Why do people rag on the 13"MBP?

[ayzee]

I have both a 2011 13"MBP and a 2011 MBA and I prefer my Pro hands down everyday of the week. I think its just a better computer and as others have said people think its an inferior machine, well I don't and for me its perfect. I hate laptops with huge screens and like the 13" screen it has plenty of power for my photo and video editing plus its lightning fast. All in all I think its the perfect computer the i7 is great, I don't need quad core dual core is just fine for me. So when people pick on the 13 or say it doesn't deserve to be a pro I just move past it, compared to my Air the 13 is for sure a pro.

Wow looking at your signature you have the lot!

I have the 2010 C2D MBP with 8gb ram. I'm so surprised what it can handle in terms of processing speed, it's such a powerful little machine. Even hooking it up 2 a secondary screen causes it no notable problems. For people that have a laptop as their sole computer, the mbp still is the one

 

[Medic278]

Yeah I bought an iMac in November to replace my dying desktop and then just had to have the macbook and couldn't decide which one so I bought both, then apple TV had to have and so on and so forth lol its an addiction.

 

[throAU]

I find it interesting how the people "Ragging on" the 13" pro generally have the following complaints (which kinda shows they're not in the target market for the pro anyway):

- screen res
- benchmarks
- size/weight


the only one that is a valid complaint there imho is the screen res. Apple need to upgrade that to something like 1400x900 at least.

Benchmarks? Fit an SSD and it will blow your MBA out of the water due to the higher clock speed. If the app is CPU or memory bound, the Pro will blow the air out of the water - without an SSD.

Size/weight? Its because of the increase in ports (ethernet, more thunderbolt channels), better battery, and optical drive. It doesn't matter how much lighter the machine without those ports is, if you need those ports!


They serve two different markets. Again, if you're fine with a maximum of 4gb of ram and no ports, fine. But some people need those, and stuff like gigabit ethernet and 16GB of ram are far more important than benchmark results that will show a far different story if you fit the pro with an SSD anyhow.

The 13" Pro is a pro level machine because of the expansion capabilities. Its nothing to do with the CPU or benchmark results. And anyway, i can set up benchmarks to show the MBA is crap compared to the MBP - how about we say, copy a 50gb file from the network to the machine? Oh... your MBA only has wireless or 100 meg ethernet via a dongle.... whereas an MBP specced with say, 2xSSD in RAID0 will be filling the 1 gigabit ethernet if the networked storage is fast enough to keep up....

 

[Medic278]

I find it interesting how the people "Ragging on" the 13" pro generally have the following complaints (which kinda shows they're not in the target market for the pro anyway):

- screen res
- benchmarks
- size/weight


the only one that is a valid complaint there imho is the screen res. Apple need to upgrade that to something like 1400x900 at least.

Benchmarks? Fit an SSD and it will blow your MBA out of the water due to the higher clock speed. If the app is CPU or memory bound, the Pro will blow the air out of the water.

Size/weight? Its because of the increase in ports, better battery, and optical drive.


They serve two different markets. Again, if you're fine with a maximum of 4gb of ram and no ports, fine. But some people need those, and stuff like gigabit ethernet and 16GB of ram are far more important than benchmark results that will show a far different story if you fit the pro with an SSD anyhow.

I think it blows my Air away without an SSD. Its just a better more powerful computer IMHO. I love my Pro it does everything I ask of it and more, plus with the 500GB HDD I have plenty of space for my iTunes library and don't have to watch what I install. Plus I didn't realize just how much I use my optical drive. I still use my Air just not as much as I would have liked. I kind of wish I bought my Pro first as I usually hook it up to a monitor and use it in my bedroom while my iMac sits idle in my home office, but oh well I guess I am happy either way.

 

[macness]

I. Feel like the perfect all around machine, it almost falls slap in the middle.
-iPad , 11"Mac air, 13" Mac air [13"MBP] 15"MBP, 17"MBP, Mac Pro

Am I wrong?

