Which MBA for day trading, dual monitors, multitasking?

[HyperBrainz]

Hi!

I was watching some Youtube videos reviewing the new MBA, but none of them answered my questions, and since I don't possess much knowledge of specs/tech in general I really would like your advice.

Currently I have a mid 2015 MBA 11-inch, 4GB RAM, 1,6 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5,Intel HD Graphics 6000 1536 MB.

IMO it's been enough for me because I do mostly multitasking (Youtube, Reddit, spreadsheets, writing, etc). BUT, I have lately started using two external monitors and using a new software for day trading, and it's been lagging and rather slow.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR:
1. Laptop that can support 2 or 3 external monitors without lag
2. Laptop that can handle multitasking with software (such as day trading software, Notion, Goodnotes), Safari, Spotify etc without being slow
3. The best option for the lowest price since I begin my university studies in the fall


Should I get Intel Core i3/i5/i7? 8/16 GB RAM? Or is an MBA up to the task? Since I don't game or edit videos or do anything super heavy, I think a MacBook Air would get the work done, right?


ALSO, sidetone: I was considering a Mac Mini since they're in the same price range and I already have all the accessories I would need. Specs:

• 3.6GHz quad‑core 8th‑generation Intel Core i3
• 8GB 2666MHz DDR4
• Intel UHD Graphics 630
• 256GB SSD storage
• Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet using RJ-45 connector)

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[CheesePuff]

Depends on what resolution you run the displays at. The Mac mini will have better CPU performance but worse GPU then the 2020 MBA. I would at a minimum for you get the i5 with 16 GB RAM.

 

[synicalx1]

Personally I would suggest the i5 with the extra RAM as well. Quad core + plenty of RAM should massively improve your experience when it comes to multitasking. The GPU is pretty decent in the 2020 MBA so unless you're driving a pair of 4k monitors I don't think it should have any issues.

If you're heading off to uni as well I think the MBA would offer you more utility than the Mini in that you can take it with you each day and take notes, work on stuff etc. And by replacing your current MBA with the modern equivalent you could potentially sell or even trade in your current MBA and save yourself a bit of cash in addition to the student pricing Apple will hopefully offer you.

One other thing you may want to consider if how you're gonna get those monitors hooked up to your new device. No issues with a Mini but with the MBA you're gonna need a dock or port multiplier of some sort which can set you back a bit.

 

[jgorman]

1. Laptop that can support 2 or 3 external monitors without lag

ALSO, sidetone: I was considering a Mac Mini since they're in the same price range and I already have all the accessories I would need.

A Mac Mini has a much more powerful processor than a MBA. The i3 in the Mac Mini is a 45W processor. The i3 in the MBA is a 9W processor, while the i5 and the i7 in the MBA are 10W processors.

If your day trading software is multi-threaded (can perform many tasks concurrently), and I imagine it is, the Mac Mini with the i3 can give you about triple the performance.

The MBA has a better integrated graphics chip, but it has to share a 9-10W power budget with the CPU's tasks. The Mac Mini's graphics chip shares a 45W power budget, so it can use more power. The more integrated graphics power you use, the less is available for CPU tasks, and vice versa.

Also, using two or three monitors, the Mac Mini ought to run cooler and quieter, since it has desktop cooling.

If you are uncertain about the RAM, the Mac Mini has upgradable RAM slots, so you can buy the 8 GB model now and upgrade later if you want.

I recommend getting the Mac Mini.

As a side note, if you need a laptop, you can keep using your current 11-inch MBA. If the battery is degraded, you can get Apple to replace your battery for $129.