Honestly I don't get the 11" IMO. The 13" is perfect for someone who wants a laptop with useable screen real-estate but who doesn't want/need an optical drive and doesn't want to lug around a 5lb laptop. My fiancee loves her 13" MBA and honestly I would have gotten a 13" MBA instead of my 13" MBP but the $999 deal was too good to pass up at Microcenter
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What is the point of the 13" mba?
- Thread starter Funkymonk
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Reason fo 13" air
The TS answered their own question really, the reasons for the mba 13 are it has ssd which is faster and a higher resolution screen, plus it is lighter and quieter.
Its the future of laptops as applications and media are switching to online file transfer (legally)
One of the main things for me is quietness of use and the flesh storage makes the machine almost silent for general usage, also there is very little power bleed when you shut the lid which lets you stop working one day, then pick up the machine a day later and it still has a good charge in it, unlike the pros which drain quite quick when on standby.
I dont know how long apple will include cd drives, its hard to see them phasing them out on the regular macbook and pro as many people still want to use dvd and cd apps, but in the long run cd's are going the way of vsh and floppy drives and that little bit of lightness, thinness and quietness makes for a nice advance in computing.
The next thing they need to work on is more efficient energy/ battery storage, even using different materials which hold charge longer or a different portable storage system altogether. Also the elemination of any type of fan from the machine and components which are heat resistent would be a great improvement and mean total silent operation at all times.
The TS answered their own question really, the reasons for the mba 13 are it has ssd which is faster and a higher resolution screen, plus it is lighter and quieter.
Its the future of laptops as applications and media are switching to online file transfer (legally)
One of the main things for me is quietness of use and the flesh storage makes the machine almost silent for general usage, also there is very little power bleed when you shut the lid which lets you stop working one day, then pick up the machine a day later and it still has a good charge in it, unlike the pros which drain quite quick when on standby.
I dont know how long apple will include cd drives, its hard to see them phasing them out on the regular macbook and pro as many people still want to use dvd and cd apps, but in the long run cd's are going the way of vsh and floppy drives and that little bit of lightness, thinness and quietness makes for a nice advance in computing.
The next thing they need to work on is more efficient energy/ battery storage, even using different materials which hold charge longer or a different portable storage system altogether. Also the elemination of any type of fan from the machine and components which are heat resistent would be a great improvement and mean total silent operation at all times.
Oddly enough, this "lower spec" machine outperforms my 15" i7 MBP.
Turns out that the stuff I do daily (Mail.app, Firefox, iTunes, Aperture, Quicken, VMWare Fusion) has been held back because of disk speed, **not** processor speed.
So now, for me, any notebook without SSD is a lower spec'ed notebook.
Hi i just want to ask that if i can do editing with aperture on MBA 13'' base model with 2gb ram smoothly
Hi all, below is my dilemma
I up till about 3 days ago had a MacBook Pro 13" which I upgraded the RAM to 8GB, and installed my Corsair X-128GB SSD (Indilinx Controller) and this whole system literally took 3 seconds to boot after the "loading" icon on a cold boot - I was literally in shock and this was everything loaded.
I decided to sell my MBP and naturally reinstalled the factory drive, and got more than I paid for it. This MBP was 2.4GHZ C2D. I then decided to go for the MacBook Air 13" 128GB / 4GB RAM / 1.8GHZ, and the thought wait a minute this laptop is 600mhz slower. I also then read that these MBA 13" were taking over 20 seconds to boot from cold, which is a lot slower than my Corsair X-128 SSD I had in my MBP.
This then got me thinking, maybe the SSD controller on the MBA is not as good as my Corsair X-128, hence the longer boot times. I also discovered the MBA only has a 800Mhz FSB yet the memory is 1066MHZ, so this may also cause a bottleneck.
1. Will I notice a difference between my MBP 2.4GHZ CPU and the MBA 1.8GHz CPU?
2. Should the MBA boot as quickly (quicker with less data) than my Corsair X-128 SSD?
3. I will use the MBA only for what I used my MBP with - email / office / outlook / dvd ripping, itunes etc.
SUMMARY: Im concerned that since Im use to the speed of my old MBP with the Corsair X-128SSD, that if this MBA doesnt load as quickly then I will be dissapointed. I also chose the 13" as my MBP was 13" and I dont think I could handle going smaller than this size. NOTE: I would have preferred the 2.1GHZ CPU, but on the Apple Australia store you have to purchase the 256GB SSD model, then upgrade for $150 to the 2.1GHz plus upgrade the RAM from 2GB to 4GB, which means it would equal about AU $2,300.
I up till about 3 days ago had a MacBook Pro 13" which I upgraded the RAM to 8GB, and installed my Corsair X-128GB SSD (Indilinx Controller) and this whole system literally took 3 seconds to boot after the "loading" icon on a cold boot - I was literally in shock and this was everything loaded.
