Update: I decided to go with a 2017 13" MBP see my thread on it over on that forum here - https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/replaced-a-2013-11-mba-with-2017-13-mbp-tb.2112190/
OP here updated
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I had that upgrade itch for a new MacBook. I had a 2013 MacBook Air 11" which cost $1819 AUD or about $2000 AUD in today's money, CTO 8GB RAM and a 512GB SSD.
What do I use it for? It's a web browser I use in bed, at a desk, occasionally play movies on it, would like to present using airplay with it, light word processing and spreadsheet work, feel free to ask more questions about what my 11" MBA one is or isn't doing. The new MB didn't need to be faster, but it does feel like it's getting slow nowadays, might last another year, battery has diminished but I'm usually near a charger.
I looked at the MacBook Pro 13 TB below, why not the nTB model when I mention price? I got scared by the single fan stories I've heard places, but I did prefer the nTB at first for bigger battery and smaller processor.
My last question after you read all of this, how long should I wait for Apple to change their line up again? I can wait, I'm just obsessed with these right now but can hold off if something is coming or prices will drop, rumours seem all over the place, not good at deciphering them (heh we're on macrumors.com I should go read some threads I guess).
Current 2013 MacBook Air
Intel Core i5-4250U @ 1.30GHz 1.3GHz DC i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz
8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 memory
512GB SSD
Intel HD Graphics 5000
So if you look at the 2017 MacBook 1.3GHz/512GB, it looks very similar on paper and costs $2349 AUD
1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz
8GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 memory
512GB SSD storage
Intel HD Graphics 615
5 years later here are the main Improvements that I can see
Retina screen +0.4 inches larger
1/3 power consumption CPUs
Weight decrease of 160g or 17.4% 0.92kgs vs 1.08kgs
USB-C
Superior integrated graphics
+3.4wh battery (on a lower power usage machine)
No more glowing Apple (a personal gripe of mine when in a dark room)
Smaller dimensions
Trade offs are
1x USB-C only vs. all other ports (especially magsafe 2)
thinner keyboard
worse webcam (480p vs 720p)
Price
So if it's going to cost me $2349 for 'the same' MacBook I have now, feels a bit like what's the point? As well, given that this one has lasted almost 5 years, may as well spend $650 extra and get a MacBook Pro 13" w/ TB
3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
8GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
512GB SSD
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650
Improvements
Retina screen +1.7 inches larger
+11.2 watt hour battery
USB-C x 4
Touch bar / Touch ID
Trade offs
Touch bar uses more battery and prevents some start up functions, less convenient
Battery increase doesn't make up for 2x power of processor (28W vs 15W)
Weight increase of 290g or 26.9% 1.37kgs vs 1.08kgs
Large dimensions
Audible Fan
Price
OP here updated
-----
I had that upgrade itch for a new MacBook. I had a 2013 MacBook Air 11" which cost $1819 AUD or about $2000 AUD in today's money, CTO 8GB RAM and a 512GB SSD.
What do I use it for? It's a web browser I use in bed, at a desk, occasionally play movies on it, would like to present using airplay with it, light word processing and spreadsheet work, feel free to ask more questions about what my 11" MBA one is or isn't doing. The new MB didn't need to be faster, but it does feel like it's getting slow nowadays, might last another year, battery has diminished but I'm usually near a charger.
I looked at the MacBook Pro 13 TB below, why not the nTB model when I mention price? I got scared by the single fan stories I've heard places, but I did prefer the nTB at first for bigger battery and smaller processor.
My last question after you read all of this, how long should I wait for Apple to change their line up again? I can wait, I'm just obsessed with these right now but can hold off if something is coming or prices will drop, rumours seem all over the place, not good at deciphering them (heh we're on macrumors.com I should go read some threads I guess).
Current 2013 MacBook Air
Intel Core i5-4250U @ 1.30GHz 1.3GHz DC i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz
8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 memory
512GB SSD
Intel HD Graphics 5000
So if you look at the 2017 MacBook 1.3GHz/512GB, it looks very similar on paper and costs $2349 AUD
1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz
8GB 1866MHz LPDDR3 memory
512GB SSD storage
Intel HD Graphics 615
5 years later here are the main Improvements that I can see
Retina screen +0.4 inches larger
1/3 power consumption CPUs
Weight decrease of 160g or 17.4% 0.92kgs vs 1.08kgs
USB-C
Superior integrated graphics
+3.4wh battery (on a lower power usage machine)
No more glowing Apple (a personal gripe of mine when in a dark room)
Smaller dimensions
Trade offs are
1x USB-C only vs. all other ports (especially magsafe 2)
thinner keyboard
worse webcam (480p vs 720p)
Price
So if it's going to cost me $2349 for 'the same' MacBook I have now, feels a bit like what's the point? As well, given that this one has lasted almost 5 years, may as well spend $650 extra and get a MacBook Pro 13" w/ TB
3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
8GB of 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory
512GB SSD
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 650
Improvements
Retina screen +1.7 inches larger
+11.2 watt hour battery
USB-C x 4
Touch bar / Touch ID
Trade offs
Touch bar uses more battery and prevents some start up functions, less convenient
Battery increase doesn't make up for 2x power of processor (28W vs 15W)
Weight increase of 290g or 26.9% 1.37kgs vs 1.08kgs
Large dimensions
Audible Fan
Price
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