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Air or MacBook?

ghsDUDE

ghsDUDE

macrumors 68030
Original poster
May 25, 2010
2,949
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So after reading the front page I compared both the models that are out now and I'm wondering why the Air cost more?

The MacBook is better internally on mostly everything compared to the Air (except for no SSD speed), so why does it cost less?

Yes it looks different...but are you really paying more for less when you get an Air over a MacBook?

And I'm sure the updates for the MB are going to be less costly compared to (assumed) larger SSD's on the Air...so couldn't there be a price jump with the Air?
 
johndoejohndoes said:
So after reading the front page I compared both the models that are out now and I'm wondering why the Air cost more?

The MacBook is better internally on mostly everything compared to the Air (except for no SSD speed), so why does it cost less?

Yes it looks different...but are you really paying more for less when you get an Air over a MacBook?

And I'm sure the updates for the MB are going to be less costly compared to (assumed) larger SSD's on the Air...so couldn't there be a price jump with the Air?
Click to expand...

Smaller, thinner, lighter, faster (storage at least), higher res screen.

You are paying a different amount for a completely different product.
 
More storage, More GHz, larger screen, ODD, longer battery life...

To each their own.

I was considering iPad but decided it wasn't enough on the go (already have iMac)...then the Air. But thought "$1000+) for on the go...I'm going to give the MBP a chance.

If there's an HD camera and backlit keys and upgraded internals for the same price I might just go with that.
 
johndoejohndoes said:
More storage, More GHz, larger screen, ODD, longer battery life...

To each their own.

I was considering iPad but decided it wasn't enough on the go (already have iMac)...then the Air. But thought "$1000+) for on the go...I'm going to give the MBP a chance.

If there's an HD camera and backlit keys and upgraded internals for the same price I might just go with that.
Click to expand...

I was just pointing out the reasons that you pay more. The portability factor of the Air is a huge aspect of that, as is the storage format.

Longer battery life is also subjective, one user who owns a MacBook Air may be able to get more use from their battery than a standard MacBook owner may get from theirs, and vice versa.

The Air also features two screen sizes. 11 and 13, the MacBook features only a 13 and it is substantially lower in terms of resolution than the 13 Air. Horizontally, the MacBook's resolution is lower than the 11 inch Air's screen.
 
NutsNGum said:
I was just pointing out the reasons that you pay more. The portability factor of the Air is a huge aspect of that, as is the storage format.

Longer battery life is also subjective, one user who owns a MacBook Air may be able to get more use from their battery than a standard MacBook owner may get from theirs, and vice versa.

The Air also features two screen sizes. 11 and 13, the MacBook features only a 13 and it is substantially lower in terms of resolution than the 13 Air. Horizontally, the MacBook's resolution is lower than the 11 inch Air's screen.
Click to expand...
I can't wait to check everything out tomorrow.
I need something more than and iPad so that's a good start.
I'll have to do a lot of comparing and see what I need compared to what I want.

I just don't want to buy more than I need. Basically my iMac is beast...but I need an OS (not iOS) on the go.

Cmon updates...show me what you got!
 
johndoejohndoes said:
More storage, More GHz, larger screen, ODD, longer battery life...
Click to expand...
You can make that argument for a Dell over an Mac any day.

The point is that the MBA is targeted at a specific audience that is more interested in uber-portability, higher resolution screens and built in SSDs.

The configuration and price point is not for everyone, if it was, apple would only sell one laptop model.
 
maflynn said:
You can make that argument for a Dell over an Mac any day.

The point is that the MBA is targeted at a specific audience that is more interested in uber-portability, higher resolution screens and built in SSDs.

The configuration and price point is not for everyone, if it was, apple would only sell one laptop model.
Click to expand...

That's it in a nutshell; the MBA appeals to those for whom portability is a priority, SSD an attractive selling point, excellent screen resolution, and stunning design.

For what its worth, I had a MBP, - which was an excellent computer - and subsequently bought a MBA for the reasons described above.
 
Doesn't the 13' MBP put up a better fight against Air's too?

Except for screen resolution it owns the air.

I can't see someone complaining about the portability of an extra 1.5lbs when the 13" MBP far outdoes the air.

I think the Air could cost less....oh wait, the SSD's :p
 
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johndoejohndoes said:
Doesn't the 13' MBP put up a better fight against Air's too?

Except for screen resolution is owns the air.

I can't see someone complaining about the portability of an extra 1.5lbs when the 13" MBP far outdoes the air.

I think the Air could cost less....oh wait, the SSD's :p
Click to expand...

You might see that in the case of people who have disabilities. Apple might be pretty douche-esque when it comes to certain things, but they certainly are on the right track when it comes to accessibility features. Not everyone is as fussed about specifications.

If it was a choice between a 13 MBP or an 11 Air for my hypothetical Granny, I know which one I'd choose. Then again, throw the iPad into that equation and she'd get one of those before either of the two laptops.
 
johndoejohndoes said:
Doesn't the 13' MBP put up a better fight against Air's too?

Except for screen resolution is owns the air.

I can't see someone complaining about the portability of an extra 1.5lbs when the 13" MBP far outdoes the air.

I think the Air could cost less....oh wait, the SSD's :p
Click to expand...

I did. While I loved my MBP, for me, "uber-portability" was a key feature in deciding to buy the Air; I travel a lot, and weight is an issue. In the light of that, other features (such as the better spec of the MBP) are less critical.

