Anyone decide to buy the new 13" MBP instead of the MBA at the last minute?

[entatlrg]

The new 13" MBP is really tempting ....

Anyone else considering it now over the MBA?

[Airforcekid]

if your considering it the air won't be your best bet. It seems like a good buy though.

[entatlrg]

It is the sweet spot between the 15" MBP and the MBA...

[kokesh]

I'm strongly considering the 13" MBP now where I hadn't considered the UMB prior to today's keynote. The new battery tech and the fact that MBA still doesn't have a larger SSD or 4GB RAM are really swaying me toward the MBP. I'd love to own an MBA but the MBP just seems like such a better deal right now.

[gcmexico]

I'm actually thinking about selling my MBA and buying the new 13inch...it's such a sweet laptop

[entatlrg]

yes, for sure and it's quite easy to say the new 13" MBP will easily serve as one's "main computer" whereas the MBA falls a little short ...

[OceanView]

Yes, I was considering the MBA but the new MBP just makes a lot of sense with the higher specs and the new pricing.
I have a feeling if Apple does come out with a tablet of some kind, the MBA may get discontinued.

[hitekalex]

No.. too thick and heavy ;)

[Scottsdale]

yes, for sure and it's quite easy to say the new 13" MBP will easily serve as one's "main computer" whereas the MBA falls a little short ...

I have to agree with your statement. I am a huge MBA fan, and I used a rev B MBA with 1.86 CPU and SSD as my primary Mac. It was stolen, and now I am replacing it with a new 2.13 GHz MBA. At the same time, I so wish the new MBA had 4 GB RAM, better battery, glass trackpad, and larger SSD. I think the new MBA high end will become the middle MBA/MB with a revision coming soon to become the high end. It will have those additions for $2299! That is my prediction... three months.

In the meantime, buy a 13" MBP. Not like you cannot sell it and get most of your money back when the next MBA is released. The 7-hour battery is to die for! It really makes it powerful. Add with that FireWire, backlit Keyboard, and 8 GB RAM capable, and it could be 90% of Mac Users primary Mac!

There is a lot of reason to buy the 13" MBP. The only reason to buy the MBA is for FUN! It's so fun and yet completely fast enough for the average user. The SSD makes it incredibly fast, but the RAM will prevent it from becoming many others primary Mac! It's still perfect for a business type pro. It still does everything and weighs 35% less than the 13" MBP. And that makes a difference... it really really makes the MBA always fun!

[nph]

I still place the MBA above the 13" MBP until I have seen the new display. I have yet to see many laptops compare to my 9C8F screen!
However if it is truly exactly the same for the 13" as the 15" then it is a great new laptop. If the MBA still has a screen issue then I would take the 13" MBP real fast if I had to chose.

[Veinticinco]

until I have seen the new display. I have yet to see many laptops compare to my 9C8F screen!
However if it is truly exactly the same for the 13" as the 15" then it is a great new laptop. If the MBA still has a screen issue then I would take the 13" MBP real fast if I had to chose.
This is exactly what will push me to making the final decision. No mention of the new display for the MBA does not bode well. If they are still using the 9C9x displays then I'm going 13" MBP.

[Scottsdale]

This is exactly what will push me to making the final decision. No mention of the new display for the MBA does not bode well. If they are still using the 9C9x displays then I'm going 13" MBP.

I thought you had already decided on MBP 13"???

Hey, I am going to call the four Apple Stores in my area this afternoon. If any of them have the high end MBA, I will buy it and report on the display tonight. I figure since there are no BTO options on the MBA, it makes no sense to deal with ordering it if I can get a new one today. Otherwise will just order Wednesday and next day the thing for a Thursday/Friday delivery.

I am going to BTO a 13" MBP late this week... depending on what parts we need to review 2/4/8 GB RAM, and I want some software too. Probably NOT pay for the next day air shipping there and hope for a fairly quick shipment.

If I fall in love with the 13" MBP, I will use it instead of the new MBA. I would turn around and sell the MBA in that case. I plan to be honest with myself. But most important to me will be the display. I can live with the component makeup of the MBA. I already know with SSD it's blazing fast enough for me. I would love a 7-hour battery, but I cannot stand the heavy and huge MBP form factor compared to the MBA. I would love 4 GB of RAM, but I rarely need more than 2 GB of RAM... and I doubt I would ever need it even though it would be nice to be there.

