MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro

kirbstomp · Jul 5, 2011

Hey I know this has been discussed a bit on these forums because I've already scoured them for answers. But none of them specifically fit my situation, so I'll pose the question: MacBook Air (after the upcoming refresh) or MacBook Pro?

In my search for a computer for college, I've narrowed it down to either the 13 inch MacBook Air or the 13 inch MacBook Pro. I intend to be an English and Physics major (are there a lot of Physics programs that require better-than-Air graphics?). I plan on using my computer for word processing, web browsing, light gaming (mainly older, less graphically intensive games I have on my HDD), and some movie watching (also on my HDD). I don't foresee any need to constantly have an optical drive, though I plan to purchase one anyway. I also don't foresee many graphically demanding tasks. So basically all of these things point to a MBA. The reason I'm yet undecided is because my friends maintain, with good reason, that a MBP is a much better computer for the price. The question is: do I need that "much better computer?"

Thank you for your input.

Banshee365 · Jul 5, 2011

You're paying for the portability and flash hardware in the Air. I would personally go for the Macbook Pro 13" if I were you. You'll definitely have more computing power with the MBP over the Air. From what you've said the Air would probably have plenty of power for you. All of that flash hardware is actually pretty impressive. I've been in an Apple store and opened every single app on the machine at one time and it was flying! The 13" MBP is a great size and weight. It should be getting refreshed here soon to follow it's bigger brothers. You may look into waiting for the 13" refresh. But if you need a notebook now the current 13" is still great.

RavingMac · Jul 5, 2011

For an "only" computer I would go MBP all the way. If you are primarily looking for a second (or third) portable to augment your system and lightweight was key, I would get the MBA.

FWIW my next will be a MBA but I already have a desktop and 15in MBP, both of which I will continue to use.

EvenStranger · Jul 5, 2011

My computer for work is a 13" MBA. My home computer is a 13" MBP. I've played World of Warcraft on both, and they both do fine, so graphics shouldn't be much of an issue. I went with the Pro for home use because I can easily upgrade the RAM and hard drive in the future if I desire. The Air was purchased by my company, and in my position, if I want an upgrade somewhere along the line, I'll snag a newer model and put mine back in inventory for someone else. That being said, I love the Air... it's light, fast and does everything I require of it.

cptkrf · Jul 5, 2011

I sold my 13" MBP to buy an Air because I had to cut down on the bulk that I was trying to jam under the seat and in the overhead bins in the sardine cans that the airlines are using today.

I have to say that I like the MBP better and if I wasn't traveling, that is what I would have. That isn't to say that the Air isn't a first class product - it is, and I like it also. If I were a student hauling armloads of stuff around a campus, the Air would be perfect.

For just normal laptop use, the MBP is more machine for the money. But I doubt that you will be dissatisfied with either one.

LeSamourai · Jul 5, 2011

Sorry I didn't see this thread before and started a similar one. The MBP proponents are pointing out the performance superiority but is this still true if the MPA is upgraded to the same sandy bridge processor? I've actually noticed from testing in apple store that MPA with its SSD is actually faster (bootup, web browsing, and even some games) than MBP. So can knowledgeable users of current-gen MBP point out any other hardware discrepencies besides the cpu that gives MBP performance edge over MBA?

Deckyon · Jul 5, 2011

I find it hard to believe the 13" MBP was too big for the airlines... Even my 17" works fine in the overhead or under the seat. I even had it sitting in the seat pocket during takeoff with no issues. Unless you have to carry a ton of other stuff to make your computing enjoyable, there isn't going to be that much of a difference. If weight is an issue, grow stronger.

MBP - .95" thick
MBA - .68" thick (at it's thickest)

Computing power per dollar, the 13" MBA cannot be compared to the 13" MBP.

Deckyon · Jul 5, 2011

LeSamourai said:
Sorry I didn't see this thread before and started a similar one. The MBP proponents are pointing out the performance superiority but is this still true if the MPA is upgraded to the same sandy bridge processor? I've actually noticed from testing in apple store that MPA with its SSD is actually faster (bootup, web browsing, and even some games) than MBP. So can knowledgeable users of current-gen MBP point out any other hardware discrepencies besides the cpu that gives MBP performance edge over MBA?

