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MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Which Apple Notebook to Choose
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This is a really important point. By all accounts, scaling anywhere between the default Retina (nice-looking 1280x800) and native (illegible text 2560x1600) makes everything look bad and is generally unusable. So on the rMBP, you end up with less usable display. Altering the scaling also causes a drastic performance dropoff.
You get 33% more battery life on the MBA, which is nothing to shake a stick at. It's the difference between me lugging a charger to work everyday or not.
I'd also mention the drawbacks of the rMBP display which gives you less usable display at Retina setting and nullifies the performance edge when using it at other scaled modes.
The CPU boost, for many, is not worth it for the extra cost. I'm also a relative power user and I have never had an issue at 4GB RAM. SSD in the base rMBP is 128GB, by the way.
They're both excellent computers and it isn't always going to be worth it to get the rMBP. I bought my spouse a MBA 13" for $799 the other day. That's awesome and there's no universe where getting a rMBP would have been smarter.
It doesn't really matter when the chips start to ship in small numbers. Apple is unlikely to space them out by less than a year.
I'm surprised that the DVD wasn't mentioned. I'm probably gonna replace my 2010 MBP this year and I do admire the Air. But I need a DVD from time to time. That and Retina+SSD and 0.5 lb weight difference will make this an easy upgrade choice, for me. Maybe Black Friday, maybe next year.
More precisely wait for Broardwell to launch in all Airs.
Broadwell should really make the Airs tick giving the machne enough GPU performance to avoid totally sucking graphically.
As for the rumored 12" fanless machine I'd take a wait and see. The Broadwell fanless solutions seen so far are pretty bad performers. We can only hope that Intel/Apple worked something out that gives them a couple of watts of extra head room.
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Because many need as much performance as can be had in a laptop. For the rest the Air, at least the current model, is all,that they need.
Buy neither, wait for the 12" Retina Air(that's what I'm doing)
Broadwell should really make the Airs tick giving the machne enough GPU performance to avoid totally sucking graphically.
As for the rumored 12" fanless machine I'd take a wait and see. The Broadwell fanless solutions seen so far are pretty bad performers. We can only hope that Intel/Apple worked something out that gives them a couple of watts of extra head room.
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Because many need as much performance as can be had in a laptop. For the rest the Air, at least the current model, is all,that they need.
Thanks for the info, especially with respect to Eclipse. I have to update my 2008 MBP and the Air could be the machine to go to if Apple doesn't screw it up with the Broadwell update.
I would be surprised to find Apple waiting for SkyLake to upgrade the MBPs. That might put a quad core in the 13" or a much better GPU. Hard to say which way Apple goes there.
I suspect Apple will update the Air displays to retina also. It is a matter of the competition. That is why I also think Apple will look for a quad core option for the rMBP 13".
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Speculation of course but I think there is a very good chance this will happen. Currently no Broadwells on the market are suitable for the MBP's.
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Hey I asked the same basic question. I might add modern Xcode as they have dramatically overhauled the IDE. I know that on my old machine it actually performs better now but that isn't sqying much on a Machine from 2008. XCode could really use the extra cores of a quad core processor. From what I can see.
In any event reports from users of XCode on an Air would be welcomed.
Since I also use XCode can you tell us anything about that on the Air? XCode can be a bigger dog than Eclipse at times.
Which is why I see this article as weak, it should be telling people to hold off on any Air purchase until they start shipping with Broadwell.
Well I, hoping that Apple sees the next version of Air as a new generation and adds additional RAM capacity. I believe the chips in the Air currently can only handle 16 GB. Don't quote me on that though as I've given up on trying to keep all of Intels options straight in my head.
I would be surprised to find Apple waiting for SkyLake to upgrade the MBPs. That might put a quad core in the 13" or a much better GPU. Hard to say which way Apple goes there.
I suspect Apple will update the Air displays to retina also. It is a matter of the competition. That is why I also think Apple will look for a quad core option for the rMBP 13".
