MacBook Pro or Air? (1 Viewer)

[Judge Smails]

Read reviews online, but thought I'd go to the FBG braintrust for insight. I have an IPad and IPhone but never a MacBook. Purchased them for my kids in college, but always had standard work issues MS Windows machines. Now getting my choice of MacBook's. This will be for everyday use at home office and taking into corporate office.

Thoughts on those who have faced the same decision? Which way did you go? Sounds like it's a horsepower vs. weight decision, no?

 

[Abraham]

Air. If you are moving it around at all, it is much easier. Our organization gives Pros to engineers and Airs to ops and sales. Great work machine

 

[FreeBaGeL]

What are you using it for? The Air is probably going to only have 4gb/128gb. No gaming/photo editing or anything like that on there, but man this thing is light and easy to move around (typing on one right now). Love it for travel and moving around the house.

 

[Judge Smails]

Air. If you are moving it around at all, it is much easier. Our organization gives Pros to engineers and Airs to ops and sales. Great work machine

Not a gamer, don't use for photo editing at all. I'm basic. Internet, Microsoft Office, etc. And I do take it everywhere, including on the road, throughout the house, etc. I'm in Sales, so it sounds like Air?

 

[TheGooRoo]

Judge Smails, on 19 Aug 2014 - 1:07 PM, said:

Judge Smails, on 19 Aug 2014 - 1:07 PM, said:Air. If you are moving it around at all, it is much easier. Our organization gives Pros to engineers and Airs to ops and sales. Great work machine

Not a gamer, don't use for photo editing at all. I'm basic. Internet, Microsoft Office, etc. And I do take it everywhere, including on the road, throughout the house, etc. I'm in Sales, so it sounds like Air?

Air without a doubt.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Big fan of both. The new Pro's are extremely thin, and the Retina screen is gorgeous. I have the Air as my home machine, but I'd probably consider the Pro if I was buying it for work.

The Air will certainly have enough horsepower if you are just doing basic tasks.

 

[Slapdash]

Just had a similar dilemma. Went with Air for better form and battery life. However, if it was to do work on, the Pro is probably a better choice. As much as I like the Air, it is obviously underpowered. Struggles with the amount of stuff I try to run at once. But MSFT and the 3rd party guys can't make dependable hardware to save their lives so whatever.

 

[coyote5]

I just went through this last week. Ended up going with the Pro over the Air. Mine is essentially a home computer though, no travel. Pick them up, the MBP is quite light as well, and the retina display on the Pro is much nicer than what you get with the Air.

 

[Judge Smails]

Damn, now I'm torn. I'll head into the Apple store later today and play with both.

 

[[icon]]

Get your hands on them.... 13" MBPro ($1099) isn't a large machine by ANY stretch, but the Air ($999) is downright tiny.... both will have more than ample horsepower. If they'll pony up for the MPB with Retina ($1299) then you've to a bit of a pull toward the Pro for the stunning display (as you'll see in the store).

Quick breakdown:

Air Pro Retina ProWeight 3lbs 4.5lbs 3.5lbsThickness .7"(taper) 1" .7"Processor (base) 1.4Ghz i5 2.5Ghz i5 2.6Ghz i5Display Resolution 1440x900 1280x800 2560x1600Battery (up to) 12hrs 7hrs 9hrsThe Retina Pro is a fantastic compromise... more horsepower, ultra-thin profile, super low-weight, best in class display, and good compromise in battery life between the air and pro. Its the obviously choice if it's available to you.

 

[Otis]

Had the same decision recently. Went Pro. Wanted more horsepower for my work machine.

 

[Slapdash]

Get your hands on them.... 13" MBPro ($1099) isn't a large machine by ANY stretch, but the Air ($999) is downright tiny.... both will have more than ample horsepower. If they'll pony up for the MPB with Retina ($1299) then you've to a bit of a pull toward the Pro for the stunning display (as you'll see in the store).

Quick breakdown:

Air Pro Retina ProWeight 3lbs 4.5lbs 3.5lbsThickness .7"(taper) 1" .7"Processor (base) 1.4Ghz i5 2.5Ghz i5 2.6Ghz i5Display Resolution 1440x900 1280x800 2560x1600Battery (up to) 12hrs 7hrs 9hrsThe Retina Pro is a fantastic compromise... more horsepower, ultra-thin profile, super low-weight, best in class display, and good compromise in battery life between the air and pro. Its the obviously choice if it's available to you.

