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Help me decide?

L

LeighAnna Jones

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 7, 2010
276
0
Ok. I would like my own laptop, and want very much to get a mac.

I have finally settled on two different notebooks.

MacBook Air, and MacBook.

Now I just can't decide which to choose. Here is a list of most of the things that I use with a comnputer.

I mostly use a computer for the internet and saving pictures.
I love writing and I plan to write novels and books.
I charge my iPod
I use my thumbdrive frequently

Could someone PLEASE point me in the right direction?! They are both the same price, becasue if I would get an Air, it would be 11".

GOOD GRIEF! My friend thinks it's all about FEATURES. She says I should get the MacBook because it has a disk drive and she says that the Air is an iPad with a keyboard.

GOSH. I would use the disk drive once maybe?!

HELP ME! HELP ME! HELP ME!
 
1

184550

Guest
May 8, 2008
1,980
2
LeighAnna Jones said:
Ok. I would like my own laptop, and want very much to get a mac.

I have finally settled on two different notebooks.

MacBook Air, and MacBook.

Now I just can't decide which to choose. Here is a list of most of the things that I use with a comnputer.

I mostly use a computer for the internet and saving pictures.
I love writing and I plan to write novels and books.
I charge my iPod
I use my thumbdrive frequently

Could someone PLEASE point me in the right direction?! They are both the same price, becasue if I would get an Air, it would be 11".

GOOD GRIEF! My friend thinks it's all about FEATURES. She says I should get the MacBook because it has a disk drive and she says that the Air is an iPad with a keyboard.

GOSH. I would use the disk drive once maybe?!

HELP ME! HELP ME! HELP ME!
Click to expand...

IMO, a MacBook would be better if it's going to be your sole computer. Also, an 11 inch is too small IMO for prolonged, daily use.

That's what she said.
 
C

chrismacguy

macrumors 68000
Feb 13, 2009
1,979
2
United Kingdom
NathanMuir said:
IMO, a MacBook would be better if it's going to be your sole computer. Also, an 11 inch is too small IMO for prolonged, daily use.
Click to expand...

And the MacBook is a more powerful machine, although the MBA 11" certainly isnt an iPad with a screen - your friend is talking baloney if they think that - (It runs Mac OS X over iOS for a start), Id still get the MacBook.
 
M

Mac Composer

macrumors member
Oct 29, 2010
94
1
Besides the Macbook, consider the 13" Macbook Pro. It costs slightly more but it's a superior machine IMHO.

If you want the Air, get a 13". My wife is a novelist, she compared the 11" & the 13" and with the 11" you just don't see very much of a page at a time. She chose the 13" and couldn't be happier with it.
 
K

Kachadurian

macrumors newbie
Dec 22, 2010
20
0
Traverse City, Michigan
LeighAnna Jones said:
Ok. I would like my own laptop, and want very much to get a mac.

I have finally settled on two different notebooks.

MacBook Air, and MacBook.

Now I just can't decide which to choose. Here is a list of most of the things that I use with a comnputer.

I mostly use a computer for the internet and saving pictures.
I love writing and I plan to write novels and books.
I charge my iPod
I use my thumbdrive frequently

Could someone PLEASE point me in the right direction?! They are both the same price, becasue if I would get an Air, it would be 11".

GOOD GRIEF! My friend thinks it's all about FEATURES. She says I should get the MacBook because it has a disk drive and she says that the Air is an iPad with a keyboard.

GOSH. I would use the disk drive once maybe?!

HELP ME! HELP ME! HELP ME!
Click to expand...

We have a saying in photography "best best camera for the job is the one you have with you." The same goes for the laptop.

You have gotten bad advice so far. The MBA will be faster for many of the things you want to do because of the SSD. The macBook does have a faster processor, but there is more to speed than that.

We have both in our house and the MBA is clearly more responsive for just about everything.

The 11" MBA is 1366x768 pixels and the 13" MB is 1280x800 pixels, about the same screen resolution, so you see just as much of the page. And the MBA has a crisper screen and is better for widescreen movies.

Also, the MBA is so small and light you will take it everywhere.

I've had many, many macs, and the MBA 11" is one of the best. I think destined to be considered a classic.
 
R

ReelAction

macrumors member
Nov 30, 2010
52
0
NorCal
The choice is a matter of priorities

Both the MBP and the MBA are good choices, and based upon what you typically do either would work.

MBP pro/cons
- higher storage capacity
- internal optical drive and more ports for I/O, if that is important
- improved computing power for intensive programs (2.4Ghz vs 1.4Ghz MBA at lower end, similar at higher end)
- better battery life
- lower cost for similar performance
MBA pro/cons
- about 2# lighter and more fashionable
- quicker start up and very response
- need an USB optical drive to rip CD's or load s/w from CD's
- limited Storage, but an ext USB HD will allow for more storage, but the same device can be used for Time Machine Back Ups, for either the MBP or MBA

At the end of the day it may be about value and budget, since either can do what you want - good luck............
 
