Ergonomics: MBA vs. RMBP

[Collider]

For me, it comes down to where I am. At a desk, it's the rMBP hands-down. In my lap, nothing beats the Air.

Speaking from personal preference, and with a heavy focus on comfort when typing rather than screen quality etc., the solidity of the MBP makes it feel more weighted in my lap than it actually is, whereas the Air is so light you scarcely feel it at all. By contrast, and for the same reason, I find the MBP a thousand times more pleasant and enjoyable to use when sitting at a desk.

 

[Haseo]

Great responses everyone, I appreciate the input!

It seems that the general consensus so far is that the RMBP keyboard is more comfortable to type on, yet the MBA is more comfortable on your lap. This is good information to know!

And @ Mr. 'Ergonomicist' : Not sure if serious or trolling.

 

[Suraj R.]

As for what everyone's saying about the keyboard, there is a very slight difference in thickness. You have to press the keys in less on the Air than on Apple's other keyboards to register a click/put them at the same height as the aluminum back. I have an Apple Wireless Keyboard that I use along with my 2013 13" Air (i5/8/128) and I can tell some slight difference between the two keyboards. Not a big deal at all however, I can easily switch between the two. Almost disregardable (for a lack of a better word).

 

[hkim1983]

A lot of people have mentioned the keyboard, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in:

Personally, I feel that the Airs are the worst keyboards Apple has ever made (at least from what I've used in the last 20 or so years). They don't have as much positive feedback in typing (which is the result of it being so thin) and don't feel quite as good as Apple's other keyboards (obviously this is mostly subjective). That being said, I don't think the rMBP's are THAT much better (still inferior to the cMBP's IMO, although better than old iBooks), but you can definitely feel a difference.

I use an external keyboard most of the time anyway, so it's not the biggest deal though.

 

[falconeight]

A lot of people have mentioned the keyboard, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in:

Personally, I feel that the Airs are the worst keyboards Apple has ever made (at least from what I've used in the last 20 or so years). They don't have as much positive feedback in typing (which is the result of it being so thin) and don't feel quite as good as Apple's other keyboards (obviously this is mostly subjective). That being said, I don't think the rMBP's are THAT much better (still inferior to the cMBP's IMO, although better than old iBooks), but you can definitely feel a difference.

I use an external keyboard most of the time anyway, so it's not the biggest deal though.

I haven't felt a difference in keyboards between the air, retina or regular macbook pro. They all feel the same except for the thickness.

 

[CountBrass]

How does one become a ergonomist?

I've heard they hand out degrees in ergonomics as the booby prize if you fail art history.

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I haven't felt a difference in keyboards between the air, retina or regular macbook pro. They all feel the same except for the thickness.

I have to confess that, in their context, I think the air's keyboard is okay and the desktop's (iMac and, shamefully, the MacPro's) are terrible. I bought a dozen of the old mechanical Apple keyboards off eBay for my Mac Pro.

And to throw my hat into the ring answering the OP's question: personally I think that if you are considering a 13" rMBP then you should consider making the leap to the 15" rMBP which is a far superior machine, rather light and slim for a 15" laptop and far higher performance. For me 13" and 15" are too close to call size and weight wise so: 15" rMBP.

In contrast I think the 11" MBA is in a completely different class. It's about as portable as an iPad (shame the MBA lacks built in 3G connectivity) although I am finding for what I use my 11" for, the iPad is rapidly taking over: especially now that I can write code / develop on the iPad. What my MBA really lacks is being able to synch' iTunes content with my Mac Pro, the way I can my iPad. That, and the touch screen.

 

[PDFierro]

I've heard they hand out degrees in ergonomics as the booby prize if you fail art history.

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I have to confess that, in their context, I think the air's keyboard is okay and the desktop's (iMac and, shamefully, the MacPro's) are terrible. I bought a dozen of the old mechanical Apple keyboards off eBay for my Mac Pro.

And to throw my hat into the ring answering the OP's question: personally I think that if you are considering a 13" rMBP then you should consider making the leap to the 15" rMBP which is a far superior machine, rather light and slim for a 15" laptop and far higher performance. For me 13" and 15" are too close to call size and weight wise so: 15" rMBP.

In contrast I think the 11" MBA is in a completely different class. It's about as portable as an iPad (shame the MBA lacks built in 3G connectivity) although I am finding for what I use my 11" for, the iPad is rapidly taking over: especially now that I can write code / develop on the iPad. What my MBA really lacks is being able to synch' iTunes content with my Mac Pro, the way I can my iPad. That, and the touch screen.

