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How many would consider replacing MBP with MBA
- Thread starter tim100
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Add MBA to existing setup, but already have both. They are both great machines and I use them for different task's.
Add MBA to existing setup, but already have both. They are both great machines and I use them for different task's.
i tried it with the 11" last week (i got a deal on amazon). the ssd was nice. the size was great. and, the mba is a pretty machine.
but, the mba lacks ram. it feels cheap (flimsy keys). the display is dull. the display has a bezel (i hate bezels).
i could put up with all the negative stuff except for the performance. it couldn't handle pdfs even remotely close to what the mbp does. too bad. maybe someday with the next upgrade.
but, the mba lacks ram. it feels cheap (flimsy keys). the display is dull. the display has a bezel (i hate bezels).
i could put up with all the negative stuff except for the performance. it couldn't handle pdfs even remotely close to what the mbp does. too bad. maybe someday with the next upgrade.
They're such different machines. I've just used the 13" Air for years and loved it, but now I have an iPad for portability I realised how much I missed a more powerful laptop with a bigger screen. Back to a 15" MBP and loving it.
It's all about what you're doing with it.
Like for like, a MBP owner would be unlikely to be satisfied by an Air. Just like an Air owner would balk at the thought of lugging around a MBP.
It's all about what you're doing with it.
Like for like, a MBP owner would be unlikely to be satisfied by an Air. Just like an Air owner would balk at the thought of lugging around a MBP.
Quite possible in the future. I don't think it'll happen for the next two years, though. Even Ivy Bridge chips (2012) don't give the performance and efficiency improvements to warrant this. The MBPs are pretty damn thin as it is. The 15" and 17" are some of the thinest of their kind. They're fine for now.
I considered replacing my 15-incher with a 13" MacBook Air. In the end, the lack of a dedicated GPU, lack of ports, and a sissy* processor convinced me that it was a no-go.
*Yes, a 1.8 GHz i7 will Turbo Boost, but it can't last long with the MBA's super-thin form factor and inability to effectively cool itself.
I switched a couple of weeks ago (my wife has my Early 2011 MBP). Here's what I miss:
1. RAM for Virtual Machines - I was running multiple VM's at a time so now I have to run one at a time. It was rare that I actually needed them all open at the same time so I'm just being a little more proactive about shutting them down when not using.
2. I had a hi-res screen 15", so I have lost some resolution. Obviously if you are used to the resolution of the standard 15" then it is the same, but since I am used to 1680 x 1050 it's a bit of a bummer.
3. I was running a 120GB SATA3 SSD as my main drive and a 240GB SATA2 SSD as my secondary drive (instead of an optical) which was nice. Only having 128GB worth of SSD in my MBA is a little lacking. I'm having to be a little more choosy about what I put on it. I will probably upgrade to 240GB at some point.
Now, what I like about it? Portability. I have a Mac Mini in my office with multiple monitors so I didn't need the "heavy" 15" anymore.
What I would love: A 15" MBA with 8GB of RAM. I would upgrade in a heart beat. Even better would be a quad core but I know that's not happening with Ivy Bridge!
1. RAM for Virtual Machines - I was running multiple VM's at a time so now I have to run one at a time. It was rare that I actually needed them all open at the same time so I'm just being a little more proactive about shutting them down when not using.
2. I had a hi-res screen 15", so I have lost some resolution. Obviously if you are used to the resolution of the standard 15" then it is the same, but since I am used to 1680 x 1050 it's a bit of a bummer.
3. I was running a 120GB SATA3 SSD as my main drive and a 240GB SATA2 SSD as my secondary drive (instead of an optical) which was nice. Only having 128GB worth of SSD in my MBA is a little lacking. I'm having to be a little more choosy about what I put on it. I will probably upgrade to 240GB at some point.
Now, what I like about it? Portability. I have a Mac Mini in my office with multiple monitors so I didn't need the "heavy" 15" anymore.
