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MBA for MBP trade is it worth it ?

S

sgalbo

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 16, 2011
13
0
I have the MBA
Originally released mid 2009
(with the 1 USB)

13.3-inch glossy widescreen display
2GB memory
128GB solid-state drive
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
Built-in iSight Camera
Running Lion

And the person wants to trade a MBP

2011 Macbook Pro 13.3
2.4 GHz Intel core 2 duo processor,
4GB of 1066 MHz DDR SDRAM
13.3 inch LED-backlight glossy widescreen display: 1280 by 800 pixels
Built in isight camera
8x slot loading superdrive
Mimi display port
Backlit keyboard and ambient light sensor
Preinstalled Mac Os X and iLife
All original packaging and software discs.
More info

http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...o-2.4-aluminum-13-mid-2010-unibody-specs.html

Mine is still covered under the 1 year warranty until December 20, and theirs is covered till Feb 2012, I am just not sure if it is a good deal or not. Thanks for your help.
 
More info for comparison: Other than the typical weight difference, the MBP has a larger HD although not as fast as the MBA, and also has more memory. SO if anyone has some opinion or imput I would appreciate it.


Model Family: MacBook Air
Processor: 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo (SL9600)
Manufacturer: Intel
# of CPUs: 1
Codename: Penryn
Display:
Size: 13.3"
Finish: Glossy
Resolution: 1280x800
Backlight: LED-Backlit
Base Memory: 2GB PC3-8500 SODIMM
Brand: Apple
Wireless: 802.11a/b/g/n
Color(s): Aluminum
Original OS: Mac OS X 10.5.7
Battery: 40-watt-hour non-removable lithium-polymer
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (256MB)
Base Storage: 128GB SSD SATA 1.8"
Optical Drive: N/A
Model Number: A1304
Sales Number(s): MC234LL/A
Machine Number(s): MacBookAir2,1
Dimensions: 12.8 in x 8.94 in x 0.76 in
Weight: 3.0 lb
Production: Jun 8, 2009 - Oct 20, 2010
Factory: Remanufactured Model
Production Year: 2010
Production Week: 17 (April)
Production Number: 1177


--------------------------------------------------------------------
Model Family: MacBook Pro
Processor: 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo (P8600)
Manufacturer: Intel
# of CPUs: 1
Codename: Penryn
Display:
Size: 13.3"
Finish: Glossy
Resolution: 1280x800
Backlight: LED-Backlit
Base Memory: 4GB PC3-8500 SODIMM
Brand: Apple
Wireless: 802.11a/b/g/n
Color(s): Aluminum
Original OS: Mac OS X 10.6.3
Battery: 63.5-watt-hour removable lithium-polymer
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 320M (256MB)
Base Storage: 250GB 5400RPM SATA 2.5"
Optical Drive: 8x DL Superdrive
Model Number: A1278
Sales Number(s): MC374LL/A
Machine Number(s): MacBookPro7,1
Dimensions: 12.78 in x 8.94 in x 0.95 in
Weight: 4.5 lb
Production: Apr 13, 2010 - Feb 24, 2011
Factory: China
Production Year: 2011
Production Week: 01 (January)
Production Number: 14302
 
That is NOT a 2011 MBP, it is a 2010 MBP purchased in 2011. Huge difference in the CPU with the 2011's running about 2x faster.

Aside from that if you want/need a notebook that does heavy duty work or need to store plenty of data then the MBP is good swap since you can use up to 4x the RAM (8gb ram upgrade costs only about $40 these days) and add a much larger hard drive, up to 1TB (currently hard drive prices are inflated due to floods in Thailand hurting supply). Plus you can get 2x faster backup with firewire 800 and I get backlit keys (don't think that is included in the MA).

Anyway, if you want more power or storage and don't mind carrying an extra pound of machine :rolleyes: then the MBP is good swap. Personally I would not hesitate but needs/desired vary
 
yep!!! what he said....seems like now is the best time to sale your hard drive and buy an ssd.... pulled two 500gb 7200rpms wd scorpio blacks from my xps and sold them for 130... well below the 178.00 the next person was asking...on amazon..
 
Thanks for the input. My MBA does have back lit keys, but now I am thinking I may wait to trade to get a newer one that is 2x faster. I would really like a newer one that is 15". I figured these 2 were comparable aside from HD and weight.
 
sgalbo said:
Thanks for the input. My MBA does have back lit keys, but now I am thinking I may wait to trade to get a newer one that is 2x faster. I would really like a newer one that is 15". I figured these 2 were comparable aside from HD and weight.
Click to expand...

RAM is also another factor. The 2011 13" MBP's can do 16Gb ram. If you are just doing light work you are fine but if you need storage or power to do the heavy lifting then any 13" MBP is better - just slip in an SSD..
 
I'd go ahead and swap now for two reasons.

First, the MBP is going to be faster and more expandable if you end up keeping it. It will support up to 8 GB RAM and a 1 TB hard drive, the Air is effectively sealed and cannot be upgraded. The MBP also has superior graphics with the 320m compared to the 9400m.

Second, the MBP is likely to retain more value down the road, in part because of its expandability. Lion on 2 GB of RAM is quite slow. Also, the slightly longer warranty period on the MBP will help it hold value a bit longer as long as you either sell it while it is under warranty or add Applecare to it (which I would only do if I were to keep it).
 
If It Was Me

I'd sit back and think. The MBA is a sight faster than the Pro, but the swap (on paper) is a good one.

Penryn....? Yes okay but it's what you do with it that matters...That Pro to me is a good swap.
 
If you have heat issues with your MBA (which I expect you do), then trade.

For my money, the 2010 MBAs are fantastic, but anything before or after tends to run hot.

I also wouldn't want to be tethered to a machine with only 2GB of RAM though honestly I think the MacBook Air is the ideal form for my needs, and with a cool running 4GB 256 its function is wunderbar.
 
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