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MBA 13' vs MBP 13'

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whistler222

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 8, 2007
318
0
MBA - upgraded to 4GB ram = $1399
1.83 processor, 128GB SSD Drive

MBP - includes 4gb ram - $1199
2.4 processor, 250GB HD, Superdrive built in
If you upgrade it to 128GB SSD drive, it's $1549

Both have SD Slot, Both have long battery life.

What's the real difference besides paying $150 more for faster processor?
and smaller size for the MBA?
 
Advantages of the MBP 2.4:
Has a faster processor.
Can be expanded to 8GB of RAM.
Can take a larger SSD in the future.
Has a FireWire 800 port.
Backlit Keyboard.

Advantages of the MBA 1.8:
Weighs half as much.
 
Have fun lugging around the MBP. Because it isn't fun.

Do not underestimate the superior usability of the MBA, including weighing almost half as much, thinner, superior screen, longer battery life -- and the instant-on ability is fantastic. So it's a lot more than weight, as you misleadingly posit, although that is a prime consideration for a portable laptop.

PS the 250mb HD is slow. I own both machines, the 13" MBP and the new 13" MBA, and I can tell you the MBA is a vastly superior portable machine.
 
Velin said:
Have fun lugging around the MBP. Because it isn't fun.

Do not underestimate the superior usability of the MBA, including weighing almost half as much, thinner, superior screen, longer battery life -- and the instant-on ability is fantastic. So it's a lot more than weight, as you misleadingly posit, although that is a prime consideration for a portable laptop.

PS the 250mb HD is slow. I own both machines, the 13" MBP and the new 13" MBA, and I can tell you the MBA is a vastly superior portable machine.
Click to expand...

Hey that's awesome feedback, especially since you own both.

I'm totally not trying to mislead or anything.. I mean both are Apple current offerings, and both are fantastic machines I'm sure. I'm just trying to do some comparative, and seeking feedback from people just like you (who own /used both).

Question then, why do youstill have the MBP? why not sell it?
 
whistler222 said:
MBP - includes 4gb ram - $1199
If you upgrade it to 128GB SSD drive, it's $1549
Click to expand...

Base MBP is $999 at Microcenter brick&mortar if there's one near you.
MBP also allows adding an SSD and keeping the HDD if you use an Optibay or similar. So let's say $1300 for 4GB memory, 120GB SSD + 250GB HDD. Compare to $1340 (academic) for MBA13 with 4GB memory & 128GB HDD.

Choosing which one (MBA/MBP) to be your sole personal computer makes for a difficult decision.
 
deeddawg said:
Base MBP is $999 at Microcenter brick&mortar if there's one near you.
MBP also allows adding an SSD and keeping the HDD if you use an Optibay or similar. So let's say $1300 for 4GB memory, 120GB SSD + 250GB HDD. Compare to $1340 (academic) for MBA13 with 4GB memory & 128GB HDD.

Choosing one to be your sole laptop makes a difficult decision.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's an amazing price for a base 13" MBP!!
 
barefeats said:
Advantages of the MBP 2.4:
Has a faster processor.
Can be expanded to 8GB of RAM.
Can take a larger SSD in the future.
Has a FireWire 800 port.
Backlit Keyboard.

Advantages of the MBA 1.8:
Weighs half as much.
Click to expand...
How is the 2.4 processor faster? Macworld Benchmarked those computers and that 1.86 opened a serious can of woop-ass on the 2.4 MBP.
I own 2, count them 2 2010 MBP's and I don't even want to open their lids anymore. BTW, I'm typing in the dark........
 
kdoug said:
How is the 2.4 processor faster? Macworld Benchmarked those computers and that 1.86 opened a serious can of woop-ass on the 2.4 MBP.
I own 2, count them 2 2010 MBP's and I don't even want to open their lids anymore. BTW, I'm typing in the dark........
Click to expand...
2.4 Hz. is "faster" than 1.8 Hz.;)

There are other factors like differences in L2 cache and clocking that affect the CPU performance and more important -- system performance. Nevertheless. most of the benchmarks show the MBP as being faster than the MPA for CPU related tasks.
 
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