Keep MBP 13 mid-2012 or replace with MBA 2014?

[ccbc]

My MacBook Pro 13" mid-2012 is a tank. It survived everything and looked still great, perform like there is no M1. Having a dual SSD and 16 GB of RAM helps. However, I found a deal on a MacBook Air 13" 2014 with 128 GB of SSD and 4 GB of RAM for CA$80 in pristine condition still with the original battery of about 70 cycles.

Would anyone replace the former MBP for the somewhat newer MBA?

I feel like it is a pretty big hit on performance, but I gain in portability and battery life. Plus, it can run Big Sur.

 

[retta283]

I would never go back to 4GB of RAM from 16. 8 is basically the minimum at this point if you're using it as a main machine or even just web browsing. My old iMac has 4 and it is terrible on any browser. I'm just guessing, but you'll probably go down in SSD space as well. You can upgrade the SSD in those MBAs, but it adds to the costs.

No reason you can't run Big Sur on your MBP with a patcher. Maybe if you have some use for a secondary laptop go for it, but I would've outright replace the MBP with this MBA. One thing that the MBA definitely has over the MBP though is the higher-res screen which is really nice, and it's a little less prone to glare due to no glass.

Perhaps a retina MBP would be a good compromise for you? 2013-14 models are going down in price and they have beautiful screens, plus are slimmer and more lightweight. Then you can run BS natively as well. Again, go for at least 8GB RAM.

 

[theMarble]

Would anyone replace the former MBP for the somewhat newer MBA?

For me, never in a million years. On my 2015 MBP, I already max out the 16GB of RAM I have (in both usage and pressure). 8GB is fine for web browsing, I know this from my 2009 MBP with 8GB and my 2010 MB with 10GB.

4GB is just horrible for me in 2023. It's fine for older systems running older OS's, but not new systems.

The additional weight doesn't certain me either, as I much prefer the 15" Retina display, and the weight of the 15" rMBP is the exact same as the 13" uMBP.

 

[chrfr]

My MacBook Pro 13" mid-2012 is a tank. It survived everything and looked still great, perform like there is no M1. Having a dual SSD and 16 GB of RAM helps. However, I found a deal on a MacBook Air 13" 2014 with 128 GB of SSD and 4 GB of RAM for CA$80 in pristine condition still with the original battery of about 70 cycles.

Would anyone replace the former MBP for the somewhat newer MBA?

I feel like it is a pretty big hit on performance, but I gain in portability and battery life. Plus, it can run Big Sur.

I'd find the 4GB to be completely unusable.

 

[ccbc]

True, 4 GB is slim, but Big Sur is running great on the MBA for basic usage (light browsing, streaming, note taking, photo library management) as it is a family computer. Good recommendation for a 13" MBP from 2013-2014, gonna have a look.

 

[TheShortTimer]

Would anyone replace the former MBP for the somewhat newer MBA?

Not me.

I would however use it alongside the MBP as a supplement - which is exactly what I do with my 11" MBA whenever I need a compact and lighter Mac for my travels that despite its slower CPU and small RAM still possess sufficient resources to get online, write documents and message people via Signal and WhatsApp.

I've replied to this thread using it.

 

[avz]

Like others have said it is a no. There is a reason why 13 inch Mid 2012 unibody was still sold as new in 2016 by Apple. It is a shame that Apple cut it short in supporting Big Sur natively by just one missing WiFi kext.

 

[ccbc]

You guys won, I'm gonna sell the MBA and keep running the MBP!