What I would love: A 15" MBA with 8GB of RAM. I would upgrade in a heart beat. Even better would be a quad core but I know that's not happening with Ivy Bridge!
Did the swap from a loaded early '11 MBP 15" to Late '11 13"MBA Ultimate about a month ago and couldn't be happier. Mostly spreadsheets, surfing, email, etc. but find the MBA just so convenient from work travel to just hanging on the couch. Have a ATD at home and the MBA seems to be a fine desktop replacement for my needs.
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I would consider an MBA as an addition to my MBP. My MBA would be for when I went places and when I go into the office. I would still run my Pro for intensive apps right now and my games. But a 15" MBA with 256gb SSD would be my sweet spot.
I would consider it, but it would depend greatly on what was available 2-3 years from now. It will be at least that long before I start thinking about replacing the 13" MBP I just bought a month ago.
It could be that we'll all be using the iPad 5 by then and the notebook computer market will fade away. I think it's more likely that in 2-3 years there won't even be a distinction between the MBP and MBA. It's hard to say.
It could be that we'll all be using the iPad 5 by then and the notebook computer market will fade away. I think it's more likely that in 2-3 years there won't even be a distinction between the MBP and MBA. It's hard to say.
I am very happy with my MBP I have now and have no intentions of getting a MBA/selling it.
The next Mac I get (may go back to Windows when this breaks, don't know) will probably be the MBA - it does everything I need and I like how it is ultra portable
The first MBA was over priced toy, the 2nd was a bit better....the 3rd they have it right
The next Mac I get (may go back to Windows when this breaks, don't know) will probably be the MBA - it does everything I need and I like how it is ultra portable
The first MBA was over priced toy, the 2nd was a bit better....the 3rd they have it right
I bought a 13" Air and returned it within the two week return period in favor of a Pro.
I like what miniConvert said: "They're such different machines." I also agree with Palpatine: It felt flimsy (though Palpatine was discussing the 11".) That's how I felt about the 13" Air - it just doesn't feel as solid as the Pro - I was always afraid I'd hit a key and my finger would go right through it.
Since I've commented extensively on the differences between the two, I'll just say that my initial impression of the Pro offering a lot more capability for less money is even stronger after having had an Air. And note that I travel a lot for work.
I like what miniConvert said: "They're such different machines." I also agree with Palpatine: It felt flimsy (though Palpatine was discussing the 11".) That's how I felt about the 13" Air - it just doesn't feel as solid as the Pro - I was always afraid I'd hit a key and my finger would go right through it.
Since I've commented extensively on the differences between the two, I'll just say that my initial impression of the Pro offering a lot more capability for less money is even stronger after having had an Air. And note that I travel a lot for work.
I sort of feel the same way, but upsized.
For years I lived with a 15" Macbook Pro out of habit - always had 15" Windows Notebooks.
I now sport the 17" MBP ... Macbook Air is useless for our needs.
I prefer a pick-up truck over a skateboard! :lol:
If I were buying today, I would get the 13" MBA. When I am at home (95%), I have it hooked up to a 37" LCD with wireless keyboard and mouse anyways.
When I am on the road, size and weight matters. The 17" with 256GB SSD is really nice, don't get me wrong. But for what I am doing, the price difference and size would tip it in favor of the MBA.
When I am on the road, size and weight matters. The 17" with 256GB SSD is really nice, don't get me wrong. But for what I am doing, the price difference and size would tip it in favor of the MBA.
I'll keep my Pro.
It serves my needs. When it doesn't do that anymore, then I'll move on to something else. But that won't be for a long time. I don't think I'm going to need another computer for a while.
It serves my needs. When it doesn't do that anymore, then I'll move on to something else. But that won't be for a long time. I don't think I'm going to need another computer for a while.
I want a 13" mba or mbp with the specs of the 15inch mbp.
But I am going to wait until May/June when ivy bridge is released.
Either way, 13" is the biggest I will go with a portable computer.
But I am going to wait until May/June when ivy bridge is released.
Either way, 13" is the biggest I will go with a portable computer.