MacBook Air or Pro

[JaredRR]

I'm looking for a new laptop. I have an old Sony vaio. It's too slow and I'm using 145gb of my 256

I use the computer for word processing, Internet and PowerPoint w slight video editing. I need flash drive access so the new mac book isn't an option. I travel for work every 3 months and need computer. This would be first apple laptop, but I have an iPad and like it.

Thoughts on 13" Mac book air vs Mac book pro? Can someone clear up Why the buying guide reports that I shouldn't buy now??
Thanks

 

[rbrian]

I bought a new Air in 2011. I loved the lightness, the thinness, the quietness... I wouldn't recommend one now. If you're word processing, you'll want a Retina display. Even if you're not sure, trust me - the Air display is awful. It wasn't great in 2011, but now that all iOS devices and most of the MacBook range have trained us to appreciate sharpness, it's unacceptable.

The other bits are less important - more power is always better, but it doesn't seem like you'll really need it. Though the pro is only slightly heavier, it's still heavier, and more expensive.

However, you'll be looking at that screen all the time you're using it, and the Air just isn't cheap enough to make that crappy screen ok. It's on a par with the HP Stream I bought last year, for the princely sum of £160, with £90 of vouchers included (all of which I actually spent - iTunes, Windows Store which I spent on my Xbox, Office 365). Even at £70 for an entire laptop, that screen gave me pause.

As to the buyers guide - we're waiting for the new Intel processors, which were due months ago. The processors in the current Mac range are old, except for the new MacBook, but Apple still charges a premium. If you wait - for who knows how long - until we get the next generation, they will have slightly more power with significantly reduced power consumption, allowing for a thinner machine, with the same battery life. Like the new MacBook. The Pros will probably still have USB ports though.

You might want to look at a Dell XPS.

 

[chino101]

I would also recommend the Retina macbook pro. The screen is gorgeous and I can't look at an Air without seeing every grainy pixel on the screen. The size difference also isn't huge, and the air is only thinner in essence because it tapers. The Pro also has a HDMI port, which the Air does not. Having the faster processors is also good. As per above for why to wait, however there is nothing wrong with the current models.

 

[Swiss-G]

If you need to buy now go for the 13" Retina MacBook Pro over the Air.
If you need portability consider the Retina MacBook as you can always buy an adapter in order to use a flash drive.
If you can afford to wait a few months then we are likely to see new models in February/March of 2016. If you decide to pull the trigger now then you will still be getting a good machine.

 

[JaredRR]

Thanks - sounds like I'll try and wait a few months, so long as my computer holds up, in the hope the mac book air and pro are updated - Is that the best plan?

 

[chino101]

I'd avoid the Air personally. I doubt it's going to get the retina display as that would cut the mustard of the Macbook (12 inch). The Air is also not significantly cheaper than the pro in reality, and therefore its comparable to buying a new iPhone 5s over a 6s or 6s plus nowadays. I was given a new macbook pro retina last week by Apple to replace my old one that was a lemon, and it still is a great computer. The force touch mouse is a worthy upgrade.

It really is a guessing game with Apple, as they tend not to upgrade designs for long periods of time. It may just be that they put the new processors under the hood and that is it, however they may redesign it.

It's a tough one to recommend either way.

 

[Meister]

Air. Because it seems more reliable and less laggy.

(We have a rmbp and air at home)

 

[rbrian]

Thanks - sounds like I'll try and wait a few months, so long as my computer holds up, in the hope the mac book air and pro are updated - Is that the best plan?

I think that's best. It may be that the new ones are essentially the same, just a bit faster, or there may be a whole redesign. Personally I think the Air will not be redesigned, instead the MacBook will get faster and take their place. Of course, I could be totally wrong. One thing you can be sure of, when a new model comes out you'll be able to get the current one cheaper, so waiting is a good strategy.

 

[maflynn]

I like the 13" MBP over the MBA, because you get a more powerful computer, in the MBP, a better CPU, and GPU. The MBA has the edge in battery life, but other then that the MBP beats it imo.

 

[larmende]

I bought a new Air in 2011. I loved the lightness, the thinness, the quietness... I wouldn't recommend one now. If you're word processing, you'll want a Retina display. Even if you're not sure, trust me - the Air display is awful. It wasn't great in 2011, but now that all iOS devices and most of the MacBook range have trained us to appreciate sharpness, it's unacceptable.

I went from a Sony Vaio to a 2011 MacBook Air an dI really liked how light it was, and the Vaio isn't a heavy machine. Looking to upgrade now, and the current 13'' MacBook Pros are probably about the same the Air was back then. So for the current models I am so tempted to go to Pro myself. But I am holding out for the next upgrade.