Working Professional: what should I buy: MBA or Macbook Pro

[Techguy172]

I'm facing a similar dilemma as the OP. My first, and last, Mac was a Powerbook 17" 1Ghz, which is almost 5 years old. The battery is dead, and it's running quite slow. I'm a law student, and I've bought a 13" Sony VAIO to take notes due to portability. Right about now, that computer is 2.5 years old. For all of my multimedia needs, I go back to my Mac. Unfortunately, using my old Powerbook with my iPhone has been a pain, especially with the slow USB 1.0.

I've been wanting to buy a new mac since last summer, but I've been waiting patiently for a revision on the MBP line. I've considered the MBs, but I'm not a fan of the plastic. Portability is a consideration, but I don't think that a 15" MBP is "too big."

My use will be much like the OP--word processing, iTunes, web surfing and multimedia. Will I need more horse power than that which a MBA provides if I'm looking to use iPhoto and Handbrake (transferring DVDs to iPhone-optimized mp4s)? I also use Quicken a fair bit, so I may have to install Parallels and Windows XP in order to run the windows version until Intuit releases the new Quicken for Mac. The occasional game (Spore!) isn't out of the question, but I doubt I'd use by laptop for gaming that often.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm just really confused as to whether I should buy a MBA, a MBP right now, or bear the wait for a new MBP.

You know what I think anyone who considers a Macbook Pro instead should just get one. the Macbook Air just can't be your main machine it's just doesn't have it in it I don't think. Get the Pro!

 

[hoyaspook]

The question then becomes: should I pull the trigger now, or wait for the eventual refresh? I'm fine waiting, it's just frustrating to use two computers at the same time.

 

[Techguy172]

The question then becomes: should I pull the trigger now, or wait for the eventual refresh? I'm fine waiting, it's just frustrating to use two computers at the same time.

Honestly it won't make a difference for a basic user such as yourself intel said it them selves penryn isn't a big update just get one now and enjoy.

 

[arj8138]

I too say go with the Pro. If your going to be using Handbrake then your gonna want the processing power, and a real GPU never hurts for games.


Never think about what will work NOW, think about what you will need for the FUTURE.

 

[CalBoy]

Thanks so much for all of your helpful replies. I think I"m going to go with the MBA. The only thing is I need to make sure that the 80G hard-drive is not too small, since I have tons of music and videos on my computer. How do I find out how much stuff is currently on my drive? I tried to click getinfo on the hard drive icon in my finder but that only said 1 KB, which can't be right.

That can't be right. On your desktop, right (or Command + click) on your Harddrive icon and select "get info." You should see two numbers, the amount that is used and the total capacity of your harddrive.

Now, as for your purchasing decision, I think you would do well with a MBA. It's very nice for those who travel often, and I think you'll end up thanking yourself for getting such a light and small laptop.

As for movies and music while you travel, what's the size of your current collection? If it is too large, might I suggest being more discriminating with your selections when on the run? Get an external drive and rotate your movies/music in and out as needed/desired. Even 20GB can give you plenty of entertainment for a standard flight across the US (I assume that's where you are).

 

[Nabooly]

Imo, it wouldnt make sense if you buy the MBA for just regular home use. To me, it seems this notebook is made for business poeple, who are always on the go.

And if you plan to watch movies on there, dont forget that it doesnt have an optical drive

Its your choice afterall so get what you want, just make sure your sure when you take out your credit card

 

[provoloney]

Thought about it again today and now am thinking maybe it does make sense to get a macbook. If I get the macbook, I'll feel justified in keeping it only 12-15 months or so, since it's so much cheaper, which will also give apple time to work out some of the issues with the MBA, I think.

Three questions:

(1) If I decide to get the macbook, is it something I can go ahead and get now, or is due for an upgrade like the macbook pro?

(2) I notice that the macbook comes with 1 G of memory, not 2 like the MBA. Does it make sense to upgrade? My 2 year old ibook, which has 512, feels really slow, so I'm thinking I need the extra G, but I know that what makes the macbook faster is something to do with the processor also, so I don't know.

(3) The lowest model of the macbook, which I would probably get, if I went this route, doesn't have a superdrive, which I understand to mean that you can't write to DVDs. Is that a problem? I've never actually written to a DVD before. I'll get a timecapsule to back-up on, so I don't think this will be a problem.

 

[clevin]

(2) I notice that the macbook comes with 1 G of memory, not 2 like the MBA. Does it make sense to upgrade? My 2 year old ibook, which has 512, feels really slow, so I'm thinking I need the extra G, but I know that what makes the macbook faster is something to do with the processor also, so I don't know.

yes, make it to 2G(or 4 if you like), leopard with 1G won't be nice enough

(3) The lowest model of the macbook, which I would probably get, if I went this route, doesn't have a superdrive, which I understand to mean that you can't write to DVDs. Is that a problem? I've never actually written to a DVD before. I'll get a timecapsule to back-up on, so I don't think this will be a problem.

you answered yourself.

 

[Sannekita]

Sounds like the MBA would be good for you, that is if you wouldn't miss the optical drive...