Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Anyone gone from MacBook Air to Retina MBP?

ZipZap said:
Not true. Was in Apple store lifted them all. rMBP is closer to MBA 13.
Click to expand...

Hmm, while I agree with you that it doesn't feel as heavy as the old 15" pro, it is closer in weight on a linear scale to the old Pro than to the Air. (3 vs 4.5 vs 5.5 pounds).

----------

Oh one more thing: battery life really is worse, probably in part because I find myself having to increase the display brightness to max all the time, compared to 75% on the Air.
 
macbook123 said:
Hmm, while I agree with you that it doesn't feel as heavy as the old 15" pro, it is closer in weight on a linear scale to the old Pro than to the Air. (3 vs 4.5 vs 5.5 pounds).

----------

Oh one more thing: battery life really is worse, probably in part because I find myself having to increase the display brightness to max all the time, compared to 75% on the Air.
Click to expand...

Can you explain this better? How much less bright is the rMacBook pro than the MacBook air?
 
i went from a 2010 MacBook air to a 2011 MacBook Pro "15.

No problems, other than i miss the SSD, but other than i like how the "15 performs in terms of the size.
 
Comparison Video

Heres a video comparison of the Air vs Retina MBP. One thing I absolutely love is the Retina and the superb audio system on the rMBP.

 
Been waiting until the refresh to replace my 2010 MBA. When the announcement came out, I ordered both the 13 MBA and the 15 rMBP. I got the rMBP first and wasn't that impressed. It was bigger in dimensions, heavier, and I had to increase all the fonts and icons due to the size. I just bought the MBA specific Happy Owl briefcase just came in, so basically decided in my head that it was going back when the new MBA came in. It came in and plans have changed. Going back to the MBA is a huge difference in screen real estate which can be a pain when not connected to a monitor. Holding each in a separate hand, the weight really is negligible. It just seems heavier going from the Air to the retina. Based on the screen alone, I'd pick the rMBA. However, I'm trying to decide if its worth the extra grand. This thing is expensive. In reality, is the negligible bump in speed really worth the new MBA over the old MBA....
 
eba said:
I find that I now use my iPad for most light tasks (web, email) so I use my MBA less. I'm thinking that a MBP might provide a bit more separation from my iPad in terms of power and utility. So I'll probably make the move at some point.

Having said at, I'm not convinced that the current RMBP is the way to go. It's smaller, but a 13 would be even better. And I'm not convinced that the retina display is really that much of an improvement at this point since so few office and pro apps are optimized for it. For every app that looks better, at least one other looks worse. So I'm waiting for now.
Click to expand...

That's exactly why i'm buying one. I have a ipad 3 and so my macbook air only gets used when i need to do specific things i can't do on my MBA 11 inch.
 
tdfreeman said:
Been waiting until the refresh to replace my 2010 MBA. When the announcement came out, I ordered both the 13 MBA and the 15 rMBP. I got the rMBP first and wasn't that impressed. It was bigger in dimensions, heavier, and I had to increase all the fonts and icons due to the size. I just bought the MBA specific Happy Owl briefcase just came in, so basically decided in my head that it was going back when the new MBA came in. It came in and plans have changed. Going back to the MBA is a huge difference in screen real estate which can be a pain when not connected to a monitor. Holding each in a separate hand, the weight really is negligible. It just seems heavier going from the Air to the retina. Based on the screen alone, I'd pick the rMBA. However, I'm trying to decide if its worth the extra grand. This thing is expensive. In reality, is the negligible bump in speed really worth the new MBA over the old MBA....
Click to expand...

How's the 15" for typing on your lap compared to the Air?
 
2011 mba 13" ultimate to 2012 rMBP

Absolutely nothing wrong with my 2011 mba 13" ultimate. I used vm fusion and never felt as if I was low on ram. 256gb of ssd was plenty and the overall weight was by far the best feature. I was extremely careful with it....it tapers so thinly, i would be afraid that i'd break it some how.

