Will I notice a downgrade?

[buin20]

Up until recently I was using a 15" 2017 MBP. Spent $2400 on the device in early 2018 and have used it for grad school and work almost daily. Usually have it plugged into a 27" 4k monitor. Don't mind the size of the 15 but its a bit heavy. As of a few days ago, it fell off a table and the screen is done so I ordered the brand new air as I'd like to get away from the scissor keyboard asap.

Will I see a big drop off in performance from my previous computer? I ordered the quad core i5 and 16gb ram. Storage is identical.

Here are the programs I use:
-Spotify
-Chrome
-Messages
-Excel: No huge data sets, just a couple sheets with a lot of calculations
-Sketch: Mainly to create PDFs more easily than using word or edit a photo or 2 everyone couple weeks.

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

Based on the apps you use regularly, you won't notice much of a difference. For some tasks the Air may even be a bit more efficient.

 

[kreasonos]

I believe the single core performance is higher on the new i5 MBA, you didn't list the specs of the 15" MBP you're replacing though...

 

[buin20]

I believe the single core performance is higher on the new i5 MBA, you didn't list the specs of the 15" MBP you're replacing though...

It was the base config in 2017.

Would I be better off getting the 2019 pro instead of the air for any reason? My main concern is excel and I think that is handled with the 16gb of ram more than anything else.

 

[kreasonos]

It was the base config in 2017.

Would I be better off getting the 2019 pro instead of the air for any reason? My main concern is excel and I think that is handled with the 16gb of ram more than anything else.

If you don't mind the weight, get the 16" MBP or wait for the rumored 14" MBP, otherwise for with the new MBA with an i5. Whatever you do, DO NOT buy a Macbook with a butterfly keyboard.