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Torn between two laptops...

X

Xjett

macrumors member
Original poster
May 4, 2008
51
0
Miami, FL
Hey guys, first post on this forum:

Anyway I am torn between getting a Macbook or a Macbook Air. I am aware of the differences (and the drawbacks the Air has however, I have an excellent iMac so it's ok me to to sacrifice the storage space and such for the portability). My question is more about the Macbook, should I get the Macbook now or wait? I seem to have heard about a full refresh of the line (something about Aluminum case?). Thanks.
 
I think the aluminum case is coming. I look for it before Christmas but can hope for the fall, probably not lucky enough to see it this summer. If your imac is big enough and you really want the portability of the Air, wait for the MB Air to receive a speed bump. P.S. WELCOME
 
If you really need it now don't wait it out, many times rumors are just that, rumors and many people end up getting disappointed. If you can wait, do it, but if not, the machines available right now are a great choice.
 
If you need it now, and it fits your needs, buy the Air because it is unlikely it will see a revision for quite some time. On the other hand, I do truly believe the MB will see a revision in June.
 
i bought a mid level current gen macbook about 2 months ago and recently sold it because the performance was overkill for me. i then bought a mba and couldn't be happier. as long as you understand its features (and lack thereof), it is a great companion to your main computer. i really enjoy the aluminum look.
 
the penryns got launched in late february or march...

wordy, sorry if this comes across as rude... but think about this logically... do you reckon 4 months of shelf life is really acceptable for one of apple's main laptop products??

maybe it is.. but im not sure how they could pull it off
 
But if a major laptop overhaul WERE to happen to the MBP or MB (or both), it would happen at WWDC in June, as they don't seem to do Paris anymore. I expect it in June regardless of whether an updated MacBook was only introduced this past March or whenever. If only a speed-bump is coming, then it could happen at any time.

However, seeing as how these rumours about overhauled laptop designs are just that....."rumours"......I'm actually not expecting a MacBook redesign. I don't really understand why people are expecting it. Sure, they're moving to an all-aluminium line-up, it seems, but Apple can wait to do that. The 15" PowerBook was titanium for almost a year, while the new 12" and 17" PowerBooks were aluminium. It almost didn't make sense for their most significant laptop to not get an update for over 12 months when everything from processor to harddisk used in the 15" and 17" laptops ended up being the same. But that's Apple, and if Apple is working on something else, they'll wait whether you like it or not. ;)

If anything, I'm expecting a brand new Mac desktop (ie: new Mac Mini) at WWDC, and possibly a new MBP design, as it's around 6 years old. I don't expect the MacBooks, which are now 2 years old, to get updated in June. However, if it is going to happen soon, it's not going to happen on a random Tuesday. It'll happen at WWDC.
 
I can honestly tell you that the macbook air is the best laptop anyone has ever produced, ever.

The build quality is totally worth it of that over a macbook (not saying the macbook is bad, I adore mine).

If you do get the macbook, get a black one (or wait for the refresh) the black one is just awesome. But if you need it now, buy it now.
 
bartelby said:
It's a shame they put an awful keyboard on it.
Click to expand...
That's just your silly opinion. :p That's one big reason why I sold my iBook to get a white MB-- the MB's KB. Eventually sold the MB for the MBA.

OP, having gone from a 12" PB > 12" iBook > 13" MB > 13" MBA, it is by far for my simple simple needs and uses, the nicest compromise of slimness, lightweight, screen real estate, KB, and "power." That said, it is not my only computer, but I tend to mainly use the MBA and rarely use the iMac now.

As far as the waiting game for the current MacBooks, that, I'm afraid, I'm no good at. Never been a betting/ gambling person myself and all any of us here "know" are rumors (like it's been said earlier in this thread). Hope you end up with a great Mac either way. :)
 
The only thing holding me back on the MBA is the storage space. 80GB compared to the 250GB of the MB is huge for me as I like to have my music. That said I would gladly sacrifice that for the portability. But I suspect that if they were to refresh the line, June would be the appropriate time. And the lower price of the Macbook would leave me a little left for say....a 3G iPhone haha.

BTW The Macbook keyboard is awesome...
 
