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

In rough conditions would you choose an Air or a Pro?

phoobo said:
The OP is taking the machine into tropical climates; you can easily add 15-20 degrees to your quoted temperatures and you're already pushing the envelope before you even start loading the machine.

OP also wants to do serious data crunching in these conditions.

The Air would be highly risky.

(Also, just a note: I think anything over about 55 degrees C is uncomfortably warm when the machine is on my lap. My Macbook is currently showing 38 degrees C. I can't even imagine running something that burns at 75 degrees. This would also shorten the life of the machine, since it runs all the metal components through more extreme warming-cooling cycles. None of this is worth the extra pound and a half or so you save with the Air. I have owned two Airs, and returned them both.)
Click to expand...

The system will handle up to the heat. I'm 100% sure of it. Tropical areas are fine for the air or any laptops in fact. It'll be slower compared to the MBP, should be, but beyond that, it's the same.

I'm sorry if you believe you'll have a bomb on your lap if it reaches over a xx amount of temp, but I'm pretty sure many people have used their systems at higher temps for a lot longer time without any problems.
 
nick9191 said:
Yes, it is.

Drop a MacBook Pro from a height, then drop a MacBook from a height, see which is worse off.

I can guarantee the MBP will be dented to feck, shattered screen etc. Whilst the MacBook will be pretty much unharmed.
Click to expand...

i have seen several dropped macbook's they were also ruined...broken plastics and bad hdd's...even with the freefall sensor.

a macbook pro would take more damage possibly...really depends.
 
Just thought I would throw my two cents in. I am new owner of an MBA RevC and am currently deployed to the Middle East. I won't give a long story, so just so you know my MBA fell from the top bunk of my bed (about 5') onto a wooden floor and only suffered 3 small dents. Two on each side of the trackpad and one on the bottom corner of the right palm rest. Did a hardware test with no problems showing. I would say that is pretty durable. Im pretty sure my sony vaio here would have kersploded from that ordeal.
 
Troglodrew said:
I study primate vocalizations for a rainforest conservancy. If you analyze the spectrogram of alarm calls of certain monkeys (capuchin) you get enough individual variation to statistically get an accurate count. The vocalizations with the software needed to analyze them require a lot of speed and memory.
Click to expand...
Far better to be a monkey-counter than a beancounter.

I'd go with the MBA on the basis that there's no open ports to expose to fecal projectiles.
 
MBA tougher than I expected

I don't know about the pro, but I recently dropped a 17" CRT monitor on my macbook air and the air only suffered a very minor dent on the front edge of the top-case. Everything works fine and the screen was untouched. I think I was very lucky. Still, I was amazed that it suffered no other damage.
 
To OP's question, I'd bring the MBP, as it feels more sturdy than the MBA. Just my 2 cents
 
Troglodrew said:
I study primate vocalizations for a rainforest conservancy. If you analyze the spectrogram of alarm calls of certain monkeys (capuchin) you get enough individual variation to statistically get an accurate count. The vocalizations with the software needed to analyze them require a lot of speed and memory.
Click to expand...

That there's the key phrase. The Air has neither. The MBP does, but...

Do you actually take your notebook out in the field with you to record these vocalizations, or do you use a separate recorder, then dump them back onto your notebook at base camp? Which also begs the question, what's your base camp like? Permanent abode? Tents? I'd be hesitant to take something as expensive and mission critical like a computer into a rainforest clime that hasn't been properly designed to handle the rigors of such an environment. Moisture, heat, insects, being handled over rough terrain....as much as I'm opposed to using Windows wherever possible, I'd have to say practicality should take precedent in this case, and would have to agree with a previous poster -- Panasonic Toughbook.

Now OTOH, if you're going to be primarily using the notebook in a relatively climate controlled interior, and not exposing it to the outside elements all that much, then the MBP might be fine. I don't know what the conditions are like exactly where you work, so you'll have to be the judge of that.
 
phoobo said:
One reason the Air can't be used as a serious computer is that the volume of air in the box is too restricted to provide adequate cooling.
Click to expand...

You are hilariously wrong. I know a number of people in Iraq with Airs that are used in very tough conditions including extreme heat.
 
Troglodrew said:
Hi everyone,

I'm completely new to this forum. I just searched around about the Air's durability. I have a Macbook which I love. However, for work, I use my macbook outside, in damp conditions, and it travels a lot. Thus, my macbook is on its last legs after 2 1/2 years (I've already broken the screen once). I am about to purchase a new computer and I really want an SSD drive. Would you recommend an AIR or a pro with an installed SSD drive. I've heard that the pro has some durability issues and I really like the idea of the portability of the AIR, as I have to hike with it.
Thanks, in advance, for your advice!
Click to expand...

MBA due to less mass - but I would not consider either robust.

Lots of reports of minor spills ruining the motherboard, broken screens, bent ethernet ports (MBP). Drop either and there is a large chance that it won't survive. Have it outside in a rain shower and it's likely to die.

Thinkpads are *my* rugged laptop of choice (old T60 or new light T420s) - too bad they don't run OS X.
 
It really does depend in your camp site, where you plan to use it, if it's a tent in the jungle i would get a toughbook you never know when you'll get lots of rain out there, if it's something more permanent the air should be fine.
 
I'd get the AIR but if you do go with a Pro remove the hard drive and put a SSD drive in.
 
There are no durability issues with the MBP. It's one of the best made laptops you can find. Ask people who use them in places like Iraq if they are durable or not.
 
Troglodrew said:
I study primate vocalizations for a rainforest conservancy. If you analyze the spectrogram of alarm calls of certain monkeys (capuchin) you get enough individual variation to statistically get an accurate count. The vocalizations with the software needed to analyze them require a lot of speed and memory.
Click to expand...

You have the coolest job :) get a MacBook air and a hard case protector. Will still be smaller and more portable, but with added security.

And if you need someone to carry it for you on an expedition to the rainforest my C.V. is attached ;)
 
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