[Veinticinco]

I thought you had already decided on MBP 13"???

Well I have and I haven't ;)

99% of my brain is saying buy the MBP, but there's still that heart that loves and would miss the MBA form factor - and right now it's keeping me from clicking that 'buy' button.

That said, if as I suspect, the screen lines issue hasn't been resolved in this 'new' MBA (and why would it? no new display after all unlike the MBP) then that will certainly be the final nail in the MBA coffin for me. The screen was the reason I sent back all three of my MBAs, and if the model is confirmed the same, then I'll pass on risking a fourth, regardless of the saving and minute speed and battery bumps.

[hitekalex]

Well I have and I haven't ;)

99% of my brain is saying buy the MBP, but there's still that heart that loves and would miss the MBA form factor - and right now it's keeping me from clicking that 'buy' button.

That said, if as I suspect, the screen lines issue hasn't been resolved in this 'new' MBA (and why would it? no new display after all unlike the MBP) then that will certainly be the final nail in the MBA coffin for me. The screen was the reason I sent back all three of my MBAs, and if the model is confirmed the same, then I'll pass on risking a fourth, regardless of the saving and minute speed and battery bumps.

Go with your heart on this one!

As far as screen goes, there is a good chance Apple will "quietly" fix the line issue in the updated MBA. You didn't expect them to publicly admit they had an issue with Rev B screen at WWDC, did you??

Wait a week or two for the reports of people buying Rev C to start trickling in to be on the safe side.

[aleksandra.]

That said, if as I suspect, the screen lines issue hasn't been resolved in this 'new' MBA (and why would it? no new display after all unlike the MBP) then that will certainly be the final nail in the MBA coffin for me.

There was no mention of new screen in revision B either. Does it mean there was no change? :rolleyes:

[orrelse44]

I'm jumping on the 13 inch MBP bandwagon. My Rev A MBA has been really awesome, but I should have just gone MB from the beginning.

I love the MBA but lugging around a separate drive and not having more than one USB port has been frustrating at times.

So, to ebay my MBA goes, real soon. I plan on sweetening the pot with the Superdrive, a copy of Office for Mac, and some other goodies.

[entatlrg]

If I fall in love with the 13" MBP, I will use it instead of the new MBA. I would turn around and sell the MBA in that case. I plan to be honest with myself. But most important to me will be the display. I can live with the component makeup of the MBA. I already know with SSD it's blazing fast enough for me. I would love a 7-hour battery, but I cannot stand the heavy and huge MBP form factor compared to the MBA. I would love 4 GB of RAM, but I rarely need more than 2 GB of RAM... and I doubt I would ever need it even though it would be nice to be there.

That will be an interesting comparison Scottsdale, I'm prepared to make a prediction which one you'll choose after having both in your hands :) I think you'll like both the MBP and MBA displays no problem. You'll like the power, won't mind the fan not running when you hook up your ACD to the MBP and I think you'll choose the MBP !

[u49aa2]

That will be an interesting comparison Scottsdale, I'm prepared to make a prediction which one you'll choose after having both in your hands :) I think you'll like both the MBP and MBA displays no problem. You'll like the power, won't mind the fan not running when you hook up your ACD to the MBP and I think you'll choose the MBP !

I am betting the opposite. Scottsdale has an incredible passion toward the MBA, that the placebo effect of the MBA may bias his analysis :cool:

[entatlrg]

I am betting the opposite. Scottsdale has an incredible passion toward the MBA, that the placebo effect of the MBA may bias his analysis :cool:

Yes, but he said he was going to be honest with himself, lol.

Plus I believe the new 13" MBP will really impress him...

[bugout]

By some miracle I just managed to sell my air on ebay for $1875.

I just ordered a 13" MBP 2.53 for $1542 deliverd and it should be here by friday. I have a 256GB vertex sitting on my desk from my old MBP so that'll just pop in there and I'll be quite happy :)

[qubex]

By some miracle I just managed to sell my air on ebay for $1875.
So much for the wisdom of crowds.

[RajK]

I was set on a MBA after my Powerbook died last month, but now with the new 13" MBP, I'm wavering. I'm mainly going to use it for writing, so the MBA seemed to hit all the right notes. But I can get more power, a longer battery and the extra perks (bigger, HD, optical drive, SD card, glass trackpad) for just a pound and a half more. I'm leaning MBP right now.

