Macbook air i5 vs i7 Software Engineering course

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Level 1

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Macbook air i5 vs i7 Software Engineering course

Okay, I realise there are hundereds of threads on which to get, but I STILL cannot make up my mind.

I am starting university in september on a Software Engineering course and I am undecided on which to get, the i5 or the i7, and if to me, it is worth the extra cost.

I will be getting the 13", 8GB RAM 256GB SSD.

I'm not really sure what the course will require me to do with the Macbook air, but I can assume programming, writing and compiling, Virtual Machines with Windows 8 and Linux, I should also mention that I am taking a reasonably powerful desktop with me that has a AMD Phenom II x6 1100t, if this is too slow for my needs then the desktop is getting an upgrade, so anything requiring a lot of processing power will be done on their.

I would like to take my work with me at all times and make sure the Air can manage things like virtual machines with no problem when I'm not near my desktop.

The differences in battery life dont really bother me, as it is understandable that if the CPU is under more load and it is performing tasks quicker than the i5, the i7 will run out of battery quicker.

I haven't really heard much about the real world differences in temperature and battery life between the i5 and i7.

I would like to hear what you guys recommend as results day is next week, I am hoping to order my Macbook Air the next day.

Thanks for reading,

Luke

MacBook Air

Posted on Aug 10, 2013 12:18 PM

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Answer 1

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Aug 10, 2013 12:20 PM in response to SlimShadyLou

How is anyone on this forum going to make up YOUR Mind.

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Answer 2

SlimShadyLou Author

Level 1

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Aug 10, 2013 12:57 PM in response to LowLuster

Because I would like to hear what people think, and if an i5 would stay fast and nippy for this kind of usage for the next 3-4 years. I would just like to see some different people views because I need some advice.

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Answer 3

Aug 10, 2013 1:01 PM in response to SlimShadyLou

Since you admitted that you will have a desktop to do the heavy lifting then I suggest go with the cheaper one.

Allan

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Answer 4

SlimShadyLou Author

Level 1

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Aug 10, 2013 1:04 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Okay thank you, I've been leaning toward the i5 but I haven't owned a laptop or any sort of decent mobile processor for a while so I thought it was best to ask, thanks.

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Answer 5

Aug 10, 2013 1:13 PM in response to SlimShadyLou

Since you say you are will to upgrade the desktop if necssary and plan to use it for most of your work, my feeling was way get a belch fire laptop also.

Allan

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Answer 6

SlimShadyLou Author

Level 1

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Aug 10, 2013 1:20 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Okay, I would be willing to upgrade the desktop if it wasn't performing on the heavy tasks, but would the real world difference between the i5 and i7 be noticeable or would I be better putting the money towards updating the desktop? Thanks for the reply guys I do appreciate it!

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Answer 7

Aug 10, 2013 1:30 PM in response to SlimShadyLou

Watch http://www.apple-tubes.com/apple-macbook-air-11-mid-2013-haswell-i5-vs-i7-compar ison/ for a side by side comparison. Personally it does not appear to be that much to me but you are the one who is buy it.

Allan

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Answer 8

Aug 10, 2013 1:39 PM in response to SlimShadyLou

Get the I5.......

Geekbench: i5: 5868, i7: 6287 (+7%)

Handbrake: i5: 12min12s, i7:12min5s (-1%)

Cinebench: i5: 11.13fps, i7:11.54fps (+4%)

iMovie: i5: 5min1s, i7: 4min56s (-2%)

PhotoShop: i5: 68.7s, i7:57.4s (-17%) <<<<only "real" improvement area of the I7

Final cut: i5: 2min7s, i7: 2min 4s (-2%)

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Answer 9

Bilal414

Level 1

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Aug 10, 2013 3:51 PM in response to SlimShadyLou

I highly recommend i7 with 8GB RAM. I'm also a software developer and I just bought Macbook Air with i7 CPU & 8GB RAM, 120GB disk. I bought this for web and mobile application development and I can tell you its super super fast!

i7 have much more CPU power and extra 1MB of CPU cache which will increase responsiveness of overall system.

Never trust these benchmarks! i7 is way much better than tiny i5 and battery life is 9+ hours easily. I prefer using power adapter because it extends the battery life. Only use battery power while you are travelling or you don't have access to power outlet.

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Answer 10

SlimShadyLou Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 10, 2013 4:08 PM in response to Bilal414

Thanks for all of the input guys, if I'm honest I'm thinking about the i5 just because from what I've seen, there's not much difference apart from when real heavy applications are being used, I think the rest of the money is being put toward the desktop when it's time to upgrade, thanks for all the help!

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