macbook air or macbook pro?

[TheStu]

For a machine with non-spectacular, non-upgradeable specs it is ovepriced, in my opinion. Like I said earlier, the OP is better off with the MBP. Just look at his requirements, they are absolutely SCREAMING MBP over MBA.






Priorities: upgradeable memory/HDD (implied by that last point), robust build. Repairable (ok he didn't say this, but if the HDD dies out of warranty then "long lasting/I don't want it to break down" also implies it can be fixed without sending it away).

NOT priorities: portability

I know it's par for the course for you Apple lads to want the shiniest, flashiest thing Jobs pushes to market, but the OP would be FOOLISH to buy the MBA with his requirements.

They are arguing semantics, you are saying overpriced, they are saying, compared to what?

If you were to say that it is expensive for what you get, then they might agree with you, or at least have one less thing to disagree with you about.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

They are arguing semantics, you are saying overpriced, they are saying, compared to what?

If you were to say that it is expensive for what you get, then they might agree with you, or at least have one less thing to disagree with you about.

Well in my mind there is no difference between "expensive for what you get" and "overpriced". So I suppose it is an issue of semantics.

 

[Ns1]

For a machine with non-spectacular, non-upgradeable specs it is ovepriced, in my opinion. Like I said earlier, the OP is better off with the MBP. Just look at his requirements, they are absolutely SCREAMING MBP over MBA.






Priorities: upgradeable memory/HDD (implied by that last point), robust build. Repairable (ok he didn't say this, but if the HDD dies out of warranty then "long lasting/I don't want it to break down" also implies it can be fixed without sending it away).

NOT priorities: portability

I know it's par for the course for you Apple lads to want the shiniest, flashiest thing Jobs pushes to market, but the OP would be FOOLISH to buy the MBA with his requirements.

Conversely, he doesn't need an MBP to do this

"main uses will be for internet (reading blogs, anandtech, forums, etc etc), and sometimes watching stuff online. No games, or intense graphic uses."

I don't really think an MBA is going to be so oudated in a few years that it wont' be able to handle the next OS or be able to meet those needs outlined above.

Also, I think a 128gb SSD is already an upgrade over a 320gb 5400.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

I'm am seriously contemplating getting an apple laptop. This will be my first apple computer experience and I am debating between a macbook pro, or a macbook air.

This will be my primary computer for use at home. The main uses will be for internet (reading blogs, anandtech, forums, etc etc), and sometimes watching stuff online. No games, or intense graphic uses. I don't travel much, the most travel it gets will be between rooms in my home, or from the coffee table to my thigh.

My biggest thing is that I want it to be long lasting. It doesn't have to be the highest specs, but 1. I dont want it to break down, 2. I want it to be sufficient for future OS updates, etc etc

I know that technically, the pro has higher specs (more ghz, more ram), but I just keep thinking that there is something really good that makes the air almost the same price as the pro. Is it just the thinness and the SSD drive?

The truth is that I like the air more, but I keep that I might be missing something by not getting the 'pro' version.

to the op: my experience has been upgrading from a 15 inch 2008 macbook pro to the current macbook air. the 13 inch macbook air is more than enough for your needs. hell, i can play starcraft 2 on medium settings in os x on it.

is it "pro" enough? i think so - i'm not missing anything from my previous macbook pro, and i'm using it for "professional" purposes.

i find it a lot more comfortable to use than the macbook pros because it's over all clearance is so much lower. it doesn't FEEL like a laptop - but it is. and because of the ssd, things are just real snappy and not at all slow.

is it overpriced? i don't know - you get what you pay for in my opinion. you're paying more for the thinness/less weight, the ssd drive, and the higher resolution 13 inch screen. the 13 inch pro actually has a lower resolution led than the air. also, try adding an ssd to the 13 inch mbp, and see where you come out on price.

i don't know what kind of experience godless astronomer has had with the macbook air, or why he is so vehemently against it, but i suggest you try it out in store. make sure if you do get one, to spec it exactly the way you want because afaik none of the components of the air are user upgradable (though i've heard you could swap out the ssd - i wouldn't try, because it's a non standard form factor).