I moved to the rMBP simply because I wanted the new screen. Nothing compares to it. Quad core, bigger screen, and overall weight/build is seems more solid that the mba.

You just have to see the screen, do some of your normal daily tasks and you'll be hooked on how nice everything looks.... the speakers are remarkably better on this than any of the previous macbook pro 13" or 15" I've owned in the past.
 
Always thought the 15 inch MBP was heavy/bulky. Been using an 11-inch MBA which I lug around between work + home, and all over the world for biz trips. Keeping the MBA for that -it's the perfect size and weight for that purpose. I find the rMBP to be just light enough to regularly use it for my personal machine. Don't mind carrying it around a bunch, just not planning to hustle through airports with it. It's definitely the coolest laptop I've ever used. When they figure out how to shave another pound off the weight I can retire the Air for good. :)
 
boy-better-know said:
Going from 13" Air (2011) to a Retina Macbook Pro. After spending a short time with the Retina MBP in store I can honestly say that the weight/size differences are personally no concern to me at all. I take my MacBook to Uni with me 5 days a week, but it is ok because I drive in (so no long walks carrying my bag). However, for those of you who do carry their laptop around a lot, I don't think you will find it an issue. Go check it out!

Anyway, the screen is amazing, I can't wait to get mine delivered.
Click to expand...

You know we actually used to have to walk between classes with entire book-bags filled with giant TREE-PAPER textbooks? ;)
 
ZipZap said:
Not true. Was in Apple store lifted them all. rMBP is closer to MBA 13.
Click to expand...

That's incorrect.

The retina MBP is 1.1 pounds lighter than the old 15" MBP.

The retina MBP is over 1.5 pounds heaver than the 13" Air.

Edit, sorry.. I see someone else pointed this out..
 
One thing I wanted to mention...I'd call it immersive productivity experience...

The Air's display and trackpad are slanted toward you and are nearly flush with a desk or your legs/lap. The Retina Pro, much like the old Pro's, has a sharp edge in the front that is quite a bit further from the keyboard. Also, the distance between trackpad and keyboard is larger. I find that these things make the transition between thinking and producing more fluid so to say on the Air. I know it may sound esoteric, but I do feel a bit more immersed with content and "one with" my computer during regular workflows on the Air as a result.

It's a very tough choice...I'm sure I'll wait until the last day of my Retina's return window before I make it.
 
entatlrg said:
How's the 15" for typing on your lap compared to the Air?
Click to expand...

In my home office, I have the corded Mac keyboard with the number pad. In my office, I have the wireless keyboard and trackpad. The only time I use the "normal" keyboard is on my lap. I can say going between those and back to the Air, typing isn't an issue.

----------
tdfreeman said:
In my home office, I have the corded Mac keyboard with the number pad. In my office, I have the wireless keyboard and trackpad. The only time I use the "normal" keyboard is on my lap. I can say going between those and back to the Air, typing isn't an issue.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I've never liked the sharp edge on the MBP (I've had 2 of them 13" & 15" before the Air). If I'm sitting at a desk, the edge digs into my forearms. On my laptop, I keep it more angled, so it's not as bad.
 
ZipZap said:
There is no reasonable comparison between the rMBP and the Macbook Air 11".

I have a Macbook Air 13" and I am moving to the MBP Retina. Why?, the weight difference to the MBA is really small from my perspective and I get a bigger and way better display.

Pay no attention to these descriptions: "Big", "Massive", etc

I suggest you go to a store and handle a rMBP. Once you do, you'll be done with the MBA.
Click to expand...

What a completely unintelligent assessment. I went to the Apple store. I saw the 13 Air next to the RMBP, and my decision to NOT buy the Retina was made all the more easy. The size footprint of the Retina is huge compared to the Air, and the screen is better but not better than my Retina iPad, so not spending 2200 on a new Macbook was made much much easier by simply seeing it.
 
I went from an 11 inch MBA to the RMBP and can't see going back. The screen is simply that much better. Yes it weighs more but it runs much cooler and really is not too heavy. I am glad I made the switch.
 