I decided to sell my MBP and naturally reinstalled the factory drive, and got more than I paid for it. This MBP was 2.4GHZ C2D. I then decided to go for the MacBook Air 13" 128GB / 4GB RAM / 1.8GHZ, and the thought wait a minute this laptop is 600mhz slower. I also then read that these MBA 13" were taking over 20 seconds to boot from cold, which is a lot slower than my Corsair X-128 SSD I had in my MBP.
This then got me thinking, maybe the SSD controller on the MBA is not as good as my Corsair X-128, hence the longer boot times. I also discovered the MBA only has a 800Mhz FSB yet the memory is 1066MHZ, so this may also cause a bottleneck.
1. Will I notice a difference between my MBP 2.4GHZ CPU and the MBA 1.8GHz CPU?
2. Should the MBA boot as quickly (quicker with less data) than my Corsair X-128 SSD?
3. I will use the MBA only for what I used my MBP with - email / office / outlook / dvd ripping, itunes etc.
SUMMARY: Im concerned that since Im use to the speed of my old MBP with the Corsair X-128SSD, that if this MBA doesnt load as quickly then I will be dissapointed. I also chose the 13" as my MBP was 13" and I dont think I could handle going smaller than this size. NOTE: I would have preferred the 2.1GHZ CPU, but on the Apple Australia store you have to purchase the 256GB SSD model, then upgrade for $150 to the 2.1GHz plus upgrade the RAM from 2GB to 4GB, which means it would equal about AU $2,300.
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I'm not sure where you are getting the 20 second figure for booting cold. It takes mine about 14 seconds. Also, the 13" models have a 1066MHz bus. The 11" has the 800MHz bus.
If you are ripping DVDs you might be better off with the next Pro since the MacBook Air requires an external optical drive.
Thanks for the FSB info. I have already received the MacBook Air Superdrive for DVD ripping, and my MBA 13" is ordered via CTO. As for the 14 seconds, this still pales in comparison to my MBP 13" boot time with the Corsair drive I had installed - longest was 5 seconds to boot from the "loading" screen.
I think the real question is "What is the point of the 13" MBP?"
The 13" MBP is heavier and thicker than the 13" Air and slower in most light-usage scenarios since it doesn't come standard with an SSD.
The 13" MBP has a faster processor than the Air but the same integrated GPU.
If you really need a Pro machine with a dedicated GPU you have to get the 15" MBP anyway, the 13" MBP has really been a consumer level machine since it was introduced and the 13" MBA takes care of that market segment very well.
I think either the 13" MBP will go away or it will drop the DVD drive and get a dedicated GPU and high-res and antiglare screen options.
The 13" MBP is heavier and thicker than the 13" Air and slower in most light-usage scenarios since it doesn't come standard with an SSD.
The 13" MBP has a faster processor than the Air but the same integrated GPU.
If you really need a Pro machine with a dedicated GPU you have to get the 15" MBP anyway, the 13" MBP has really been a consumer level machine since it was introduced and the 13" MBA takes care of that market segment very well.
I think either the 13" MBP will go away or it will drop the DVD drive and get a dedicated GPU and high-res and antiglare screen options.
LOL, you just described the 13" MBA...
But I agree, I think the 13" MBP will go away. Apple has always tried to consolidate to fewer product variances, not more (the caveat being they aren't spinning off something new, like the Air). It's part of how they become efficient in maximizing their profit margin and streamlining production.
I do see the appeal the 13" MBP has though, it fits a price niche and it was a cheap machine for them to make along with the others. But yeah, I can't imagine that their product line will look different than 11"/13" MBA, 15"/17" redesigned MBP. Still keeping all the Pro qualities; dedicated GPU, faster CPU, higher res, etc.
I'm hoping both the 13" MBA and 15" MBP come out at the same time, so I can decide between the two. I already have a 2011 13" Air my wife uses. I could see the new 13" Air being "my" laptop. Or picking a more powerful 15" Pro and setting up both machines so we can use them interchangeably.
Anyone who does the research prior to deciding will see why _both_ the 11" & 13" MBA's are stellar machines. As are the 15" & 17" MBP's.
In my case I do so much work on a Mac Laptop, I have one of each. Frankly if I had to choose just one, it'd be nearly impossible simply because they are each unique & very useful in their own way. My work is so varied and so demanding when it comes to resources the quad core 15" & 17" MBP's are invaluable.
Conversely when I travel, which can be internationally & quite frequently the MBA's are priceless.
It's a matter of really thinking it through and choosing what suits you the best.
