What is the difference in processors for Macbook Air?

The higher spec model likely has a greater future path, as system upgrades

tend to demand more from the hardware. Even so, the older 2012 model is

able to be upgraded with more RAM and an SSD. Companies such as OWC

offer both kinds of replacement upgrade hardware, instructions + batteries.

If a base level 13-inch MacBook Pro is what you have, it included 512GB

hard disk drive; the 2012 model is easily upgraded DIY to larger capacity.

An optical drive unit, can use Drive Doubler SSD inside, with adapter.

Not sure how the upcoming release of a new macOS sierra will be handled

in the lowest spec Macs; once paired with serious applications for images

movies, and/or graphics. Or if you were to create and manipulate music.

External drives or storage devices can help expand usefulness; still you may

need to look into backup archives and restoration methods, just in case.

Look ahead and consider what you may be doing with the computer in two years.

You should anticipate three years (duration of optional AppleCare plan) ahead.

The one you choose should be able to handle the future, a few years or more.

In any event...

Good luck! 🙂

Looking at benchmarking results there is a significant difference (but not a huge one) between the i5 and i7 processor speed. The i7 is faster - it also is somewhat less frugal with battery consumption. The problem with benchmarking is that it doesn’t really tell you much about real life use - it is something like the EPA mileage rating of cars. It might help you compare one car (or computer) to another but doesn’t really tell you what kind of performance you’ll actually get. For most people the computer will spend more time waiting for you than you’ll spend waiting for the computer.

When purchasing a car or helping a customer decide priorities I always put the CPU as the least important factor regardless of how the computer will be used. If the CPU is really important I’m more likely to recommend a different computer than I am a processor upgrade. Since Macs today cannot be upgraded after purchase I look at the SSD size and RAM as being the most important things.

Considering your not doing to much with your mac besides what its main purpose is I recommend saving the money for a processor and possibly buy more RAM (Random Access Memory) It helps with multitasking like surfing the web.

Also it depends on how much memory you want. If your photos are high quality and there is a lot, the upgraded storage is not all bad.