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I own a 15" MBP and am thinking about MBA for travel. Curious on your thoughts?

N

Nrwrit3r

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 25, 2010
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I'm a doctoral student and use the 15" MBP for statistical analysis, Unity, etc...but also a huge amount for writing papers/grants.

When I travel I always bring my 12.9" iPad for reading/annotating documents, but also like to have a laptop with me to do word processing/use Slack/etc. The new air is quite appealing because it seem like it has great battery life, works with an external battery, and is much lighter than my 15". I originally liked the 13" MBP more than the 15", but unfortunately the battery was too poor (I've heard the new 13" MBP is now better on that front).

Curious what y'all think? Maybe it's too redundant but have been thinking about it for quite awhile.
 
I have both the 15inch MBP and MBA. I use my MBA for travel as it does everything I need while traveling. I say go for it! You won't regret it.
 
If you're blessed enough to contemplate buying a MacBook Air in addition to your MBP, as a student, then I say, go for it. They sure do satisfy the niches you are looking into.
 
I'd consider an iPad Pro with one of the good keyboard cases, but that's a personal thing as I only have one laptop and one tablet.

But yeah, the Air is an awesome machine and mine is wicked fast.
 
Have you considered a refurb 12" MacBook? Only reason I say is because I had to use one whilst my 13" MBP was in for repair (keyboard...), and I just loved the size. It was too slow to be my only laptop as I'm a developer in my spare time, but it felt so much more portable than my 13" MBP and was a delight to use.

I think there's a bit more differentiation between the MB and the 15" MBP than the MBA. Though of course you may want a brand new machine, in which case there isn't a lot of choice. As other posters have said, if you can afford it, it will probably do what you're looking for.

The other option, of course, is replacing your 15" with a newer 13" MBP. You don't lose a lot of power (assuming your 15" is not 2018 or newer and thus quad core), but gain a computer which is almost as portable as the MBA without having to worry about keeping things in sync or having to upgrade two laptops in a few years' time. This does depend on whether you bought the 15" based on its screen size or its power.
 
cambookpro said:
The other option, of course, is replacing your 15" with a newer 13" MBP. You don't lose a lot of power (assuming your 15" is not 2018 or newer and thus quad core), but gain a computer which is almost as portable as the MBA without having to worry about keeping things in sync or having to upgrade two laptops in a few years' time. This does depend on whether you bought the 15" based on its screen size or its power.
Click to expand...

Here here; you make a great point I love the cpu power you can get in today’s slim 13” laptops. That said, Intel’s integrated graphics still cannot compare to even several-year-old AMD discreet laptop GPUs. Intel’s Quicksync and Apple’s T2 chip have certainly helped with particular tasks a lot, but there is still quite a bit you can only get done (several times as fast/smoothly) with the bigger laptop at this point in time.
 
Nrwrit3r said:
I'm a doctoral student and use the 15" MBP for statistical analysis, Unity, etc...but also a huge amount for writing papers/grants.

When I travel I always bring my 12.9" iPad for reading/annotating documents, but also like to have a laptop with me to do word processing/use Slack/etc. The new air is quite appealing because it seem like it has great battery life, works with an external battery, and is much lighter than my 15". I originally liked the 13" MBP more than the 15", but unfortunately the battery was too poor (I've heard the new 13" MBP is now better on that front).

Curious what y'all think? Maybe it's too redundant but have been thinking about it for quite awhile.
Click to expand...

Don't bother. Use your iPad for light tasks. And your iPad will be getting a nice boost when iOS 13 is released which makes the need for a thin & light Mac even less viable.

But it's your money, so buy what works for you.
 
AustinIllini said:
I'd consider an iPad Pro with one of the good keyboard cases, but that's a personal thing as I only have one laptop and one tablet.

But yeah, the Air is an awesome machine and mine is wicked fast.
Click to expand...
Many have complained about the speed in the latest MBAs. Whats your workflow like and is it fast?
 
RegularGuy09 said:
Many have complained about the speed in the latest MBAs. Whats your workflow like and is it fast?
Click to expand...
I do a lot of different things simultaneously and spend a lot of time with a number of open tabs.
I do light video editing
more serious audio editing
a bazillion chrome tabs
photo editing with lightroom and/or pixelmator
Webex Conferences

I have literally no problem, but I do have the 16 GB of RAM upgrade so the thing is a trooper. Literally love everything about the computer other than the keyboard which I tolerate.
 
Nrwrit3r said:
I'm a doctoral student and use the 15" MBP for statistical analysis, Unity, etc...but also a huge amount for writing papers/grants.

When I travel I always bring my 12.9" iPad for reading/annotating documents, but also like to have a laptop with me to do word processing/use Slack/etc. The new air is quite appealing because it seem like it has great battery life, works with an external battery, and is much lighter than my 15". I originally liked the 13" MBP more than the 15", but unfortunately the battery was too poor (I've heard the new 13" MBP is now better on that front).

