Switching from 15" late 2013 to 13" Air (M1)

[famchrmichael]

Hi.

I'm considering switching from my long time friend: MacBook Pro 15" Late 2013 to the new entry level MacBook Air M1-model.

It will no doubt be a lot faster in regards to CPU and GPU.

But what about the old 16 GB's of ram from 2013 - how are they going to compare to the 8 GB's in the new Air?

Any thoughts to how it will translate. Thank you very much

 

[retta283]

It is hard to be 100% certain yet, but there are musings that with the improved efficiency of the M1 chip, 8GB of RAM will feel like 16GB did on an Intel machine. The CPU will be leaps and bounds more efficient, so I think that the hit will be minor at worst. What sort of applications are you using currently with the Pro?

 

[Juraj22]

buy 16GB version . I was considering it as well, but 13' is small.

 

[famchrmichael]

It is hard to be 100% certain yet, but there are musings that with the improved efficiency of the M1 chip, 8GB of RAM will feel like 16GB did on an Intel machine. The CPU will be leaps and bounds more efficient, so I think that the hit will be minor at worst. What sort of applications are you using currently with the Pro?

Mostly browser-based, but occasionally Logic Pro, video and photo editing. But nothing really heavy. I can have a tendency to have lots of browser tabs open though

 

[Mikael H]

Really: Don’t get your hopes up for the efficacy of new CPUs in compensating for a halving of your available memory. That a processor can manage a larger amount of instructions per second doesn't take away its need to store data - and in many cases wildly inefficiently managed data; for example in any Electron app you're likely to need.

 

[uiterlix]

You'll miss both the screen size and the RAM. Just wait a bit longer.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Mostly browser-based, but occasionally Logic Pro, video and photo editing. But nothing really heavy. I can have a tendency to have lots of browser tabs open though

If you are not on a budget, take the 16 GB, just to be on the safer side. As it seems that you like to keep your devices, better get better specs.
And the people are right, 13 is smaller than 15 ?

 

[Zazoh]

Are you still on spinning hard drive or SSD. SSD storage alone will be a huge speed boost for you. I’ve never had a problem with base ram, but I’m a programmer, I have modest necessities.

 

[modoCosmo]

I am also upgrading(?) from a late 2013 MacBook Pro, 16Gb. The new Air should be quicker, have a better screen, a way faster solid state drive and faster memory.
I’d think it would be a big step up. I’ll be mainly using it for coding.

 

[xNerdHerdx]

i’m also upgrading from the same machine but the 8gb model, ordered the MBA with 16gb

 

[smoking monkey]

I’m think of doing the same as an interim machine. And once the 16 comes out then passing the M1 off to the wife. She needs 1TB HD though unfortunately but not much grunt. Whereas I do most of my work in graphic, video and sound effect/music intensive Keynotes. My late 2013 MBP is okay with keynote but when I challenge it (which is more often than not), it really gets choppy and slow. Surely a base mba is going to run rings around the machine we all seem to have on this thread.

I held off upgrading in 2017/18 due to the clustertruck those machine were and then held off on the 16 because of the AS rumours. And because I can’t travel this Christmas and sit on a beach, I want to try out a new machine.
I know the smaller screen will be tough but if only for 7-8 months I think I can accept it. My wife will use the computer for a long time so I’d like to future proof it, but spending 1500 bucks on an air seems crazy.
I guess we will find out tomorrow with all the reviews.

 

[retta283]

Are you still on spinning hard drive or SSD. SSD storage alone will be a huge speed boost for you. I’ve never had a problem with base ram, but I’m a programmer, I have modest necessities.

Retina MBPs were SSD only, no spinners.

 

[Falhófnir]

Considerations about the power aside, make sure you can live with the smaller screen, it's quite a difference.

 

[retta283]

Screen size is definitely another consideration, especially if it's your only computer, 13" will feel too small in comparison. If you don't mind waiting and spending the extra money, wait for the AS 16". That should be an excellent machine out the gate (hopefully it comes with 16GB, if not upgrade it at purchase, if you're going to spend all the money on a 16" go all the way). Much better screen size for daily use. Personally I felt 17" was the best size but 16" is pretty close.