Air or Pro?

[Joseph F]

But I am a sucker for speed, and if my comp. is slow, it's almost unusable for me.

After reading this, can the rest of you still recommend him a fragile, dog shit-slow Air?
Definitely get the pro.

You get a DVD drive, a far more powerful (by 50&#37 CPU, more reliability as the pro won't overheat, an Ethernet port, more than one measly USB port, a more durable chassis and there are probably several more advantages that I'm forgetting.
And, If price truly isn't a concern, get the pro and an aftermarket SSD. (like a Crucial M4 128GB for $180)

 

[alfa147x]

btw folks off brand dvd drives are $15 AR and ethernet is $10

 

[TheStu]

After reading this, can the rest of you still recommend him a fragile, dog shit-slow Air?
Definitely get the pro.

You get a DVD drive, a far more powerful (by 50%) CPU, more reliability as the pro won't overheat, an Ethernet port, more than one measly USB port, a more durable chassis and there are probably several more advantages that I'm forgetting.
And, If price truly isn't a concern, get the pro and an aftermarket SSD. (like a Crucial M4 128GB for $180)

THERE ARE TWO BLOODY USB PORTS!!!

Anyway, I am going to go ahead and assume that you haven't actually, you know, used a MacBook Air since they were refreshed in October 2010, let alone the latest Core i models. The Air doesn't overheat and the chassis are essentially identical in terms of strength (the Air has a thinner display and obviously the taper).

You don't need to lie about the Air in order to compare the two. The Pro gets you more ports, a faster CPU, saves you a little money (though if you put in your own SSD that is a wash) upgradeability and a completely worthless optical drive (though the bay is useful for dropping a second drive into). The Air is lighter, thinner, easier to type on (the wedge shape is more ergonomic), has a higher res display and comes with an SSD standard.

There you go, advantages and disadvantages to both, and I, unlike you, didn't have to lie.

 

[alfa147x]

I'll settle this debate. Go to your local Apple store and try both out! Holy hell. Aren't I amazing ?

 

[TheStu]

I'll settle this debate. Go to your local Apple store and try both out! Holy hell. Aren't I amazing ?

Whoa! Whoa there hot shot. If you are actually proposing that the OP take our recommendations and then make up his own mind based on hands on times... that is just crazy talk there cowboy.

 

[dclive]

I just sold my 13" pro... Kept the 13" air. Both i5. Can't imagine why one would use or need the pro nowadays. CDs are obsolete.

 

[TheStu]

I just sold my 13" pro... Kept the 13" air. Both i5. Can't imagine why one would use or need the pro nowadays. CDs are obsolete.

If one were a sysadmin or something, the physical ethernet port could be useful. If you have firewire drives that you don't want to gimp with USB.

However, I agree with you, the Air is the better system and the direction that not just Apple, but the entire industry is moving toward. The CPUs are and have been fast enough for quite some time, and optical is dead dead dead. Last time I had to burn a DVD was to reinstall Windows and I couldn't get the usb installer to work.

 

[Toughbook]

You are operating on OLD information.

Air:
1440*900 resolution display
2 USB
SD Card
Thunderbolt
Audio Out
MagSafe
7 hour battery life
SSD standard (and only option)

Pro:
1280*800 display
2 USB
Ethernet
Firewire
SD Card
Thunderbolt
Audio Out
MagSafe
7 hour battery life
HDD standard (but replacements can be more easily and cheaply acquired)

When you find a MBA with a SD card let me know.

 

[TheStu]

You are operating on OLD information.

Air:
1440*900 resolution display
2 USB
SD Card
Thunderbolt
Audio Out
MagSafe
7 hour battery life
SSD standard (and only option)

Pro:
1280*800 display
2 USB
Ethernet
Firewire
SD Card
Thunderbolt
Audio Out
MagSafe
7 hour battery life
HDD standard (but replacements can be more easily and cheaply acquired)

When you find a MBA with a SD card let me know.

There is actually a 'quote' button there at the bottom.

http://www.apple.com/macbookair/features.html#connectivity

And if I could go back in time 15 months I would, just to let you know about the October '10 Air refresh that.... PUT AN SD CARD SLOT ONTO THE 13" AIR.

Does nobody know how to actually use the internet? Go to Apple's website.

 

[Toughbook]

Sorry Stu. I'm actually sick as a bitch right now. It takes all I can to read, much less make sense of it. I'm bored to death, glad I hardly ever get sick.

 

[TheStu]

Sorry Stu. I'm actually sick as a bitch right now. It takes all I can to read, much less make sense of it. I'm bored to death, glad I hardly ever get sick.