Curious what y'all think? Maybe it's too redundant but have been thinking about it for quite awhile.
Click to expand...

This is way too redundant. Just take the 15" with you. You're a grad student talking about buying a second laptop that's smaller, but not that much smaller and you already have a 12.9" iPad. You're just bored and want to buy stuff. Don't do that.

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:
 
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Honestly, I think you need to do what I did and consolidate, sell your 15" and buy a new 13" makes your life easier... use external monitor if needed but I don't even need that! once machine and a 11" iPad Pro... simple, easy... but I definitely feel your pain traveling with the 15", if you must keep it yeah, I'd get the cheapest air possible... I had the 12.9 iPad Pro and found it really hard to write papers or do meaningful work....
 
cambookpro said:
Have you considered a refurb 12" MacBook? Only reason I say is because I had to use one whilst my 13" MBP was in for repair (keyboard...), and I just loved the size. It was too slow to be my only laptop as I'm a developer in my spare time, but it felt so much more portable than my 13" MBP and was a delight to use.

I think there's a bit more differentiation between the MB and the 15" MBP than the MBA. Though of course you may want a brand new machine, in which case there isn't a lot of choice. As other posters have said, if you can afford it, it will probably do what you're looking for.

The other option, of course, is replacing your 15" with a newer 13" MBP. You don't lose a lot of power (assuming your 15" is not 2018 or newer and thus quad core), but gain a computer which is almost as portable as the MBA without having to worry about keeping things in sync or having to upgrade two laptops in a few years' time. This does depend on whether you bought the 15" based on its screen size or its power.
Click to expand...

Interesting! I actually like the 13" MBP more than the 15", but the battery life was absolutely horrible. I wonder if the update to the 13" MBP makes the battery life better than it used to be?
 
Nrwrit3r said:
Interesting! I actually like the 13" MBP more than the 15", but the battery life was absolutely horrible. I wonder if the update to the 13" MBP makes the battery life better than it used to be?
Click to expand...
which year 13 were you trying LOL! I travel all over the world, no issues... invfact the 15 I thought was horrible!! I ave a 2019..
 
kp98077 said:
which year 13 were you trying LOL! I travel all over the world, no issues... invfact the 15 I thought was horrible!! I ave a 2019..
Click to expand...

I had tried the 2018 13" MBP. It was about half the battery life of the 15"
 
Hmmmm, I think that is a bit odd, don't think you would find that the case with the 2019! mine last all day for sure.... under heavy use... I like the idea of the air for you but just wonder about the power?
 
Nrwrit3r said:
I'm a doctoral student and use the 15" MBP for statistical analysis, Unity, etc...but also a huge amount for writing papers/grants.

When I travel I always bring my 12.9" iPad for reading/annotating documents, but also like to have a laptop with me to do word processing/use Slack/etc. The new air is quite appealing because it seem like it has great battery life, works with an external battery, and is much lighter than my 15". I originally liked the 13" MBP more than the 15", but unfortunately the battery was too poor (I've heard the new 13" MBP is now better on that front).
Click to expand...
I have the 15" MBP + MBA set-up, and I'm very happy with it – mostly for the reasons you state.

I considered an iPad Pro + keyboard, but then it meant buying iOS apps, ensuring there was iCloud sync, and so on. In the end, I've found the MBA ideal. (I do have an iPad; used mainly for reading.)
 
As a former surface pro user, the MacBook is actually the perfect size for all you’re describing and more. I also only do stats programs, writing, and office tasks, and have found my MacBook Air spacious but slightly too large. Am very envious of spouses MacBook...

For me 13 is as big as you can go for real portability 15 is a stretch and only if you need the size and power
 
If you want, why not? I have a 2019 mbp 15” and an ipp 12.9”. Also ordered 2019 mba which should be here next week. I live in apple’s ecosystem day in, day out. Syncing everything across all my devices is just a charm and something windows cannot offer. Go for it.
 
Hi doctor.

I think you should sell the iPad, keep the pro for big charger works. And order a Air in place of iPad.

Regarding your studying level it is better from my point of view to only use laptops instead of tablet.
 
OP, what did you do and are you happy with your decision? In a similar boat. (And yes, I also like to waste money. But the 15" is indeed too cumbersome for air travel, and the iPad Pro is indeed too neutered to do any real work except annotation, at which it excels).
 
I'm actually looking at replacing my 1st gen iPad Pro with the 13" MBA. For me, the iPad is simply a content consumption device - not the best for RAW image editing vs a real computer, etc.

My 2 cents - get the MBA
 
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#1
I'm a doctoral student and use the 15" MBP for statistical analysis, Unity, etc...but also a huge amount for writing papers/grants.

you can just use your iPad Pro with keyboard and mouse
make sure it is with IpadOS
 
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