I saw the news today about the revised MacBook Air. The processor speeds on the revised Kaby are very competitive with the MacBook Pro i5 from what I saw on Geekbench. Why pay the premium for a MacBook Pro if the MacBook Air might come close in terms of CPU spec? Simply a matter of having better graphics card, more thunderbolt ports, and minor things like that? Could use some context. Thinking about canceling my MBP order and waiting.
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Why buy 13 i5 MacBook Pro with new MacBook Air coming out
- Thread starter automan98
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There is no proof apple will release an air. The air is dead, lets face it. It doesn’t not make any sense to refresh the air in 2018. Apple dropped the air in the iPad lineup and if you have been paying attetntion, apple likes to make changes that will carry over to other product lineup down the line
MBA was a great computer. It would ve been awesome if they had just shrunk the bezel, update the display and internals, and it would be a great budget everyday laptop.
With the MacBook being basically a better Air, and the MacBook Pro starting at a similar price, the Air only really exists to have a sub $1000 PC in their lineup. I think once they can get the component cost down, the Air will be dropped and 'replaced' by the MacBook.
They could release a new Air, and I am hoping they do. But seeing as the whole sales point was a small, light, portable computer - the MacBook really is a better fit. If they released an Air with better internals, and a retina screen, it would literally just be the MacBook. So I'm not sure realistically what they can do with it.
Either way, I'd expect to have an end to this saga by the years end. The Air is the last device using MagSafe and they're going to want to streamline all their machines. So the Air might get some updates and lack the Retina display (Which would be stupid in 2018) or they might drop it and replace with a cheaper MacBook.
Who knows really? But the Air and the MBP are targeted at completely different audiences. If you need portability over everything, then the Air is king. If you need power, then you need the MBP.
They could release a new Air, and I am hoping they do. But seeing as the whole sales point was a small, light, portable computer - the MacBook really is a better fit. If they released an Air with better internals, and a retina screen, it would literally just be the MacBook. So I'm not sure realistically what they can do with it.
Either way, I'd expect to have an end to this saga by the years end. The Air is the last device using MagSafe and they're going to want to streamline all their machines. So the Air might get some updates and lack the Retina display (Which would be stupid in 2018) or they might drop it and replace with a cheaper MacBook.
Who knows really? But the Air and the MBP are targeted at completely different audiences. If you need portability over everything, then the Air is king. If you need power, then you need the MBP.
The computer is a tool - you should start with your needs and intended usage with the computer before choosing the model. Unless you can make a solid case that your workflow requires a "Pro" model, I wouldn't sink capital into buying an expensive model when a regular MacBook or a MacBook Air would do the job.
Whilst the starting prices for the air, MB and MBP nTB are cheaper than the MBP TB by the time you have upgraded the RAM and SSD the difference in price narrows quite significantly and the advantage starts to disappear. So I would argue that is you need a larger SSD, more RAM or even a faster processor then it’s better value for money to go for a MBP.
I think they will release an Air replacement, or 13 inch MacBook. but it will be a step down from the 13 inch Pro for sure, targeting a different buyer. While not in the market for one, hoping they can hit the $999 expected price, the more Mac users the better. MacBook Pro and MacBook and MacBook Air are different customers, or they used to be when Apple kept the options open.
Do you need a machine TODAY or at some point in the future that has not yet been announced?
If you don't NEED a machine TODAY - don't buy one. Whether it is a macbook pro or anything else.
If you need one today, buy the most appropriate machine from what is available. There is always something around the corner, and it isn't necessarily better than what is available today.
I disagree with the MacBook being better than the air. MacBook is underpowered than the air and also lack of ports mean actually worthless in some use cases, specifically if one has a setup of multiple monitors. One port to rule it all is a bad situation when it comes to computers. And yes that killer MagSafe. Apple killed one of their most useful inventions.
Yeah, the macbook air has thunderbolt on it for a start.
The macbook is better than the air in SOME respects, but overall the Air is a more capable machine.
The macbook is better than the air in SOME respects, but overall the Air is a more capable machine.
The 13” Pro uses a 28w CPU with a better yet iGPU. Any revised “Air” or non-touch bar will use a 15w, making it less powerful.
Overall speed of the MBP - there won't be a quad core chip in whatever becomes the Air.
I do think the new Air will be what is the current 12" MacBook, with the non-touchbar MBP becoming the MacBook (with a spec change of some sort). But who knows what Apple are thinking these days.
I do think the new Air will be what is the current 12" MacBook, with the non-touchbar MBP becoming the MacBook (with a spec change of some sort). But who knows what Apple are thinking these days.
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If you're hooking it up to multiple monitors and using all the ports, that's fine. But again, the Air is designed primarily as a portable computer - regardless of ports etc., its primary function is to be as portable a it can be. That's where the MacBook is better, as it fits this role better. Literally, the design brief is "Make it as portable as possible", you can add, remove, adjust, compromise wherever you want to, but the primary goal is just that.
Possibly, saying that, how many users are actually utilising TB3 speeds with a Pro machine as it is? I would assume the demand for super fast USB ports to be even less for Air users, who probably very occasionally do file transfers or require multiple high res monitor set ups (and obviously e-GPU is out of the question).
I do need a portable laptop but at the same time when I’m at my desk I’d like to hook it up with multiple monitors to be able to enhance productivity. My late 2013 MacBook Air still runs like a champ for whatever I throw at it. I did get the extended 8GB RAM with i7 iteration though which was the best decision I made while buying the laptop. Its a keeper until it literally gives up on me. LOVE IT! For me MacBook Air ticks the boxes in terms of portability and versatility.
Will the new MB(A) 's have dual core or quad core ?
Because if only dual core then theres your reason
Because if only dual core then theres your reason