Certainly Retina Pro over normal Pro. SSD alone makes that needed.

 

[[icon]]

Yah reg pro is available with SSD I believe.. but pro it's standard. SSD is a no brainer as the simplest way to get a "snappy" machine.

 

[ILUVBEER99]

Go with the Pro, they are extremely light now and cost about the same (with similar memory/hard drive) plus the Pro's are more powerful.

a couple years ago there was a big weight difference, that isn't the case anymore.

 

[Judge Smails]

Went to the Apple store tonight. While the Air is a feather, the Pro was only a pound heavier and just seemed sturdier (I'm fairly tough on a machine). Like the Retina display on the Pro. I'm finding out from work which model is standard issue. If Retina I'm going Pro. If not I'm likely going Air.

I was told that the lesser horsepower would only be an issue if gaming or doing video editing. I tend to have a lot of apps open at wants though, so the comment about it being underpowered in those situations concerns me.

 

[John Bender]

Air. For what you need, same as me. Got one a month ago. No regrets. Thing is sleek and powerful for what you need to do.

 

[Mr Non Sequitur]

Have owned my Pro for 3 years and wish I had bought the Air and not allowed the sales guy tell me otherwise. Air is about the most perfect machine. The X200 series by Lenovo was my one and only for many years but the switch to Apple has been one with very few regrets. Small, light and powerful call me selfish.

 

[ILUVBEER99]

Have owned my Pro for 3 years and wish I had bought the Air and not allowed the sales guy tell me otherwise. Air is about the most perfect machine. The X200 series by Lenovo was my one and only for many years but the switch to Apple has been one with very few regrets. Small, light and powerful call me selfish.

3 years ago the Pro was significantly heavier, that's not the case anymore. What's better about the Air now that the weight is similar?

The Pro has a Retina screen and is better in every way spec wise.

The 8gb/256 13" Air without a Retina screen and a worse processor is $1,299

The 8gb/256 13" Pro with Retina screen and better processor is $1,499

Personally i think the Pro is a much better buy for only $200 more but i guess if screen and processor don't matter at all to someone then the Air might be a better choice.

 

[Otis]

I loved my Air as well. My wife and I both had them. Really can't go wrong here, probably the two best laptops available on the market.

 

[One]

I'm in sales as well. Since I'm always on the run and don't need to do any gaming/video/photo tasks, I moved to the Air 3 years ago and love it. Do wish it had a retina display though.

 

[beer 30]

Daughter just got an Air for college, loves it. Perfect for what she needs, guessing you being in sales and not a power user it would fit your needs pretty well but I'm a fan of having more than you need rather than wanting the horsepower and not having it. Like you I've had IBM machines from work but the the Mac Air has me sold. If we get another one for the house it will be a Mac.

 

[whoknew]

I've a macbook air and am looking at buying a mouse because the pad hurts my fingers.

Anyone use this mouse? Any reviews?

Also - any other mouse or non-mouse recommendations?

Appreciate it.

 

[[icon]]

I've a macbook air and am looking at buying a mouse because the pad hurts my fingers.

NTTAWTT

 

[coyote5]

I've a macbook air and am looking at buying a mouse because the pad hurts my fingers.

Anyone use this mouse? Any reviews?

Also - any other mouse or non-mouse recommendations?

Appreciate it.

Jesus, unless regular mice bother your hands I'd suggest something a bit cheaper than $99. I use a logitech V220 with my MBP and it is plug and play, no issues. Should be like 20 or 25 bucks.

 

[Slapdash]

Just had a similar dilemma. Went with Air for better form and battery life. However, if it was to do work on, the Pro is probably a better choice. As much as I like the Air, it is obviously underpowered. Struggles with the amount of stuff I try to run at once. But MSFT and the 3rd party guys can't make dependable hardware to save their lives so whatever.

Fiancee liked this so much we now each have our own. These things are awesome.

 

[ILUVBEER99]

Just had a similar dilemma. Went with Air for better form and battery life. However, if it was to do work on, the Pro is probably a better choice. As much as I like the Air, it is obviously underpowered. Struggles with the amount of stuff I try to run at once. But MSFT and the 3rd party guys can't make dependable hardware to save their lives so whatever.

Fiancee liked this so much we now each have our own. These things are awesome.

i've never had a better laptop. before the macbook could never use a trackpad, now there is no way i'd use a mouse with it (i don't play games on it, a mouse might make sense for that purpose).

