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Air or Pro 13"?
- Thread starter bondiblueuk
- Start date
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The difference in weight is a pound and a half. I would say thats negligible when your carrying it over your shoulder.
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he wants to "future proof" as much as he can. A couple of years ago 2gb ram was standard and people would say "why on earth would you need more?" and a couple years before that when 512mb was the standard people were probably saying "do we even need a gigabyte ram?" Right now 4gb is standard, but who knows what the future will hold, maybe in five year we'll have skipped 8gb and gone strait to 16gb ram as standard.
I hate the useless and meaningless phrase 'future proof.' People who try to do it are fools that are easily parted with their money.
I'm sorry, this was a huge deal for me. One of the main reasons I picked the Air was the ability to carry it around "just like a book" or even open, and it's not awkward at all. I do IT on a very large business campus, and having the ability to grab the Air and throw a serial dongle and a USB ethernet dongle in my back pocket, without having to pack a backpack/bag full of stuff is pretty important. And when you are in an awkward spot using one hand only, holding the Air is a hell of a lot easier than a Pro.
that's for me to know and you to find out.
as for future proofing, there is nothing foolish about it, but sometimes people don't consider carefully the costs and benefits associated with decisions to pimp out their purchases. thankfully, the forums are here to help everyone out, not to disrespect them by calling them fools.
I went though this myself
I just resolved this issue myself. I opted for the 13 Air with 256GB. Why I chose the air:
- same display res as the Pro 13
-lighter
-I travel and have to carry a work laptop that is locked down so caring my personnel (Pro 17) and work laptops (Dell 15inch) was ripping the straps off my back pack.
- I don't need to use CD/DVDs
- Prices were close.
I am happy with my choice.
I opted for the Air over an IPad because I do allot of photography processing and I soot in RAW format. IPad was not even even considered because of this.
I did not consider the 11 because even over the screen size and keyboard what bothered me the most was the compacted touch pad.
Just my 2 Cents.
Good luck!
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You have to consider more than the computer size itself. The carter is larger for the pro and you can use CD/DVDs so they my worm they're way into your bag as well.
I end up with so much crap in my work backpack that the computer what ever it my be in never the real issue!
I just resolved this issue myself. I opted for the 13 Air with 256GB. Why I chose the air:
- same display res as the Pro 13
-lighter
-I travel and have to carry a work laptop that is locked down so caring my personnel (Pro 17) and work laptops (Dell 15inch) was ripping the straps off my back pack.
- I don't need to use CD/DVDs
- Prices were close.
I am happy with my choice.
I opted for the Air over an IPad because I do allot of photography processing and I soot in RAW format. IPad was not even even considered because of this.
I did not consider the 11 because even over the screen size and keyboard what bothered me the most was the compacted touch pad.
Just my 2 Cents.
Good luck!
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You have to consider more than the computer size itself. The carter is larger for the pro and you can use CD/DVDs so they my worm they're way into your bag as well.
I end up with so much crap in my work backpack that the computer what ever it my be in never the real issue!
I should have made it clear earlier but the reason I am looking to spend the money now and invest in a computer for five years is because I am still entitled to the student discount in the UK until the end of this month, so I would like something that will last me a long time.
I use logic to produce - don't do a lot of mixing down at the moment but plan to but I do currently run multiple software instruments + effects.
I am still yearning towards the Pro because of the processing power and the 8GB RAM availability but I am planning on having a look at both the notebooks today.
From what I understand, the Pro's screen is rated better than the Air even though the resolution is higher?
Also how bad is the GPU on this mac? I really really do not want a 15" laptop - is the Intel GPU much better than my current GMA950? (I hope so!). I have some games that I would like to play through Windows XP/7 such as Myst, CoD, Flight Sim X etc.
I use logic to produce - don't do a lot of mixing down at the moment but plan to but I do currently run multiple software instruments + effects.
