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13" MBA vs. 13" MBP 2011 Review
- Thread starter Help Please
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Very true. As a student, I will almost NEVER need a DVD drive while using it in class, so being able to not have that dead weight to carry around is very nice.
As for the refresh, it wasn't a priority of mine to wait, considering I needed a laptop at the time. However, I like the idea of not having to use Intel's graphics, because there is no doubt that will be in the new Air's. Also, if you read this link... http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/no-iphone-5-at-wwdc-this-year-thats-how-it-looks-from-here/ .... about 4 lines down they say that there may be NO hardware related announcements at WWDC (June) and most likely will be in their Fall event.
Just some food for thought
There were no announcements/event for the most recent MBP refreshes either. It just happened one day.
I'm not saying it isn't possible. All I'm saying is that I wasn't sure if people were expecting an announcement around the time of WWDC or not and that sources were saying there would be no hardware related announcements.
I agree, it could happen any day Apple wants it to.
I know that. He said that the Air keyboard is better for typing on than the MBP and I thought all Macbook Pro keyboards were the same, hence my question.
That's simply my opinion. I felt that it was easier and more comfortable to type on the Air. The keys also felt a bit more responsive than that of the Pro, but this is simply my opinion.
i'm not a psycho about it, but let me tell you, if you still want to be alright with your non-backlit keyboard, don't let yourself use one that is too long or you won't be able to go back.
I think the key travel is a bit more shallow on the Airs than the Pros since the airs are thinner so less room for the keys to depress; at least it felt that way for me with the MBA 11.6" I had.
Every laptop I have used before the Air had a backlit keyboard. It's a nice feature, but not a necessity of mine.
Hey now, that's really helpful opinion (thanks a lot,) as I'm in the exact situation like yours. I am currently a MBP "13 (2010) user, and was thinking about new Sandy-"13, but it's with HD 3000 and still dual core. Soon realized I shouldn't expect big iimprovement for my use. 15" and 17" are no go as those lack portability.
Now I dunno why I chose MBP 13" to buy. MBA 13" ultra is way better I suppose... But still yet to click buy now button since sandybridge (or maybe previous i series?) is likely coming to Air this year...
great portable, not so great main computer
I've had my 13" Air for a few months now. I kept my 13" MBP but put it away and didn't use it after buying the Air. Late last week I got it out to try it for old times sake and to consider selling it. Wow, what a brick! I hadn't really appreciated the lightness and thinness of the Air until now!
That said, if my portable was my only computer, I wouldn't be satisfied with the Air. It doesn't have enough storage, ports or an optical drive. I need those things in my main Mac.
I've had my 13" Air for a few months now. I kept my 13" MBP but put it away and didn't use it after buying the Air. Late last week I got it out to try it for old times sake and to consider selling it. Wow, what a brick! I hadn't really appreciated the lightness and thinness of the Air until now!
That said, if my portable was my only computer, I wouldn't be satisfied with the Air. It doesn't have enough storage, ports or an optical drive. I need those things in my main Mac.
For me the only time I EVER had the keyboard backlight on on my '08 15" MBP was when you couldn't turn it off in boot camped Windows - now that has been fixed, so it will never be on again
. The best thing on this matter about the new MBAs is that the function key you recover not having the backlit keyboard can actually be reassigned, e.g. one hit exposé show desktop, whereas they could not be reassigned on the earlier non-backlit unibody MBs.I like the reviews in here and come out with pretty much the same mind. The new 13" MBA is the best laptop experience I've had - I think it's fair to put it as the long-awaited 12" PowerBook replacement. The use of a reasonably dated CPU seems to mean that the cooling technology is ahead, and the thing never really gets hot. It is certainly the best bedtop computer ever - alongside my old 15" it is such a contrast in that regard, that thing heats up something chronic.
And as for games, played SC2 for a few hours the other night - the 320M gives exactly the same FPS performance as the 8600GT in my old 15", but again the resultant heat situation is night and day, and the MBA is all over cold again within a few minutes - magic!
Plus, with any luck the 320M won't lead to repeated logic board failures as did the 8600GT in my 15", the GeForce6400 in my 12" PB before that, and whatever it was in my 12" G3 iBook before that. I better not say anymore though, it'll hear ><.
I think in the exactly the same way, iMac or Mac Pro + Air is the best match. But I just don't like to have 2 computers... syncing data will be quite annoying for me.
So I actually think very new 15" ultimate is for me, but carrying 15" everyday putting it to my bag will be a pain. I'm in a dilemma.
If only 13 inch-sized Mac laptop could have Quad cores and discrete graphic chip...
I'm glad I could help. When it comes to waiting for the update, that's a personal choice. I'm completely satisfied with what the Air has right now.
For me the only time I EVER had the keyboard backlight on on my '08 15" MBP was when you couldn't turn it off in boot camped Windows - now that has been fixed, so it will never be on again
I like the reviews in here and come out with pretty much the same mind. The new 13" MBA is the best laptop experience I've had - I think it's fair to put it as the long-awaited 12" PowerBook replacement. The use of a reasonably dated CPU seems to mean that the cooling technology is ahead, and the thing never really gets hot. It is certainly the best bedtop computer ever - alongside my old 15" it is such a contrast in that regard, that thing heats up something chronic.
And as for games, played SC2 for a few hours the other night - the 320M gives exactly the same FPS performance as the 8600GT in my old 15", but again the resultant heat situation is night and day, and the MBA is all over cold again within a few minutes - magic!