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Speculation of course but I think there is a very good chance this will happen. Currently no Broadwells on the market are suitable for the MBP's.
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Hey I asked the same basic question. I might add modern Xcode as they have dramatically overhauled the IDE. I know that on my old machine it actually performs better now but that isn't sqying much on a Machine from 2008. XCode could really use the extra cores of a quad core processor. From what I can see.
In any event reports from users of XCode on an Air would be welcomed.
My mid 2010 entry level 13" MBP is still working out fine for me. I did upgrade the hard drive to a 7200rpm 500gb a year or so ago. Part of me is ready to upgrade the ram and part of me wants to get a new computer and sell this one on eBay while it is still working.
EDIT: *Goes to eBay to check recent sales of this model*
EDIT: *Goes to eBay to check recent sales of this model*
I bought a 2011 mba when it was new. I got the bottom of the line 13" because I was just using it for email/internet. Last year I was handed a thunderbolt drive to edit a 10 episode web series with. My Mac Pro didn't have thunderbolt, and I was forced to edit on my mba for a weekend until I could get another solution. Long story short, I ended up cutting the whole series on my mba with a measly 4GB of ram. It's no slouch! This was a multi-cam edit where I was playing back 3 streams of HD video simultaneously in Avid Media Composer. It's definitely not my first choice for editing, but it did well in a pinch.
If they're seriously shrinking the Macbook Air to 12 inches, you're better off just buying a tablet, to be honest. With that screen resolution and size, it just isn't worth the purchase price any longer. My opinion anyway.
My 2011 MacBook Air handles photoshop 6.5 fine. So I disagree with the article claiming that it's only good for certain core applications.
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Tablet schmablet. Most tablet users looking to stretch its capability wind up going to extra lengths to make the iPad more laptop-like. Add all that time and trouble and extra expense and it should have been a laptop to begin with, rather than winding up as a handicapped facsimile of one.
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Tablet schmablet. Most tablet users looking to stretch its capability wind up going to extra lengths to make the iPad more laptop-like. Add all that time and trouble and extra expense and it should have been a laptop to begin with, rather than winding up as a handicapped facsimile of one.
This is so wrong it boggles my mind.
2x CPU? Air benchmarks at 3654 and the Pro at 4289. Not quite 2x... or even remotely close.
2x Resolution is incorrect as well. 1440x990 x2 = 2880x1880, MBP is 2560x1440.
Yeah, you can have higher SSD and RAM options sure, if users need them. BUT, talk to me when the rMBP doesn't lag on simple UI animations and scrolling around. No, I don't care if you don't see it - I do and many others do, and it's a limitation of the single core performance/GPU with that high retina resolution. Let's not even talk about the laggy scaled resolutions (seriously, who wants 1280x800 usable space?).
The rMBP has a beautiful screen but is underpowered for it.
I'm waiting for a retina MacBook Air to replace my MacBook Pro 15" (a late 2011). I don't need so much screen estate and performance anymore, but I definitely want a retina display.
I'm just worried about the 12" display: I'd prefer a 13".
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I'm afraid it will be quite expensive.... Definitely more closer to the MacBook Pro price than the actual MacBook air.
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I think I never used the DVD on my MacBook Pro in 4 years
I'm just worried about the 12" display: I'd prefer a 13".
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Buy neither, wait for the 12" Retina Air
I'm afraid it will be quite expensive.... Definitely more closer to the MacBook Pro price than the actual MacBook air.
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I think I never used the DVD on my MacBook Pro in 4 years
Not sure about this article. It seems to be aimed at people not especially knowledgeable about computers but then fails to explain the difference between integrated graphics and dedicated in the rMBP.
I say always hold off until a new model comes out if either: it's been 6 months or more since the current model was released, or you don't absolutely require a new laptop immediately.
I quite like my MBA, but I think next time I'll go for the retina pro. I'm a multitasking fiend, and this little laptop struggles sometimes. It's always best to go for as much power as you can afford.