I am still yearning towards the Pro because of the processing power and the 8GB RAM availability but I am planning on having a look at both the notebooks today.
From what I understand, the Pro's screen is rated better than the Air even though the resolution is higher?
Also how bad is the GPU on this mac? I really really do not want a 15" laptop - is the Intel GPU much better than my current GMA950? (I hope so!). I have some games that I would like to play through Windows XP/7 such as Myst, CoD, Flight Sim X etc.
The pro screen is still one of the best laptop screens for that size class, but the air makes your jaw drop. I know that as switching from a MacBook pro.
the air is an incredible computer, but one of the reasons i did not choose it was because of the screen. i didn't like how flimsy it appeared, i didn't like the bezel, and i felt like it looked washed out. all of these concerns are completely subjective, and i know you are bound to get a lot of different reactions to the device.
i bought the mbp because i wanted the power and upgradability, and i didn't need the ultra-portability, but it was an easy choice when i saw the screen. personally, i thought the display looked a lot better, and i like the glossy look. others cannot stand it. again, it is a subjective thing.
i don't think the weight difference between the mbp and 13 air is any big deal. but, then again, i don't carry my computer with me. i do most of my work during the day with my ipad and save any of the heavy processing stuff for my mbp in the afternoon/evening. i definitely push the mbp every day (fans are blazing right now), so i am glad i chose it over the air.
as for gaming, i get the feeling that the 13 will be fine for moderate gaming, but if you are really into it, my impression from reading the forums is that you will be disappointed, and ought to go for the 15. i don't game, so i cannot speak to that. videos and the like look wonderful to me.
i bought the mbp because i wanted the power and upgradability, and i didn't need the ultra-portability, but it was an easy choice when i saw the screen. personally, i thought the display looked a lot better, and i like the glossy look. others cannot stand it. again, it is a subjective thing.
i don't think the weight difference between the mbp and 13 air is any big deal. but, then again, i don't carry my computer with me. i do most of my work during the day with my ipad and save any of the heavy processing stuff for my mbp in the afternoon/evening. i definitely push the mbp every day (fans are blazing right now), so i am glad i chose it over the air.
as for gaming, i get the feeling that the 13 will be fine for moderate gaming, but if you are really into it, my impression from reading the forums is that you will be disappointed, and ought to go for the 15. i don't game, so i cannot speak to that. videos and the like look wonderful to me.
I hardly game and honestly, I just want them to run really. Medium settings would be ideal but surely the 3000 is far better than the 950?
The thing about the Air screen is it is effectively HD Ready and can display 720p whereas the Pro can't..
by hd ready, are you talking about high definition television / movies or creating hd videos? i guess neither will work well with the mbp 13, but i haven't tried.
in addition, air owners could speak to this in more detail, but i think if you wanted to hook up the air to an external display of some kind you'll have a much better gaming experience than you'd get with the pro. i think the 13"display is great at this resolution, but i doubt it will scale well. i haven't hooked it up to try yet, though.
if you are this concerned about the display, it seems to me that the 15"is the way to go. you get quad core, upgradability, a beautiful display, etc.
I know and a dedicated GPU but it is simply too big for me to carry around and use while I am lying down.
have you learned nothing from yoda!? the future is always in motion. keep your mind on the here and now. if you do that, the mba is the obvious choice. it is everything you need now. stop thinking about maxing out the discount and future-proofing. when you have a job later and it is time to upgrade, you won't even care that you don't have the discount anymore.
Thats exactly why I got the 11" over the 13", I like to be able to just grab the air no bag or anything and carry it like a book, it has now replaced my iPad for this purpose. I guess once you get used to the smaller foot print of the iPad, the iPad just feels a little awkward.
Thats why I said in my other post that unless you also plan to carry around a bunch of other things too in the bag, the wight difference isn't all that much. Obviously the more you put into the bag, the bigger the difference it is to carry around that extra pound.
If you want to game seriously, neither the Air, nor the MBP 13 will suffice.
