MacBook vs MacBook Air

[appygirl82]

Just looking for advice on the MacBook vs MacBook Air. I don't necessarily have a reason for one vs another. From just quick look....it appears the MacBook offers a better visual experience and some more options? It's a little bit more money but not significant. Is the extra money work the MacBook vs he air?

Is the Air more of the basic laptop and the MacBook is another step up? If I'm going to spend the $$ I want to get a decent machine!!

 

[applesith]

MacBook screen is so much better than the Air. I have the rMB 2015 and love it.

What are you planning to use the computer for?

 

[appygirl82]

MacBook screen is so much better than the Air. I have the rMB 2015 and love it.

What are you planning to use the computer for?

Basically web browsing, photos, movies...

My husband may use it for his photo editing software. We could take it on trips and be able to mess with the photos a bit.

 

[iMi]

Just looking for advice on the MacBook vs MacBook Air. I don't necessarily have a reason for one vs another. From just quick look....it appears the MacBook offers a better visual experience and some more options? It's a little bit more money but not significant. Is the extra money work the MacBook vs he air?

Is the Air more of the basic laptop and the MacBook is another step up? If I'm going to spend the $$ I want to get a decent machine!!

I have both. In fact, I just purchased last year's Retina Macbook to replace the Macbook Air and really like it. There is a trade off between the two machines and only you can decide what makes more sense to you. I decided to switch to the Macbook because I wanted a better screen and more compact size.

If you opt for the Macbook Air, you will get a more powerful machine. You'll also have a decent selection of ports, familiar keyboard and the traditional trackpad. You will also have a lower resolution screen with lower contrast. On the other hand it will be slightly larger (on the 13" model). It will be slightly heavier and more bulky. It's a fantastic machine, but somewhat dated in terms of the screen and the overall design.

If you opt for the Macbook, you'll get a much smaller form factor with the new keyboard (some people don't like the way it feels, I personally love it) and the new trackpad, which I also think is improved. You'll get a gorgeous Retina display. You'll also be able to choose the color of your machine from the four available. The trade off is that you'll get less performance. Sufficient, but nonetheless less. And you'll get just one port and will either have to live wirelessly as much as possible or get an adaptors.

So, I guess it's not as easy as saying that one is basic and one is a step up. Each offers something the other doesn't. Ultimately, it's really about what features are more important to you. You mentioned taking it on trips. In such case, the Macbook is much more compact and may be a better choice. It will meet all your needs, including lite photo editing. If your husband needs more computing muscle to work with Photoshop or Lightroom, Macbook Air may be a better choice because of the more powerful GPU and overall better performance. Both are great machines - can't go wrong with either one

Good luck!

 

[appygirl82]

I have both. In fact, I just purchased last year's Retina Macbook to replace the Macbook Air and really like it. There is a trade off between the two machines and only you can decide what makes more sense to you. I decided to switch to the Macbook because I wanted a better screen and more compact size.

If you opt for the Macbook Air, you will get a more powerful machine. You'll also have a decent selection of ports, familiar keyboard and the traditional trackpad. You will also have a lower resolution screen with lower contrast. On the other hand it will be slightly larger (on the 13" model). It will be slightly heavier and more bulky. It's a fantastic machine, but somewhat dated in terms of the screen and the overall design.

If you opt for the Macbook, you'll get a much smaller form factor with the new keyboard (some people don't like the way it feels, I personally love it) and the new trackpad, which I also think is improved. You'll get a gorgeous Retina display. You'll also be able to choose the color of your machine from the four available. The trade off is that you'll get less performance. Sufficient, but nonetheless less. And you'll get just one port and will either have to live wirelessly as much as possible or get an adaptors.

So, I guess it's not as easy as saying that one is basic and one is a step up. Each offers something the other doesn't. Ultimately, it's really about what features are more important to you. You mentioned taking it on trips. In such case, the Macbook is much more compact and may be a better choice. It will meet all your needs, including lite photo editing. If your husband needs more computing muscle to work with Photoshop or Lightroom, Macbook Air may be a better choice because of the more powerful GPU and overall better performance. Both are great machines - can't go wrong with either one

Good luck!

And now my husband points out the rMBP. I understand it's not necessarily the most portable, but looks to be a good machine. And could offer a little bit bigger screen than the rMB. Thoughts?!

 

[Biggie Robs]

And now my husband points out the rMBP. I understand it's not necessarily the most portable, but looks to be a good machine. And could offer a little bit bigger screen than the rMB. Thoughts?!

The rMBP is due for what should be a pretty significant update this summer.

 

[iMi]

And now my husband points out the rMBP. I understand it's not necessarily the most portable, but looks to be a good machine. And could offer a little bit bigger screen than the rMB. Thoughts?!

I agree. If you decide to go with the rMBP then you should wait until the WWDC event. Apple will almost certainly deliver a significant refresh.

 

[SteveJUAE]

And now my husband points out the rMBP. I understand it's not necessarily the most portable, but looks to be a good machine. And could offer a little bit bigger screen than the rMB. Thoughts?!

I gave my wife my 1st rMB she loves it and for travelling its great it fits in her handbag (purse) so no need for a separate bag etc along with all the other stuff she carts around. Sitting in bed or just moving around with the rMB is a joy after her MBP

If you get the pink one he will also be less likely to steal it from you, when he realises it's such a nice laptop to use

PS if your holiday snaps are from a camera you will need a usb dongle and a card reader as there is no SD slot on the rMB, from a phone no problem if synched in the cloud (Android or IPhone)

 

[asoksevil]

 

[SteveJUAE]

 

[zhenya]

And now my husband points out the rMBP. I understand it's not necessarily the most portable, but looks to be a good machine. And could offer a little bit bigger screen than the rMB. Thoughts?!