About your comments on stepping up to the 15-inch rMBP if you are considering the 13, that's not true at all. Not everyone needs the power that the 15-inch offers, and some find the 15 to be way too large in size. And the 13-inch rMBP is a clear choice over the 13-inch Air, so it's not like you're compromising by going with the 13 rMBP.

 

[hkim1983]

And the 13-inch rMBP is a clear choice over the 13-inch Air, so it's not like you're compromising by going with the 13 rMBP.

I don't agree with this generalization, because it depends entirely on what you need out of a computer. The only major benefit the 13" rMBP offers is the screen, that's it. You can argue the little things if you want (better keyboard, better speakers, etc.) but at the end of the day, what it comes down to is: if you want the screen, buy the rMBP, if you don't, buy the Air. This may be bizarre to some of you pro-rMBP users, but for some people, superior battery life > screen.

EDIT: This also doesn't take into consideration those who highly value built-in "legacy" support, in which, the 13" cMBP is really the only option at that size.

 

[haaX]

And you can comfortably type on the 11-inch Air even with the shortened palm rest area?

Yep absolutley no problems. On the couch with the MBA on my lap it's far better.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I much prefer the MBA. The rMBP still cuts into my wrists too much.

 

[PDFierro]

I don't agree with this generalization, because it depends entirely on what you need out of a computer. The only major benefit the 13" rMBP offers is the screen, that's it. You can argue the little things if you want (better keyboard, better speakers, etc.) but at the end of the day, what it comes down to is: if you want the screen, buy the rMBP, if you don't, buy the Air. This may be bizarre to some of you pro-rMBP users, but for some people, superior battery life > screen.

EDIT: This also doesn't take into consideration those who highly value built-in "legacy" support, in which, the 13" cMBP is really the only option at that size.

Well the argument here is that it's only half a pound in difference, which makes it a no-brainer to trade that for the screen. But I see your points as well.

 

[SteveJobs2.0]

Well the argument here is that it's only half a pound in difference, which makes it a no-brainer to trade that for the screen. But I see your points as well.

It may be half a pound on paper but in reality I can feel a significant difference in weight.

 

[hkim1983]

It may be half a pound on paper but in reality I can feel a significant difference in weight.

I agree. A half pound may not be a big deal on paper and for short periods of time, but over the course of an entire day in conjunction with whatever else you may be carrying, it can add up.

Granted, this assumes you're traveling a lot, so for those who don't, it's irrelevant.

 

[MacBird]

I prefer the MBA because I like the keyboard better. I can actually type faster on it and I have to write a lot.

I don't like the edge of the rMBP as it is too sharp and cuts into my palm and it gets rather warm at the bottom.

 

[Haseo]

Thanks again all for sharing, these are all great experiences to note!

As for the question of the 15" rmbp -- I really don't need the extra screen size nor weight and exterior size that comes with it. The main conflict in decision-making I have is what would be more comfortable or ergonomical -- if the RMBP is just as comfortable to use as the MBA, then it's a no-brainer to get the RMBP as the screen quality is quite superior. However, some have mentioned that the half pound difference in the air actually does make a difference in comfortability, which is what I'm more concerned about.

As for the more powerful stuff I do -- I have a maxed out 27" 2012 iMac for everything else. So the power difference between the air and rmbp is a non-issue to me. Cost really isn't an issue either, which is why I would choose to go with the i7 on the MBA, just in case there comes a time where I do need a little extra power on the go in the future, as I tend to keep computers for many years.

 

[kahkityoong]

I've owned both. Stopped using the 13rMBP because the 13MBA felt so much more comfortable on the lap, couch or in bed. No difference for me in terms of typing.

 

[daviddth]

Personally, I feel that the Airs are the worst keyboards Apple has ever made (at least from what I've used in the last 20 or so years).

The air is my only Apple PC here, and I love typing on it much more than my main PC. The low key travel makes typing a dream, easy and fast, but thats just my opinion.

We all like different things and that is good. Like no way in hell would I use a MBP as they are too heavy and big for what I want to do nowdays with the MBA.

 

[PDFierro]

Thanks again all for sharing, these are all great experiences to note!

As for the question of the 15" rmbp -- I really don't need the extra screen size nor weight and exterior size that comes with it. The main conflict in decision-making I have is what would be more comfortable or ergonomical -- if the RMBP is just as comfortable to use as the MBA, then it's a no-brainer to get the RMBP as the screen quality is quite superior. However, some have mentioned that the half pound difference in the air actually does make a difference in comfortability, which is what I'm more concerned about.

