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macbook air 2015 or macbook pro 2015

R

ravinja

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 21, 2017
37
17
i have been doubting this for so long already that i made an account to get your opinions on it :).
Last couple of years i had a air 2014, unfortunally this broke. Before this i had the 2008 white macbook for years.

I'm doubting between the 2015 pro and 2015 air base models. The 2016 models are to expensive for me.

What am i gonna do with it?

- nextflix
- youtube
- internet
- spotify
- download torrents
- watch series, movies

I think that if i buy any of these two i'm done for the next 4 years with the stuff i'm doing on the laptop.

I tend towards the pro, because of the screen and the faster processer so it would be more 'future' ready. But the price difference in is around 300euros. And is the screen really that better when watching normal downloaded series and movies?

You guys have any thoughts?
 
Since you can't afford the 2016 models, I suggest you keep your cost low and go with the 2015 MBA. Your planned usage requires very few resources, you don't need Pro model.

The primary benefit of the Retina display is clearer text. Its benefit for photos and videos is less.

Take the money you save and invest it, like shares of AAPL, NFLX, FB, whatever.
 
ravinja said:
i have been doubting this for so long already that i made an account to get your opinions on it :).
Last couple of years i had a air 2014, unfortunally this broke. Before this i had the 2008 white macbook for years.

I'm doubting between the 2015 pro and 2015 air base models. The 2016 models are to expensive for me.

What am i gonna do with it?

- nextflix
- youtube
- internet
- spotify
- download torrents
- watch series, movies

I think that if i buy any of these two i'm done for the next 4 years with the stuff i'm doing on the laptop.

I tend towards the pro, because of the screen and the faster processer so it would be more 'future' ready. But the price difference in is around 300euros. And is the screen really that better when watching normal downloaded series and movies?

You guys have any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Definitely go with the Pro. Everything you do is media related and the retina screen makes a HUGE difference for text AND video/photo viewing. It isn't just the higher pixel density, it's the IPS panel which gives you much better color representation and viewing angles. If you can't afford the 2015 pro, get a 2013 or 2014 retina pro. Nothing you do warrants much power. I have a 2013 retina MacBook Pro and its performance is almost the same as my 2015 pro.

The Air is a fantastic machine, but one area that it lacks is display and viewing angles. As I said, everything you do is media consumption. You will appreciate a Retina display.
 
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maybe a stupid question cause i dont understand how it works. But will i notice any difference in watching for example a 720p video on both devices? since both have this resolution? The difference will only be there when i watch something in 4k right?
 
Everyone's eyes are different, some people will see a video quality playback difference more than others. The only way to find out is to try it out yourself.

Whether or not the video playback difference warrants the price difference is entirely your call.

Good luck.
 
ravinja said:
maybe a stupid question cause i dont understand how it works. But will i notice any difference in watching for example a 720p video on both devices? since both have this resolution? The difference will only be there when i watch something in 4k right?
Click to expand...

You will be able to tell a difference mainly due to the quality of the display. The retina is an IPS panel which has much better clarity and viewing angles. The Air is a TN panel. If you've never had a Retina display, it may not be a big deal to you. However, if you have an iPhone or iPad with retina, you will see the difference when using the Air.
 
For your case I actually think the MBP would be better due to the Retina display, which is a vast improvement over the MBA display for content consumption.
 
bhayes444 said:
If you live in the US, Best Buy has the 2015 13" MBP on sale for $1049 with the open box for $949; making it about on par for price with the MBA.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-m...-flash-storage-silver/8532557.p?skuId=8532557
Click to expand...

Dang! I just bought the 2015 13" MBP from BB last Friday for $1099.

I agree with capathy21. Go with the Pro. The retina screen is worth the extra investment and will provide you with a more enjoyable user experience. I had the MBA for about 10 days and returned it for the MBP because of the screen quality. Needless to say, I'm loving' it. :)
 
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capathy21 said:
You will be able to tell a difference mainly due to the quality of the display. The retina is an IPS panel which has much better clarity and viewing angles. The Air is a TN panel. If you've never had a Retina display, it may not be a big deal to you. However, if you have an iPhone or iPad with retina, you will see the difference when using the Air.
Click to expand...
I disagree. For media playback, especially something as "low" as 720p, the retina display may look WORSE. Scaling video to that larger resolution is going to look "softer" (relatively speaking) on that retina display than it will on a screen whose resolution is closer to the video being displayed. Of course, if the video resolution is HIGHER than the MBA's screen, then playback can benefit from retina.

