13" MBP or MBA

[stulowe2009]

1. Sell the MBP 17.
2. Buy the high end MBP 13 refurb.
3. Buy a optibay from MCE and ditch your optical drive, take your boot HD and throw it in the optibay.
4. Buy a 256GB SSD, make it your boot drive.
5. Buy a 30 inch dell monitor.

Result: 13 inch MPB that's faster than your 17 (due to the SSD). Is super portable and when you need a "workhorse" at home - you've got 30 inches to work with.

Plus, I bet you saved a few bucks.

Oh and the reason I mention this is because I'm about three weeks away from doing it myself.

Are you sure you're really doing this in 3 week? Sounds like a very bad move to me.

I am always amused by the posts comparing performance on the 13" macbook 'pro' and on the real pro models. Sure for processor intensive work you shouldn't notice much difference between the 2.53ghz in the 13" and the 2.66ghz or 2.8ghz in the 17". But do any real pro tasks on it, motion for example, and the difference will be very obvious. The 9600 really is a lot better chip than the integrated 9400m. The 13" is fine for browsing, office, light games, photoshop and ilife level editing (might even stretch to using FCE on it). Do they also still cripple the max ram on the 13" models?

My 17" has a 128gb ssd in it and the speed up in app loading and booting is nice but the write time difference is occasionally noticeable and a slight drawback. It certainly wouldn't turn the 13" into a faster computer than the 17", just faster to load apps.

As far as selling your 17" goes you might expect back about $1500. Conveniently the price of the 13" 2.53. A 256GB ssd you say? well, last time I looked a proper one would cost you over $1000, but a crap brand one for $800 will do. Then your 30" dell monitor is currently $1700. So extra expenses of $2500 to still only have one computer, that is slower than you started with and a big external monitor. Not the best deal in my opinion. Did you also mention an optibay? They're not cheap either.

So unless you like slower computers and don't like money. I would suggest not doing that.

As for the OP, I would recommend the MBA. I had a rev.A and it was terrible. But.. I would get a new one that works properly as I really did love it even with it's problems.

Stu

 

[jmxp69]

Result: 13 inch MPB that's faster than your 17 (due to the SSD). Is super portable and when you need a "workhorse" at home - you've got 30 inches to work with.

That would be my strategy if I ever used a desk, but I don't. 100% of my computing time happens sitting on a couch. I'd have to balance the 30" screen on my ottoman I'd probably opt for a 15" if I had only one laptop though.

 

[jfyrfytr25]

It was just a passing comment, not a life philosophy!

But having said that, I'm not about to leave luxury items lying around unlocked and unattended. That's just foolish, isn't it?

never said anything about just leaving things around unattended. I was just commenting on the numerous times i have seen people comment on the theft factor of an apple when deciding to buy.

I was just saying i have never bought a product, or not bought for that matter, because it is more likely or not to be stolen.

the thinking just seems foreign to me.


someone that can afford it and wants a lamborghini buys it.
now knowing it is nice and tempting he will probably put a good alarm on it, and keep it in a garage. BUT, i am sure he doesn't scrap the lambo idea for a ford focus because it is less likely to be stolen.

 

[InsightsIE]

OMG I have the same question although i'm leaning towards the pro 13 but this topic is changing my mind. How would final cut studio run on that puppy? I mean same graphics as macbookpro 13 expect a little slower right. And I have a 17" MBP

 

[vant]

OMG I have the same question although i'm leaning towards the pro 13 but this topic is changing my mind. How would final cut studio run on that puppy? I mean same graphics as macbookpro 13 expect a little slower right. And I have a 17" MBP

The Rev A uses the X3100 so I'd avoid that.

MBAs also lose the ability to upgrade ram, so you are stuck with 2GB (4GB is recommended for FCS).

 

[InsightsIE]

The Rev A uses the X3100 so I'd avoid that.

MBAs also lose the ability to upgrade ram, so you are stuck with 2GB (4GB is recommended for FCS).

I meant the newest rev with the nvidia

 

[vant]

I meant the newest rev with the nvidia

Rev C shares the same integrated GPU as the MBP13. It is limited to 2GB however. The MBP13 can upgrade to 8GB.

 

[aquintanilla]

Air all the way!

You've got a very powerful machine in your 17" MBP. The Air will be the perfect sleek, light machine to complement your main comp.

 

[VideoShooter]

Are you sure you're really doing this in 3 week? Sounds like a very bad move to me.

I am always amused by the posts comparing performance on the 13" macbook 'pro' and on the real pro models. Sure for processor intensive work you shouldn't notice much difference between the 2.53ghz in the 13" and the 2.66ghz or 2.8ghz in the 17". But do any real pro tasks on it, motion for example, and the difference will be very obvious. The 9600 really is a lot better chip than the integrated 9400m. The 13" is fine for browsing, office, light games, photoshop and ilife level editing (might even stretch to using FCE on it). Do they also still cripple the max ram on the 13" models?

My 17" has a 128gb ssd in it and the speed up in app loading and booting is nice but the write time difference is occasionally noticeable and a slight drawback. It certainly wouldn't turn the 13" into a faster computer than the 17", just faster to load apps.

As far as selling your 17" goes you might expect back about $1500. Conveniently the price of the 13" 2.53. A 256GB ssd you say? well, last time I looked a proper one would cost you over $1000, but a crap brand one for $800 will do. Then your 30" dell monitor is currently $1700. So extra expenses of $2500 to still only have one computer, that is slower than you started with and a big external monitor. Not the best deal in my opinion. Did you also mention an optibay? They're not cheap either.

So unless you like slower computers and don't like money. I would suggest not doing that.

