MBP 13" vs MBA 13"

mulleyjake · Jan 30, 2013, 05:56 PM

I was wondering if I could get a few seasoned MacBook lovers opinions on what would be best for me. I'm looking to buy a MacBook in the next few hours but am a bit unsure as to what to do yet.

I was looking at both the MBP 13" and the MBA 13".

I don't intend to carry a lot of music or movies around, as I use Spotify and have a 1TB external drive for my movies. I work at a startup doing web development (both front and backend) and use Photoshop CS6 for design.

I'm looking for a Macbook that I can take to work, take to meetups, and not face massive performance issues with. I'm currently using a Pentium 4 powered computer at work so as long as it's not as slow as that ;D

I also play a few Steam games (basically VALVe's collection) - would be nice to be able to play those.

Finally, I may be developing some iOS apps in the somewhat near future.

My budget is around £850/£900.

Thoughts?

Baklava · Jan 30, 2013, 05:59 PM

If you want to carry your machine around, you'll love the Air, believe me. Compared to the Pro it is like day and night IMO.

mulleyjake · Jan 30, 2013, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baklava

If you want to carry your machine around, you'll love the Air, believe me. Compared to the Pro it is like day and night IMO.

I don't mind carrying a few extra pounds for the MBP if the performance is a lot better though? I'm stuck for ideas.

blackhand1001 · Jan 30, 2013, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulleyjake

I don't mind carrying a few extra pounds for the MBP if the performance is a lot better though? I'm stuck for ideas.

In reality the performance is worse because of the hdd rather than ssd. The difference between the ssd and hdd is much larger than the difference between the speeds of the cpu's. Hugely different. The 13 inch pro should be way cheaper than it is. its overpriced. Buy the air. Its a much better machine.

hkim1983 · Jan 30, 2013, 06:10 PM

The differences between the cMBP and the Air is minimal (IMO) in terms of performance, so it's really a matter of what you prioritize:

Air:
-You value light weight.
-You value the slightly higher resolution.

cMBP:
-You value additional I/O without adaptors.
-You value the optical drive or the ability to put in internals (doesn't seem to the case with you).
-You value the (slightly?) better color gamut.
-You value the ability to upgrade the ram or HD on your own at a later time.

IMO, the cMBP also has the superior keyboard (I feel the Airs are too shallow and don't give as good feedback), but that's highly subjective. Don't be deceived though, although the cMBP has the longer bullet list, if you don't value those things, it's irrelevant. Honestly, if it weren't for the inferior keyboard (again, my opinion), I would be on an Air right now.

mulleyjake · Jan 30, 2013, 06:12 PM

hkim1983, this is how that list is for me:

Air:
-You value light weight. < YES! Portability is key
-You value the slightly higher resolution. < Gaming, web dev, although I'm sure to have a dual screen setup

cMBP:
-You value additional I/O without adaptors. < Don't really care
-You value the optical drive or the ability to put in internals (doesn't seem to the case with you). < Don't really care
-You value the (slightly?) better color gamut. < Don't really care
-You value the ability to upgrade the ram or HD on your own at a later time. < Would've been nice, but I guess you can't win

hkim1983 · Jan 30, 2013, 06:15 PM

To me it's clear-cut what you want then, and I would go with the Air. If you're buying it from Apple, you have 2 weeks to return it if it's not to your liking, or potentially longer elsewhere.

mulleyjake · Jan 30, 2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkim1983

To me it's clear-cut what you want then, and I would go with the Air. If you're buying it from Apple, you have 2 weeks to return it if it's not to your liking, or potentially longer elsewhere.

Yeah I'll buy it from Apple - do you know if you can return online orders to in-store?

Baklava · Jan 30, 2013, 06:16 PM

I used both sizes some time ago and the Airs weight was just incredible. Yes, the performance of Pros are always better than Airs, but the question is if you will notice it on basic everyday-tasks. It depends on what kind of applications you want to use.

Epic Xbox Revie · Jan 30, 2013, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulleyjake

Yeah I'll buy it from Apple - do you know if you can return online orders to in-store?

Yes you can with a receipt.

mulleyjake · Jan 30, 2013, 06:21 PM

Just ordered my MBA 13"!

blackhand1001 · Jan 30, 2013, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulleyjake

Just ordered my MBA 13"!

