Three choices: which would you choose?

I want a laptop. And I kinda want it now.

I used to have a MacBook Pro (bought in early 2014) but I sold it after the intermittent WIFI drove me crazy. I bought an iPad Pro, which I like but it's not a replacement for me. I tried the new MacBook but it was too small and uncomfortable to use on my lap.

So I now have three choices:

Buy the new MacBook Pro (how much better in practice is it?)

Buy the 11-inch MacBook Air (will the non-retina display drive me crazy?)

Wait for the MacBook of my dreams to be put on sale (but when: March? June?)

 

It's true that I'm incredibly indecisive when it comes to Apple products. Everything was going swimmingly until my MacBook Pro fell out with my Virgin Superhub and got me thinking about buying something new. Plus I'm always suckered in by new Apple products.

I had hoped the iPad Pro would work as a laptop replacement, but it's just not the same and I really miss having something with a physical keyboard that literally sits comfortably on my lap.

I had an 11-inch MacBook Air when they first came out and got on very well with it. I may be wrong but I remember it being wider than the new MacBook and certainly more comfortable to use. It made my shortlist because it's relatively cheap. But the non-retina display is probably a deal-breaker.

What I've done is order a new MacBook Pro, with the lowest spec and cheapest price. If the WiFi issue is a general problem, then obviously it will have to go back. Sure, something new and better may come along. But when? No-one really knows. Add on Apple's recent supply issues and it could easily be May before I'd get one.

I really wanted to like the new MacBook, but I just couldn't get on with it. I know I like the MacBook Pro . . . when it worked, lol. Who knows if the all new MacBook Pro (whenever it arrives) will work for me.

Let's hope the WiFi issue wasn't a general one ...

--- Post Merged, Feb 9, 2016 ---

My hopes are diminishing . . . I just typed "MacBook Pro V" into Google and the top autocomplete suggestion was "MacBook Pro Virgin Superhub connection issues", which led to a page of links complaining about exactly the problem I was having.

 

No. I'm tied into a contract, and no other provider offers anything like the same speeds.

--- Post Merged, Feb 10, 2016 ---

I'm thinking of buying an Apple Time Machine, though I resent having to pay another couple of hundred pounds just to make the thing work.

--- Post Merged, Feb 10, 2016 ---

Oh, and PS: the new MacBook Pro arrived today and I'm having exactly the problems I feared.

I hate Apple so much right now I can taste it.

 

I basically came to that conclusion myself. If I want a MacBook that I like, i.e. the Pro, and if I want it to actually work, then I need a new router.

So I've just shelled out yet more money to Apple for the AirPort Extreme.

Thus far everything seems to be working. The speeds are a bit erratic. I'm assuming that's something that settles down.

I'm somewhat irritated that I've had to spend more money to make it work. Apple is pushing my patience at the moment. For example: does the current line-up of laptops make any sense to anyone?

 

Hilariously this morning my Virgin internet connection died altogether. An engineer is coming tomorrow.

Is this a coincidence? I don't know. But I'm pretty close to stabbing people right now. Don't stand next to me.

 

As I was smashing stuff up and swearing this morning, I mentioned to my student that I remember the happy days when all teachers had were blackboard and chalk.

I'm really not persuaded that anything has gotten better since then.