SAB97
Level 1 (8 points)
Notebooks

Q: Trading MacBooks

Ok guys, I own a Mid-2012 MacBook Pro 13.3" with a 2.5GHz processor with 4GB RAM and a self installed 480GB SSD that is about 3 years old. I am being offered to trade it (With possibly a $100 or maybe just a trade) to a brand new Early-2015 MacBook Air 13.3" 1.6Ghz processor with 8GB RAM and 256GB pcie flash storage. Is this a good deal, or should I just keep what I have got. I don't do any heavy gaming on the device, because I have other devices for that. Pretty much run light programs for college stuff. Thx for your thoughts.

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), 480GB SSD

Posted on Jul 1, 2016 9:24 AM

by leroydouglas,Solvedanswer
leroydouglas leroydouglas
Level 7 (23,789 points)
Notebooks
A:
How much of a difference will I be able to tell between 1.6GHz in the MBA vs the 2.5GHz in the MBP?

 

Very little unless you do processor intensive video editing or other demanding compiling.

Posted on Jul 1, 2016 9:38 AM

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SAB97

Q: Trading MacBooks

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  • Helpful answers

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Jul 1, 2016 9:34 AM in response to SAB97
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 1, 2016 9:34 AM in response to SAB97

    This may help you decide

    http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook-air/specs/macbook-air-core-i5-1.6- 13-early-2015-specs.html

    "4 GB or 8 GB of RAM is onboard. When first released, it shipped with 4 GB of RAM by default and could be upgraded at the time of purchase to 8 GB as a US$100 option, but it cannot be upgraded later.

  • by leroydouglas,

    leroydouglas leroydouglas Jul 1, 2016 9:34 AM in response to SAB97
    Level 7 (23,789 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 1, 2016 9:34 AM in response to SAB97

    I would go with  the trade for the newer Macbook Air— this will help to future proof.

     

    Also depending on when the Air was bought—the warranty stays with the device, not the owner.

  • by SAB97,

    SAB97 SAB97 Jul 1, 2016 9:36 AM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 1, 2016 9:36 AM in response to macjack

    How much of a difference will I be able to tell between 1.6GHz in the MBA vs the 2.5GHz in the MBP?

  • by macjack,Helpful

    macjack macjack Jul 1, 2016 9:38 AM in response to SAB97
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 1, 2016 9:38 AM in response to SAB97

    If you do the swap, follow the steps here for both your MacBook and his MBA.

    What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support

  • by leroydouglas,Solvedanswer

    leroydouglas leroydouglas Jul 1, 2016 9:38 AM in response to SAB97
    Level 7 (23,789 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 1, 2016 9:38 AM in response to SAB97
    How much of a difference will I be able to tell between 1.6GHz in the MBA vs the 2.5GHz in the MBP?

     

    Very little unless you do processor intensive video editing or other demanding compiling.

  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack Jul 1, 2016 9:39 AM in response to SAB97
    Level 9 (55,709 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 1, 2016 9:39 AM in response to SAB97

    SAB97 wrote:

     

    How much of a difference will I be able to tell between 1.6GHz in the MBA vs the 2.5GHz in the MBP?

    You probably won't, due to the Turbo boost on the MBA.

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jul 1, 2016 9:44 AM in response to SAB97
    Level 9 (54,292 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 1, 2016 9:44 AM in response to SAB97

    Go to the everymac.com web site and look up specifications for the Air.  It kind of depends upon you as a user.  The MBA is going to be newer and will see more years before it gets left behind in Apple's endless upgrade releases (every year now it seems). The MBA will likely also be easier on batteries, and lighter overall.  On the other hand if you like connectivity and being able to upgrade your computer the MBA is not that with everything soldered in place and limited ports.

     

    Are you sure the MBP has a 480 GB SSD (not HDD)?  I don't know if it is at all possible even through third parties to upgrade to a SSD that size in a MBA.  If you needed to it would still cost a fortune.

     

    8GB RAM is enough for most purposes and Apple doesn't seem to be doing the big jump in RAM use with each OS release the way it used to.  We can't predict what they will do but at least for now 8 GB seems to be "okay".

     

    You know, I think about your 2012 and I think it is the kind of computer somebody like me might go for.  Starting to get a tiny bit old but probably will make it through another couple of OS releases by Apple. Even then a computer is still usable with an older OS for another 5 years or so, so the thing probably has another 8 years left in it even unless you are an absolute must have the newest features.  I would like all the ports in the 2012 and that it could be upgraded in RAM to more than the MBA has now and probably even have both a SSD and a conventional hard drive for more room (not sure about the exact specs. of the 2012 MBP).  I don't mind a bit of extra weight.  I don't know about the relative resale values of the two machines (check places such as e-bay, factoring in details) but I would see the MBP as something for me I could sink another $100-$200 and keep it for another 8 years and it would have the features I would not find in a MBA.  Again this is all from what I like in a computer and you have to decide what is important for you.

  • by SAB97,

    SAB97 SAB97 Jul 1, 2016 9:58 AM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    Jul 1, 2016 9:58 AM in response to Limnos

    Yeah, the upgradeability is what was holding me back the most. I upgraded the 2012's storage to the SanDisk Ultra II 480GB SSD back in February of this year. I am only using around 100GB on my MBP currently, so I figured that 256GB will get me through the next year or two. But considering what you wrote above, I have thought a few times about installing Windows 10 on the computer in the future though through Boot Camp, and think I will want the extra space. Do you know much about upgrading the RAM in the MBP 2012, and do you have any brands that you would recommend?

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Jul 1, 2016 10:16 AM in response to SAB97
    Level 9 (54,292 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 1, 2016 10:16 AM in response to SAB97

    Check the everymac.com web site for upgrade possibilities. The OWC site has instructional videos.  Most people on the help forums here seem to go for Crucial or OWC brand RAM.  Sometimes cheap RAM doesn't work well in Macs.  As for vendor it is up to you. Big-box style online vendors may be a dollar or two cheaper but don't  necessarily provide support should you have problems, nor will they tell you all the details such as what screwdrivers you may need.  OWC may charge a dollar or two more but if you do have problems their tech. support really is helpful, and they know Macs.