I say always hold off until a new model comes out if either: it's been 6 months or more since the current model was released, or you don't absolutely require a new laptop immediately.
I quite like my MBA, but I think next time I'll go for the retina pro. I'm a multitasking fiend, and this little laptop struggles sometimes. It's always best to go for as much power as you can afford.
I know the MBA is popular and I have bought many as gifts! But for me, it's always been about the the pro! Have to match the beast ( MP) for the road! I have been waiting for the new machines since last year with Intels delays! I really feel they will slim down the MBP line close to the size of the air! Slim with Skylake!!!!!!!!? That's when I'm in don't even get me thinking about a Skylake MP, that's for another thread coming soon
That's when I'm in don't even get me thinking about a Skylake MP, that's for another thread coming soon 
I don't think this was a very good article.
Macbook pro - retina, more powerful, use two external screens without extra steps, more ram by default without having to go through apple direct, better graphics.
Macbook air - non retina, less powerful, least expensive option, better battery life.
That's about it.
Things like travel friendly or lighter never made sense to me. Comparing a 13 inch air to pro, most bags are made for both devices. They are also both light and small.
Having owned both and traveled with both, size and weight never crossed my mind.
I just recently sold a 2014 macbook air and got a 2014 macbook pro gain.
Macbook pro - retina, more powerful, use two external screens without extra steps, more ram by default without having to go through apple direct, better graphics.
Macbook air - non retina, less powerful, least expensive option, better battery life.
That's about it.
Things like travel friendly or lighter never made sense to me. Comparing a 13 inch air to pro, most bags are made for both devices. They are also both light and small.
Having owned both and traveled with both, size and weight never crossed my mind.
I just recently sold a 2014 macbook air and got a 2014 macbook pro gain.
No macbook is good for gaming.Macs are only for video editing,graphics design and all that.Gaming?Nope
Just putting it out there as this article suggests the retina model as a gaming laptop which its not
The Razer Blade is much cheaper and comes with a gtx 870m graphic card along with a 4K screen
Just putting it out there as this article suggests the retina model as a gaming laptop which its not
The Razer Blade is much cheaper and comes with a gtx 870m graphic card along with a 4K screen
If you actually took the time to read my post I said roughly.
Apparently English is not your first language or you have the reading comprehension of a 3 year old.
Usually comparison articles do not include the max out Air with i7 processor, for I believe it is the "in-between" on the speed graphs of both models and will not prove the point of the articles's comparison.
I have the 2013 (late) MacBook Air i7 8gig RAM with 512 SSD and can handle moderate power apps just fine. I have encoded decent Final Cut Pro X small projects with it and it can can in fact compete well with the big boys! Of course MacBook pros have more fire power, but the Air can handle its own.
Always a debate about Retina on the Air. but I have noticed that if you do not compare the current Air with a retina display, it still looks great! I only notice the diffence when I put it next to my iPad 3 retina, but is ok for now.
The current display is good and there has been debate about long hours looking at a retina screen may in fact bother the eyes. We will soon see if this is the case with the new retina iMac.
I have the 2013 (late) MacBook Air i7 8gig RAM with 512 SSD and can handle moderate power apps just fine. I have encoded decent Final Cut Pro X small projects with it and it can can in fact compete well with the big boys! Of course MacBook pros have more fire power, but the Air can handle its own.
Always a debate about Retina on the Air. but I have noticed that if you do not compare the current Air with a retina display, it still looks great! I only notice the diffence when I put it next to my iPad 3 retina, but is ok for now.
The current display is good and there has been debate about long hours looking at a retina screen may in fact bother the eyes. We will soon see if this is the case with the new retina iMac.
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Cool so as long as i throw in "roughly" I can say the Macbook Pro is "roughly" 4x more powerful? You know give or take. Sounds to me like your just making it up and really don't know how to do the math, your just guessing. Hope your not an engineer.
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