07-20-2011, 04:00 PM

I am planning on buying a macbook within the next month. I am currently at University so I get a massive discount of the normal price but am not sure whether to get get the pro or the air.

I will use it for Internet, music, word processing and programming.

I had decided on getting the pro until today when the new MacBook air came out and I the specs had been improved.

Which one would you recommend for what I will be doing?

07-20-2011, 04:05 PM

Do you ever find yourself needing a CD/DVD drive? If so...then the MacBook Pro may be the better choice. Of course you can get an external CD/DVD drive for the MacBook Air.

You didn't mention what specific models you are considering...so there may be a $$$/£££/€€€ to consider.

- Nick

07-20-2011, 04:12 PM

Thanks for the reply.

I find these days a CD/DVD drive is not something I use.

I was looking at the 13" MacBook pro 2.0ghz processor and 500gb at £890

Or

13" MacBook air not sure whether to go 128gb or 256gb configuration yet.

07-20-2011, 05:02 PM

Im in the same boat as you mate.

Does anyone know when the new MacBook Pros or 'Ultrabooks' will be released?

I would probably wait and get a decent 15" Pro/Ultra but as it stands Im looking at a 11" Air for on the move and an iMac for home.

07-20-2011, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by tomelk31

Thanks for the reply.

I find these days a CD/DVD drive is not something I use.

I was looking at the 13" MacBook pro 2.0ghz processor and 500gb at £890

Or

13" MacBook air not sure whether to go 128gb or 256gb configuration yet.

You didn't include prices for the MacBook Airs...but:

- 13" MacBook Pro £890
- 13" MacBook Air 128gig SSD £1,099
- 13" MacBook Air 256gig SSD £1,349

In either case with the MacBook Air...that's a pretty good jump in price (if price is a concern)...especially for the 256gig MacBook Air.

The SSD drives are supposed to make a computer seem faster than the cpu speed would indicate...and the MacBook Air's are lighter than the MacBook Pros. So the best recommendation would be to try & visit a local Apple Store or university store (if possible) to make speed & weight comparison's.

HTH,

- Nick

07-20-2011, 05:42 PM

one other thing to consider would be battery life.

07-20-2011, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Ramimac1

one other thing to consider would be battery life.

Which battery life is better? How much better?

Thank you

07-20-2011, 08:22 PM

The battery life of the top tier MBA is supposed to be on par with the MBP at 7 hours.

07-20-2011, 08:34 PM

That is a tough decision, as they are both great! For me personally, i like to play graphic intense video games here and there so the MacBook Pro would be the wiser choice as it comes with a much better video card than the standard Intel Graphics chipset. It all depends on your needs.

GL!

07-21-2011, 01:38 AM

Is there going to be a new MacBook pro out anytime soon?

I don't ant to go out and buy a pro and then a few weeks later a new one comes out.

07-21-2011, 02:00 AM

Originally Posted by Zizuno

The battery life of the top tier MBA is supposed to be on par with the MBP at 7 hours.

ok so the 13" 2010 mbp model had a 10 hour battery. did not notice that change.

Sorry about that.

07-21-2011, 06:16 PM

I just faced the same tough decision, but when I saw the new air and the specs, I was sold.

I was originally looking at buying the older air with the 256g hd, 2.13ghz core 2 duo and 4gb of ram. It was a computer that wouldve suited me well, but it ran $1800 after tax so I was hesitant because $1800 will buy you an awesome MBP, and I didnt think the "cool" factor of the Air was that cool.

When I saw the new specs though, I ordered mine ASAP. The scariest thing about the old airs was the core 2 duo just because it is a little dated IMO. Now the air offers the i5 (or i7) giving you that extra battery life, it has the backlit keyboard, and so on. I did order the 13" because as an every day user, the 11" was a little too small. I got mine overnighted and it will be here tomorrow for a little over $1300. A MBP would have a few more advantages like the cd drive, a better graphics card, and some better battery life, but I dont need that. Either way, I think both are very sufficient for average users.