough for something I planned to use for 4+ years.

I have a M1 Air now, and it's a night and day difference. I expected the 2020 i5 air to be twice as fast as the 2015... it was barely 50% faster... if that and felt old and slow even for a new comupter. The M1 is easily triple the speed of the 2015, way more than I was hoping to get, and feels like a computer I can easily use for 5 years. It's also fan-less and rarely gets hot, with great battery life, and graphics performance that doesn't ever lag when using the retina screen or on a 4k monitor. I do zoom sessions with iPad sidecar and lots of screen sharing... it does it all effortlessly.

Now all the nice things about the retina Air design can be appreciated, because it doesn't have an anemic cpu. It's silly to look to an upgrade so quickly on what is ostensibly the same general computer, but it really feels like a couple generations of improvements from early 2020 Airs to the M1 Airs. The M1 chip is a weird discontinuity or timewarp in performance that's really unprecedented.

And you can get some great values on these macs now too...and who knows how long that will last.

 

[throAU]

The M1 is easily triple the speed of the 2015, way more than I was hoping to get, and feels like a computer I can easily use for 5 years.

I've only played with the base model M1s in a store as I was waiting for the Pro but yes, this matches my assessment.

Opening things from the dock is so much faster, the machine feels snappy. Much much better than the intel model.

 

[Total Respray]

In my opinion upgrading after a year and justifying it through the lens of future-proofing is kind of an oxymoron.

 

[throAU]

In my opinion upgrading after a year and justifying it through the lens of future-proofing is kind of an oxymoron.

Forget future proofing. Sell your intel machines while you can and enjoy macOS running way, way better.

I say that as someone with 3 Intel Macs ...

 

[Total Respray]

Forget future proofing. Sell your intel machines while you can and enjoy macOS running way, way better.

I say that as someone with 3 Intel Macs ...

That would be a more logical rationale to upgrade.

I’m sticking with my intel Mac for now - still works fine for my fairly modest needs.

 

[throAU]

I’m sticking with my intel Mac for now - still works fine for my fairly modest needs.

If you've got something other than a 2020 MacBook Air I get that. Those machines really were thermally and power limit crippled with the ice-lake chips intel put out. I've passed mine off to the GF as all she uses it for is reddit and basic web browsing (i7, 16GB, 1TB 2020 air, lol).

But to re-iterate. The M1, coming from something like an intel 13" MacBook Pro/Air is like 10 years of intel CPU upgrades in one jump. I'm not even joking.

If you're not stuck with some intel specific applications, or stuck on an old version of macOS, I'd sell your intel machines off to those who are stuck with some mission critical intel apps (or need boot-camp) while various apps still haven't been ported natively and the selling is good.

 

[Isamilis]

During the lockdown (Sept 2020), I had to get my kids a laptop for remote schooling. I jumped on a Costco deal for a 2020 MB Air 13" 1.2 i7 with 16GB and 256GB. I was excited at the promise of power and longevity for our family computer. I didn’t even consider it when Apple released the M1 laptops a few months later. The kids happily used the 2020 MBA for Zoom, Microsoft, YouTube, and Roblox. And I used it as the main computer for family photos management on an external hard drive and syncing all of our iOS devices.
A little over a year later, I am considering trading it in for a baseline M1 MBA. My 2020 has constant issues with recognizing my iOS devices and syncing. When I tried to use it for work, Zoom made the fans scream and it felt way overworked in comparison to my 2019 MB Pro I use for work. I was truly surprised that the MBA couldn't handle my fairly-basic work needs of Google docs, Mail, and Zoom. And that the syncing issue hasn't improved with OS updates.
So I am considering making the swap to a M1 MBA. The kids won't notice anything, but I will, and it might be a little better future-proofed with Apple Silicone. I hope the iOS syncing would finally work and that it could fill in for my work computer at times. Might tempt me to swap my work MBPro for the M2 MBA when it comes out.
Apple will offer me $550 trade-in on the MBA, which seems low for what so recently was a near top spec MBA. I can get Education pricing from Apple for a new M1 MBA at $899, leaving me with a $350 upgrade (plus AppleCare). But I have seen some better prices recently from other retailers, even as low as $799. But where do I find a better price for my used MBA? Can I get a better trade-in or sale price to help lessen the upgrade price difference? I obviously do not NEED to make this change, so I don't want to waste any more money than I have to.
Any advice or thoughts on the transition, the decision, and the sell/buy transactions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
RJ

I am in the same situation. However I still keep the 2020 MBA due to its bootcamp (for my kids school assignment). I am also buying time, if I can wait until M2 / M3 release in next 1-2 years.

