Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
how many will replace mbp with new mba
- Thread starter tim100
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
need backlit keyboard
need that extra processing power
need more battery life
to me the MBP 13" is the perfect compromise between performance and portability. i also actually use the disc drive for netflix movies when i'm not connected to wifi (and for once see RECENT movies!)
need that extra processing power
need more battery life
to me the MBP 13" is the perfect compromise between performance and portability. i also actually use the disc drive for netflix movies when i'm not connected to wifi (and for once see RECENT movies!)
Personally, I don't see it replacing my 15-inch MacBook Pro. Instead, I'm strongly considering a mid-spec Air when I'm on the go and leave my MacBook Pro for more intensive tasks. With an enclosure that thin, got to keep heat in mind.
The current improvements are not enough for me to switch. Lower the cost, raise the CPU speed, add an internal disk drive and give it a lighted keyboard. Then it will get my attention, until then the 13" Macbook Pro fills my needs.
Definitely not considering replacing. Might get one for other tasks though.
In my main machine I need to have more RAM, choices for larger and cheaper HDDs as well as cheaper SSDs.
Also, i'm too in love with my 15" screen. Ive personally found anything smaller a bit harder to use.
One thing that I would love to see on the MBP however is the removal of the optical drive. I have personally already replaced mine with a SSD, but if apple removed it and designed around it we could see some nice new features (Solid state startup discs, larger battery etc)
If you arent using your MBP for much more than surfing the web or writing documents, I would first ask why you got one in the first place, then probably recommend the change to a MBA. But personally I need the faster/upgradable MBP.
In my main machine I need to have more RAM, choices for larger and cheaper HDDs as well as cheaper SSDs.
Also, i'm too in love with my 15" screen. Ive personally found anything smaller a bit harder to use.
One thing that I would love to see on the MBP however is the removal of the optical drive. I have personally already replaced mine with a SSD, but if apple removed it and designed around it we could see some nice new features (Solid state startup discs, larger battery etc)
If you arent using your MBP for much more than surfing the web or writing documents, I would first ask why you got one in the first place, then probably recommend the change to a MBA. But personally I need the faster/upgradable MBP.
MBA is not for me, although I love the concept.
My music and iPhoto libraries would eat up 70% of a 128 GB SSD.
When there is 500 GB SSD's at an affordable price maybe. Now it's just not for me.
My music and iPhoto libraries would eat up 70% of a 128 GB SSD.
When there is 500 GB SSD's at an affordable price maybe. Now it's just not for me.
Exactly. I really cant remember the last time I used the "CD/DVD" drive on my laptop. Everything is changing to flash memory these days.
Im sure some people still use it, and for them, they can buy an optional external optical drive.
Would love one of the new 11.6". Maybe not as a replacement, but an addition to my MBP.
Not remotely considering it at that price point though. There are better-equipped ultramobile PCs for much less money. Looks alone won't sell me on it.
Not remotely considering it at that price point though. There are better-equipped ultramobile PCs for much less money. Looks alone won't sell me on it.
If you have the money, then I think the MBA is ideally suited as a second computer.
I'm not sure we are at the point where we can go totally CD/DVD free, nor do some want to lug around a separate drive for that purpose. But then again, I never thought computers would be rid of 3.5" drives this fast either. I guess the optical drive does take up a lot of space that could be used for more batteries.
I think I will stick with the MBP except next time I will get the 15". The MBA is light and thin to the point it's uncomfortable for me.
The ipad market is exactly the market I think that is more endanger of changing their minds and going for the MBA instead.
The MBA seems more aimed at people who want a supplemental second computer for ultra portability than the MBPs which seem aimed some at that crowd but also at people like me who want their laptop to also be their main computer (and therefore willing to sacrifice some size for more capability).
For me my 13" MBP is the perfect balance between capability and portability (though to be honest I wouldn't want bigger) for what I want in a computer.
I'd definitely not replace my MBP with one, but if for some reason I was considering an ipad, I'd probably be more tempted to spend a little extra for the 11.6" and get something that had a real keyboard and a full OS for really not much more size.
Though, I am not sure how well the 13" MBA will fare. It doesn't have enough of a size difference between it and my MBP that I'd think would make up for the power difference (I'd have a hard time seeing going for it when for just a little more thickness you could get more outlets, a DVD drive, a bigger hard drive with capability to install a far bigger hard drive, more RAM, a faster processor, all for just 100 dollars less than the Air). Honestly, I bet the 13" does as well as the last MBA.
But I think the 11.6" will do well. But I don't think it was aimed to replace MBPs but more as a supplemental computer (as this post proves. Not one person so far is planning on replacing their MBP with one but a few are considering adding the Air as a more portable second computer).