Are the i5/i7 processors way better than the Core 2 Duo?

Currently travel with my MacBook, but it's heavy (Pro stays home).  I'm considering replacing the MB with an Air with 4GB RAM/256GB HD and I'm looking at refurbs.  Go with the new i5 or i7 or is the Core 2 close enough?  Thanks.

Another part of my thought process is that it's probably better to buy the most recent hardware when one is spending this much as Apple does sometimes stop support for older products.
Apple will offer hardware support options either through them or an authorized reseller for 5-years after the machine is discontinued, it is 7-years in the state of California. From a software perspective, Apple will usually continue to offer security updates for an OS until it becomes the 2nd oldest in generation.
So for example, now we're on Lion, Leopard will fall off the radar.

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