[Serenitymused]

I bought a rev A MBA 1.6 ghz for £740 in Feb 2009. It was held by the Apple shop employees that I encountered to be bargain. However, somehow the transition from a Vaio to the MBA has been somewhat less than satisfying. I do enjoy the mobility of the MBA but it has always felt slugish and well noisy. In some respects the mobility worked well for me given hot desking as a trainee teacher, but now that I have jacked in the teaching, the MBA seems a little incongruent as a desktop replacement. I am now wondering if it makes any sense to sell the MBA rev A and replace it with one of the 13 inch MBP. I am not entirely how much I can hope to receive for a four month old refurbished MBA rev A. Decisions are never my forte. I dithered in February over the MBA and the unibody MB, but was persuaded by the salesman of the bargain that the refurbished MBA presented.

[Serenitymused]

I'm mainly going to use it for writing, so the MBA seemed to hit all the right notes

Ditto here.

[bugout]

So much for the wisdom of crowds.

Tell me about it.. If they bothered to check my feedback they would have seen that I bought it for $1600 2 months ago :)

[dudeitsjay]

Already put up my MBA on clist and will eventually put it on ebay. MBP 13'' for me.

[BigB82]

Im in the same dilemma I love the AIR i have the 1.6 120gb thiknin of goin for the 128gb ssd 1.86 refurb, OR if i can exchange somehow I would pay the difference n get the 2.13ghz but than I am thinking about the MBP 13.3 2.53ghz 4gb ram, thats a BEAST more than enough everything for me I would LIKE knowing optical is there even though dont use it much and the SD card is a BIG deal for me lol....anyone know if the screen on the new MBP is same as the AIR? i love the air screen..........DAMMIT i cant decide....I dont even mind the air hard drive if it were only more RAM.....what are most of you deciding? its NOT that much of a weight difference most of the weight of a regular HP or DELL and obviously more than AIR but I would have the newest of the new with SD and way better specs and optical..............DAMN im so confused...

[entatlrg]

Im in the same dilemma I love the AIR i have the 1.6 120gb thiknin of goin for the 128gb ssd 1.86 refurb, OR if i can exchange somehow I would pay the difference n get the 2.13ghz but than I am thinking about the MBP 13.3 2.53ghz 4gb ram, thats a BEAST more than enough everything for me I would LIKE knowing optical is there even though dont use it much and the SD card is a BIG deal for me lol....anyone know if the screen on the new MBP is same as the AIR? i love the air screen..........DAMMIT i cant decide....I dont even mind the air hard drive if it were only more RAM.....what are most of you deciding? its NOT that much of a weight difference most of the weight of a regular HP or DELL and obviously more than AIR but I would have the newest of the new with SD and way better specs and optical..............DAMN im so confused...

Yes, I have the exact same dilemma, at least I was able to return my three week old 15" MBP ... now I have some money to spend.

The new 13" MBP is just so intriguing, I mean it has everything I need and like and more than enough power, it's a well powered desktop unit when hooked up to the 24" ACD no doubt, (the fan runs a lot on my MBA when plugged into the ACD)...

Today, I had my 13" MBP, 2.5ghz with 256ssd in my shopping cart ready to go, but I just couldn't do it yet... I need another 24 hours to think.

The biggest problem is what do I do with my Air when the 13" MBP arrives, I love it and don't want to sell it, yet it's a bit excessive having two ...

what to do, LOL ....

[eVolcre]

anyone know if the screen on the new MBP is same as the AIR? i love the air screen..........DAMMIT



I had a different experience with the 13"MBP screen than what's being reported. Not been posting in this forum much since I had decided to forget my AIR idea and go with one of the smaller MBPs (I now have a 17")

I took the 4 machines into a back room.

The 13" looked a little washed out when compared to the 15" screen. Maybe not by much but I could notice it. The 17" is in a league of its own.

When compared to the 13" MBP the new MBA still seemed much much better. Noticeably so.

I'm very torn/confused at this point. At first I was set on the 15". But the very slight increase in portability (its still quite big/heavy) doesn't justify the dramatic drop in the screen resolution.

Before I did my subjective visual test at the Store, I had convinced myself to go with the 13" MBP. Figured if I was dropping resolution and had to get used to a smaller work space, I may as well get some real portability and get used to the 13" screen.

