Macbook Pro 13" vs Macbook air 13" for web developer

[declandio]

What a non-sense comment, really.

We *ALL* can handle carrying around a 17" MBP if we wanted. It's not a matter of "capacity", it's a matter of convenience. And whether you like or not, the MBP is a 40% lighter, and thus more convenient to carry around in your bag.

It's more convenient than something that's already very convenient so the difference in 'portability' isn't a real-world issue unless you're a (word I can't say without being rude).

 

[d0vr]

As a web developer, if the next 13" MBP has retina and the MPA doesn't, go with the pro. Otherwise, the air. As long as you aren't doing heavy vector work (illustrator) or video editing.

 

[iamthedudeman]

I, as a web developer with a MBA 13" 4gb RAM, run DreamWeaver, Email, Firefox with 10 tabs open, Photoshop, FTP, Skype and Spotify all simultaneously ALL DAY LONG and it runs flawlessly.

OP, don't let naysayers without first-hand experience bring you down. The MBA 13" with 4gb RAM will run beautifully for you as a web developer. I know from first-hand experience.

Who says we don't have first hand experience? No one is trying to 'bring him down'. What works for you may not work for everyone else. But how well does it work? I can mow my lawn with a hand mower, because it works, but I can also use a riding mower and get it done quicker. One doesn't make it better, only that it works. I have used both machines fairly recently, and can make a direct comparison.


I tried to make the Air and that is with a i7 my main machine, did not work. Ram was the issue. At least for me. If the next one by all means get the Air if it has 8GB of ram. No need to get the Pro anymore if only to save money. But the Pro will be quicker and more powerful. Not only that it will cost less. Add a SSD for the same price and you have a machine that can run rings around the Air. And will shave off some of the weight. Not much but it will.

The issue is having the machine last one, two years down the road and have ram not be a issue, even if it isn't now.

 

[fraser1980]

What are peoples thoughts to this question now the update has landed. 8gb Air a worth contender to a 13" MBP?

 

[corvus32]

Only if 8gb is all you think you'll need.

My biggest gripe is still with the air's display - specifically its viewing angles and color gamut.

 

[fraser1980]

Thought I'd update this thread on my findings. In the end I went for the 13/8/128 air and I couldn't be more glad I did.

Compared to my previous machine it feels infinitely quicker (though seeing as my last machine was a 4yr old macbook this is probably not the achievement I am touting it to be). Everything opens in a fraction of the time. The 8GB is more than suffice and I can run Photoshop, XP VM, W7 VM (both on virtual box), coda, firefox and all my other essentials without feeling any lag or slowdown with no page outs whatsoever.

I had reservations about the small hard drive but even this has been a non issue. With all my apps and work, I still have ~30GB free. I just use an external for all my music and videos.

I was also a little apprehensive about the screen. Hearing that it was a lower quality than that of MBP; But again, it trumps my previous machine (though I'm sure screens have improved since 2008) and the extra resolution is plus too.

 

[hamiltonDSi]

My cousin has a 2011 Macbook Air i5 1.6 Ghz 4GB and compared to my Late 2011 Macbook Pro 13" 2.4 Ghz i5 8GB it sucks at CPU performance. Even the Intel HD Chipset is better on my Pro, because I have 8GB and the memory goes up to 512MB
Of course, the MBA has an SSD but you can always put that in the MBP.