I went from a 11" Air to the Retina MBP.

It's a huge size and weight difference but I've been using my iPad 3 a lot more for those light tasks as someone has already mentioned.

One of the reasons for getting the Retina MBP as well was to replace my desktop and it definitely does the job. So I went from having a 11" Air, Quad Core Desktop PC and a PC Netbook to the Retina MBP and iPad 3.

I used my 11" Air mainly for school work, Office and Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), the really annoying thing was switching back and forth between the PC Equivalents of those apps and the Mac Version, they both had their minor but annoying differences.

The new retina MBP definitely does everything I need it to, the screen, performance and everything is unmatchable... also running Windows 7 on Bootcamp and Parallels for those Windows apps I still need to use :(
 
brentsg said:
That's incorrect.

The retina MBP is 1.1 pounds lighter than the old 15" MBP.

The retina MBP is over 1.5 pounds heaver than the 13" Air.

Edit, sorry.. I see someone else pointed this out..
Click to expand...

Ok, yes looking at the specifics you are right. From my visit to the store, however, my opinion was that the MBP was very heavy and the rMBP felt a lot lighter than the MBP.

When I compared the rMBP to the MBA 13 (which I own) I found that the rMBP was surprisingly light to the point where I saw no comfort difference in the mobility of the rMBP device as compared to the MBA 13.
 
Last edited:
CapnJackGig said:
What a completely unintelligent assessment. I went to the Apple store. I saw the 13 Air next to the RMBP, and my decision to NOT buy the Retina was made all the more easy. The size footprint of the Retina is huge compared to the Air, and the screen is better but not better than my Retina iPad, so not spending 2200 on a new Macbook was made much much easier by simply seeing it.
Click to expand...

What dont you understand?

Its not "huge" as you describe but it is bigger (and more capable). Its not less mobile in my opinion.

I own an MBA 13 and I will have no issue making the jump to the rMBP.

My ultimate point.....Others should go to the store and experience the devices first had instead of listening to those that post here.

Some will agree with me some not.
 
I have both an 11'' Air and the rMBP. I just sold my old 2011 MBP for the retina.

On my bed, I always use the Air. It's just more comfortable to use. I'd say that other than my desk, I prefer using my Air. However, because the rMBP is new for me, I've recently been using it a lot in bed and in other places. While it's not nearly as comfortable to use, it's by no means bad. It's a lot more comfortable to use in these situations than my 2011 MBP was because of the thinness.

If using your laptop in your lap and a lot of other situations is very important to you, don't bother with the rMBP. If you prefer to use it in your lap but can live with a little bit larger of a footprint, then get the rMBP.

I used a 13'' Air for a period of time and it was just as comfortable as the 11'' Air was in my lap, just FYI for comparisons.
 
Trey M said:
I have both an 11'' Air and the rMBP. I just sold my old 2011 MBP for the retina.

On my bed, I always use the Air. It's just more comfortable to use. I'd say that other than my desk, I prefer using my Air. However, because the rMBP is new for me, I've recently been using it a lot in bed and in other places. While it's not nearly as comfortable to use, it's by no means bad. It's a lot more comfortable to use in these situations than my 2011 MBP was because of the thinness.

If using your laptop in your lap and a lot of other situations is very important to you, don't bother with the rMBP. If you prefer to use it in your lap but can live with a little bit larger of a footprint, then get the rMBP.

I used a 13'' Air for a period of time and it was just as comfortable as the 11'' Air was in my lap, just FYI for comparisons.
Click to expand...

That's my biggest concern. I'm often typing on my lap, using in bed, carry and use my Air just about everywhere I LOVE the Air form factor.

Can I go back to the 15" footprint for the sake of the retina display or will the Air end up being the winner because of its size and weight? Time will tell, I'm for sure going to miss the smaller size and light weight of the Air!
 
daleski75 said:
Is the difference in weight very noticeable or is the difference size more noticeable if you know what I mean?
Click to expand...

The difference in weight should be noticeable because the rMBP is nearly 50% heavier than the 13" MBA.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back