MPA 13in (Mid 2011) or New MPA 13 inch--Need your help

[junexh]

Hi,

Want to buy a MPA to replace my 5-year old macbook. My daily use are mainly on web browsing and online video streaming. I do need to run Parallel for windows system or some photo editing software occasionally, and these are probably the most demanding task I do. My budget is within $1300 and I'm not considering MBP because of its low resolution. I am debating in these two options:

1. MPA 13in $1249 (released in July 2011)
dual-core Intel Core i7 1.8GHz
4GB RAM,
256GB Flash Storage
Intel HD Graphics 3000

2. MPA 13in $1138 (newest version)
1.8 GHz Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz
4GB DDR3 SDRAM,
128GB Flash Storage,
Intel HD Graphics 4000

My concern for option2 is the 128G SSD maybe not enough to support dual systems. But for option 1, is it sufficient for my use?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Bob Coxner]

Hi,

Want to buy a MPA to replace my 5-year old macbook. My daily use are mainly on web browsing and online video streaming. I do need to run Parallel for windows system or some photo editing software occasionally, and these are probably the most demanding task I do. My budget is within $1300 and I'm not considering MBP because of its low resolution. I am debating in these two options:

1. MPA 13in $1249 (released in July 2011)
dual-core Intel Core i7 1.8GHz
4GB RAM,
256GB Flash Storage
Intel HD Graphics 3000

2. MPA 13in $1138 (newest version)
1.8 GHz Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz
4GB DDR3 SDRAM,
128GB Flash Storage,
Intel HD Graphics 4000

My concern for option2 is the 128G SSD maybe not enough to support dual systems. But for option 1, is it sufficient for my use?

Thanks for your help!!

You don't have to run Parallels, you can do boot camp Windows for free.

If you don't plan on storing a lot on the SSD then 128 is more than enough for a dual system. I have my 2011 13" MBA split 80mb OS X and 40mb Windows boot camp. I still have lots of free space on both partitions.

 

[Spink10]

For a lot of people storage is overrated - only you know - but i would try to make the 2012 model work.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

You don't have to run Parallels, you can do boot camp Windows for free.

If you don't plan on storing a lot on the SSD then 128 is more than enough for a dual system. I have my 2011 13" MBA split 80mb OS X and 40mb Windows boot camp. I still have lots of free space on both partitions.

I think you mean GB

For a lot of people storage is overrated - only you know - but i would try to make the 2012 model work.

I agree. I suggest the newer model because with either Parallels (or Fusion which I think is superior) or BootCamp, better hardware will help with performance. And as far as storage goes, 128GB is plenty but check how much you are currently using and whether you can slim it down if you are using more than 100GB (tip: leave around 20% free).