Thinking of upgrading. Need help.

[pcgolfer85]

I currently own a MacBook Pro (Early 2008) and it has served me well, but I haven't been happy with the poor case design near the optical drive area.

I want to upgrade, but I'm having trouble deciding on what to get. I like the idea of the Air, but it seems a little outdated.

I definitely want a notebook.

Any suggestions?

 

[dmw007]

Hi pcgolfer85, could you first begin by listing your needs/uses for a new computer?

The Air is dated, but I think that it is still a good laptop (updates coming soon, hopefully). Do you need something as portable as the Air or are you okay with another MacBook Pro?

 

[Kingcodez]

If you are ok with 13" then get the 2.4 13" MBP.
Airs might get a refresh soon, but their not that powerful, and the SSD apple throws in there is slow. Go with the low end 13" and get a big SSD. Also grab a wireless NAS drive or a Firewire external.

You could get an optical drive adapter and swap it for a HDD also.

The new 15" MBPs are good, you would also be fine with last months 15". depends on the price.

 

[pcgolfer85]

I'm starting to lean towards the 13 inch MBP. The only thing I am worried about is the size of the screen. My current MBP is a 15 inch. I don't know of I will like the 13 inch. I do like the price though.

I typically use my MBP for the standard day to day stuff...email, web browsing, etc... I do occasionally play games like Sims 3. I think I would be depressed if my new MBP couldn't handle the ocassional game.

The MBA interests me bc of how thin it is. I understand I won't be able to play any games, but maybe its time for me to move on in life and leave games behind.

 

[neiltc13]

If you're at all interested in gaming then consider a notebook with a better graphics chip. Does it have to be from Apple? Many other manufacturers will sell you a much more powerful system for far less than Apple asks for the 13" MacBook Pro.

 

[aksmax]

I just upgraded to the new 15" MBP from the same model you currently have. I am so happy with it. The footprint is actually slightly larger, and I think it's barely thinner. I can't tell the difference in the weights. But it's all about those curved edges. The overall feel is fantastically slim.

Everything is nicely faster. I have a 60GB iPhoto library, with 50k photos. Scrolling through them vertically, or horizontally (in an event) is so smooth. And Faces and Places are several times faster to access. Also much better lighting adjustments with the iSight.

Battery life is pretty impressive. With hefty synching to my Atv and Time Capsule, I'm still getting 4 hours easy.

I play WoW and my early '08 was so hot, I had SMC running full out plus a fan base underneath. This one, I can just keep on my lap. No more scorched thighs, hurray! The whole feel is more lap friendly, including the mag plug.

It's not a MBA, but the difference just got a whole lot less. Adding the spec difference, I wouldn't consider the Air anymore.

Just to seem a bit more fair and balanced, let's look for negatives. I'm not a fan of the glossy screen. In every environment I'm in, the glare or reflection is so noticeable and usually very distracting. I'd have to say it knocks a couple points off the experience. 2 thumbs down on that one. Also pretty neutral on the buttonless trackpad. Still adjusting and not seeing an upside. It's hinged at the top so you're still aiming for clicking towards the bottom. Not what I expected and not 'clickable anywhere'. Softer touch to the keyboard though, which I like. Oh, and the superdrive is as loud as ever.

Overall a solid B+. The glossy screen really hurt.

 

[racer1441]

If you're at all interested in gaming then consider a notebook with a better graphics chip. Does it have to be from Apple? Many other manufacturers will sell you a much more powerful system for far less than Apple asks for the 13" MacBook Pro.

Yeah, but then he is stuck with a windows based POS.

13" pro is a great computer.

 

[pcgolfer85]

If you're at all interested in gaming then consider a notebook with a better graphics chip. Does it have to be from Apple? Many other manufacturers will sell you a much more powerful system for far less than Apple asks for the 13" MacBook Pro.

I wouldn't be posting in this forum if I wasn't interested in getting another Apple computer. I'm no fanboy...I just have a MBP and I want to replace it with another.

 

[pcgolfer85]

I just upgraded to the new 15" MBP from the same model you currently have. I am so happy with it. The footprint is actually slightly larger, and I think it's barely thinner. I can't tell the difference in the weights. But it's all about those curved edges. The overall feel is fantastically slim.

Everything is nicely faster. I have a 60GB iPhoto library, with 50k photos. Scrolling through them vertically, or horizontally (in an event) is so smooth. And Faces and Places are several times faster to access. Also much better lighting adjustments with the iSight.

Battery life is pretty impressive. With hefty synching to my Atv and Time Capsule, I'm still getting 4 hours easy.

I play WoW and my early '08 was so hot, I had SMC running full out plus a fan base underneath. This one, I can just keep on my lap. No more scorched thighs, hurray! The whole feel is more lap friendly, including the mag plug.

It's not a MBA, but the difference just got a whole lot less. Adding the spec difference, I wouldn't consider the Air anymore.

Just to seem a bit more fair and balanced, let's look for negatives. I'm not a fan of the glossy screen. In every environment I'm in, the glare or reflection is so noticeable and usually very distracting. I'd have to say it knocks a couple points off the experience. 2 thumbs down on that one. Also pretty neutral on the buttonless trackpad. Still adjusting and not seeing an upside. It's hinged at the top so you're still aiming for clicking towards the bottom. Not what I expected and not 'clickable anywhere'. Softer touch to the keyboard though, which I like. Oh, and the superdrive is as loud as ever.

Overall a solid B+. The glossy screen really hurt.

Thank you for all of this information! I think I'm going to go with the MBP 13 inch. The MBA interests me, but I will probably be better off going with the MBP.

 

[striatedglutes]

I don't think the previous 13" MBP had any problems running sims 3 (check youtube?), and the newest one is a definite upgrade in the graphics card department. You'll be fine!

Also, to the guy talking about WoW gameplay, did you ever dust out your fan vents? Not talking from experience or anything, just an educated guess that it might have helped.