In my case I do so much work on a Mac Laptop, I have one of each. Frankly if I had to choose just one, it'd be nearly impossible simply because they are each unique & very useful in their own way. My work is so varied and so demanding when it comes to resources the quad core 15" & 17" MBP's are invaluable.
Conversely when I travel, which can be internationally & quite frequently the MBA's are priceless.
It's a matter of really thinking it through and choosing what suits you the best.
No, the Macbook Air doesn't have a dedicated GPU and has a ULV processor. My thought was that the 13" MBP could keep the same form factor but drop the DVD drive so that it could have similar internals to the 15" MBP.
Right now the 13" Macbook Pro only has Intel integrated graphics. I understand that this is mostly to do with Intel's GPU politics but it is kinda silly.
It's approximately nothing to do with Intel's GPU politics, and everything to do with Apple pushing you to buy the more expensive 15" model.
Ditched my MBP for the MBA. Weight, size, SSD. If you have to ask "what's the point", then you are not comparing the different mac models. I will *never* give up my 13" air unless a 15" comes along. then I'll consider it.
So I have to ask, what is the point of the 13" mbp?
So I have to ask, what is the point of the 13" mbp?
For YOU? That's the good thing about having options - everyone has their personal needs and can choose the best option which fits them.
I personally went for the 13" as i needed the battery life when I'm out and about, and thought there was no point getting the 11" while having to lug around the power cable, which pretty much negates the added portability of the 11".
It is also my main computer, so I felt that I needed the bigger screen. For me, the 13" was the perfect option with all things considered.
But, as it has been proven in this thread, other people have preference in the 11". It's up to YOU to decided the pros and cons of each machine and go for the one that fits your needs best.
I've been so tempted to go with an MBA over an MPB for the reasons many of you all listed above -- specs are overrated in my world -- but I cannot deal with fan noise.
I hate it soooo much.
If I watch video on a current-gen MBA, the fan is going to run ad infinitum. Right?
I hate it soooo much.
If I watch video on a current-gen MBA, the fan is going to run ad infinitum. Right?
Too small for what? It's bigger than your phone. Does that make your phone "too" small as well?
Entirely depends on the media you are playing, I playback MKV`s up to 14Gb and equally high bit rates and the fan rarely breaks 3K, flash based will be a different story, then again Flash 11 is a far better than previous iterations. My 13", i5, 256Gb MBA runs cool and quiet...
That's easy to answer.
My 13" MBA is one of my favorite Macs. Even though I have 15 & 17" MBP's and tried an 11" MBA for a month, it's all about what fits each users needs.
I have very distinct uses for each of my Macs. But that's only because I am an engineer with a very wide & varied workflow. I also travel a lot by air, so easy portability for those times is important.
Apple does a good job of identifying the various needs and building models to suit.
Obvious the 13" has a huge following & fits many users needs well. Apple sales reflect it.
Once I decided carrying a full sized laptop was not for me, the MBA was the obvious choice. Have owned both the 11' (2010) and 13" (2011) and for me the battery life was the swinging factor. Until the 11' gets at least 6 hours, I can't go back. However I miss its unrivalled portability. And no. I didn't ever miss the extra real estate particularly after Lion
I don't really want to start another thread about this but I was wondering, would those with experience of both the 13" MBP and MBA recommend the MBA even to one who does not need the portability so much? Where it will spend most of its time on a desk, being used around the house but rarely leaving it?
I realise the key strength of it is the thin and light thing it has going on but is the higher res screen worth the extra cost, not to mention the sacrifice in storage space?
Predicted usage will largely consist of the usual web browsing, word processing, maybe a bit of coding (I don't at the moment but am considering learning some), occasional video playback and playing older and/or less demanding games. If I could afford it, first choice would possibly be a 15" MBP as this would serve me better as a desktop replacement but I cannot really. One reservation I have about the MBA is the 128GB version I would probably have to settle for is maybe a little small for possible Bootcamp setup, though some storage problems could be alleviated with a network hard drive around the house. Probably purchase just after Xmas and I don't think I can be bothered to wait to see what the next MBPs have to offer, unless solid rumours suggest Feb at the latest.
I realise the key strength of it is the thin and light thing it has going on but is the higher res screen worth the extra cost, not to mention the sacrifice in storage space?
Predicted usage will largely consist of the usual web browsing, word processing, maybe a bit of coding (I don't at the moment but am considering learning some), occasional video playback and playing older and/or less demanding games. If I could afford it, first choice would possibly be a 15" MBP as this would serve me better as a desktop replacement but I cannot really. One reservation I have about the MBA is the 128GB version I would probably have to settle for is maybe a little small for possible Bootcamp setup, though some storage problems could be alleviated with a network hard drive around the house. Probably purchase just after Xmas and I don't think I can be bothered to wait to see what the next MBPs have to offer, unless solid rumours suggest Feb at the latest.