Resolved Should I sell my MBP for MBA?

[Darthmnkyrpm]

So, I have a Late 2011 Macbook Pro that is basically maxed out in every aspect. But I'm planning on getting a Mac Pro, maxed out as much as I can, when it comes out. So, all I would need my laptop for is traveling and simple schoolwork, with the possibility of some League of Legends or something, so nothing too taxing. I feel like a Macbook Air would be better for these sorts of tasks, especially if I have the new Mac Pro as well. My question: Is this a good decision? Or am I just enticed by the MBA's long battery life and size/weight?

Edit: Do you think this could run programs like Premiere and Photoshop if I have to do some editing on the go?

Processor: 1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
RAM: 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM

 

[mattferg]

So, I have a Late 2011 Macbook Pro that is basically maxed out in every aspect. But I'm planning on getting a Mac Pro, maxed out as much as I can, when it comes out. So, all I would need my laptop for is traveling and simple schoolwork, with the possibility of some League of Legends or something, so nothing too taxing. I feel like a Macbook Air would be better for these sorts of tasks, especially if I have the new Mac Pro as well. My question: Is this a good decision? Or am I just enticed by the MBA's long battery life and size/weight?

Edit: Do you think this could run programs like Premiere and Photoshop if I have to do some editing on the go?

Processor: 1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
RAM: 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM

The price of that Air is $1349. If you spend $50 more ($1399) you can get the rMBP with 8GB of RAM. That's a much better fit for your needs - it's more powerful, has a much better display, and will be much better for League of Legends, Photoshop and Premiere.

 

[Darthmnkyrpm]

The price of that Air is $1349. If you spend $50 more ($1399) you can get the rMBP with 8GB of RAM. That's a much better fit for your needs - it's more powerful, has a much better display, and will be much better for League of Legends, Photoshop and Premiere.

Well my thing is, I'll have the Mac Pro for all my main gaming and video/photo editing stuff. I just want something light and snappy for every day usage. I'm just wondering if it's worth it. I'm gonna sell my macbook pro for $1600 and the total for the Macbook Air I want is $1800. So is it worth it to basically get the Macbook Air for $200? And how well can it run Photoshop? I won't always need it, but I might need it for some quick edits.

 

[rMBP2013]

Well my thing is, I'll have the Mac Pro for all my main gaming and video/photo editing stuff. I just want something light and snappy for every day usage. I'm just wondering if it's worth it. I'm gonna sell my macbook pro for $1600 and the total for the Macbook Air I want is $1800. So is it worth it to basically get the Macbook Air for $200? And how well can it run Photoshop? I won't always need it, but I might need it for some quick edits.

No, it won't be worth it get the MBA for $200 more.

Your Pro is a LOT faster and granted it won't be nearly as light as an MBA, it still isn't worth it.

Ask yourself: how often will you really travel and take your MBA with you?

 

[ZBoater]

And two laptops? Really?

 

[mangotears]

Well my thing is, I'll have the Mac Pro for all my main gaming and video/photo editing stuff. I just want something light and snappy for every day usage. I'm just wondering if it's worth it. I'm gonna sell my macbook pro for $1600 and the total for the Macbook Air I want is $1800. So is it worth it to basically get the Macbook Air for $200? And how well can it run Photoshop? I won't always need it, but I might need it for some quick edits.

Photoshop won't be a problem at all. Premiere on the other hand... I do some occasional video editing (premiere/after effects) on a base-model 2011 MBA.. it gets the task done but not optimal. 8gb and i7 upgrade should help.

And two laptops? Really?

He's getting a Mac Pro (desktop), and switching out his mbp for a mba.

I think it's a great decision personally. If you're getting a mac pro, the MBA is a much much better travel companion to have.

 

[Darthmnkyrpm]

Photoshop won't be a problem at all. Premiere on the other hand... I do some occasional video editing (premiere/after effects) on a base-model 2011 MBA.. it gets the task done but not optimal. 8gb and i7 upgrade should help.




He's getting a Mac Pro (desktop), and switching out his mbp for a mba.

I think it's a great decision personally. If you're getting a mac pro, the MBA is a much much better travel companion to have.

Thank you. I've been feeling like no one thinks this is a good idea but it's good to hear someone likes it. Because now I have a computer for everything I need to do video and game wise, and then one for everyday tasks and stuff.

 

[octatonic]

I've been using MBA's since 2010 for a portable with a Mac Pro for the heavy lifting and it is a great combination.

I've tried 11's and 13's - I don't look at the 11's any more.
13" MBA all the way.

 

[DwainTR]

Just get an air 13". Best decision I had ever made this year

 

[woodynorman]

I'm selling my less than a year old 13" rMBP for my just purchased maxed out MBA.

The MBA is a much better machine, IMO

 

[Boyd01]

I do some occasional video editing (premiere/after effects) on a base-model 2011 MBA.. it gets the task done but not optimal. 8gb and i7 upgrade should help.

I have used my old version of Final Cut Pro on both a 2011 i5/4g/256gb MBA and 2013 i7/8gb/512gb MBA. They both worked surprisingly well for me, and I was editing professional HD (Sony XDCAM EX). The 2013 machine renders noticeably faster, but aside from that I really don't notice much difference.

However, my frame of reference was using the same software on a 2008 15" c2d MBP and 2009 c2d iMac. The 2011 MBA was about twice as fast as either of those machines and the 2013 MBA is about three times faster. Plus the SSD makes everthing seem even faster.

If I was doing heavy video work I would want something stronger, but I find the MBA pretty adequate for my needs now and I love the portability.

 

[clyde2801]

And two laptops? Really?

Hey, some people can get by with only two!