Well, there are always silly Flash games, youtube/netflix movies and of course, pictures of naked people to keep you occupied.

 

[Joseph F]

THERE ARE TWO BLOODY USB PORTS!!!

Anyway, I am going to go ahead and assume that you haven't actually, you know, used a MacBook Air since they were refreshed in October 2010, let alone the latest Core i models. The Air doesn't overheat and the chassis are essentially identical in terms of strength (the Air has a thinner display and obviously the taper).

You don't need to lie about the Air in order to compare the two. The Pro gets you more ports, a faster CPU, saves you a little money (though if you put in your own SSD that is a wash) upgradeability and a completely worthless optical drive (though the bay is useful for dropping a second drive into). The Air is lighter, thinner, easier to type on (the wedge shape is more ergonomic), has a higher res display and comes with an SSD standard.

There you go, advantages and disadvantages to both, and I, unlike you, didn't have to lie.

MBA's don't overheat, huh?
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1196035
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1229148
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3541800?start=0&tstart=0

How dare you call me a liar.
[I love you]. Just because you're a mod, doesn't mean I can't call you out on your [factually inaccurate claims].

Profanity is STILL not allowed on the technical forums. Clean up your act.
-ViRGE

 

[alfa147x]

MBA's don't overheat, huh?
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1196035
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1229148
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3541800?start=0&tstart=0

How dare you call me a liar.
[I love you]. Just because you're a mod, doesn't mean I can't call you out on your [factually inaccurate claims].

The ones we use in the office have never overheated. They use them to render video sometimes when they're on the road. Never an issue.

A couple of cases out of millions isn't a reason to bash a computer. He's not only a mod but a respectable member of our forum I would not berate his as though he is not

 

[vi edit]

My MBA has not only *not* overheated, it simply doensn't even get warm. I've never even heard the fan kick in on it.

The 2011 are blisteringly fast in basic computing tasks. Opening apps, web browsing, productivity aps, ect.

If you do not need a ton of space, an onboard ethernet adapter, or regular use of a dvd drive it's an incredible device.

I debated between MBA and MBP and went with the air because the SSD was just so much faster and the portability for performance is unmatched.

 

[TheStu]

MBA's don't overheat, huh?
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1196035
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1229148
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3541800?start=0&tstart=0

How dare you call me a liar.
[I love you]. Just because you're a mod, doesn't mean I can't call you out on your [factually inaccurate claims].

Your first link contains a detailed account, with visual evidence that if you stress the system, it heats up.

The second link is someone saying 'My first MBA had a bum screen, the second MBA overheats and smells bad am I unlucky?' To which someone replies 'Yes, you are unlucky'.

The final is someone also experiencing aberrant behavior to which again, just one person replied 'huh, i haven't had that problem'.

I can find anecdotal forum posts about anything, as can anyone else. It is the internet for god's sake. And please don't line up more links. There are no reports of widespread overheating issues on the 2010 or 2011 MacBook Airs. And since you like anecdotal evidence, here is mine again;

With the exception of watching netflix video, my 2010 Air barely ever gets warm.

Also remember that there is a difference between temperatures rising within spec and overheating to the point of potential failure. The original MBAs would overheat to the point of potential failure. The new ones do not.

Here are examples of consistent problems with Apple laptops;

-MacBooks suffered from cracking palm rests were the little nubby bits on the lid would impact the thin plastic of the palm rest.

-MagSafe T style connectors fray

-First generation MacBook Pros had persistent inverter issues (whining/failing).

-MBPs with 8600m GPUs also experienced widespread failures.

 

[cheez]

I just got me a first Apple, Macbook Pro 13.3 laptop! Woahhhhh...... I am loving this!

I just sold my 13" pro... Kept the 13" air. Both i5. Can't imagine why one would use or need the pro nowadays. CDs are obsolete.

I tested out both the Air and Pro side by side at the apple store. The PQ and display view quality is definitely better on the Pro, things like color depth and crispness. The blacks are better too in videos. The viewing angle is also better any angle vertical or horizontal direction you look at it. Pictures look more 3D.
The pictures in Air looked pretty good, it's not crap at all. The Pro only looks a bit better.

This is why I paid a little more and got me the Pro, this is my very first Apple laptop. I'm happy as hell.

The con is that this laptop is heavy... very heavy. But that's ok cause my mobility concern isn't high. Air has better mobility.