 

[umrigar]

truffles are overpriced, too. unless you love them and can afford them.

Apple-haters gonna hate, you can't get them to admit anything Apple makes is worth buying. period.

 

[TheStu]

to the op: my experience has been upgrading from a 15 inch 2008 macbook pro to the current macbook air. the 13 inch macbook air is more than enough for your needs. hell, i can play starcraft 2 on medium settings in os x on it.

is it "pro" enough? i think so - i'm not missing anything from my previous macbook pro, and i'm using it for "professional" purposes.

i find it a lot more comfortable to use than the macbook pros because it's over all clearance is so much lower. it doesn't FEEL like a laptop - but it is. and because of the ssd, things are just real snappy and not at all slow.

is it overpriced? i don't know - you get what you pay for in my opinion. you're paying more for the thinness/less weight, the ssd drive, and the higher resolution 13 inch screen. the 13 inch pro actually has a lower resolution led than the air. also, try adding an ssd to the 13 inch mbp, and see where you come out on price.

i don't know what kind of experience godless astronomer has had with the macbook air, or why he is so vehemently against it, but i suggest you try it out in store. make sure if you do get one, to spec it exactly the way you want because afaik none of the components of the air are user upgradable (though i've heard you could swap out the ssd - i wouldn't try, because it's a non standard form factor).

IIRC the SSD is a standard form factor, Apple is just the only one using it. OWC sells a replacement one that has the Sandforce controller.

 

[alkemyst]

Starcraft is a professional purpose?

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Starcraft is a professional purpose?

in korea it is. jk. it was just an example/benchmark of up to what it could run.

 

[suklee]

I'm a 13" MBP user (2009 model), and I'm eyeing the next MBA update. I'm just waiting for a backlit keyboard, support for 8GB RAM, and Thunderbolt port. I very, very rarely use the built in DVD drive and would love the portability of the MBA.

 

[Emulex]

i hurt my arm picking up my macbook (white 2007) model. so now i have to use my macbook air.

 

[alkemyst]

I'm a 13" MBP user (2009 model), and I'm eyeing the next MBA update. I'm just waiting for a backlit keyboard, support for 8GB RAM, and Thunderbolt port. I very, very rarely use the built in DVD drive and would love the portability of the MBA.

how much more portable is it going to be over a 13" MBP?

8GB and the backlit keyboard would be a hit to the battery life.

 

[TheStu]

how much more portable is it going to be over a 13" MBP?

8GB and the backlit keyboard would be a hit to the battery life.

How would more RAM hurt battery life? The backlit keyboard maybe, but it isn't like that gobbles power.

And the MBA weighs about half as much as the MBP, plus with the tapered edge it is easier for people to pick it up I would imagine.

 

[alkemyst]

There is a 1.6lb difference, 2.9lbs vs 4.5lbs.

 

[suklee]

There is a 1.6lb difference, 2.9lbs vs 4.5lbs.

To me, 1.6 out of 4.5 is a pretty big difference, but YMMV.

The backlit keyboard isn't going to be on all the time, but it's one of those 'nice to haves' when I'm typing in a not-so-bright environment. (I would gladly take the hit in battery life!)

Regarding the 8GB RAM: isn't the theory that with more RAM it would access a (spinning) hard disk less? With the SSD in the MBA that's somewhat debatable I suppose, but again, I would definitely take the 8GB over the decreased battery life.

 

[Shadowknight]

There is a 1.6lb difference, 2.9lbs vs 4.5lbs.

Big difference if you carry it around. My 13" Air is perfect for carrying around for 1+ hours at a time, whereas my old, 5.5 laptop was uncomfortable to carry after 5 minutes. I recently got a superdrive for the Air and threw it into my bag, but there was enough of a weigh difference that I took it out and am leaving it at home for now.