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

I don't get it... Should I buy Macbook Air or Pro?

dvir971

dvir971

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 7, 2011
216
19
Israel
So iv'e been looking on these two computers:

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/...rocessor-with-turbo-boost-up-to-3.6ghz-256gb#

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/...rocessor-with-turbo-boost-up-to-3.9ghz-256gb#

And literally the only difference I see (besides the Touchbar which is cool but not 100 percent necessary) is that the pro has quad core processor and the Air has dual core. But the difference in the preice is 200 dollars before taxes.

Considering I need it mainly for programming, is the difference worth it? Should I put the extra money (which im not swimming in lol) for the quad core pro or the Air is still good and I won't really be able to tell the difference?

Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Never mind
dvir971 said:
So iv'e been looking on these two computers:

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/...rocessor-with-turbo-boost-up-to-3.6ghz-256gb#

https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/...rocessor-with-turbo-boost-up-to-3.9ghz-256gb#

And literally the only difference I see (besides the Touchbar which is cool but not 100 percent necessary) is that the pro has quad core processor and the Air has dual core. But the difference in the preice is 200 dollars before taxes.

Considering I need it mainly for programming, is the difference worth it? Should I put the extra money (which im not swimming in lol) for the quad core pro or the Air is still good and I won't really be able to tell the difference?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

400 nits for the Air and 500 nit screen for the Pro as well.
 
Better screen and speakers also on the Pro. It also has much better performance.
 
The Pro is going to be better in all respects, but slightly heavier. 2.75 lbs versus 3.02 lbs. Unless you want/need a lighter machine, the Pro is the way to go.
 
“Air” is deprecated at this point IMO. It was a big selling point when laptops were massive but now they’ve all come down in size.

Apple should just nix the Air and make the Pro the standard Macbook. And the new upcoming 16 inch Macbook Pro should be the Pro model. Just my $0.02.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimmy James and ScreenSavers
I always tell people to go for the Pro model over the Air if they can afford it. The difference in size and weight is almost negligible at this point and in my opinion you are getting way more bang with the Pro models. Again just my opinion but I think the Pro models are worth getting over the Airs if you can afford it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Never mind
I have a 2018 MBP and love it. Before buying it, I gave the 2018 Air a shot and it is so under powered and sluggish for the price. Any task I did, even basic stuff, the colorwheel would pop up. Go Pro.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ScreenSavers and ruslan120
nouveau_redneck said:
The Pro is going to be better in all respects, but slightly heavier. 2.75 lbs versus 3.02 lbs. Unless you want/need a lighter machine, the Pro is the way to go.
Click to expand...

they are about the same weight no difference if you hold them in person unlike with the 12 inch macbook


difference with the new air and pro is negligible.


the only logical way to get macbook air 2019 is if you have a college student discount


get it at USD 999 and you get a free Beats headphone
 
  • Like
Reactions: Smoovejayy
kp98077 said:
Base ? Any issues w speed etc ?
Click to expand...

Yes, the base model. No speed issues. It's faster than my Early 2015 Retina MBP. And it has long battery life and the keyboard feels great too. The article on the front page of macrumors states that Apple expanded the battery and improved the keyboard.

ruslan120 said:
Happy for you.
And mildly jealous.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I finally needed a new one after 4 years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kp98077
I’ve made a video on the topic-


tl;dr
the 2013 15” is around half the price and performs almost as well
 
For $200, I think the processor speed and brightness are worth it. I do think you lose a bit with the touch bar but you may enjoy it more than I have.
 
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