MBA i5 or i7?

[Gill Bates]

I wonder what the differences are between the i5 and the i7 CPU in the new macbook air.

1.1ghz with 3.5ghz boost
Vs
1.2 with 3.8ghz boost.

Are those numbers the only difference?
Or does the i7 have more threads or other benefits?

Other question:
What is the model number on the Iris Plus graphics?
640?

 

[Dubba]

Following

 

[viss]

6 vs 8mb cache

 

[Gill Bates]

6 vs 8mb cache

Thanks.
Where did you find this info?

 

[viss]

Its an assumption based on previous gen chips, posted my reply too fast

 

[neverendingscot]

I'm interested in seeing the difference in performance between the three processors.

 

[Ericdjensen]

I'm interested in seeing the difference in performance between the three processors.

Same. Mostly between the dual-core i3 and the quad-core i5, though.

 

[neverendingscot]

Same. Mostly between the dual-core i3 and the quad-core i5, though.

Same

 

[Beau10]

Benchmarks are

Same. Mostly between the dual-core i3 and the quad-core i5, though.

This to me is a no-brainer for $100... a dual w/ turbo to 3.2 vs. a quad w/ turbo to 3.5, it will show performance under load at least 2x, vs. probably only 10% at best for yet *another* $150 between the i5 and i7.

Now, how long it will take before thermal throttling happens is anyone's guess, but it's certainly not something I would hesitate waiting for benchmarks to prove out.

 

[Gill Bates]

Yeah the dual core i3 will easily feel old and slow.
But it all depends on usage of course.
I mean if you're only gonna surf the web, listen to music, watch videos and write or code etc., then it's fine.
Otherwise it will easily be underpowered.

But here in Denmark, the difference between the i3 and i5 (both base models) is 385 dollars

 

[Beau10]

and write or code etc., then it's fine.
Otherwise it will easily be underpowered.

I just went from a quad 2018 13" to a 2016 nTB... as a software dev, the difference is huge. Coding isn't just typing, it's running a variety of servers, VMs/containers, etc.

 

[Gill Bates]

Coding isn't just typing, it's running a variety of servers, VMs/containers, etc.

True. I meant "simple coding", like web/app developing with one local server perhaps

 

[Useless Touchbar]

In the Netherlands, with edu discount the difference between i3 and i5 is only 47 euros! With edu discount, 1408 euros gets you a brand new Macbook Air with i5 10th gen with Iris Plus, 16gb RAM and 256gb SSD. That type of pricing is unheard of from Apple

Just for comparison, the local base model Dell XPS 13 with 8gb RAM, 512gb SSD and i5 10th gen processor without Iris Plus graphics with edu 10% discount costs 1450 euros

 

[Gill Bates]

In the Netherlands, with edu discount the difference between i3 and i5 is only 47 euros!

Hmm did you put the discount on both prices?
And is that for the basic base model on both.. I mean did you change RAM or SSD size?

 

[Ericdjensen]

In the Netherlands, with edu discount the difference between i3 and i5 is only 47 euros! With edu discount, 1408 euros gets you a brand new Macbook Air with i5 10th gen with Iris Plus, 16gb RAM and 256gb SSD. That type of pricing is unheard of from Apple

Just for comparison, the local base model Dell XPS 13 with 8gb RAM, 512gb SSD and i5 10th gen processor without Iris Plus graphics with edu 10% discount costs 1450 euros

Wow. I was happy with the price before, but now even more so. $1180 with education discount

 

[Beau10]

Hmm did you put the discount on both prices?
And is that for the basic base model on both.. I mean did you change RAM or SSD size?

The difference between *only* the processor in the US is $100 (ie. it's a BTO), I'm sure he's quoting that, not the base models which also have a diff in SSD.

 

[Useless Touchbar]

The difference between *only* the processor in the US is $100 (ie. it's a BTO), I'm sure he's quoting that, not the base models which also have a diff in SSD.

Ahh yes that's indeed what I meant. I misunderstood what the Danish person was talking about.

 

[kocered]

Which one should I prefer? MBA with i7, 16gb ram OR MBP with i5, 16gb ram Which one has more performence? I want to wait for new pro but I think new air will perform well.

 

[Gill Bates]

Which one should I prefer? MBA with i7, 16gb ram OR MBP with i5, 16gb ram Which one has more performence? I want to wait for new pro but I think new air will perform well.

What you will use it for answers your question best.
Do you actually need the extra performance the pro has/gets?
Do you need or want the touch bar? I don't.

 

[russell_314]

I would like to see how the battery life is with the different chips. Because the MBA isn't meant to be a powerhouse having a slightly longer battery life might be more important. Hopefully someone will test this.

 

[kocered]

What you will use it for answers your question best.
Do you actually need the extra performance the pro has/gets?
Do you need or want the touch bar? I don't.

I don’t care the touch-bar.
Does 8th gen i5 on MBP outperforms 10th gen i7?
I want the scissor keyboard but performance is way more important for me.

 

[Beau10]

The pro is probably still more performant for bursty loads, just slightly, and considerably more for sustained loads due to TDP/thermal management.

For most use cases I imagine they're very close. If it came down to simply wanting the scissor keys + saving a little $$, the Air seems like a solid choice when compared against the current Pro.

That said, the Pro may be revised w/ a 14" form factor, greater than 16 GB ram, and so on... and if that appeals to you, probably best to wait a bit longer.

 

[Macintosh.Rumors]

I'm interested in seeing the difference in performance between the three processors.

they are all Y chips from the formally names “M” series.mostly mobile processors Weak power/poor performance but better battery life. .

dont let the I fool you. They are as follows
i3 = m3
i5 = m5
i7 = m7

intel should have kept the naming schemeas as it confuses and tricks customers, but hey, marketing.

intel changed the naming scheme to prey on nieve consumers thinking they were getting powerful desktop “I” U series chips found on MacBook pros and high end windows machines.

real world perfomce, you wouldn’t notice much of a difference aside the usual studder/lag when doing large workloads. it’s mainly for the basics of the basics task. Don’t expect to edit a video in final cut without issues.

 

[Falcon80]

I don’t care the touch-bar.
Does 8th gen i5 on MBP outperforms 10th gen i7?
I want the scissor keyboard but performance is way more important for me.

Interested to know that as well.

 

[KPOM]

I don’t care the touch-bar.
Does 8th gen i5 on MBP outperforms 10th gen i7?
I want the scissor keyboard but performance is way more important for me.

For single core tasks, the 10th gen scores higher on Geekbench. But for multi core the MBP scores higher. I think the thermals are better on the Pros.