X

Xil3

macrumors regular
Oct 4, 2007
184
87
London
NathanMuir said:
IMO, a MacBook would be better if it's going to be your sole computer. Also, an 11 inch is too small IMO for prolonged, daily use.
Click to expand...

That's just your opinion - I personally use the MBA 11 inch everyday and find it to be just fine.

@OP You should just go to the Apple store and try them out and see which one you like better. Spec wise, the 11 inch is more than capable to handle anything you throw at it. It will even be snappier than the Macbook, due to it's SSD.
 
Last edited:
Ronnoco

Ronnoco

macrumors 68030
Oct 16, 2007
2,568
522
United States of America
firewood said:
I recently got a MBA 11, and now never use my MacBook Pro (or older MacBook) any longer. The MBA is so much easier to take with me.
Click to expand...

about the same here, although my 15" i5 is connected to a Samsung 23" monitor but now I don't have to take the time to disconnect the monitor, ethernet, Firewire 800 externals etc. and lug that 6lb beast with me on the go...LOL
I take my little 11" Ultimate just about everywhere with me...:D
 
Nachos

Nachos

macrumors member
Dec 1, 2010
62
0
Lynge, Denmark
It doesn't sound like the OP will be using any processor-heavy programs, so the difference in Processor power might not be an issue. The difference between the HD in macbook and the SSD in the macbook air on the other hand might be a very noticeable one. The MBA really is VERY snappy.

I say go for the macbook air ;)
 
M

markhanna

macrumors newbie
Oct 2, 2010
2
0
Moorhead, MN
Air

I have a MPB 15" and a 13" Air.
The air is with me everywhere I go and it has become my main machine.
The 13 is just the right size and still extremely portable. go with it.
 
J

jammingator

macrumors newbie
Oct 24, 2010
23
0
Got my wife an MBA 13" for Christmas and all I can say is that it is absolutely outstanding! Considering her needs are about the same as those you listed I can confidently say that you will be very pleased if you go that route.
 
gwsat

gwsat

macrumors 68000
Apr 12, 2008
1,920
0
Tulsa
I assume the OP is considering the entry level 11 inch MBA as her possible alternative to a Macbook because both are the same price, $999.00. She could not go wrong with either choice. My recommendation, though would be the 11 inch MBA. It is a brand new machine. As such it is likely to hold even more of its resale value than a MB would. Also, the little MBA weighs only 2.3 pounds and, thanks to its flash storage, is likely to seem even faster to the OP than a MB would. Also, with the 11 inch MBA, she would be the object of envy everywhere she goes with it.:)
 
D

Drezin

macrumors member
Sep 9, 2010
46
0
Brazil
adamk77 said:
I'm not sure if it's been mentioned already, but if you travel much, the Macbook Air will save you some time at the airport because you don't have to take it out of your bag for any of the security checkpoints because it's considered a "small gadget". Read more about it here http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/10/29/airport-security-loves-macbook-air/
Click to expand...

They yelled at me when i didnt remove my 9" Dell from my backpack and i've seen they do the same with iPads and Netbooks in general
 
B

Bakari45

macrumors regular
Jun 17, 2010
227
2
K

KPOM

macrumors P6
Oct 23, 2010
18,024
7,867
gwsat said:
I assume the OP is considering the entry level 11 inch MBA as her possible alternative to a Macbook because both are the same price, $999.00. She could not go wrong with either choice. My recommendation, though would be the 11 inch MBA. It is a brand new machine. As such it is likely to hold even more of its resale value than a MB would. Also, the little MBA weighs only 2.3 pounds and, thanks to its flash storage, is likely to seem even faster to the OP than a MB would. Also, with the 11 inch MBA, she would be the object of envy everywhere she goes with it.:)
Click to expand...

x2 based on her intended usage.
 
marshallbedsaul

marshallbedsaul

macrumors 6502a
Nov 14, 2007
892
72
Utah
maybe you should do
macbook pro vs macbook air
but the question at hand I am sure both of them will be good for what you need to do. Maybe consider if your clumsy or how you treat your systems. Maybe a more durable system is better idk. My friend had a macbook air he set it on his table an he accidentally tossed a text but on it cracked the screen. Not saying you will do that, but stuff similar would prob break the system.
 
B

baller1308

macrumors 65816
Dec 8, 2009
1,047
191
You'll also get more storage and longer battery life with the MacBook Pro. I would go for a MacBook Pro if it's going to be your only computer. To me it's more of a desktop replacement while the MacBook Air is a computer when you're not at home.
 
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