 

[throAU]

I think it blows my Air away without an SSD. Its just a better more powerful computer IMHO. I love my Pro it does everything I ask of it and more, plus with the 500GB HDD I have plenty of space for my iTunes library and don't have to watch what I install. Plus I didn't realize just how much I use my optical drive. I still use my Air just not as much as I would have liked. I kind of wish I bought my Pro first as I usually hook it up to a monitor and use it in my bedroom while my iMac sits idle in my home office, but oh well I guess I am happy either way.

Yup.

The benchmarks the Air wins typically have a significant I/O component which of course massively skews the results in favour of the air.

Some people don't seem to understand that even if the benchmarks were relevant (which, given the expansion capacity on the pro, they're not the only important factor) - they need to be taken with a pinch of salt.


Now i don't want to sound al anti-air here, they're a fine machine. But if you need the features the pro has, they just aren't a valid option.

 

[Medic278]

Yup.

The benchmarks the Air wins typically have a significant I/O component which of course massively skews the results in favour of the air.

Some people don't seem to understand that even if the benchmarks were relevant (which, given the expansion capacity on the pro, they're not the only important factor) - they need to be taken with a pinch of salt.


Now i don't want to sound al anti-air here, they're a fine machine. But if you need the features the pro has, they just aren't a valid option.

I agree with that the Air is a fine machine and certainly serves an important market segment. However the Pro is simply better in terms of price and real world value. The pro is just all round more capable and unlike the air you can use many many peripherals. Plus having the Thunderbolt is a huge plus especially when thunderbolt devices become more prevalent. The Air is great is all you want to do is some web surfing, iTunes and word processing but if you want to do any intensive work than the pro is the way to go. Also despite what some people think the 13" is a very valuable and capable member of the pro family. I don't understand why people want to chastise the 13 just because it isn't quad core, some people don't need a quad but need more than the air, and poof there is the 13 just waiting for you. I would be very disappointed if Apple discontinued the 13 pro or merged it into the 13 air because I hope to be able to upgrade to another 13 pro in the future, if Apple did away with the 13 I am not sure what I would do as I don't need a 15 and don't want to pay the premium for it but I don't want an Air either I guess I would have to look at a PC like the 13 or 11 Alienware. I don't get why those with the 15 or 17 pro can't let us 13's coexist happily with them in our little ecosystem.

 

[malman89]

I rag on the 13" MBP because it's a $700 computer with a $300 Apple premium. The resolution is average or inferior. The CPU is market average. The GPU is average or some cases below average. The ports are almost always lacking compared to other models. The two things you have are build quality and support -- and some manufacturers aren't really lacking much in the build quality. I do admit that the style and support is one impressive argument to make up for that $300, but if a laptop was really reliable, you wouldn't need to use the support card as your crutch.

When I originally bought my MacBook (2,1 and what I use today), there wasn't a $300 premium compared to another laptop I was looking to purchase. Now that I'm a recent working college grad with a bit more bills to pay (Well, just student loans. Already paid the others before), that $300 premium is unacceptable to me.

I'm waiting to see everyone's 2012 lineups before making a decision to get a new computer this year. It might be an Apple product, it might be an Ultrabook, or it might the right bang-for-buck consumer Ivy Bridge laptop. I'll just have to wait and see what comes out.

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

The 13" Pro is a pro level machine because of the expansion capabilities. Its nothing to do with the CPU or benchmark results.

Hmmm... I agreed with most of that post, but I don't get this. How does the ability to upgrade the RAM and HDD, and nothing else, make it a Pro level machine? By that definition, every laptop that's not like the Air is a Pro level laptop. Most netbooks would easily qualify as well. This is not a good definition of a Pro level laptop.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Hmmm... I agreed with most of that post, but I don't get this. How does the ability to upgrade the RAM and HDD, and nothing else, make it a Pro level machine? By that definition, every laptop that's not like the Air is a Pro level laptop. Most netbooks would easily qualify as well. This is not a good definition of a Pro level laptop.

It also has "Pro" in the name, and costs more than a comparable professional machine. Seriously, you can get a mobile workstation (think Quadro or FirePro graphics) for less than a Macbook Pro 13".