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

I am in the same situation. However I still keep the 2020 MBA due to its bootcamp (for my kids school assignment). I am also buying time, if I can wait until M2 / M3 release in next 1-2 years.

M1 performance and battery life is real. I just purchased a M1 air.

I went a few days without charging it. Using it for 3 hours doing normal web browsing, emails, YouTube and it only lost 8% battery. It stays cool to the touch. Its extremely snappy and fast at loading things.

if you need an intel machine for certain tasks that can't be worked around or emulated on M1 I understand.

but if you have the resources and choice to make the switch, I highly suggest doing so. You'll thank me later.

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

During the lockdown (Sept 2020), I had to get my kids a laptop for remote schooling. I jumped on a Costco deal for a 2020 MB Air 13" 1.2 i7 with 16GB and 256GB. I was excited at the promise of power and longevity for our family computer. I didn’t even consider it when Apple released the M1 laptops a few months later. The kids happily used the 2020 MBA for Zoom, Microsoft, YouTube, and Roblox. And I used it as the main computer for family photos management on an external hard drive and syncing all of our iOS devices.
A little over a year later, I am considering trading it in for a baseline M1 MBA. My 2020 has constant issues with recognizing my iOS devices and syncing. When I tried to use it for work, Zoom made the fans scream and it felt way overworked in comparison to my 2019 MB Pro I use for work. I was truly surprised that the MBA couldn't handle my fairly-basic work needs of Google docs, Mail, and Zoom. And that the syncing issue hasn't improved with OS updates.
So I am considering making the swap to a M1 MBA. The kids won't notice anything, but I will, and it might be a little better future-proofed with Apple Silicone. I hope the iOS syncing would finally work and that it could fill in for my work computer at times. Might tempt me to swap my work MBPro for the M2 MBA when it comes out.
Apple will offer me $550 trade-in on the MBA, which seems low for what so recently was a near top spec MBA. I can get Education pricing from Apple for a new M1 MBA at $899, leaving me with a $350 upgrade (plus AppleCare). But I have seen some better prices recently from other retailers, even as low as $799. But where do I find a better price for my used MBA? Can I get a better trade-in or sale price to help lessen the upgrade price difference? I obviously do not NEED to make this change, so I don't want to waste any more money than I have to.
Any advice or thoughts on the transition, the decision, and the sell/buy transactions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
RJ

You're in a tough situation. I would check Ebay to see what your model is selling for. That would give you a good estimate of its worth in the marketplace.

Ever since M1 has been out I don't want to touch low power intel processors. I would only buy them dirt cheap as backup machines.

Trading in at Apple is the easiest path of least resistance.

If anything, I would post it for sale in a few places around the price you'd like to sell it for (within the reasonable used market pricing). Then/if it sells, purchase the M1.

I would purchase from Apple if you're buying new, especially since they offer the EDU pricing all year round (and if you need a custom config). And you'll get edu pricing on upgrades and AppleCare.

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

Forget future proofing. Sell your intel machines while you can and enjoy macOS running way, way better.

I say that as someone with 3 Intel Macs ...

To be honest, I have a top spec 2015 MBP 15" and its just as good and snappy as my MB air M1.

The biggest differences are in battery life, heat, and fan noise.

Having stated those things. Compared to previous MacBooks with intel. Apple has made a huge leap in performance. Now the entry level model can equal, and even outperform a higher wattage, higher end (albeit older) high end intel processors with a discreet Gpu is in itself amazing.

I have apples best laptop computer in 2015 and it performs just as good as their entry level laptop in 2021 while being more efficient. That's a huge leap forward.

 

[throAU]

Yeah, if you have a 15" machine things are a little different, especially if its not one of the recent machines where intel was pushing things way too hard.

But... your 2015 15" Pro is going to be outperformed by a 2020 M1 Air.

Its definitely time to consider upgrading if you can IMHO - because the performance gains are huge, and if you're on a 4-5+ year old machine your AppleCare has run out, tax deductions are possible most likely for a new machine (e.g., in my location computers are depreciated over 3 years), etc.

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

Yeah, if you have a 15" machine things are a little different, especially if its not one of the recent machines where intel was pushing things way too hard.

But... your 2015 15" Pro is going to be outperformed by a 2020 M1 Air.

Its definitely time to consider upgrading if you can IMHO - because the performance gains are huge, and if you're on a 4-5+ year old machine your AppleCare has run out, tax deductions are possible most likely for a new machine (e.g., in my location computers are depreciated over 3 years), etc.

