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MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

E

Ed Miliband

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 27, 2014
52
0
I am deciding between the 11 inch MacBook Air with i7/8GB and 15 inch Retina MacBook Pro base model or maybe the graphics card model but I am having trouble making the decision.

Please can anyone help me decide which is best?
 
Ed Miliband said:
I am deciding between the 11 inch MacBook Air with i7/8GB and 15 inch Retina MacBook Pro base model or maybe the graphics card model but I am having trouble making the decision.

Please can anyone help me decide which is best?
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I would say the Pro, if you're looking for performance then that's the one to go with. I don't see a reason to get the top spec MacBook Air, it's not even the same class as i7 processor as the pro, so why bother?
 
Please can anyone help me decide which is best?
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You have not given us any hint about what best means to you. It is the cheapest, smallest, lightest, most powerful, largest screen......etc?

Some for folks the entry level 11" entry level MBA is enough. For others only the top of the line 15" rMBP will do. Much has to do with budget, apps you will run, and data you will crunch. That said, if budget is not a problem, you can't go far wrong with a 15" rMBP with 500GB of storage.
 
It seems an unusual choice to make. More usual posts like this are

MBA 11 vs MBA 13
MBA 13 vs MBP 13
MBP 13 vs MBP 15

Or to put it another way, if an MBA 11 is suitable, then there's no possible reason an MBP 15 with graphics card could be needed.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I don't use the computer extremely heavily such as video editing or gaming.I make moderate usage of the hardware that causes the MBA fans to start up and the computer to slowdown slightly. I would be happy investing in the MBP if these 2 problems are fixed.Thanks
 
Ed Miliband said:
Thanks for the replies.
I don't use the computer extremely heavily such as video editing or gaming.I make moderate usage of the hardware that causes the MBA fans to start up and the computer to slowdown slightly. I would be happy investing in the MBP if these 2 problems are fixed.Thanks
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A lot of text but no mentioning what apps you use exactly.
 
Ed Miliband said:
I use different apps at different times
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Based on what little you've said, I would think maybe a 13" rMBP might be the happy medium for you. Better screen and slightly more powerful CPU than an Air, but still portable and not overkill on power or price.
 
Angriff said:
Based on what little you've said, I would think maybe a 13" rMBP might be the happy medium for you. Better screen and slightly more powerful CPU than an Air, but still portable and not overkill on power or price.
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Thanks for the suggestion

I did not consider this model before.I will look into it
 
Alright Ed you have holding out on us. You must have the 17" rMBP prototype are are not sharing info about? Is the screen 4k? ;)
 
I'd get the 13" Pro if you're not looking for video editing performance etc.

The 13" doesn't have the dedicated video card so it's easier on the battery, also less expensive, partly because of the smaller screen but also because it doesn't have the dedicated gpu.
 
i went from a 2014 MBA to a 2014 rMBP....haven't looked back since.
the MBA screen is awful...even worse than the screen on my $370 Acer
 
I just pulled the trigger and bought a refurb Oct. 2013 13" rMBP. I'm upgrading from a 2011 13" MBA.

The huge bump in performance, increased RAM/HD space, better battery, and the VASTLY SUPERIOR display on the rMBP made it an easy decision for me.

Size wise, the newer 13" rMBP and the 13" MBA aren't too far apart - almost similar dimensions, but the MBA is about a half pound lighter.

Also, I think the rMBP is going to be more "future proof" as opposed to the MBA as programs continue to demand more and more from the hardware.

And the Retina display is a MUCH better display to stare at all day, especially if you're used to looking at the Retina display on an iPhone.
 
sdilley14 said:
I just pulled the trigger and bought a refurb Oct. 2013 13" rMBP. I'm upgrading from a 2011 13" MBA.

The huge bump in performance, increased RAM/HD space, better battery, and the VASTLY SUPERIOR display on the rMBP made it an easy decision for me.

Size wise, the newer 13" rMBP and the 13" MBA aren't too far apart - almost similar dimensions, but the MBA is about a half pound lighter.

Also, I think the rMBP is going to be more "future proof" as opposed to the MBA as programs continue to demand more and more from the hardware.

And the Retina display is a MUCH better display to stare at all day, especially if you're used to looking at the Retina display on an iPhone.
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if you went with a rMBP i hope you sprung for the 8GB model
 
Medic311 said:
if you went with a rMBP i hope you sprung for the 8GB model
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I did. I took 8GB over 4GB and went with the Oct. 2013 model as opposed to the slightly cheaper early 2013 model. I figured it's something I'm going to use every day for several years - why not spend a little more $$ and get a REALLY quality machine. :)
 
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