 

[tommyGunZ]

I've a macbook air and am looking at buying a mouse because the pad hurts my fingers.

Anyone use this mouse? Any reviews?

Also - any other mouse or non-mouse recommendations?

Appreciate it.

I've used that mouse before. It's okay, but I highly recommend the Apple Magic Mouse.

 

[Abraham]

The Magic Mouse is sensational.

 

[BassNBrew]

I've a macbook air and am looking at buying a mouse because the pad hurts my fingers.

Anyone use this mouse? Any reviews?

Also - any other mouse or non-mouse recommendations?

Appreciate it.

I've used that mouse before. It's okay, but I highly recommend the Apple Magic Mouse.

 

[BassNBrew]

Was watching a live video stream this weekend on an Air and Pro side by side. The Pro definitely outperformed the Air by a large margin.

 

[Abraham]

Not at all surprising. The Pro is perhaps the best laptop on earth in terms of performance. The Air, however, is so much more portable - that half pound makes a big difference IMO. Can't go wrong with either machine.

 

[BassNBrew]

Not at all surprising. The Pro is perhaps the best laptop on earth in terms of performance. The Air, however, is so much more portable - that half pound makes a big difference IMO. Can't go wrong with either machine.

Half pound makes a difference? That's the difference between a full beer and an empty beer.

 

[Abraham]

Not at all surprising. The Pro is perhaps the best laptop on earth in terms of performance. The Air, however, is so much more portable - that half pound makes a big difference IMO. Can't go wrong with either machine.

Half pound makes a difference? That's the difference between a full beer and an empty beer.

I think it does, not in a bag but when you are actually carrying it around the house, the office, etc.

 

[Judge Smails]

I'm a huge Air fan. Man it is light. I pick up my old Dell and it's like lifting a bowling ball.

 

[beer 30]

Not at all surprising. The Pro is perhaps the best laptop on earth in terms of performance. The Air, however, is so much more portable - that half pound makes a big difference IMO. Can't go wrong with either machine.

Half pound makes a difference? That's the difference between a full beer and an empty beer.

These guys don't hoof mountains for entertainment like you, 1/2 lb makes a difference to a geek

 

[Zasada]

If you care at all about screen quality, go with the Retina Pro. Every time I have it side-by-side with my wife's Air, I'm stunned at just how awful her screen looks.

 

[coyote5]

Come on you dainty boys, the MBP is plenty light, and the retina display is worth it.

 

[mr roboto]

If half a pound matters you are clearly a pansy.

 

[Slapdash]

The lighter weight of the Air is a clear advantage most of the ways I'm using the laptop on the couch or carrying to another room. The Retina display is negligible IMO.

 

[zoonation]

The lighter weight of the Air is a clear advantage most of the ways I'm using the laptop on the couch or carrying to another room. The Retina display is negligible IMO.

you should get your eyes checked. there is no comparison between the two screens.

 

[Slapdash]

The lighter weight of the Air is a clear advantage most of the ways I'm using the laptop on the couch or carrying to another room. The Retina display is negligible IMO.

you should get your eyes checked. there is no comparison between the two screens.

I know my eyes are pretty bad, but it's not enough to decide to spend more money for.

 

[Abraham]

The lighter weight of the Air is a clear advantage most of the ways I'm using the laptop on the couch or carrying to another room. The Retina display is negligible IMO.

you should get your eyes checked. there is no comparison between the two screens.

It's a much better screen when side by side. But the air screen isn't mincemeat at all.

 

[BRONG]

Speaking of carrying it around, I suggest grabbing it by the middle, like holding a pizza or whatever. Or grab both sides with two hands. I would just grab my air by one side whenever I got up and I think the torque may have tweaked it (always I was careful). Anyway, when I'd type I would get these creaking sounds that were super annoying. Any time I lift a palm slightly or whatever, you'd hear it. And once you're aware of it, it SUCKS.

I took it back. They went in the back and said they couldn't hear anything. I kept on, ending up with a supervisor who I explained how the problem was well documented on macforums and whatnot. They tightened some screws and said to try it for a few. I told them I lived too far away to be able to bring it back soon, blah, blah, blah. The guy finally relented and gave me a new one (very cool).

I have no idea if I was carrying it wrong but that is the only thing I can surmise, after the fact (if it was actually something I did). Yet the one I had for years before this never had that problem. But they are so light that I could see the casing bending I guess (like the iPhone 6, lol).