Cheers
 
NutsNGum said:
You might see that in the case of people who have disabilities. Apple might be pretty douche-esque when it comes to certain things, but they certainly are on the right track when it comes to accessibility features. Not everyone is as fussed about specifications.

If it was a choice between a 13 MBP or an 11 Air for my hypothetical Granny, I know which one I'd choose. Then again, throw the iPad into that equation and she'd get one of those before either of the two laptops.
Click to expand...

Let me specify what I need/already have and maybe you can help me.

I have my iMac and that handles my web surfing, music, movies, editing small movies, video podcast, facetime, word, excel, powerpoint, and that type of stuff.

What I want from a portable device for on the go is web surfing, music, movies, hookup to TV, facetime, word, excel, powerpoint, and nothing too heavy...decent battery and backlit keys. But something that isn't maxing out at handling that type of load. But I don't want a machine that far outweighs what I do. Oh, and portability.
 
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johndoejohndoes said:
Let me specify what I need/already have and maybe you can help me.

I have my iMac and that handles my web surfing, music, movies, editing small movies, video podcast, facetime, word, excel, powerpoint, and that type of stuff.

What I want from a portable device for on the go is web surfing, music, movies, hookup to TV, facetime, word, excel, powerpoint, and nothing too heavy...decent battery and backlit keys. But something that isn't maxing out at handling that type of load. But I don't want a machine that far outweighs what I do. Oh, and portability.
Click to expand...

I'm sure that the presumed Sandy Bridge Airs will more than adequately cope with everything that you have mentioned in your post.

I currently have a similar setup to yours. I use an iMac in the house for doing University work that I can't do on the school computers on account of them being garbage. I own an iPad, but I find it to be a pain in the neck to type on, it sits at quite an uncomfortable angle unless you're prepared to buy a case, and although it's convenient for just having around the house, I find doing actual work on it to be somewhat of a challenge.

Conclusion

For this reason, an 11 inch Air strikes me as the perfect balance of "real" computer and portable fun thing. With the 128GB SSD and 4GB RAM, you should be set -- even with the slowest clock speed. The new ones are likely to be a fair bit faster than the previous model given that the CPUs are two generations ahead of what is currently in the Air.
 
NutsNGum said:
I'm sure that the presumed Sandy Bridge Airs will more than adequately cope with everything that you have mentioned in your post.

I currently have a similar setup to yours. I use an iMac in the house for doing University work that I can't do on the school computers on account of them being garbage. I own an iPad, but I find it to be a pain in the neck to type on, it sits at quite an uncomfortable angle unless you're prepared to buy a case, and although it's convenient for just having around the house, I find doing actual work on it to be somewhat of a challenge.

Conclusion

For this reason, an 11 inch Air strikes me as the perfect balance of "real" computer and portable fun thing. With the 128GB SSD and 4GB RAM, you should be set -- even with the slowest clock speed. The new ones are likely to be a fair bit faster than the previous model given that the CPUs are two generations ahead of what is currently in the Air.
Click to expand...

128GB 11" was my first option. My 1 question about the RAM...I know 2GB comes standard (I hope they up it to 4)...but if I need to up it to 4 I read not to do it through Apple because it's a ripoff. But, if I buy from a separate seller I wouldn't know how to install.

Do you think I should just pay Apple or could I learn/do it pretty easily?
 
You can't upgrade the RAM after you've bought it, on the Air. The only way to get the 4GB of RAM is to upgrade to it when you buy it. It's soldered on.
 
johndoejohndoes said:
128GB 11" was my first option. My 1 question about the RAM...I know 2GB comes standard (I hope they up it to 4)...but if I need to up it to 4 I read not to do it through Apple because it's a ripoff. But, if I buy from a separate seller I wouldn't know how to install.

Do you think I should just pay Apple or could I learn/do it pretty easily?
Click to expand...

Can't do that on an Air. There are no aftermarket upgrades as the RAM is soldered to the Logic Board. Bummer.
 
NutsNGum said:
Can't do that on an Air. There are no aftermarket upgrades as the RAM is soldered to the Logic Board. Bummer.
Click to expand...
Ok. So from what I listed I wouldn't be doing ALL of that stuff at once...but do you think 2GB of RAM would be enough. Or is 4GB what I need to do?
 
RAM on current Airs is soldered to the main board. You can only upgrade it when ordering from online Apple Store. If you buy a 2 gb model, you can't upgrade it later.
 
If MBA gets all the updates like these crazy people are expecting, then Air. If no, MB.
 
johndoejohndoes said:
Ok. So from what I listed I wouldn't be doing ALL of that stuff at once...but do you think 2GB of RAM would be enough. Or is 4GB what I need to do?
Click to expand...

If you plan on using the machine for more than e-mailing and light internet surfing and/or longer than 1 year then no, 2 Gb won't cut it...



Sent from my MBP


- Some youtube videos open in the background in safari, Yahoo messenger, Mail, iTunes, Calendar, Preview, Powerpoint -

- current usage: 3351 Mb Ram used, aka 3.4 Gb of Ram in usage at the mom.
 
johndoejohndoes said:
Ok. So from what I listed I wouldn't be doing ALL of that stuff at once...but do you think 2GB of RAM would be enough. Or is 4GB what I need to do?
Click to expand...
2GB of RAM would be enough for you.

4GB is not a must for you but if you have the cash you may aswell go for it as nobody knows what the state of technology will be in a few years. Technology is growing exponentially fast.
 
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