Good choice. Having used both machines extensively, the air is a much better machine in my opinion. Its actually one of the only apple machines I truely like.

Jan 30, 2013, 05:56 PM	#1
mulleyjake macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2012	MBP 13" vs MBA 13" I was wondering if I could get a few seasoned MacBook lovers opinions on what would be best for me. I'm looking to buy a MacBook in the next few hours but am a bit unsure as to what to do yet. I was looking at both the MBP 13" and the MBA 13". I don't intend to carry a lot of music or movies around, as I use Spotify and have a 1TB external drive for my movies. I work at a startup doing web development (both front and backend) and use Photoshop CS6 for design. I'm looking for a Macbook that I can take to work, take to meetups, and not face massive performance issues with. I'm currently using a Pentium 4 powered computer at work so as long as it's not as slow as that ;D I also play a few Steam games (basically VALVe's collection) - would be nice to be able to play those. Finally, I may be developing some iOS apps in the somewhat near future. My budget is around £850/£900. Thoughts? __________________ iPhone 5 - 16GB iPad with Retina Display - 16GB iMac G4 (17", 1Ghz, 1GB RAM, 80GB HD)
	0

Jan 30, 2013, 05:59 PM	#2
Baklava macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Germany	If you want to carry your machine around, you'll love the Air, believe me. Compared to the Pro it is like day and night IMO. __________________ formerly known as Diwali "The Theme" by Jade Alley Project MacRumors 'Apple Issues SMC Firmware Update' - devilbond 'Updated. Very happy. Safari is way snappier now.'
	0

Jan 30, 2013, 06:12 PM	#6
mulleyjake Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2012	hkim1983, this is how that list is for me: Air: -You value light weight. < YES! Portability is key -You value the slightly higher resolution. < Gaming, web dev, although I'm sure to have a dual screen setup cMBP: -You value additional I/O without adaptors. < Don't really care -You value the optical drive or the ability to put in internals (doesn't seem to the case with you). < Don't really care -You value the (slightly?) better color gamut. < Don't really care -You value the ability to upgrade the ram or HD on your own at a later time. < Would've been nice, but I guess you can't win __________________ iPhone 5 - 16GB iPad with Retina Display - 16GB iMac G4 (17", 1Ghz, 1GB RAM, 80GB HD)
	0

Jan 30, 2013, 06:16 PM	#9
Baklava macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Germany	I used both sizes some time ago and the Airs weight was just incredible. Yes, the performance of Pros are always better than Airs, but the question is if you will notice it on basic everyday-tasks. It depends on what kind of applications you want to use. __________________ formerly known as Diwali "The Theme" by Jade Alley Project MacRumors 'Apple Issues SMC Firmware Update' - devilbond 'Updated. Very happy. Safari is way snappier now.'
	0

Jan 30, 2013, 06:21 PM	#11
mulleyjake Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2012	Just ordered my MBA 13"! __________________ iPhone 5 - 16GB iPad with Retina Display - 16GB iMac G4 (17", 1Ghz, 1GB RAM, 80GB HD)
	1

Jan 30, 2013, 06:10 PM	#5
hkim1983 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2009	The differences between the cMBP and the Air is minimal (IMO) in terms of performance, so it's really a matter of what you prioritize: Air: -You value light weight. -You value the slightly higher resolution. cMBP: -You value additional I/O without adaptors. -You value the optical drive or the ability to put in internals (doesn't seem to the case with you). -You value the (slightly?) better color gamut. -You value the ability to upgrade the ram or HD on your own at a later time. IMO, the cMBP also has the superior keyboard (I feel the Airs are too shallow and don't give as good feedback), but that's highly subjective. Don't be deceived though, although the cMBP has the longer bullet list, if you don't value those things, it's irrelevant. Honestly, if it weren't for the inferior keyboard (again, my opinion), I would be on an Air right now.
	0

Jan 30, 2013, 06:15 PM	#7
hkim1983 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2009	To me it's clear-cut what you want then, and I would go with the Air. If you're buying it from Apple, you have 2 weeks to return it if it's not to your liking, or potentially longer elsewhere.
	0

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