Online and ready for consumption. The Pro in question is my work-issued laptop that I asked for BTO, running Snow Leopard. It has the same size SSD, same RAM, 2.3GHz i5, minimal customizations or changes, same Intel HD 3000 graphics card. Functionally they are equal except for the lower clock of the Air's processor and the operating system.
I also managed to capture quite clearly the gradient/light inconsistency at the bottom of the Air screen. If you pause at 6:11 you will see this effect during the boot screen. When it goes to around 6:24 or thereabouts, the boot screen lightens up and you can see it extremely clear. It almost looks like something is pressing on the screen or that the seal is uneven.
I slightly botched the Mission Control test. However the end effect is still there and you get the idea.
This video is not to degrade the Air. I acknowledge its glare resistance, general brightness, form factor/carrying ease, power for the "regular user" and cost benefit which is there. Rather, I point out the upsells of the Pro compared to the Air. I didn't even give a full list. Some may not matter to you. Realistically the #1 reason to choose the 13" Air is saving 2 pounds. But when you lift them both, there's really no perceived difference in weight.
I also managed to capture quite clearly the gradient/light inconsistency at the bottom of the Air screen. If you pause at 6:11 you will see this effect during the boot screen. When it goes to around 6:24 or thereabouts, the boot screen lightens up and you can see it extremely clear. It almost looks like something is pressing on the screen or that the seal is uneven.
I slightly botched the Mission Control test. However the end effect is still there and you get the idea.
This video is not to degrade the Air. I acknowledge its glare resistance, general brightness, form factor/carrying ease, power for the "regular user" and cost benefit which is there. Rather, I point out the upsells of the Pro compared to the Air. I didn't even give a full list. Some may not matter to you. Realistically the #1 reason to choose the 13" Air is saving 2 pounds. But when you lift them both, there's really no perceived difference in weight.
- Apple Remote compatibility
- Upgrade RAM as high as 16GB if you want (Thanks to Sandy Bridge)
- Keep the 1TB drive, upgrade to a 2TB drive, upgrade to a 7200 RPM drive, or the Momentus XT hybrid drive, or choose from any one of a number of good solid state drives. You can even put two drives if you're bold. Your choice
- Optical drive which you can choose to use or not use
- Firewire 800 port if you need it
- Ethernet port if you need it WITHOUT HAVING TO BUY AN ADAPTER FOR IT
- FaceTime camera as opposed to standard VGA camera, if you care
- Higher clock processor
- More internal room to breathe = less need for the fans to come on under moderate stress
- Deeper, richer colors on the screen than the Air. The Air's screen pales (literally) in comparison to the first or even second gen Air.
- Pro with Lion can be downgraded rather easily to Snow Leopard if you choose; the Air with Lion cannot.
Last edited: