Hi guys, I searched this question in the forums and Google but most of the time the topic is either too old or goes off-topic so I’m asking again. The short question is: does anyone have experience using a MBA (2014 Core i5, 8GB) for Unity development? Do you believe it will work fine?
Now, if you please please like to continue reading, some background:
I’m a Java and Javascript developer with a few years experience and I’m starting with Unity. Long story short, I need a new laptop and I most likely will get a 13-inch Macbook Air (Core i5 1.4 with 8GB of RAM) not just for Unity but to continue my current dev job.
Before the question goes off-topic, I’d like to make some things clear:
I’m asking about performance, NOT SIZE. I know 13 inches is not the best to work with 3D/images but I carry my laptop all the time, travel a lot and 13 inches is the best size for me. Hands down. Sure, I’ll use an external LCD in my house and office but I won’t buy a 15 inches, 16 or even bigger laptop.
I’'ve also been considering the Macbook Pro 13 and I know it has more power, but my budget is very VERY limited (I live in Argentina so my currency rate doesn’t help me + importation/transportation taxes, etc.).
I’ve been designing games with Cocos2D, LibGDX, AngularJS, etc and for the most part, they are mobile, puzzle and/or 2D games. With Unity. I will continue this trend so I don’t really think I need a huge powerhouse.
But before jump and hit the credit card, I want to hear some experience from you guys. All things considered, Will a 2014 13-inches Macbook Air with a Core i5 and 8GB be enough to run Unity3D FLUENTLY? Thanks a lot. Greetings.
PS: sorry, sorry for such long post and sorry if my English is far from perfect.
I am actually wondering the same thing as my next computer HAS to be a Mac (iOS export) and the Macbook Air is the most appealing to me.
Anyone have experience?
However, just looking at the specs, it should be just enough for mobile and basic games.
My Core i5 Macbook pro (although 2012) with intel graphics tend to get hot. It can run unity, but, based on the sound it makes, it has to switch to hovercraft mode. It can easily replace a flat iron with a single marmoset-enabled object. It doesn’t lag, though.
It works well for general Unity development, but if you’re doing something CPU intensive like baking lightmaps prepare for a long wait.
Also on large projects re-importing assets can take ages.
I used a Mid-2011 MacBook Air for awhile before upgrading to a MacBook Pro, in alignment with what Carpe Denius stated it could get quite warm during processor intensive tasks but it’s nothing a stand with a fan built in couldn’t resolve. It worked well for all of my projects at the time, though they were all designed toward mobile, and I could get a good 5 hours of battery life while jumping back and forth between MonoDevelop, PhotoshopCS3 and the Unity Editor.
I use an entry level 2011 13 inch MacBook Pro for Unity development and my target platform is the entry level Mac Mini from 2012. Provided your games aren’t too crazy advanced, you should do fine.
I have the 2013 macbook air, 8GB ram. It works perfectly for Unity development; the SSD speed improvements over earlier models is very noticeable(I had the late 2010 one before). I regularly have Unity, Monodevelop, Photoshop, Safari, iTunes and blender all open at the same time and it does not slow down noticeably at all.
The battery life is also amazing if you plan on developing “on the road”, I get several hours of unity developing in on one charge. I would recommend you get an external monitor too, it helps the work flow so you do not need to continuously switch between Unity and Monodevelop windows (or other programs).
I use a 2014 13" Macbook Air with a 1.7 GHz Core i7 and 8 GB memory. I compile and run very large, processor intensive projects, often with a couple of Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, AfterEffects,etc) apps going as well. I have experience no issues to date and, in fact, these project compile considerably quicker than workmates on their Windows machines. Coming from MBP, where I was spoiled, its still quite speedy.
Ditto on the battery life, second to none… and external monitor is a mandatory when productivity speed requires it, but that’s true for all developer systems these days.