Of course it's a great machine, if a bit dated at the moment. The difference between the MBP and the retina MacBook is that the Pro is large and heavy enough that bringing it along requires 'intention', whereas the MacBook is so slim and light, you'll bring it along almost anywhere as it disappears into a bag or purse. You need to decide what you're after.

 

[applesith]

If you are going to use the built-in display most of the time, then you should go with a retina. The Air screen is really awful. Low resolution, washed out colors and poor viewing angles.

If you are not in a rush, wait for June for the WWDC update. If you need it now, then get a rMB. It is more than capable of completing your needs you listed earlier.

 

[appygirl82]

With the rMB, since it's missing some of the slots...what adapters will I need for the basic things I'll use it for? I assume I'll need one for an SD card. What else? How much do those adapters cost?

 

[deeddawg]

Just looking for advice on the MacBook vs MacBook Air. I don't necessarily have a reason for one vs another.

IMHO before you do much else you need to go play with them in person for a while. They are substantially different computers, especially the 13" MBA in comparison to the retina Macbook.

 

[djpraize]

I have an 11" Macbook Air, and I just now received my order for the 2016 rMB. I was really second-guessing myself on the purchase because I loved the Air so much. But now that I have seen the Retina screen, all of my doubts have dissolved away. I was thinking of keeping the Air because of it's additional power, but I think I will now sell it. I have an iMac and when it's time to replace that, maybe I'll get a MBP and a monitor for when I need a portable Powerful machine and the best of both worlds. But for daily portability, this rMB is the answer for me.

 

[applesith]

With the rMB, since it's missing some of the slots...what adapters will I need for the basic things I'll use it for? I assume I'll need one for an SD card. What else? How much do those adapters cost?

This is the best USB-C hub/adapter to get you what you need: SD card reader, external display, USB ports and power-pass thru to charge.

http://www.amazon.com/HT-UC001-Shut...ILTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461612255&sr=8-1

Alternatively you can buy the Apple one, but it's $80 and doesn't have as many inputs (and lacks SD reader).

 

[Retops]

applesith: Thanks for the lead. Looks like just what I needed; order placed.

 

[applesith]

The link is showing some cameras to me.

I loved the new MacBook but I'll upgrade my storage with a minidrive, so i need the SD reader.

I just checked the link and it's going to the hub page. OP used my link fine as well.

 

[iMi]

I'll buy a mini drive, that's the model that i cose:

http://www.theminidrive.com/product...versal-nano-128gb-only-15mm?variant=964409596
[doublepost=1461781603][/doublepost]

Know it is working!

Thanks

There are some options on Amazon that mount completely flash with the side of the computer, offering a fantastic integration. Personally I found such expansion cumbersome to manage. Instead, I offload whatever isn't needed to the cloud under "archive" and adjust settings so that those files don't sync back with the mac.

If I were to buy one of those drives, I would probably go with this one... http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-Jet...sr=8-2&keywords=macbook+air+storage+expansion

Good price, good brand.

 

[t.portis]

This is the upgrade I made, selling my personal 2015 Macbook Air so I could purchase a rMB (1.2, 512GB Hard Drive). I have a 2015 13" rMBP at work, and after switching back and forth between screens I just couldn't handle the Macbook Air screen anymore. It's like the rMBP ruined it for me.

At home on the rMB, I am primarily a Pages, Keynote, Mail, Evernote user, so the rMB does just fine, never any lag. The screen really is fantastic, and you can hardly believe how good the sound is. I have gotten used to the keyboard and can type just fine on it. Something about the slope of the Macbook Air and that keyboard, though, that was probably my all time best keyboard experience.

 

[iMi]

This is the upgrade I made, selling my personal 2015 Macbook Air so I could purchase a rMB (1.2, 512GB Hard Drive). I have a 2015 13" rMBP at work, and after switching back and forth between screens I just couldn't handle the Macbook Air screen anymore. It's like the rMBP ruined it for me.

At home on the rMB, I am primarily a Pages, Keynote, Mail, Evernote user, so the rMB does just fine, never any lag. The screen really is fantastic, and you can hardly believe how good the sound is. I have gotten used to the keyboard and can type just fine on it. Something about the slope of the Macbook Air and that keyboard, though, that was probably my all time best keyboard experience.

You mentioned that you primarily use Pages, Keynote, etc. Are you using those applications in professional setting or only for personal use? I actually really like Apple's productivity suite but have to work with Office because of compatibility. So, if you use it for business, can you share your experience?

 

[t.portis]

You mentioned that you primarily use Pages, Keynote, etc. Are you using those applications in professional setting or only for personal use? I actually really like Apple's productivity suite but have to work with Office because of compatibility. So, if you use it for business, can you share your experience?

Sure. I am an administrator and professor at a large college. I do all my presentations in Keynote, since I take my rMB with me to present or teach a class. If I'm working on a group presentation, people usually ask me to put the "PowerPoint" together since mine "always look so nice." If I am writing a report proposal I'll do it in Pages and export to PDF usually. I open Office files that are sent to me in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. We use Exchange as most do and I have no problems with Mail and Calendar. I feel like Pages and Keynote give me an edge because my work doesn't look like everyone else's. It all looks just a little more professional I think. Of course, anyone could do in Office what I am doing in Pages and Keynote, but most don't and just rely on the built-in templates.