They'll work. They'll work better then a lot of notebooks that are out there, because yes, Intel HD 3000 is a massive upgrade from previous onboard video. But don't expect to be blown away.
If the games you want to play are little 'iPad' type games, then intel HD 3000 is more than fine. Any modern AAA game however, will be disappointing. But if you are a gamer, you'll have a desktop anyways.
As for your choice, there is none. If you want the 13 inch form factor, the Air is what you should get. If you think the 'extra weight' of the 13 MBP isn't bad, then you should be springing for the 15" mbp instead. I see no good reason to get the 13" MBP.
They'll work. They'll work better then a lot of notebooks that are out there, because yes, Intel HD 3000 is a massive upgrade from previous onboard video. But don't expect to be blown away.
If the games you want to play are little 'iPad' type games, then intel HD 3000 is more than fine. Any modern AAA game however, will be disappointing. But if you are a gamer, you'll have a desktop anyways.
As for your choice, there is none. If you want the 13 inch form factor, the Air is what you should get. If you think the 'extra weight' of the 13 MBP isn't bad, then you should be springing for the 15" mbp instead. I see no good reason to get the 13" MBP.
What part of Logic Audio would make you recommend a machine that cannot be upgraded in the future? Just curious.
The fact that Logic is used would lead me to recommend the pro - you can always add a screen for resolution and it has room to grow.
To clarify an earlier incorrect statement. 1280 x 800 is beyond 720p
neither are 1080
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The OP claims he can do Logic Audio now on his Macbook which is older. The Pro probably will be able to do it better and for longer, but the Air should be able to handle it just fine now.
Firstly, I would like to clarify that although I am a student, I am a Postgrad and in employment so I do have a regular income. The discount is very important to me for two reasons:
1) 15% discount of the retail price
2) 3 Year H/E warranty included c.f 1 Year standard warranty
Just been to see the two in real life and here are my observations:
Display
The res of the Air is incredible but it makes it a bit more difficult to read things and I found the Pro to have better colour reproduction when I was going through some photos in iPhoto.
Connectivity
The Air only has one USB; this is going to be a problem if I connect more than one device to it at the same time. Given that the Air has to have an external Superdrive if I used it, it would take up the slot.
The Air also doesn't have a built-in Ethernet which would prove problematic if I was to set up my router at home. You need to physically connect a machine to it to configure it.
Design
The Air is incredibly thin; it is really a design champion. I do, however, prefer the Pro's black bezel; it looks smarter and more professional. I didn't get a chance to pick either up as the London looting seems to have taken it's toll on retailers willingness to allow customers to hold the devices but I know the Air is significantly lighter as well as thinner.
Power
The Air was significantly faster than the Pro, despite being the 2010 version. I do attribute this to the presence of SSD though, which would be my choice of storage irrespective of the device.
Miscellaneous
Air doesn't have Facetime HD; the Pro does.
Both laptops only have one optical in/out. I need some guidance about what I would need to buy alongside the notebook to connect audio inputs from a Mixer etc alongside using Software Instruments in Logic.
So far I have configured two devices:
MB Air 13" £1356
1.8GHz i7
4GB RAM
256GB SSD
Ext SuperDrive
DVI Cable
Ethernet Adaptor
MB Pro 13" £1702.80
2.7GHz i7
8GB RAM
256GB SSD
DVI Cable
Apple Remote
A difference of just under £350 between the two. I will be getting one of these two models. What do we think?
1) 15% discount of the retail price
2) 3 Year H/E warranty included c.f 1 Year standard warranty
Just been to see the two in real life and here are my observations:
Display
The res of the Air is incredible but it makes it a bit more difficult to read things and I found the Pro to have better colour reproduction when I was going through some photos in iPhoto.
Connectivity
The Air only has one USB; this is going to be a problem if I connect more than one device to it at the same time. Given that the Air has to have an external Superdrive if I used it, it would take up the slot.