Since you already have an iMac, if money is no object, you will appreciate the extra portability of the Air. If money is an object, the iMac/MB combo is also very nice (I should know, I have that combo myself).
 
Personally I like the MacBook better than the MacBook Air. Better specs and more expandability are the tipping factors.
 
Xjett said:
The only thing holding me back on the MBA is the storage space. 80GB compared to the 250GB of the MB is huge for me as I like to have my music. That said I would gladly sacrifice that for the portability. But I suspect that if they were to refresh the line, June would be the appropriate time. And the lower price of the Macbook would leave me a little left for say....a 3G iPhone haha.

BTW The Macbook keyboard is awesome...
Click to expand...

Well this seems to contradict your first post...you might want to tell us the urgency and needs for getting a notebook as you already stated that your iMac was excellent. Maybe sell your iMac and get a Macbook Pro?
 
I'd say get a MBA, if i had the money i would, they are beautiful machines, and aslong as your just doing Office and Web work, it will be powerful enough.

The only upgrade i can see is to the new Processors, and a Hdd bump to 160Gb (iPod classic uses them)
 
thegoldenmackid said:
Well this seems to contradict your first post...you might want to tell us the urgency and needs for getting a notebook as you already stated that your iMac was excellent. Maybe sell your iMac and get a Macbook Pro?
Click to expand...


Well basically I have a new iMac, however I need a laptop to carry around for school and work. The MacBook Air makes a lot of sense for me considering I have a great desktop and carrying it around would be very convenient. But the thing I am worried about is the lack of storage space and the fact that it has nothing more than a USB port, which is why I am also thinking of just a MacBook.
 
Xjett said:
Well basically I have a new iMac, however I need a laptop to carry around for school and work. The MacBook Air makes a lot of sense for me considering I have a great desktop and carrying it around would be very convenient. But the thing I am worried about is the lack of storage space and the fact that it has nothing more than a USB port, which is why I am also thinking of just a MacBook.
Click to expand...

I guess the USB issue depends on what devices you need to plug in while you're out and about. When I thought about it, I found that I was really only ever plugging in memory sticks... that's why I went for an MBA (well that and shear techno lust!).
 
It sounds like you can wait. While I want an aluminum macbook to come out in WWDC, everyone was talking about the macbook air coming out in May of last year...and it obviously didn't until January. While an update is in the works, if it doesn't come by the 13th, it will probably not be until August at the earliest that it does come out. I also would be a little nervous about getting a first gen anything from Apple (although I'm probably going to do it myself.)
 
What do you plan to do with...

I bought my wife a MacBook Air, she loves it! And it really is a beautiful machine that does all that she needs to do. Which is the usual stuff, email, web surfing, occasional photos and keeping her iPhone updated. If that is the kind of work you plan on doing, or just writing papers, the MacBook Air is a super little machine that really does win hands down in the ultra portable market.

But, if you are like me, and need to use the Air as more of a desktop unit, and I know you have an iMac, the Air might not be a good choice. And the only reason I say that, is the fact that the darn thing only has one USB port.

Right now I am sticking with my MacBook for this sole reason. When I am on the road, I need to hook up to a Sprint Air Card, HP Printer and a portable Fujitsu ScanSnap. I can use two of these devices at one time and I know it would be a real pain with the Air, especially with my Sprint dual USB plug air card.

I will wait and see what comes out, an aluminum MacBook would really fit the bill for my road warrior needs, which consist mainly of light office work. But for right now, my little white MacBook fits the bill. And it sure does take a beating, like the old Timex commercials. It takes a licking and keeps on ticking!

Mike
 
The macbook air is so sexy and thin but if i had to i would get the macbook. But thats due to my reasons, yours are probably all different.
 
zainjetha said:
wordy, sorry if this comes across as rude... but think about this logically... do you reckon 4 months of shelf life is really acceptable for one of apple's main laptop products??

maybe it is.. but im not sure how they could pull it off
Click to expand...

The average # of days between MB updates is 192 and 194 for the MBP line. LOGICALLY, why do you think that would suddenly drop to 120 for the Air? Especially considering that the last holdout product to move to aluminum is the MB, which is almost certain to come before an Air revision.

Not sure where you get... or make up your info, but to me it isn't logical.
 
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