As for the OP, I would recommend the MBA. I had a rev.A and it was terrible. But.. I would get a new one that works properly as I really did love it even with it's problems.

Stu

SSD is like $700 and a 30 inch dell monitor is $800. Its called refurb.

 

[kasakka]

so every trackpad created prior to the "glass-pad" is annoying to point of unusable? i dont know how we managed to live before Apple made that trackpad.

I can tell you that I've hated laptop trackpads for years because they were annoying to use. Not so with the "glass-pad". Trying it side by side with the older model in the MBA, the older one feels awkward.

Other reasons why I picked the MBP 13" were FW800 and ethernet connector. I need the ethernet to access shared drives at work. The Air is also not a smaller machine than the MBP 13", just slightly thinner and lighter.

For the OP the Air might be just fine though.

 

[iCheddar]

I'd recommend going with the MBP. I came from using an MSI Wind u100 (10.1" Screen, >3lbs) to a base UMBP and I've been very happy with it.

I honestly don't notice the extra weight in my bag, and carrying the MBP around in my hand, it doesn't weigh much more than my Wind did. I could make the argument that I do miss the small footprint, but that will be identical between the MBA and MBP. I've been very happy with the performance boost as well.

Get the UMBP.

 

[santos79]

Get both

Money doesn't seem to be an object. Why not just get both and be done with it.

 

[maflynn]

I can get a MBA for $1099 or a 13" MBP for $999 (refurb). So I think fraction of the price is a little over-exaggerated.

I don't see the any refurb 13" MBPs for 999 so I'm not sure its a valid comparison. However the slowest speed of the MBP is nearly double the speed of the MBA you referenced in the refurb section and you get more USB and FW ports makes it a better deal imo.

The primary use of the smaller machine will be traveling and editing word docs. Like I said in my previous post, the Atom based netbook I had was just fine in terms of speed.

The MBP is virtually the same size as the MBA but a 1.5lbs heavier.

 

[fai7649]

hey guys, im thinking about to get a MBP 13", just not not sure whether i should get the 2.26ghz or the 2.53ghz? is that a lot different between these 2? i'll use it for surf the net, watching movie, download stuff, editing document form work, a bit of photoshop i suppose and maybe play some game too. what u guys suggest?? pls help

 

[hellfire88]

To the OP if a netbook satisfied your mobile computing needs then the MBA would suffice performance-wise for you. Is the $1099 price a Rev A or Rev B? Hopefully Rev B .

Only thing is if you're used to the big glass trackpad on the 17" UMBP going back to one with a dedicated button and slightly smaller surface-area wise on the MBA might take a bit to get used to. For me the MBA (Rev A and B, I had both) wasn't powerful enough for me and all I tried to do on it was web-browse (I do like to open a lot of tabs though like 40-50 in firefox) and watch flash videos (it would stutter often).

 

[dudeitsjay]

my issue with the mba rev b hdd that i had was that it didn't recharge its batteries quickly. It was seriously 1:1 recharge rate. If I burned up 4 hrs of battery, it'd take another 4 hrs to charge it back up. Super slow recharge. =\ Dunno about the rev C. also, I would NEVER get any mba with the 4700rpm ipod hd again. ****'s stupidly slow and meant for grandmas who can't multitask. It'll skip on just watching avi's. I'd get the 13''. I have the 2.53 pro and it's a bit heavier and bigger, but I'm much happier with it.

 

[blairh]

drives me crazy when people respond to the op suggesting more expensive options. he clearly already is debating between a $1100 MBA or refurb MBP. he's most likely not going to go for your SSD MBA suggestion.

anyways, OP, i've had both machines, and i'm v.happy with my MBP now. as soon as you stated that battery life is important to you, than the MBP is your clear choice. in my real world tests (full screen brightness, wifi on, bluetooth off, mac mail, firefox, and tweetdeck up and running) i got 2 hrs 30 mins from my former rev b HDD vs the 4 hrs and 20 mins from my 13" MBP. bottom line, if battery life is important to you, the MBP is the clear choice.

also, you stated the MBA you are looking at is $1100. i'm assuming you are referencing the rev b being sold at macmall. not sure how important youtube would be in your portable laptop experience, but it essentially caused me to return my MBA because it always made the fans rev like crazy.

lastly, the weight. the MBA lightness is simply fantastic, no question, but 4.5 lbs is still very light weight in my bag. when i reverted back to the MBP i was worried that i'd always miss the MBA lightness, but i barely notice it.

 

[pdxshad]

Tried and tested. Happy with upgrade to MBP 13"

The macbook air was an awesome change from the 15" macbook pro I used to lug around -- with all my camera gear and the laptop, it was way too much to have to deal with as carry-on. However, the MBA hinge issue (see other threads) was always a concern. using MBA as a shooting computer (camera tethered to it) was great, and a lot easier to carry and juggle than the earlier MBP 15 but it always felt like it was fragile, I had to take extra care and when clients (as they always do) kept trying to reposition the screen so they could see stuff, it always created anxiety. Eventually, the hinge was loose but workable and the screen developed a line fault, which was intermittent, but a big concern when working with graphics and image files. When they came out with the MBP 13 with built in SD card reader, it meant one less thing to remember to bring, and also offered tons more space on the drive -- which when working with adobe Ill. indes. pshop, flash and dmweaver, constantly, was always an issue on the 80G HD MBA.

I made the switch and haven't looked back. the MBP 13 is only a pound heavier, same footprint and carry-on space and much more solid in construction. Not that I'll be chucking it around, but stuff happens, and this feels so much better in the field.

MBA worked well, but required changing my workflow to accommodate the small drive space. Now I've got tons of space to play with and no compromises at all.