My Dell, with it's on-site next day warranty, backlit keyboard, brushed aluminum exterior, and esata/usb3.0/hdmi/expresscard port/mic input/ costs less than the 13" MBP... and it has a 15" MBP-class graphics card.

I'm not just ragging on the 13" MBP though, the 15" MBP and 17" MBP are lacking too, much less so than the 13" one.

 

[Abazigal]

Hmmm... I agreed with most of that post, but I don't get this. How does the ability to upgrade the RAM and HDD, and nothing else, make it a Pro level machine? By that definition, every laptop that's not like the Air is a Pro level laptop. Most netbooks would easily qualify as well. This is not a good definition of a Pro level laptop.

I agree, that you can upgrade the MBP is missing the point. Yes, I could add an extra 4gb ram and replace the cd-drive with an additional SSD, but the thing is that I should not have to do all these - the laptop should be "pro" as is, right out of the box.

I really see little incentive to pick it over the MBA.

 

[ISKOTB]

I second this too

Very well said.

Purchase what fits your individual needs, and just enjoy it. Late 2011 13" i5 8GB ram, 120 GB SSD/HDD in Optibay combo and could not be happier.

 

[macness]

Wow, u Air users are passionate.lol. But I don't think you'd choose the 13" air over The 13" pro if you were using it as your main computer...
And for a lot of MBP users that is the case.- take that into account when comparing the 2

 

[fisherking]

what i'm laughing about is realizing...WHICH people rag on the 13"?
i mean...one of your friends? 2 of them? and do they own 13" mbps and not like them? or?

the whole point of the thread is...pointless. some people don't like ANY mac. some think the 15" is too bulky (me, for instance).

really...who cares? use what u like, avoid what u don't.

 

[ABernardoJr]

Wow, u Air users are passionate.lol. But I don't think you'd choose the 13" air over The 13" pro if you were using it as your main computer...
And for a lot of MBP users that is the case.- take that into account when comparing the 2

lol I'm going to be using a 13" MBA as a main computer. My past two notebooks have been 15" MBPs as a matter of fact, and I like the big screen real estate but after having been using a 13" MB (not MBP) I realize that 13" is actually a really good screen size, a lot better than I initially thought when using the 15" MBPs for a few years. I also notice a lot of college students around me using the 13" notebooks, although I've actually seen plenty of 13" MBAs along with MBPs. I think the idea of people ragging on the 13" MBP really isn't an actual issue to the general population, mostly something confined to people on forums that pay attention in great detail to things like specs and stuff. Plenty of people buy the 13" MBP because it's affordable and is a quality notebook. I chose the MBA because I liked that it was something unique lol

 

[macness]

what i'm laughing about is realizing...WHICH people rag on the 13"?
i mean...one of your friends? 2 of them? and do they own 13" mbps and not like them? or?

the whole point of the thread is...pointless. some people don't like ANY mac. some think the 15" is too bulky (me, for instance).

really...who cares? use what u like, avoid what u don't.

Actually the reason I brought this issue up is because most of the 13" ragging was from me reading posts on some of these threads. So no, not 2 of my friends. Lol. Just look through some of the past MBA or MBP discussion and you'll see

 

[Sylon]

I just recently picked up my very first Apple computer, a 2011 13" MBP, and I probably spent 4 months researching which would be best and to talk myself into finally pulling the trigger. The 15 and 17 were too big, frankly I think 13" is pushing it.

I chose the MBP over the MBA because I preferred practicality over the Air's lightweight and thinness (if that's a word). Mostly because of the storage space. 128GB, even 256GB wasn't enough. My 3yr old HP (what I switched from), has a 300GB HDD and it is almost full. So what the hell would I do with a 128GB HDD? Not to mention, I've only had my MBP for less than a month and I've already used the disc drive. Felt that part may be important, although my old HP didn't have one and I got along just fine, most of the time. My MBP is exactly the same size as my HP, so the change isn't too much for me.

I see the two 13" MacBook's kinda like how I see Porsche. You start with the Pro (GT3), but if you want something lighter, sleeker and with less stuff on it for more money, buy the Air (GT3 RS). You pay more to get less.