If the OP was going for content creation, then I can see a serious case for the Pro and its retina display.
 
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I'm looking at the Best Buy open box units of the 2015 MBA and 2015 MBP. After taxes, it's a $200 up-charge for the MBP. They have the same 8/128 config (which is perfectly fine for me). Leaning towards the pricier MBP though due to the superior screen and 20% faster processor. Though the MBA is 1/2 lb lighter and has a battery that lasts 20% longer.
 
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dmk1974 said:
I'm looking at the Best Buy open box units of the 2015 MBA and 2015 MBP. After taxes, it's a $200 up-charge for the MBP.
Click to expand...

Highly recommend spending $200 extra to buy the MBP. Make your own coffee in the morning and pack your lunch for a month and you'll easily save that much money. :) The Pro's superior screen will provide you with a much enjoyable experience for a long time.

Don't quote me on this, but one online BB rep told me their Mac sale will end on Jan 27. So, you may want to quicken your decision.
 
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I wound up ordering one of each from BB. Just in case one of the open boxers is in poor condition. If both good, then I'll have a decision to make and will just return the other.
 
sracer said:
I disagree. For media playback, especially something as "low" as 720p, the retina display may look WORSE. Scaling video to that larger resolution is going to look "softer" (relatively speaking) on that retina display than it will on a screen whose resolution is closer to the video being displayed. Of course, if the video resolution is HIGHER than the MBA's screen, then playback can benefit from retina.

If the OP was going for content creation, then I can see a serious case for the Pro and its retina display.
Click to expand...
Don't thing so. I have MacBook 12 and MBA 13" 2015 side by side and MacBook 12 much much better show 720p content because:
1. The IPS viewing angle and contrast much better
2. IPS with more wide and precision color (>90% SRGB and Air only around 70% )
3. Both machine need scaling or adjustment and not native for 1080p or 720p, The high resolution display made the video more "SHARPER" because it can show it 3-4 pixels reflect of 1 pixels and made the dithering much better , also it allow the display control the moment more smooth (thing about display can control the different time switch of 3 pixel instead of 1 pixel ) make the video less blur and clear.
4. MB12 with better Aperture Ratio and density make the gap between each pixel very narrow and hard to observed.

Can also thing about MB12 if 12" screen acceptance and need buy adaptor - it with more modern design, better display and speaker that 2015 mbpr or air, and the speed of m3 or even 2015 model meet the requirement and the base model come from 256GB(don't buy 128GB) and it lighter.
 
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I received both yesterday and each was in like-new condition. Each also only had 4 battery cycles as well. Obviously just comes down to trade-offs of the two.

One thing I notice for sure on MBP is that it has a bit of lag on the display. Not awful, but noticeable. I'm sure it's from driving that retina display. When connected to a monitor and lid closed, it's buttery smooth though. I also used QuickRes and de-selected the HiDPI mode and it was smoother, but then what's the point? I guess still a bit better looking than the MBA display though.

BTW...the easy test I do for checking overall responsiveness is I have the Applications folder on my Dock at the bottom. I click on that and see how smooth the program box opens up. Then test the "utilities" folder as well. MBA is always smooth, but see if you guys see the same on a rMBP with a bit of lag.
 
ravinja said:
i have been doubting this for so long already that i made an account to get your opinions on it :).
Last couple of years i had a air 2014, unfortunally this broke. Before this i had the 2008 white macbook for years.

I'm doubting between the 2015 pro and 2015 air base models. The 2016 models are to expensive for me.

What am i gonna do with it?

- nextflix
- youtube
- internet
- spotify
- download torrents
- watch series, movies

I think that if i buy any of these two i'm done for the next 4 years with the stuff i'm doing on the laptop.

I tend towards the pro, because of the screen and the faster processer so it would be more 'future' ready. But the price difference in is around 300euros. And is the screen really that better when watching normal downloaded series and movies?

You guys have any thoughts?
Click to expand...
First of all, you didn't say what devices you've been using. If you have an iPad Then the Macbook Air 2015 Display would be a problem to you.. Because MBA doesn't have retina display. Unless you already have windows laptop and iPhone then you'll be fine with it. Even Macbook Pro 2016 with Touch Bar retina screen isn't as vibrant and colorful than the regular iPad 3rd Generation LOL... i can't imagine Macbook Air 2015 will be even worst. In my opinion

So in the end it depends, If you only have an iPhone 7 Plus or older iPhone then it's totally fine and still worth it.
 
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