Just got the MacBook

[Dave245]

It is a huge difference from 2011. Both the 2017 13" MacBook Pro and the 12" MacBook are awesome. The touch bar is really cool. I like them both very much but the 12" really nails it. It's so small and light. I would love to see Apple move to ARM but what they have already accomplished with the MacBook is really good.

I like ARM, like the iPad, because you never really turn it off. I'd like to see that but with a Mac. Hoping we are getting there. ARM-based machines are going to be spectacular.

I think if Apple move to ARM on the Mac it will be with the MacBook first, it's so small and light that i think it could run ARM well and even be a kind of experiment for Apple to see how well people like it.

My worry with replacing my 2011 MacBook Pro with a MacBook is first the screen size (i have a 15" MacBook Pro and 27" iMac at home) but secondly i obviously want something that is much faster than my current 2011 MacBook Pro other wise i would just stick with what i've got (altho the battery life isn't as good anymore and it tend to heat up a lot with the fans going in the background). However i'm going to wait and see what Apple update this year (possibly at WWDC) and then make a decision otherwise i feel like i'll never update and just keep going round and round in circles.

 

[Daniel_EA]

Did anyone here get the macbook coming from a MacBook Air 11"?

I would really appreciate a candid view on the comparison.

 

[c0ppo]

Did anyone here get the macbook coming from a MacBook Air 11"?

I would really appreciate a candid view on the comparison.

I never liked Air 11, because it was really too small for my taste. But I do own one, my wife uses it all the time.
They are similar in size, Air has more reliable keyboard, and a better port selection.

And that are the only positives for the Air, at least I can't think of anything else.
Although they are similar in size, MB has way bigger screen. I know 1" doesn't seem much, but keep in mind, Air is 16:9, and MB is 16:10. And retina of course. Not even comparable.

MB is also a lot lighter and has more premium feel and look.
Additional ram also helps. There are no fans, my MB gets just slightly hot, but only when I'm using Unity3D. Browsing, movies, youtube, music, etc. -> MB stays cool.

Imho, MB is way better, and a big upgrade when compared to Air 11.

But then again, this is just my own subjective view on the matter.

 

[Daniel_EA]

I never liked Air 11, because it was really too small for my taste. But I do own one, my wife uses it all the time.
They are similar in size, Air has more reliable keyboard, and a better port selection.

And that are the only positives for the Air, at least I can't think of anything else.
Although they are similar in size, MB has way bigger screen. I know 1" doesn't seem much, but keep in mind, Air is 16:9, and MB is 16:10. And retina of course. Not even comparable.

MB is also a lot lighter and has more premium feel and look.
Additional ram also helps. There are no fans, my MB gets just slightly hot, but only when I'm using Unity3D. Browsing, movies, youtube, music, etc. -> MB stays cool.

Imho, MB is way better, and a big upgrade when compared to Air 11.

But then again, this is just my own subjective view on the matter.

Very much appreciated! So you basically never really used the 11" Air?

 

[adamfozzy]

Did anyone here get the macbook coming from a MacBook Air 11"?

I would really appreciate a candid view on the comparison.

My wife bought a MacBook Air 11 inch about 4 weeks ago. I used it quite a lot in that time and really enjoyed it which is what prompted me to get the 12 inch MacBook.

What I prefer on MacBook compared to Air 11 is;
- Retina screen
- Noticeably lighter but not massively. However, because it is is thinner then it gives the illusion it is much lighter.
- I prefer the keyboard compared to spongier air. (Many will disagree with this)
- Smaller bezels (about half the size) and black which looks better in my opinion.
- Bigger trackpad with more features such as force touch.
- Looks nicer in my opinion, especially in space grey.
- For someone who is coming from an iPad as my main device. The MacBook feels more iPad like than the Air.
- Smaller charging adaptor.

What I prefer on the MacBook Air is
- The FaceTime camera is higher res.
- Nice to have USB ports etc but I just bought the apple usb c av cable for MacBook so not a big deal.
- My wife paid £420 for the MacBook Air 2015 11 inch. It was in near perfect condition. I got a great deal on my 2017 MacBook as paid £880 for it new but it would normally be around £1200 so quite a big increase on the selling MacBook Air second hand and buying a MacBook.

Hope this helps.

 

[PKoz]

I think if Apple move to ARM on the Mac it will be with the MacBook first, it's so small and light that i think it could run ARM well and even be a kind of experiment for Apple to see how well people like it.

My worry with replacing my 2011 MacBook Pro with a MacBook is first the screen size (i have a 15" MacBook Pro and 27" iMac at home) but secondly i obviously want something that is much faster than my current 2011 MacBook Pro other wise i would just stick with what i've got (altho the battery life isn't as good anymore and it tend to heat up a lot with the fans going in the background). However i'm going to wait and see what Apple update this year (possibly at WWDC) and then make a decision otherwise i feel like i'll never update and just keep going round and round in circles.

Yeah, I think if Intel releases a quad-core version of the current CPU in the MacBook Pro 13" that would be a very good thing.

 

[c0ppo]

Very much appreciated! So you basically never really used the 11" Air?

Occasionally I would take it for couch surfing. But never really liked it, mostly because of very small screen. Funny thing is, I don't feel the same with MB. 16:10 + 1" makes a huge difference, at least to me.

Now, is all of that worth the extra cost for MB? Only you can answer that question

 

[Daniel_EA]

My wife bought a MacBook Air 11 inch about 4 weeks ago. I used it quite a lot in that time and really enjoyed it which is what prompted me to get the 12 inch MacBook.

What I prefer on MacBook compared to Air 11 is;
- Retina screen
- Noticeably lighter but not massively. However, because it is is thinner then it gives the illusion it is much lighter.
- I prefer the keyboard compared to spongier air. (Many will disagree with this)
- Smaller bezels (about half the size) and black which looks better in my opinion.
- Bigger trackpad with more features such as force touch.
- Looks nicer in my opinion, especially in space grey.
- For someone who is coming from an iPad as my main device. The MacBook feels more iPad like than the Air.
- Smaller charging adaptor.

What I prefer on the MacBook Air is
- The FaceTime camera is higher res.
- Nice to have USB ports etc but I just bought the apple usb c av cable for MacBook so not a big deal.
- My wife paid £420 for the MacBook Air 2015 11 inch. It was in near perfect condition. I got a great deal on my 2017 MacBook as paid £880 for it new but it would normally be around £1200 so quite a big increase on the selling MacBook Air second hand and buying a MacBook.

Hope this helps.

Thanks!

 

[Daniel_EA]

Occasionally I would take it for couch surfing. But never really liked it, mostly because of very small screen. Funny thing is, I don't feel the same with MB. 16:10 + 1" makes a huge difference, at least to me.

Now, is all of that worth the extra cost for MB? Only you can answer that question

Clearly depends on one's budget. I'm a big fan of the 16:9 wide screen aspect ratio though. I hate squarish screens.