 

[whiteonline]

Can the OP change the subject to "MBP 13 Inferiority Complex Support Thread"?

 

[Medic278]

Can the OP change the subject to "MBP 13 Inferiority Complex Support Thread"?

If you wish that would be appropriate lol. So we have an inferiority complex, it comes from all those mean 15/17 users picking on us telling us we are not "PRO" lol We are standing up for ourselves lol

 

[whiteonline]

If you wish that would be appropriate lol. So we have an inferiority complex, it comes from all those me 15/17 users picking us telling us we are "PRO" lol

I kid of course. The only reason I went with a 15 is screen resolution. I actually prefer the 13 due to size and lack of discrete GPU (I have no need for ATI graphics).

 

[Phil A.]

When I bought my 13" MBP I actually went to the store intending to buy a 15", but preferred the form factor of the 13" so went with it instead.

When the 13" Air has 750GB of storage space and is upgradeable to 16GB of RAM then I might consider it, but until then it's no good at all for my needs

 

[pmz]

i just feel like its the sweet spot for someone who needs a causal desktop computer to store all there music and photos on, multitask web browsing, the odd game or 2, but also needs to be able to carry it around once or twice a week. Am i wrong? would an Air of been better?

What you're referring to is Apple's own doing. They've blurred the lines between the 13" Air and 13" Pro considerably. You're not getting a whole lot more with the 13" Pro, except the ability to double or even quadruple the RAM, and install whatever size SSD you wish (although the latter is now possible on the MBA too). Also a faster processor, if such matters to you.

The lack of a dedicated GPU for the 13" Air where I believe the lines get effectively blurred.

The average user would in fact be just as well off, or better off, with the Air, as you get to benefit from its ridiculously small size and weight.

----------

When I bought my 13" MBP I actually went to the store intending to buy a 15", but preferred the form factor of the 13" so went with it instead.

When the 13" Air has 750GB storage is upgradeable to 16GB of RAM then I might consider it, but until then it's no good at all for my needs

There is also the fact that moderately capable person can remove the optical drive, put the 750 GB in its place, put the optical in an external enclosure, and pop a SATA III SSD into the main bay for the OS & Apps.

This makes it a far more capable machine than the Air, but only for a power user, that ALSO doesn't need more than 13" of space, or decent graphics card.

 

[squeakr]

If you are using the posts around here as reasoning for the "ragging" then that is not a good indication of people's opinions in general. I think the reason it happens is that people think they can buy an entry level 13" and make it perform like the high-end 15" or 17" (as those 2 are for the most part the same sans the screen size, resolution, and the expansion slot). Then they come here asking how they can make it perform like their co-workers or relatives quad core. Heck even the 13 owners are comparing themselves to the MBA, with statements of how they can boot like an air after their SSD upgrade. It is a security issue, as those that bought what they needed don't feel bad about their purchase or second guess it.

If the 13" were to come out with an AG and a better resolution screen with a quad core then I would be fine. Heck I could probably get by with the air as long as it had firewire capability and a quad (and I am a power user). I find that the extra ports are not really needed in this day and age as who really keeps lots of things connected. I generally have an external monitor, and a firewire drive and am generally stationary (but do need mobility at times).

 

[Medic278]

I agree that the line between Pro and Air have been blurred. But the Pro is still better, I have both and as I have said many many times my pro is just a better computer all round. The ability to add many peripherals and although I may be the minority now, I use my optical drive almost daily, plus with a 750GB HDD I have plenty of storage space for everything I do and then some. I like my Air and take it on flights and such but it just doesn't have the raw power and ability that my pro does. That being said, I think the Air is still a fine machine and for those who don't need storage space and primarily are using their machine for web surfing, email, word processing and other light tasks then yes Air all the way as that user would not take advantage of the Pro ability and gain from the slim profile and weight of the Air. But for those that say the pro should be dumped I disagree, just because the 13 doesn't serve their needs doesn't mean that it can't serve mine.

 

[Adamantoise]

80% of the computers I see on my university campus are 13" MBPs

People buy what they like and can afford. People tend to rag on that which they deem inferior.. when frankly the vast majority of people don't care what they say

This x100