Current MBA supports only up to 4GB RAM, not upgradeable.
Current MBP supports up to 8GB RAM, user upgradeable.
Current MBP can have the HDD upgraded to whatever size fits, including SSD.

cptkrf · Jul 7, 2011

Deckyon said:
I find it hard to believe the 13" MBP was too big for the airlines... Even my 17" works fine in the overhead or under the seat. I even had it sitting in the seat pocket during takeoff with no issues. Unless you have to carry a ton of other stuff to make your computing enjoyable, there isn't going to be that much of a difference. If weight is an issue, grow stronger.
.

No, the Air isn't a magic item for air travel. It was just one piece of a solution of trying to get my carry on load cut down. I have found that checking luggage just doesn't work these days. You will be in Miami and it will be in Seattle. In fact, I have found that Fed-exing any extra stuff that I might need works almost as well and is light years more reliable.

Unfortunately, these days those conclusions are very common and the overhead bins just flat won't hold all the stuff that people are trying to stuff in them. So - an MB-Air, super lightweight magnesium briefcase and matching overnighter, and I have a somewhat more pleasant boarding experience.

The only thing left that I need is a +1 Ring of Invisibility so I can avoid those TSA idiots. ("What is this?" "A Magic Mouse." "Open it up. I need to see inside." "???? !!!!...")

randalthor · Jul 7, 2011

kirbstomp said:
Hey I know this has been discussed a bit on these forums because I've already scoured them for answers. But none of them specifically fit my situation, so I'll pose the question: MacBook Air (after the upcoming refresh) or MacBook Pro?

In my search for a computer for college, I've narrowed it down to either the 13 inch MacBook Air or the 13 inch MacBook Pro. I intend to be an English and Physics major (are there a lot of Physics programs that require better-than-Air graphics?). I plan on using my computer for word processing, web browsing, light gaming (mainly older, less graphically intensive games I have on my HDD), and some movie watching (also on my HDD). I don't foresee any need to constantly have an optical drive, though I plan to purchase one anyway. I also don't foresee many graphically demanding tasks. So basically all of these things point to a MBA. The reason I'm yet undecided is because my friends maintain, with good reason, that a MBP is a much better computer for the price. The question is: do I need that "much better computer?"

Thank you for your input.

considering the refresh for macbook airs is expected to hit in the next week or two along with lion, then the thirteen inch MBA and 13 inch MBP will have the same graphics chipset... the intel onboard with the sandy bridge processors. MBA is getting better and better.

StMFA · Jul 7, 2011

randalthor said:
considering the refresh for macbook airs is expected to hit in the next week or two along with lion, then the thirteen inch MBA and 13 inch MBP will have the same graphics chipset... the intel onboard with the sandy bridge processors. MBA is getting better and better.

I agree with this, except it will be interesting to see which sandy bridge line apple chooses to put in the MBA. It likely will be a core-i5 like the mbp, but if they happen to offer an uprade to an quad-core i7 I would personally opt for the i7 as it will run much faster in comparison due to the extra 2 cores.

Dysfunction · Jul 7, 2011

StMFA said:
I agree with this, except it will be interesting to see which sandy bridge line apple chooses to put in the MBA. It likely will be a core-i5 like the mbp, but if they happen to offer an uprade to an quad-core i7 I would personally opt for the i7 as it will run much faster in comparison due to the extra 2 cores.

Doubtful. The reduced form-factor of the Air will reduce the battery they can fit in the thing. They'll save on the processor power in deference of run time.

bobtomay · Jul 7, 2011

Best CPU going into the MBA is likely to be the new 17 watt hyperthreaded dual core i7 @ 1.8Ghz with turboboost to 2.8-2.9 (I forget which already). I'd be a little surprised to see it in the MBA this month though.

I'd sure like to see a benchmark on this chip. Am thinking this one should top out my 2.33 C2D by a decent enough margin.

MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro

kirbstomp

Banshee365

RavingMac

Well-known member

EvenStranger

cptkrf

LeSamourai

Deckyon

Deckyon

cptkrf

randalthor

StMFA

Dysfunction

bobtomay

,

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