Plus, with any luck the 320M won't lead to repeated logic board failures as did the 8600GT in my 15", the GeForce6400 in my 12" PB before that, and whatever it was in my 12" G3 iBook before that. I better not say anymore though, it'll hear ><.
Couldn't agree more on the heat. This thing stays nice and cool.
I am looking forward to NOT syncing things between my iMac and my soon to arrive MBA 13". I am going to try to avoid that situation as much as I can. I don't plan to store photos, videos, or music on the MBA in bulk. I plan to tweak photos, videos, and make music on the thing, but then move the completed files back to my desktop to continue work on the files, etc.
It may mean a heck of a lot of sd card swapping between machines but that is ok. I cannot imagine trying to keep 2 iphoto, or itunes up to date on 2 macs. I mean I am only a 1 year in mac person, but trying to keep them in sync I believe would drive me batty! Plus I won't need to time machine the air as well if it is always kept pretty much as a clean slate (well, less than a week's work clean slate and stored mainly on an sd card anyway more than likely everytime I'm done working in a sitting.)
I foresee a lot of mac app store downloads in my future. Oddly, I am most looking forward to playing a mac app game I just bought on my iMac, which is Machinarium, I don't know why, I just am! I tell ya, a year in and apple already has about $5000 of my cash and growing. It is like crack, I swear! Two ipod touches, iMac, MBA, accessories, applecares the whole way around, applications galore, yep, it's crack!
It may mean a heck of a lot of sd card swapping between machines but that is ok. I cannot imagine trying to keep 2 iphoto, or itunes up to date on 2 macs. I mean I am only a 1 year in mac person, but trying to keep them in sync I believe would drive me batty! Plus I won't need to time machine the air as well if it is always kept pretty much as a clean slate (well, less than a week's work clean slate and stored mainly on an sd card anyway more than likely everytime I'm done working in a sitting.)
I foresee a lot of mac app store downloads in my future. Oddly, I am most looking forward to playing a mac app game I just bought on my iMac, which is Machinarium, I don't know why, I just am! I tell ya, a year in and apple already has about $5000 of my cash and growing. It is like crack, I swear! Two ipod touches, iMac, MBA, accessories, applecares the whole way around, applications galore, yep, it's crack!
=I tell ya, a year in and apple already has about $5000 of my cash and growing. It is like crack, I swear! Two ipod touches, iMac, MBA, accessories, applecares the whole way around, applications galore, yep, it's crack!
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+1
I was just thinking that yesterday when i ordered my new 64GB iPad 2. With the airport and HP airprint printer i got last week i think i might need rehab .......until the next big line up at the Apple Store
IMO the 13" MBA is the best laptop computer available today.
I'm a programmer that travels cross country each week for work. I watch movies on the Super Drive on the 3 1/2 hour flight I make each Monday and Friday. Great picture, long battery life. After each movie I listen to iTunes and read from my Kindle app.
When working I sometimes have to use the database SQL Server and Visual Studio. So I run Win7 in Bookcamp and manage it through Fusion. I also run an interface engine called Mirth (java app). At the same time I'll be running iTunes and Kindle, Adobe or MS Office (manuals and specs).
If I'm not running Visual Studio then I've got Netbeans on (either on the Win7 or Mac side). The MBA never shows a sign of slowing down. The truely amazing thing to me is that Win7 and it's apps run faster on the Mac than on the company's new Lenovo which has an i5 processor.
Then on Friday night I get on the plane to go home. When we get to altitude I put the MBA on top of the Super Drive with a small piece of that kitchen rubber mat between them, and the whole mess on the tray table. The MBA is so easy to use because it's so light.
When the next MBA comes out I'll get one immediately and pass this one on to one of the grand kids, just like I did with the MBP last year.
Thanks for the OP.
I'm a programmer that travels cross country each week for work. I watch movies on the Super Drive on the 3 1/2 hour flight I make each Monday and Friday. Great picture, long battery life. After each movie I listen to iTunes and read from my Kindle app.
When working I sometimes have to use the database SQL Server and Visual Studio. So I run Win7 in Bookcamp and manage it through Fusion. I also run an interface engine called Mirth (java app). At the same time I'll be running iTunes and Kindle, Adobe or MS Office (manuals and specs).
If I'm not running Visual Studio then I've got Netbeans on (either on the Win7 or Mac side). The MBA never shows a sign of slowing down. The truely amazing thing to me is that Win7 and it's apps run faster on the Mac than on the company's new Lenovo which has an i5 processor.
Then on Friday night I get on the plane to go home. When we get to altitude I put the MBA on top of the Super Drive with a small piece of that kitchen rubber mat between them, and the whole mess on the tray table. The MBA is so easy to use because it's so light.
When the next MBA comes out I'll get one immediately and pass this one on to one of the grand kids, just like I did with the MBP last year.
Thanks for the OP.
Thanks for that Duggram! I will most likely jump on the refreshed Air's as well, that's why I didn't buy the Ultimate version, but there is no doubt that the current line up has a lot to offer to many.
Once people get over it's specs and just use the damn thing, they'll realize how great a machine it is.
Try DropBox. I keep all my important docs there, this way it is always the latest version available on either of my computers, iPad or iPhone.
I think 2GB storage is free.
It may not make a difference to 99.9% of users, but not having a gbit ethernet port is a dealbreaker for me on the Air I transfer too much data between my home server and laptop (currently only computer) to deal with a USB 10/100 adapter.
If the next release of the Air gets thunderbolt then I am completely sold.
I transfer too much data between my home server and laptop (currently only computer) to deal with a USB 10/100 adapter.If the next release of the Air gets thunderbolt then I am completely sold.