 

[JackBurton]

MBA's don't overheat, huh?
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1196035
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1229148
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3541800?start=0&tstart=0

How dare you call me a liar.
[I love you]. Just because you're a mod, doesn't mean I can't call you out on your [factually inaccurate claims].

I think you have it backwards. It's my understanding that the Pro would most likely get much hotter than the Air due to it using a quad core CPU (Pro) vs a dual core CPU (Air).

And as for the optical drive, why carry around extra hardware (DVD drive) when you don't need it 99% of the time? I RARELY use my DVD drive on my laptop (Sony) and wish I didn't have it built in. The Air (IMO) is prefect. If I need a DVD drive (to rip a DVD or CD), I'll just connect it for that time and then disconnect it when I'm done. I don't need to freakin' carry it around with me at all times (integrated solution). It just adds weight and bulk to a machine that is supposed to be mobile and light.

 

[dclive]

I just got me a first Apple, Macbook Pro 13.3 laptop! Woahhhhh...... I am loving this!


I tested out both the Air and Pro side by side at the apple store. The PQ and display view quality is definitely better on the Pro, things like color depth and crispness. The blacks are better too in videos. The viewing angle is also better any angle vertical or horizontal direction you look at it. Pictures look more 3D.
The pictures in Air looked pretty good, it's not crap at all. The Pro only looks a bit better.

This is why I paid a little more and got me the Pro, this is my very first Apple laptop. I'm happy as hell.

The con is that this laptop is heavy... very heavy. But that's ok cause my mobility concern isn't high. Air has better mobility.

I owned both for six months or so and didn't see a PQ difference - but the MBP13" does have a low-res screen compared to the MBA13", and that drove me up the wall. Reason enough to move to just the MBA13". That, plus the SSD. Mechanical hard drives are for holding videos and such; OSs need SSDs.

 

[dclive]

I think you have it backwards. It's my understanding that the Pro would most likely get much hotter than the Air due to it using a quad core CPU (Pro) vs a dual core CPU (Air).

Quad vs. dual doesn't inherently mean hotter or cooler. However, the MBP13, which is what we're mostly comparing here, has only a dual-core CPU.

And as for the optical drive, why carry around extra hardware (DVD drive) when you don't need it 99% of the time? I RARELY use my DVD drive on my laptop (Sony) and wish I didn't have it built in. The Air (IMO) is prefect. If I need a DVD drive (to rip a DVD or CD), I'll just connect it for that time and then disconnect it when I'm done. I don't need to freakin' carry it around with me at all times (integrated solution). It just adds weight and bulk to a machine that is supposed to be mobile and light.

Agree. I don't recall the last time I used an optical drive; OSs are on USB or network or mounted ISO; physical CDs are obsolete.

 

[cheez]

It makes sense for Pro to heat more than the Air. Air is meant to heat less due to mobility.

I think Joseph F is Fail.. ha ha

 

[alfa147x]

Agree. I don't recall the last time I used an optical drive; OSs are on USB or network or mounted ISO; physical CDs are obsolete.

I agree. Just buy a $15 dvd drive for the occasional use. I dropped my super drive in my MBP for a SSD (120gb) + 500gb hybrid. Amazing combination

 

[cheez]

I owned both for six months or so and didn't see a PQ difference - but the MBP13" does have a low-res screen compared to the MBA13", and that drove me up the wall. Reason enough to move to just the MBA13". That, plus the SSD. Mechanical hard drives are for holding videos and such; OSs need SSDs.

Well, I could tell the difference between the two in PQ and display view quality side by side. The Air lacked in black levels compared to the Pro. The same video source (HD movie titles) looked flatter as it lacked contrast. The colors are not as deep either. I saw the immediate difference which is why I went with the Pro. The reason why you didn't notice the difference is because either a). you ran each device at a time for a long period time so you've got used to the pictures. b). You are not comparing the same video source for both devices at the same time. If you don't set Pro next to it you won't know what's lacking. This is expected. ()

Oh and like I said earlier, the viewing angle performance is not as good as on the Pro.

This makes sense cause the thin display can only do so much due to limitation of current technology applied on these laptops. Pro's display is thicker I believe.

 

[cheez]

If the Air provides equal display and picture / video quality as the Pro I sure would have gotten the Air cause it's thinner and lighter. lol

Oh and having higher or lesser pixel resolutions doesn't automatically mean it's better or worse. With higher resolutions you'll have more room to work with on the screen but PQ and display view quality is whole another story depending on the device.

 

[alfa147x]

The Air has a better display than the Pro...

 

[alent1234]

The Air has a better display than the Pro...

You must wear the same kind of glasses like my mom