I have been planning on upgrading (within the next 10-18 months) , just don't have the need to do it immediately.

my 2015 is still supported and fast. While I know its on the way out, I like the bigger screen and don't want to pay the high price for the new 16" M1 pro/max model.

I'm holding out for the next year to see if Apple offers a 15" or 16" regular consumer level m1 MacBook. The M1 is more than enough for me, I really need a larger laptop screen, the MBP 16" is overkill for me (as well as the price).

If they shoved the M1 into the body of the old 2019 16" MBP with the power and performance gains of M1 (like they did with the air and 13" pro) I'd buy that with no questions asked.

 

[cardfan]

During the lockdown (Sept 2020), I had to get my kids a laptop for remote schooling. I jumped on a Costco deal for a 2020 MB Air 13" 1.2 i7 with 16GB and 256GB. I was excited at the promise of power and longevity for our family computer. I didn’t even consider it when Apple released the M1 laptops a few months later. The kids happily used the 2020 MBA for Zoom, Microsoft, YouTube, and Roblox. And I used it as the main computer for family photos management on an external hard drive and syncing all of our iOS devices.
A little over a year later, I am considering trading it in for a baseline M1 MBA. My 2020 has constant issues with recognizing my iOS devices and syncing. When I tried to use it for work, Zoom made the fans scream and it felt way overworked in comparison to my 2019 MB Pro I use for work. I was truly surprised that the MBA couldn't handle my fairly-basic work needs of Google docs, Mail, and Zoom. And that the syncing issue hasn't improved with OS updates.
So I am considering making the swap to a M1 MBA. The kids won't notice anything, but I will, and it might be a little better future-proofed with Apple Silicone. I hope the iOS syncing would finally work and that it could fill in for my work computer at times. Might tempt me to swap my work MBPro for the M2 MBA when it comes out.
Apple will offer me $550 trade-in on the MBA, which seems low for what so recently was a near top spec MBA. I can get Education pricing from Apple for a new M1 MBA at $899, leaving me with a $350 upgrade (plus AppleCare). But I have seen some better prices recently from other retailers, even as low as $799. But where do I find a better price for my used MBA? Can I get a better trade-in or sale price to help lessen the upgrade price difference? I obviously do not NEED to make this change, so I don't want to waste any more money than I have to.
Any advice or thoughts on the transition, the decision, and the sell/buy transactions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
RJ

Obviously it will be harder finding 799 deals. But jump on one if possible If not there’s always back to school deals in summer that give you AirPods. You’ll always get edu prices. Might even get the updated mba by then or know more.

 

[throAU]

I have been planning on upgrading (within the next 10-18 months) , just don't have the need to do it immediately.

my 2015 is still supported and fast. While I know its on the way out, I like the bigger screen and don't want to pay the high price for the new 16" M1 pro/max model.

I'm holding out for the next year to see if Apple offers a 15" or 16" regular consumer level m1 MacBook. The M1 is more than enough for me, I really need a larger laptop screen, the MBP 16" is overkill for me (as well as the price).

If they shoved the M1 into the body of the old 2019 16" MBP with the power and performance gains of M1 (like they did with the air and 13" pro) I'd buy that with no questions asked.

You would have paid similar money in 2015 for your 15" as you would for a 14" machine, maybe even a 16" machine. I know I paid the same for my 2011 15" as I did for my 2021 14". Both were slightly up specced. In fact I think the 2021 was $50 cheaper.

The 2011 15" with i7-2720, AMD Radeon HD 6750, 4GB RAM and 500 GB HD was ~$3800 Australian
The 2021 14" with M1-Pro 10/16 cores and 1TB SSD was $3750 Australian

Never mind inflation...
?‍♂️

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

You would have paid similar money in 2015 for your 15" as you would for a 14" machine, maybe even a 16" machine. I know I paid the same for my 2011 15" as I did for my 2021 14". Both were slightly up specced. In fact I think the 2021 was $50 cheaper.

The 2011 15" with AMD Radeon HD 6750, 4GB RAM and 500 GB HD was ~$3800 Australian
The 2021 14" with M1-Pro 10/16 cores and 1TB SSD was $3750 Australian


?‍♂️

My friend,

you fail to know that I'm cheap, frugal, thrifty, economical or whatever word you like.

I got my 2015 for $440 in mint barely used condition. Apple will give me $510 gift card if I trade it in. I'm still coming out ahead if I use it to purchase a new apple product of any sort.

While I do understand at retail my 2015 was at $2500 IIRC. There's no way in hell I'd spend that much on a personal laptop. (professional laptop? yeah, maybe...)

 

[throAU]

My friend,

you fail to know that I'm cheap, frugal, thrifty, economical or whatever word you like.