Now .. I can't live with the screen on the 13" MBP. Resolution I have no choice but the actual screen is a step down from both the 15" and the MBA

ts NOT that much of a weight difference most of the weight of a regular HP or DELL and obviously more than AIR but I would have the newest of the new with SD and way better specs and optical

The 13" MBP is still a chunky heavy machine and I'm coming from a 17" aircraft carrier. If you're going to go 'small and portable' the MBA is it. The little MBP just did_not_do_it for me. There's also a slight elitist thing. (may as well be honest here). I don't want the cheap machine everyone has now that the price is affordable. I do want something different / 'pro' to set me apart. The 17" MBP has the fantastic screen and the bragging rights of being the lightest, thinnest desktop replacement. The 13/15 MBPs are just ... meh.

I played with the new MBA with SSD. That's the one I want and lust after but I don't think its a smart move to buy it right now. I do like the glass trackpad on the others and given the red headed step child treatment, I think its close to being EOLed.

They had ONE MBA in the store. Not one table, but ONE single machine tucked away in the back and didn't even have a name card next to it with the specs.

I think I'm just going to stick with my 1st Gen 17" MBP. It does what I want it to do and while I would 'like' a new machine and do have the money to spend, I don't want to buy something just for the heck of it.

They should have given the MBA the same treatment as the others.

Hope this helps,

eV

[eVolcre]

The new 13" MBP is just so intriguing, I mean it has everything I need and like and more than enough power, it's a well powered desktop unit when hooked up to the 24" ACD no doubt,

what to do, LOL ....

I sincerely recommend you go play with them in person. On paper the MBP looks good, the logical head says that will work. The heart still says MBA. I doubt you'll be able to go from the MBA to the MBP junior without second guessing yourself down the road ... :)

eV

[dukebound85]

It is the sweet spot between the 15" MBP and the MBA...

you know its just the mb rebranded

why people act like its totally new is baffling

[Scottsdale]

I had a different experience with the 13"MBP screen than what's being reported. Not been posting in this forum much since I had decided to forget my AIR idea and go with one of the smaller MBPs (I now have a 17")

I lined up the 3 MBP's next to each other with the same picture. Also had the MBA on another table facing me

The 13" looked a little washed out when compared to the 15" screen. Maybe not by much but I could notice it. The 17" is in a league of its own.

When compared to the 13" MBP the new MBA still seemed much much better. Noticeably so.

I'm very torn/confused at this point. At first I was set on the 15". But the very slight increase in portability (its still quite big/heavy) doesn't justify the dramatic drop in the screen resolution.

Before I did my subjective visual test at the Store, I had convinced myself to go with the 13" MBP. Figured if I was dropping resolution and had to get used to a smaller work space, I may as well get some real portability and get used to the 13" screen.

Now .. I can't live with the screen on the 13" MBP. Resolution I have no choice but the actual screen is a step down from both the 15" and the MBA



The 13" MBP is still a chunky heavy machine and I'm coming from a 17" aircraft carrier. If you're going to go 'small and portable' the MBA is it. The little MBP just did_not_do_it for me. There's also a slight elitist thing. (may as well be honest here). I don't want the cheap machine everyone has now that the price is affordable. I do want something different / 'pro' to set me apart. The 17" MBP has the fantastic screen and the bragging rights of being the lightest, thinnest desktop replacement. The 13/15 MBPs are just ... meh.

I played with the new MBA with SSD. That's the one I want and lust after but I don't think its a smart move to buy it right now. I do like the glass trackpad on the others and given the red headed step child treatment, I think its close to being EOLed.

They had ONE MBA in the store. Not one table, but ONE single machine tucked away in the back and didn't even have a name card next to it with the specs.

I think I'm just going to stick with my 1st Gen 17" MBP. It does what I want it to do and while I would 'like' a new machine and do have the money to spend, I don't want to buy something just for the heck of it.

They should have given the MBA the same treatment as the others.

Hope this helps,

eV


eV,

I am kicking myself for not accepting the second MBA I opened yesterday. It was beautiful, but there were very very faint lines on WHITE backgrounds.

