Macbook Air or Macbook Pro? Help please!

[chrono1081]

I would suggest the air. Think this way, you will be carrying this around ALL day. And do you really need a powerful computer for taking notes in class? Not really. I have a powerful computer for when I need it but when I travel I have an eeePC. It works out great because I dont need a lot of power while traveling. I think going to college you will be in the same situation.

 

[skythefly13]

Took the plunge!

Went with the Macbook Pro. Really debated on getting an Air but once I realized it could eventually become outdated (hardware-wise) during my 4 years of college, I couldn't risk it. Also, I am going into electrical engineering and am required to run windows on my laptop...😱 Thanks for the suggestions everybody!

 

[TwinCities Dan]

MBP! Good Choice! Good Choice! (clapping like "Family Fued") 🙂

 

[Slip]

MBP! Good Choice! Good Choice! (clapping like "Family Fued") 🙂

+1, you made the right choice. 😉

 

[neiltc13]

You people must be pretty weak if you think a difference of ~1Kg is worth paying all that money for.

When I go to University, the laptop isn't the only thing I carry. I also have books and notes to carry too, along with stationery, all of which can weigh much, much more than the 1Kg difference between the Air and the regular MacBook.

The Air really isn't all that much thinner than the MacBook either. It's a product of the ridiculous marketing techniques which Apple have, whereby they simply make the EDGES thinner (see iPhone, iMac as other examples) and claim the device to be thinner overall. Yes, Air is definitely thinner, but it's only by a fraction compared to the Pro or regular MacBook. The edges are much thinner, but what the hell is the advantage to a thin laptop anyway?

If you could put up with the power of the Air then you will be just fine with a MacBook. Get the black one as it is the best looking computer Apple currently sells (a good looker among a bunch of ugly units imo).

 

[bart rijksen]

Any suggestions would be awesome! Thanks-

Ok, so next year will be my first year of college. I got a 20" iMac as my graduation present, and it is amazing. It has more power than I could ever take advantage of.

My problem is this:

I have saved up $2000 from selling my old powerbook and other savings.
Do I-
A) (What I am leaning towards) - Get a standard Macbook Air. It would be amazing for hauling around campus, battery life, and taking notes. Possibly, but probably not, upgrade the CPU to 1.8GHZ. Rely on iMac in the dormroom and use it for the big stuff (and the CD drive wirelessly).
or
B) (Hesitant about this one) - Get the lowest Macbook Pro (2.4, 200, 2 GB). Have power in the classroom and in the dormroom. Lug around the 5.7 lb MBP all day. Not use the ports or CD drive ever. BUT have the power, just in case?

AHHH, I am really going back and forth. Some people say no, go with the MBP because the Air sucks. Others say, wow, that will be nice with an Air.

Any suggestions would be great, I am really debating both of these options!
Thanks

I'd say get a mba. You have the imac for heavy duty tasks, and the air is nice and doesn't weigh very much, unlike the mbp.

 

[jnc]

The MBP is 5.4lb actually, but anyway.

Having owned one for two weeks (before deciding to hold out for MBP/MBA refresh) I'd say - if you have a iMac at home, MBA makes a great secondary machine. It doesn't really have the capacity or performance (yet) to be any way comparable to MBP as a primary computer - but you don't have that requirement.

For YOU, MBA sounds right. But don't knock on the MBP - it doesn't need to be "lugged" anywhere unless you're a chicken weakling, or 3 foot tall 🙄

On that note...

You people must be pretty weak if you think a difference of ~1Kg is worth paying all that money for.

You of course must realise it's not an issue of not being ABLE to carry extra weight. It's a convenience premium. MacBook Air offers the MacBook experience - albeit with a few omissions as well as a few extras - at half the weight.

I saw a guy on a train who wielded his MBA between thumb and forefinger, then slipped it into a bag like a piece of paper. That's what you're paying for.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

Some of use do care about the weight and I use to carry a MBP 17". I am not weak but I want a light backpack. All I have in my is a Macbook Air, textbooks that were scanned into PDF and an 1" binder.

 

[*Y*]

What about an eee pc or an msi wind? I know, I know this is a mac forum, but still those are some truly portable machines. 😀

 

[neiltc13]

I really quite resent when this question comes up. It's like me going on an automotive forum and asking the question:

"Should I buy a Ford Transit or a Ford Mondeo?"

Both might be around the same price but that's where the similarity ends.