Mid 2012 Macbook Pro and Macbook Air

[oldertwin]

Hi,
I have a mid 2012 15in macbook pro 2.6ghz quad i7, 8GB, 1TB 7200rpm, Intel HD and Nvidia 650m 1GB graphics. And I am thinking about buying a 13in Macbook Air because I want something thin and light to take to class and use in college. I hate taking my current macbook pro to school because it is to heavy and thick in my bag with all of my books. And I hate the idea of taking a $2500+ laptop to school where is can get broke or stolen. So I have been thinking about a Macbook Air:
13-inch
128GB
1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz
Intel HD Graphics 5000
4GB memory

I know the air has got a slower processor and less memory and a tiny Harddrive. But I plan on using it to watch HD Youtube videos, and iTunes music videos, along with internet and papers. Do you think I would notice the Air being slower then my macbook pro? Would the SSD make up for it? And the Macbook Air is 2 years newer. Or should I just stick with my macbook pro?

 

[pigoo3]

I know the air has got a slower processor and less memory and a tiny Harddrive. But I plan on using it to watch HD Youtube videos, and iTunes music videos, along with internet and papers. Do you think I would notice the Air being slower then my macbook pro? Would the SSD make up for it? And the pro is 2 years newer. Or should I just stick with my macbook pro?

Are you talking about having both computers...or selling the MacBook Pro and getting the MacBook Air?

In either case...for the computer tasks you mentioned...the MacBook Air would be fine. But you will have less ram and storage with the MacBook Air (and these are not upgradeable).

- Nick

 

[Moss]

The short answer, I think, is No. You will not notice a speed difference at all for those day to day tasks. The current gen MBA will do all of those tasks with ease.

I too have a 15"MBP and know that it can feel heavy at times! As a college student, I don't find I use my computer much in class for notes and such, I use it outside of class for papers, computations, research, and then leisure. I'm riding out this machine until it no longer works, so the solution to the weight frustration that I decided to implement was to get an iPad.

If your mind is made up to get the MBA, then I know that you will enjoy it. Pleasure to use, small, and quite capable. But to suggest another alternative, a tablet of sorts might be okay.

I have found that with my iPad, I often leave my MBP at home on days I know I won't be running intensive tasks, or doing much writing. The tablet allows me to pull up class notes, carry my textbooks (as PDF files, I was lucky to find most of my reference material this way), and to use social media, music, and youtube and such. An iPad, a Nexus 7 (great price option, and an awesome tablet), or any other capable tablet may work just fine! I now have less that I carry with me daily than ever before thanks to the tablet.

 

[oldertwin]

Are you talking about having both computers...or selling the MacBook Pro and getting the MacBook Air?

In either case...for the computer tasks you mentioned...the MacBook Air would be fine. But you will have less ram and storage with the MacBook Air (and these are not upgradeable).

- Nick

I would like to sell my Macbook Pro and buy one of the new Retinas. But my Ebay account is messed up and I can't use Craiglist (which I tried already) because I live in a area where people think mac computers are $500 new. So I was going to buy the Macbook Air and take it around school and leave my Macbook Pro at home.

 

[oldertwin]

The short answer, I think, is No. You will not notice a speed difference at all for those day to day tasks. The current gen MBA will do all of those tasks with ease.

I too have a 15"MBP and know that it can feel heavy at times! As a college student, I don't find I use my computer much in class for notes and such, I use it outside of class for papers, computations, research, and then leisure. I'm riding out this machine until it no longer works, so the solution to the weight frustration that I decided to implement was to get an iPad.

If your mind is made up to get the MBA, then I know that you will enjoy it. Pleasure to use, small, and quite capable. But to suggest another alternative, a tablet of sorts might be okay.

I have found that with my iPad, I often leave my MBP at home on days I know I won't be running intensive tasks, or doing much writing. The tablet allows me to pull up class notes, carry my textbooks (as PDF files, I was lucky to find most of my reference material this way), and to use social media, music, and youtube and such. An iPad, a Nexus 7 (great price option, and an awesome tablet), or any other capable tablet may work just fine! I now have less that I carry with me daily than ever before thanks to the tablet.

I did think about the iPad I actually bought a Air when it came out last year and then I retuned it and got a iPad Mini Retina, but I returned it also. I liked the device but the way my school has all of the online access setup for students for classes and work is some out of date system that does not like tablet or IOS devices or even android. You have to have a full computer to get the websites to work correctly.

 

[chscag]

You have to have a full computer to get the websites to work correctly.

Really? I don't think I've run into a website yet where I couldn't use my iPad effectively. Sure, it's not a full blown computer and was never meant to be but it works well enough for doing most tasks. An iPad along with a BT keyboard is even better.

The advice and input you received from member "moss" was right on target. It's OK if you don't feel comfortable using an iPad, but I assure you that an iPad Air is a very capable device for use in school, business, or just pleasure. I agree with you on the Mini though.