Latest MBP 2.66GHz or MBA 2.16GHz? Quick advice please.

[yuanmoons]

I have the choice of one these two machines this weekend, ill probably get it tomorrow.

My usage is simple/basic i would say. Mainly internet, email, etc. I cant say i do any regular 'heavy' or specialist usage. I doubt the 2.16 MBA would be out of its depth at all.

I currently have a 2 year old MBP 15" 2.4GHz - which i was quite happy with until i was offered a swap for something new of the same spec after taking it in with a screen problem. It was deemed to have had a few too many repairs under apple care warranty. A very unexpected goodwill gesture from Apple Id been keeping an eye on ebay for any MBA bargains so the timing is perfect...

Prior to my current MBP i had a black MacBook and i vowed never to go back to a 13" screen .....

The MBA weight is a very appealing as i do carry the laptop almost everywhere with me .... but at the moment im probably going to play it safe and get the MBP as its a no brainer 'unibody' upgrade on what ive got + battery life.

Is there much performance difference between the two in internet usage terms? Anyone have any feedback or been in a similar choice situation?

And the MBA has Intel Core 2 Duo 1066MHz frontside bus 6MB shared L2 cache rather than 3MB on MPB - Is this significant?

Thanks.

[scienide09]

I can't compare them since I've not had the use of an MBA.

But I would go for the MBP. Long term it will serve you better thanks to newer technology, though you may not notice an immediate difference. Hit the store, do a side by side comparison, and decide.

Ultimately, it all up to you anyway.

[cube]

March 2009 2.66 or 2.93 MBP. These are the ones to get.

[miles01110]

There will be no difference.

[daneoni]

Originally Posted by cube

March 2009 2.66 or 2.93 MBP. These are the ones to get.

Ditto

[yuanmoons]

Im thinking it would be a 'mistake' not to get the MBP at this stage. Ive read acouple of reviews, including yours miles01110, and the battery life alone will be atleast double what i currently have - thats worth the extra 2lbs in weight. The MBA can wait for another time....

Hopefully its the March 09 model. I doubt they have models older than that in the stock rooms? He did go away and check something 'in the back' before he offered me the exchange ......

What's the main difference between March 09 and previous 2.66 release?

EDIT : BATTERY!?

[daneoni]

Batt and screen

[cube]

The new thing in the March 2009 2.66 and 2.93 is that they take 8 GiB RAM. That's it. It was a speed bump.

[AppleTecFan]

I would get a MacBook Pro because it has more features than air.
and the air is a secondary computer

[thegoldenmackid]

The Pro is definitely the better choice.

[jmoore5196]

The sheer experience of owning an MBA with an SSD - particularly given your low demand usage - is worthwhile. I've owned virtually every laptop Apple has ever made - from the PowerBook 100 all the way through the Duos and the Titanium - and the Air gives me the most solid, most pleasing user experience of them all.

I recently sold my 15" 2.4 uMBP because I just couldn't face lugging it along on another trip.

The only drawback to the MBA is the lack of upgrade capability. If you can't see yourself breathing in 2 gigs of RAM for the next year or so, that's a valid concern.

[ShiggyMiyamoto]

If if was me, I'd go go for that 15" as well. I have had 12.1 and 13.3" laptops since 2001, and I like their form factors, but I'd be happy with a 15 or 17" screen, since recently I've started to do some video editing, and a 13" screen proves some limitations.

My current laptop (in my sig) is a very good computer, but with the release of the new UB MBPs I'm tempted to sell this baby, and go for a midrange new UB 13" MBP. That would benefit me because I'd like to get the HTC Hero, and that sports up to a 16 GB SD card that would easily interface with the SD card slot on the new MBPs. I'll either do that, or just get the Hero and use a card reader... I don't know what I want to do just yet.

[yuanmoons]

Thanks all.

I was very tempted - esp by jmoore5196 comments - but in the end i got a MBP 15". I didnt want to go through the 'will it be good enough' mind scramble for the next 14 days (exchange period) .... and the screen seemed more vibrant + higher res on the MBP - very important aspect of user experience.

It was close and maybe next time when its updated...? but not sure id enjoy the 13" screen.

I shall now open my sealed 2.66 MBP box and spend the rest of the day setting it up!!!

And it is the latest model - built between 22-28 Jun 09.

[cube]

It was not in my plans to buy a notebook but I rushed to get a March 2009 15" because the new ones are a downgrade.

[yuanmoons]

Why are they a downgrade?

[cube]

- They replaced the multipurpose ExpressCard slot with the single-purpose SD slot.
- The battery is not removable, which ends up being worse for things like intercontinenttal flights.
- The new models upto and including 2.66 have half the L2 cache, 3MB instead of 6.
- The new models that still have discrete graphics upto and including the 2.66 have only 256MB VRAM, while the previous 2.66 had 512.

And the previous models became heavily discounted, so the price cuts in the MBP line are not at all interesting.

[yuanmoons]

Thanks.

The first two points dont bother me and the second two i dont really understand - therefore - probably dont bother me either as i dont know any better. So this for me is a free upgrade regardless.... maybe sometimes ignorance is 'sort of' bliss.

I still have the MBA at the back of my mind so ill see if in 14 days something changes my mind.

I just opened the MBP and its bigger than my old one!

[Frosties]

Originally Posted by cube

- The battery is not removable, which ends up being worse for things like intercontinenttal flights.

Have you tried the Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter? Could be a solution for this. It's in the store under Home/Shop Mac/Mac Accessories/Power.

[miles01110]

Originally Posted by cube

- The battery is not removable, which ends up being worse for things like intercontinental flights.

The battery also lasts upwards of 3x longer than the removable batteries. The airline adapter won't charge the battery, but will let you use it for longer. Most of the time, however, you won't be able to use it unless you're in business class or higher due to lack of plugs. Personally I try to sleep on the really long flights.

[Frosties]

Originally Posted by miles01110

The airline adapter won't charge the battery, but will let you use it for longer. Most of the time, however, you won't be able to use it unless you're in business class or higher due to lack of plugs.

Good to know. I don't fly that much so had no idea about this.

[cube]

Originally Posted by Frosties

Have you tried the Apple MagSafe Airline Adapter? Could be a solution for this. It's in the store under Home/Shop Mac/Mac Accessories/Power.

Most airlines don't have power outlets in economy class.

[cube]

Originally Posted by miles01110

The battery also lasts upwards of 3x longer than the removable batteries.

The lifetime MIGHT be longer, but you have power for only 1 additional hour.

[thegoldenmackid]

Originally Posted by cube

Most airlines don't have power outlets in economy class.

Not so true. Check out this website. Great for flyers.

[cube]

Originally Posted by thegoldenmackid

Not so true. Check out this website. Great for flyers.

It's true in my experience.