Should I get a MBP or MBA?

[Benguitar]

You just making that up? Any proof that the rev B MacBook Air's "freeze up" when doing something graphic intensive like rendering in Photoshop or a game?

While the Air will not perform that well (though it does use the 9400M chipset) it isn't something to slag off - it is better than the original Core Duo MacBook Pro in some aspects.

Mid 2007 upgraded Black MacBook, Freeze up while just using GarageBand. Replacement Early 2009 15 inch Unibody MacBook Pro, Freeze up while using Mail, Safari, iWeb, iChat, Adium, iTunes and Apogee Maestro.

My guess, MacBook Airs will freeze up just like MBP's and MB's when put under alot of stress, Except MacBook Pro's can take more stress than the low power MacBook Air's.

 

[kolax]

Mid 2007 upgraded Black MacBook, Freeze up while just using GarageBand. Replacement Early 2009 15 inch Unibody MacBook Pro, Freeze up while using Mail, Safari, iWeb, iChat, Adium, iTunes and Apogee Maestro.

My guess, MacBook Airs will freeze up just like MBP's and MB's when put under alot of stress, Except MacBook Pro's can take more stress than the low power MacBook Air's.

So you are guessing about the MacBook Air's performance..?

Never experienced a consistent freeze on any of the three generations of MacBook Pro's I have used. I constantly run Windows 7 in Virtualisation, Photoshop, iTunes, Mail, iCal, MSN Messenger, Safari and among other things without any issues.

Sure you weren't doing something wrong? Sounds very odd that you had freezes on a MacBook when just using GarageBand, and then experiencing the same issues on a new Unibody MacBook Pro when doing nothing too extreme (even using Maestro..).

Have you posted topics here? Tried to fix the problem? Contacted Apple? If no, I call BS on your "info" and you are simply trolling this thread.

 

[penyekz]

Ok. Just got back from the shops. That trip wasn't too helpful. Now, I'm open to even more options!

Here's option 1:
Get the Macbook air 1.86 with SSD

Option 2:
Macbook Pro 2.66 with 7200rpm HDD

The MBP 15" is quite big. Not quite as gigantic as my old dell but a lot of difference compared to the MBA.
I don't know how portable it can be...

Option 3:
Macbook 2.4 for portability PLUS iMac 24" 2.93ghz as my home computer

that iMac is BEAUTIFUL and GORGEOUS isn't it!!! This option will be a little bit more expensive but that don't you just fall in love with that iMac?


I'm leaning towards option 3 but my wife just gave me a scary stare when I told her my plans....

We already have a 2 year old Dell inspiron 15.4" 1.73ghz core 2 duo. I've just built a quad core system running vista on a 6 year old 19" monitor. If I were to go with option 3, then we'll have 4 computers and no real space to put it.

There's been some reports on here that the macbook screens are not as good as the MBP or the MBA. Is this true? I couldn't see any real difference and the man at the shops said they were all LED backlid except the white macbooks.

 

[kolax]

There's been some reports on here that the macbook screens are not as good as the MBP or the MBA. Is this true? I couldn't see any real difference and the man at the shops said they were all LED backlid except the white macbooks.

Yeah - some of the screens are appalling; washed out and a big gradient that is visible even when looking dead on. Though there is one good type of screen in certain MacBooks that is actually quite good (someone posted the third screen type on here), and almost on par with the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

To be honest, if you are thinking of option 3, you could add option 4:

MacBook Pro and 24" Cinema Display.

The MacBook Pro is still a very portable laptop; I take to and from Uni every day, as well as having it sat on my lap etc. While I wish there was 13" MacBook Pro, the 15" is still perfectly fine.

That, matched with a 24" Cinema Display for when you are working at home at your desk would be a great combo.

Though having two separate computers might be nice too - you could always get a Mac Mini some point down the line

 

[penyekz]

To be honest, if you are thinking of option 3, you could add option 4:

MacBook Pro and 24" Cinema Display.

Yeah.. go on then.... confuse me even more....

