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Buyer's Guide for the MacBook Air i3 vs. i5 (2020)

Two separate 2020 MacBook Air base configurations are supported by Apple; one with an Intel Core i3 dual-core processor and one with an Intel Core i5 quad-core processor. The question of how to determine which of these two configurations is better for you is answered by our guide.

At the time of purchase, you can configure the internal requirements of each of these two base models of the MacBook Air, so it is a good idea to know what sort of computer you would need ahead of time. It should last for quite a few years, and since you can not update the internal components of Apple's laptops at a later date, it is necessary to choose wisely.

MacBook Air (2020)

In March 2020, with a new Magic Keyboard with scissor switches, faster processors for better CPU and GPU performance, and more storage space, Apple refreshed its MacBook Air range, but with the same overall design that it has used since 2018. Apple says the 2020 MacBook Air will have Intel Iris Plus Graphics with up to two times faster CPU performance and 80% faster graphics performance than the previous generation.

Apple offers two MacBook Air base configurations, both of which feature Intel processors of the 10th generation. The 1.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core i3 processor for the MacBook Air begins at $999, while the 1.1 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor for the MacBook Air starts at $1,299. For a breakdown of their main characteristics, see below.

1.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i3 processor of the 10th generation with Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz

• 8GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory
• 256GB SSD storage
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics
• 13.3-inch Retina 2560-by-1600 sRGB display with True Tone
• Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
• Touch ID
• Trackpad from Force Contact

1.1GHz quad-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz

• 8GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory
• 512GB SSD storage
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics
• 13.3-inch Retina 2560-by-1600 sRGB display with True Tone
• Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
• ‌Touch ID‌
• Force Touch trackpad

i3 vs i5

With the same 1.1GHz clock speed, both processors' single-core performance is quite similar. In everyday tasks, single-core performance is significant, and when using more professional applications such as Final Cut Pro X or Photoshop, you can only benefit from better multi-core performance on the i5.

The MacBook Air benefits from a fast SSD, a strong video decoder, and excellent software optimization for daily tasks, so many users would not need the multi-core efficiency leap on the i5.

The 2020 ‌MacBook Air‌ is the first to have a quad-core processor option. Benchmarks suggest that its 1.1GHz quad-core Core i5 processor is approximately 76 percent faster than the previous 2018–2019 ‌MacBook Air‌ models. So what is the difference between these two processors in practical terms?

Intel Dual-Core Core i3

The i3 ‌MacBook Air‌ should be sufficient for web browsing, streaming, writing emails or word-processing, and video calls. The general performance of the i3 is surprisingly good for these sorts of daily tasks, even when connected to an external display. Where it may begin to struggle is during complex 4K video editing, photo editing, and multitasking.

A key advantage of the i3 being a lower-power processor is that it doesn't get as hot as the i5. The i3 ‌MacBook Air‌ is therefore less likely to be put under thermal strain, so it will be quieter and cooler for longer periods of time.

The only downside to selecting the i3 is that it is simply on the low side of the overall output level, but this is very unlikely to impact users with only basic needs.

Intel Quad-Core Core i5

The i5 ‌MacBook Air‌ is more capable than the i3, and should be able to manage challenging applications and multitasking more deftly. The i5's quad-core chip will be markedly better when using multiple resource-heavy apps at once. The i5 can run much more efficiently with simple "pro" workflows involving tasks such as software development and video , audio, or photo editing. It also has a significantly higher speed of Turbo Boost at 3.5 GHz compared to the i33 3.2 Ghz.

This, however, comes at a cost. The i5 is a more power-hungry processor and runs much hotter than the i3. Even in day-to-day use, users have reported that the i5 ‌MacBook Air‌ is more likely to get quite warm, and during intense use, you should expect to hear the fan speed at maximum.

While the i5 is undoubtedly more powerful than the i3, it is difficult to say exactly how much of this extra power you will be able to take advantage of given the thermal design of ‌MacBook Air‌. The system 's thermal management will rarely allow it to get all the way up to its Turbo Boost maximum clock speed of 3.5GHz. In fact, because of how much warmer the i5 gets, the device is much more likely to restrict all-around performance.

Regardless of the thermal issue, since it is a more capable processor, the i5 'MacBook Air' is the better option for more demanding workflows. The i5 MacBook Air could also be a more future-proof model for years to come with this added functionality..

i3 vs i5 Benchmarks

The 2020 Geekbench 5 MacBook Air benchmarks show the difference between processor choices. It should be noted that it is difficult to decide how much the efficiency of the i5 in these benchmarks has possibly been limited by thermals.

In single-core, there's very little difference between the processors due to the fact that they are both clocked at 1.1GHz.

The difference is more striking in multi-core, with the i5 performing 42 per cent (851 points) better. The i5 shows here the usefulness of its additional two cores, which would be used when multi-tasking or using software that can take advantage of those extra cores.

Options for Customization

You can pick the processor, memory , and storage options through the Apple website for both MacBook Air base configurations.

Upgrading to the i5

If you just want the i5 processor, you don't necessarily need to purchase the higher-specified $1,299 MacBook Air. The cheaper $999 MacBook Air base configuration can be chosen and then the processor can be upgraded to the i5 for $100. If you don't need the additional storage that comes with the base configuration of $1,299 but still want the i5, then this is the most cost-effective way to do it.

What About the i7 Option?

For an extra $150 on top of the i5 option, Apple now provides a 1.2GHz quad-core Intel i7 processor option. There is an even higher Turbo Boost speed of 3.8GHz on this processor. Given the bad thermal architecture of the MacBook Air, how much better the i7 is than the i5 is seriously doubtful. For high-performance tasks, depending on the i7 can run into more thermal problems later down the road. Power users who think they can benefit from the i7 may be best suited to the MacBook Pro rather than the MacBook Air.

In terms of benchmarks, the i7 hardly performs better than the i5, earning a single-core score of 1137 and a multi-core score of 3032. The i5 chip seems to provide greater value for money in terms of price-to-performance.

Other Mac Laptop Options

You should not expect to get too much output from the 'MacBook Air' regardless of whether you prefer the i3 or i5. Even in quad-core CPU configurations, the 'MacBook Air' is not very well suited for power users, as the computer is more intended for casual users with easy workloads. For instance, for 3D graphics rendering or repeated video exports, the MacBook Air does not have much headroom for results. With the MacBook Pro, Pro users would be better off, especially if you are concerned about the thermal design and possible slowdowns of the MacBook Air.

The MacBook Pro is a better computer for those that want optimum output that is consistent. The MacBook Pro can run hotter and smoother for a longer period of time with faster processors and a more forgiving thermal design, which makes it much easier for heavy continuous tasks.

The efficiency of the MacBook Air is likely to be perfectly adequate for most day-to-day activities, even if it can get a bit hot with the i5 processor range..

Which ‌MacBook Air Should You Buy?

Which of these two simple configurations you can purchase from the MacBook Air will have to be determined on the basis of what kind of work you plan to use the computer for.

How well they can potentially tolerate intense work is the biggest difference between the two. The i3 setup would be perfectly adequate if you're a light machine user. You should consider upgrading to an i5 if you are using more demanding software and need optimum performance. Beyond that, you should consider the MacBook Pro if power is essential.