As for the more powerful stuff I do -- I have a maxed out 27" 2012 iMac for everything else. So the power difference between the air and rmbp is a non-issue to me. Cost really isn't an issue either, which is why I would choose to go with the i7 on the MBA, just in case there comes a time where I do need a little extra power on the go in the future, as I tend to keep computers for many years.

This is the first time I've actually seen people say the half-pound difference between the rMBP and MBA actually bothers them. I've held both and there isn't much difference. And even if it felt like more than half a pound, it would still be worth it due to the much superior screen.

Most people are buying the 13-inch MBA over the rMBP. But the smarter choice is clearly the 13 rMBP. I'm not saying it should be your choice, but I think people are making the half-pound difference a bigger deal than it actually is.

If I'm going to have this thing on my lap, I'm going to need a better screen. I also heavily prefer the design/keyboard of the rMBP when it comes to lap usage.

To each their own.

 

[hkim1983]

This is the first time I've actually seen people say the half-pound difference between the rMBP and MBA actually bothers them. I've held both and there isn't much difference. And even if it felt like more than half a pound, it would still be worth it due to the much superior screen.

You're not grasping what we're saying then. A half-pound on paper or in the short-term makes no noticeable difference unless your wrist strength is simply non-existant. That being said, over the period of an entire day IN CONJUNCTION with anything else you may be carrying, you will feel the difference and will try to make your load as light as necessary, regardless of how "strong" you are (I'm in pretty good shape myself, but it doesn't matter, because any weight over a period of time will eventually wear you out).

Again though, if you don't travel frequently, then this is a non-issue.

 

[PDFierro]

You're not grasping what we're saying then. A half-pound on paper or in the short-term makes no noticeable difference unless your wrist strength is simply non-existant. That being said, over the period of an entire day IN CONJUNCTION with anything else you may be carrying, you will feel the difference and will try to make your load as light as necessary, regardless of how "strong" you are (I'm in pretty good shape myself, but it doesn't matter, because any weight over a period of time will eventually wear you out).

Again though, if you don't travel frequently, then this is a non-issue.

No, I do see what you are saying. But I do travel frequently, I don't own a car so I'm always carrying something. Just a half-pound wouldn't make a difference to me, not for what you are getting in exchange.

It's a minimal increase. But the Air does have its advantages with being thinner, better battery life, etc. Anyway, really wasn't trying to take the conversation away from the ergonomics of the machine, just my thoughts.

 

[mac82]

n/a

 

[57004]

I much prefer the MBA. The rMBP still cuts into my wrists too much.

This. I used to have the 11" air, much better in terms of the sharp edge than the 13" rMBP I have now. I hardly felt the edge on the 11". Now I've had to buy a speck case and sand the edge down to make it acceptable.

The retina screen is brilliant for Xcode though, especially the iPhone simulator if it's run in retina mode.

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In contrast I think the 11" MBA is in a completely different class. It's about as portable as an iPad (shame the MBA lacks built in 3G connectivity) although I am finding for what I use my 11" for, the iPad is rapidly taking over: especially now that I can write code / develop on the iPad.

How do you develop on the iPad? Mine has also taken over a lot of use cases I used to use my 11" Air for. But for development I'm still stuck with the 13" rMBP, and that's too heavy to bring on a hand-luggage-only business trip The 11" probably also would have been too heavy anyway because I have to bring a massive HP "laptop" for work

I did try using Textastic with Dropbox and the Objective-C colour template but without a chance of debugging I found it too limited to do anything serious.

 

[Tike1994]

I prefer the MBA because I like the keyboard better. I can actually type faster on it and I have to write a lot.

I don't like the edge of the rMBP as it is too sharp and cuts into my palm and it gets rather warm at the bottom.

I second this statement. I had a 13" MBP a few years ago and the "cutting" on my wrists was quite annoying.

I replaced it with a MBA and find it much easier to type on while using on the couch, bed, etc.

 

[Haseo]

Hmmm, quite a few people have noted that the rmbp cuts into your wrist, while although the mba does not!

This is interesting. I wonder if it has to do with the slanted design of the mba.

 

[neteng101]

This is interesting. I wonder if it has to do with the slanted design of the mba.

Slanted design plus no real wall at the front edge where its at its thinnest.