So, today I am on MBA number four (didn't see display on number three as it was DOA). Number four has lines, and at first I thought they were moderate, but I am now convinced after switching to Gama 2.2 that they are very faint. The weird thing is the White backgrounds are PERFECT. The only lines I am seeing is the beige/gray/brownish colors that highlight certain pages. AND, I have to look from the keyboard to see them. I do NOT see them from normal distances with this setting.

It's also weird that sometimes there are NO LINES AT ALL! I am convinced this is a power issue interfering with the power to the display or even some crosstalk of the signals on the cable(s) from logic board to display. I am convinced, after talking with an EE, that this is solvable if Apple would just try! I don't believe it's the display at all.

The 9C90 has blacks that look like a black hole, the view from angles is excellent, and video is simply stunning. It's on a static page with just the right grayish color, that I am seeing the lines from the display. And, the 2.2 setting has seemingly brightened the colors and moved the lines from white to beige/gray/brownish colored LIGHT backgrounds.

I have to do a lot more testing to determine how happy I am right now. But I think I was so shocked to see the lines so badly on the first MBA I opened that I jumped the gun on the second one. Perhaps by changing Gama, that would have been the best one yet. Changing the Gama doesn't eliminate the lines, but it changes what colored backgrounds they can be seen on.

I think you could give it a try and see what you get. BUT, maybe you should wait a week and see if people report getting different displays from resellers like Amazon. Wouldn't it be something if Apple is selling its best displays to Amazon to ensure returns from its third party sellers don't have the return issues??? I think we all still want the 9C8F display, even if something else is essentially contributing to the problem. Would be so interested to see if there are any connection differences or whatever when that display is used. A lower quality display could show more distortion from the same signal though.

[slapguts]

I just bought my MBA for $1200, sure, it came with AppleCare, a Brenthaven case, the superdrive and the original box, but the main reason I chose the Air was the back-lit keyboard and portability.

Wish I could have waited 3 weeks. Oh well, there's always next time.

[justit]

Apple Store manager pointed out the new mba 1.86 today has the same dreaded lines as before though very faint 09C90 screen.

But the 13pro 09CA1 screen is incredible . Fantastic blacks and improved viewing angles. It's a no brainer for me as the screen does it for me.

[eVolcre]

Scottsdale,

When you buy one and KEEP one, I'll swipe my card the next instant. LOL

I am kicking myself for not accepting the second MBA I opened yesterday. It was beautiful, but there were very very faint lines on WHITE backgrounds.


Well, I don't know what the lines are and have no idea how to look for them so I'll let you be the judge of lines vs no lines. It's the screen quality (besides lines) that blew me away. There is absolutely_no_way that the junior MBPs screens are better or the same as the MBA. It's easy to justify these things on paper or from reviews but my completely subjective opinion is that the MBA is better. Colors seem to pop more, text seemed crisper and the blacks were darker. It also seemed much less reflective than the MBP13.

Keep in mind that I don't have any MBA or current MBP at the moment. I'm coming from a very old screen.

I can pretend that my computers are tools to do a job. For me they're not and there are only two machines that speak to my heart right now. The new high res 17" and the MBA. At the same time, given the current situation where its been sidelined, I'm not sure I can justify the purchase. It's either being EOLed or being drastically upgraded within 3 months ....

I'll be following your purchases with interest! Number 4!! :) :) The MBA is going to end up having a cult following like the cube. Knowing me, I'll think and think and then say F-it and go buy the MBA. If its EOLed or even upgraded who cares - it works for me now and will continue working for me in the future. I'll just make sure never to open MR or the Apple homepage ever again just in case they do something drastic.

I can now imagine how all of you must feel. Rev A refurbed at ridiculous prices, now this completely unexpected 70o dollar drop. Apple's really screwing the MBA group. :mad:

eV

[eVolcre]

Apple Store manager pointed out the new mba 1.86 today has the same dreaded lines as before though very faint 09C90 screen.

But the 13pro 09CA1 screen is incredible . Fantastic blacks and improved viewing angles. It's a no brainer for me as the screen does it for me.

Are you 100% positive you're not talking yourself into it? Because I just saw them right next to each other and the MBA was better. Albeit I didn't look for lines or anything.

eV

[justit]

Are you 100% positive you're not talking yourself into it? Because I just saw them right next to each other and the MBA was better. Albeit I didn't look for lines or anything.

eV

lines are lines. If your MBA has it, then it's not better than the 13" pro.