I've seen pics of those macbook pros placed on a laptop stand and attached to a 24" screen. Do they just attach keyboards and a mouse to the laptop and use it as if it were a desk top?

 

[kolax]

Yeah.. go on then.... confuse me even more....

I've seen pics of those macbook pros placed on a laptop stand and attached to a 24" screen. Do they just attach keyboards and a mouse to the laptop and use it as if it were a desk top?

Yeah - wireless keyboard and mouse does the trick.

The iMac uses laptop components (apart from the hard drive), so aside from the top-end iMac having faster CPU and GPU, you aren't really gaining much of a performance increase.

 

[chrono1081]

I carry mine to and from work each day (MBP that is, the one in my sig) its great and is never a burden like my older laptops were.

 

[michael.lauden]

seriously how may of these forums are there

MBA = skinny, can hold it's own

MBP = performance


just because the MBP isn't pencil thin, doesn't mean you can't take it wherever you need to go easily. and just because the MBA has slower clock speeds, doesn't mean you can't do everything you need to do.

there isn't really a debate here - it's for what you NEED to do

 

[penyekz]

I know I know... What I NEED in terms of hardware is probably a netbook hackintoshed. What I WANT is on completely a different level.



Anyway, I think the decision will be made by the missus... May need a little coaxing...

 

[stonyc]

but my wife just gave me a scary stare when I told her my plans....

I know that stare...

Anyway, I think the decision will be made by the missus... May need a little coaxing...

I'm in the middle of the decision-making process too, and when I told the wife some of my options (and I made sure to tell her that they were "just options!")... boy, did I get the evil eye. I wasn't even looking at her when I was talking and I could still feel the hot spot on the back of my head.

But, like you... I've been getting her to soften up quite a bit. We'll see what I end up with though!

 

[ucfgrad93]

I'd say get the MBP. It has more power and expandability than the MBA.

 

[Benguitar]

So you are guessing about the MacBook Air's performance..?

Never experienced a consistent freeze on any of the three generations of MacBook Pro's I have used. I constantly run Windows 7 in Virtualisation, Photoshop, iTunes, Mail, iCal, MSN Messenger, Safari and among other things without any issues.

Sure you weren't doing something wrong? Sounds very odd that you had freezes on a MacBook when just using GarageBand, and then experiencing the same issues on a new Unibody MacBook Pro when doing nothing too extreme (even using Maestro..).

Have you posted topics here? Tried to fix the problem? Contacted Apple? If no, I call BS on your "info" and you are simply trolling this thread.

Understandable, I was just speaking from past experiences. I'll give Apple a call now.

 

[bzimmerly]

Noted. but from various threads in these forums, it seems like the SSD makes a huge difference in terms of everyday applications like opening up programs etc. Many have commented that the MBA rev B SSD is faster than their MBP 2.4.

This is tough. I'm going to the store now.... All this thinking is driving me nuts

The MBA is going to be faster at loading some applications with the SSD but it does not have to beef that the MBP has to carry the load. that means you can boot faster and load apps faster with the MBA to a certain extent after that you will need the power of the MBP of MB to keep going.

If you want to balance your power and weight the MB is a perfect comprise. You will have the same performance except in heavy graphics and have most of the portability of the air.
btw this is comming from an owner of MBP and MBs.

 

[penyekz]

Hi guys, thanks for all the advice! Thanks for opening up my eyes to the idea of the MB.

After all the toing and froing and visits to the apple store, I've decided to either get the MBA or MB + (iMac at a later date). The macbook pro does seem quite large by comparison and I don't really need the power or extra bulk. Either ways, I'm waiting for the announcement in June to make up my mind. Its only another 3 weeks.

The Rev B MBA seems to have a bad screen which I'm not too keen on now. I'll most probably go for the macbook 2.4 and 4gb ram and buy the iMac when I have more space unless................

Apple decides to refresh the MBA with much better specs...

 

[BigAus]

MB 2.4
New large screen for Vista (can plug in MB if necessary)
Dell for the missus

 

[macgrl]

I would chose the mbp, the larger screen is great