I got my 2015 for $440 in mint barely used condition. Apple will give me $510 gift card if I trade it in. I'm still coming out ahead if I use it to purchase a new apple product of any sort.

While I do understand at retail my 2015 was at $2500 IIRC. There's no way in hell I'd spend that much on a personal laptop. (professional laptop? yeah, maybe...)

Fair enough, do the same with an M1 based Pro in 3-4 years

edit:
tough break because there's no "cheap" 15" machine to upgrade to for that price with improved performance at the moment and won't be for some time. the later intel machines are basically the same. You're talking very minor incremental improvements between 2015 and today for intel really.

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

Fair enough, do the same with an M1 based Pro in 3-4 years

edit:
tough break because there's no 15" machine to upgrade to for that price with improved performance at the moment and won't be for some time.

Yeah that's true.

I'll be patient and keep my hustle on the street market.

MacBooks I purchase have either user password locks on them or have software issues (most people don't have simple computer technical skills). That's where I swoop in and haggle for the lowest price possible with "cash in-hand ready to buy".

Or I stumble upon a excellent deal where the seller has no clue of its value.

I can find them fairly cheap as long as I'm looking for them.

 

[capathy21]

Yeah that's true.

I'll be patient and keep my hustle on the street market.

MacBooks I purchase have either user password locks on them or have software issues (most people don't have simple computer technical skills). That's where I swoop in and haggle for the lowest price possible with "cash in-hand ready to buy".

Or I stumble upon a excellent deal where the seller has no clue of its value.

I can find them fairly cheap as long as I'm looking for them.

Same here. If you live in an area with a big second hand market, great deals are easy to find. I never purchase iPads/Macs full price or new. Gently used is easy to find if you're patient like you said.

 

[Isamilis]

Yeah that's true.

I'll be patient and keep my hustle on the street market.

MacBooks I purchase have either user password locks on them or have software issues (most people don't have simple computer technical skills). That's where I swoop in and haggle for the lowest price possible with "cash in-hand ready to buy".

Or I stumble upon a excellent deal where the seller has no clue of its value.

I can find them fairly cheap as long as I'm looking for them.

Agree on this. Lot of “rich” people buy MacBook just for show off in Starbucks or with their collage friends. They have very minimal technical skill and willing spending another hundred bucks for new product every year.
I got these deals 2 times, they sell them due to Os couldn’t start (Os upgrade issues).

 

[throAU]

A lot of people also use MacBooks to make money in highly skilled fields that are nothing to do with computer administration (that's why they bought a Mac).

Just because someone isn't a computer technician doesn't mean they don't have legitimate work to do, technical skill, or intelligence.

I happen to be one who is paid to fix those things amongst others, but looking down on those who don't have those skills, who would just rather pay some money to make the problem go away is a bit... off.

 

[Jack Neill]

I have both early and late 2020 Airs, the i5/8/512 is what I carry around to work and the M1/8/512 is what I use at home. The M1 is obviously faster and I think its great, but the i5 works better with my Dell WD19TB docks, the ethernet will not work on the M1 but works fine on the i5. I have updated the firmware on the dock a few times and it finally actually works on the M1 in that it will display on the monitor. When I bought the i5 in May of 2020 I was blown away honestly how powerful it was. I was coming from a 2012 MBP and it was a super nice upgrade. I also did the thermal pad mod and the fans hardly ever run or I don't hear them anyways and it geeks about the same as the i7 2020. Another reason I prefer the i5 is iTunes 12.9.5 still works perfectly where on the M1 it does not. I bought the M1 because I am a sucker for Apple but I really could get by with the 2020 i5.

 

[StoneJack]

I have both early and late 2020 Airs, the i5/8/512 is what I carry around to work and the M1/8/512 is what I use at home. The M1 is obviously faster and I think its great, but the i5 works better with my Dell WD19TB docks, the ethernet will not work on the M1 but works fine on the i5. I have updated the firmware on the dock a few times and it finally actually works on the M1 in that it will display on the monitor. When I bought the i5 in May of 2020 I was blown away honestly how powerful it was. I was coming from a 2012 MBP and it was a super nice upgrade. I also did the thermal pad mod and the fans hardly ever run or I don't hear them anyways and it geeks about the same as the i7 2020. Another reason I prefer the i5 is iTunes 12.9.5 still works perfectly where on the M1 it does not. I bought the M1 because I am a sucker for Apple but I really could get by with the 2020 i5.

yes, I see. I have moved from Intel i5/8/256 2019 MBP to Air M1/16/512 so it is clear upgrade in my case, maybe not so clear in yours.