The Air also doesn't have a built-in Ethernet which would prove problematic if I was to set up my router at home. You need to physically connect a machine to it to configure it.
Design
The Air is incredibly thin; it is really a design champion. I do, however, prefer the Pro's black bezel; it looks smarter and more professional. I didn't get a chance to pick either up as the London looting seems to have taken it's toll on retailers willingness to allow customers to hold the devices but I know the Air is significantly lighter as well as thinner.
Power
The Air was significantly faster than the Pro, despite being the 2010 version. I do attribute this to the presence of SSD though, which would be my choice of storage irrespective of the device.
Miscellaneous
Air doesn't have Facetime HD; the Pro does.
Both laptops only have one optical in/out. I need some guidance about what I would need to buy alongside the notebook to connect audio inputs from a Mixer etc alongside using Software Instruments in Logic.
So far I have configured two devices:
MB Air 13" £1356
1.8GHz i7
4GB RAM
256GB SSD
Ext SuperDrive
DVI Cable
Ethernet Adaptor
MB Pro 13" £1702.80
2.7GHz i7
8GB RAM
256GB SSD
DVI Cable
Apple Remote
A difference of just under £350 between the two. I will be getting one of these two models. What do we think?
You must not do much video or photo editing with a question like that.
And some people don't upgrade their computers every year so buying something "future proof" actually saves them money in the long run by allowing them to use their computer longer.
My desktop PC is 4 1/2 years old and it still runs COD4 @ 2560x1600. I spent over $5000 on it and it's the size of a small car...
Future proofing a laptop is a fools errand. Mobile technology is moving too fast, and a mobile platform is not upgrade friendly. Desktop technology has slowed to a crawl in comparison. The 2013 Air will be twice as fast as the 2011 with double the memory and half the heat.
You heard it here first folks...
I don't do any video editing. I do heavy photoshop and Aperture editing on 11MP pictures and haven't ever needed more than 2GB. People really over estimate what they need. Just because OS X will use all the RAM you throw at it does t mean you need all the RAM you've got.
so you waste a ton of money on something that by the time you need it will be dirt cheap. Smart.
Thank you everyone!
I would like to thank everybody for their thoughtful contributions to this thread.
After careful deliberation, I have gone for the MB Pro 13". The reasons for this are:
1) That I am definitely not seeking to change my machine for at least a period of three years (as it would be fully under warranty) and I believe that the extra memory and processing power would safely cover my computing needs for that period of time.
2) That the lack of I/O ports coupled with the need to have an external optical drive outweigh the portability benefits of the Air; my laptop very rarely ventures outside my house and I would therefore, benefit very little from the lightweight and thin nature of the Air.
3) That the Pro has a better quality colour reproduction on screen, despite the inferior resolution. I will take the advice of a fellow member to use an external monitor (I have a Xerox 22" 1680x1050 res) for Logic and intensive word processing.
4) That the Air lacks an IR interface and therefore could not be doubled up as a media centre when required.
Once again, thank you everyone for your input and advice!
I would like to thank everybody for their thoughtful contributions to this thread.
After careful deliberation, I have gone for the MB Pro 13". The reasons for this are:
1) That I am definitely not seeking to change my machine for at least a period of three years (as it would be fully under warranty) and I believe that the extra memory and processing power would safely cover my computing needs for that period of time.
2) That the lack of I/O ports coupled with the need to have an external optical drive outweigh the portability benefits of the Air; my laptop very rarely ventures outside my house and I would therefore, benefit very little from the lightweight and thin nature of the Air.
3) That the Pro has a better quality colour reproduction on screen, despite the inferior resolution. I will take the advice of a fellow member to use an external monitor (I have a Xerox 22" 1680x1050 res) for Logic and intensive word processing.
4) That the Air lacks an IR interface and therefore could not be doubled up as a media centre when required.
Once again, thank you everyone for your input and advice!