15" MBP and maxed out 13" MBA same price. Which one?

[shootingrubber]

Should I go to another store or call them again?

I would go to any Apple store, talk to the manager, and explain your situation nicely. For example, one time I had a 10% off coupon and bought Bose Headphones. I didn't like the headphones, so I returned them, and they weren't going to give me my 10% off coupon back. I asked to speak to the manager, explained the situation nicely, and I finally got the coupon back.

If you explain your situation nicely to a manager, they will waive the restocking fee. Personally, I ordered the 13-inch Air, 128GB SSD, 4GB RAM, and I couldn't be happier. I am a student too btw. I had a MBP, and I know it's not heavy when its carried for short periods of time, but when you have it in your backpack all day it does become annoying. That's why I opted for the MBA. Won't even feel it in my bag.

 

[loslosbaby]

MBP17 vs. MBA13 Ultimate + ACD27

Based on personal experience, a maxed out 13 inch MBA makes a lot of sense. I bought mine in hopes that it could replace my MBP, although the MBP had 6GB of RAM and could simultaneously ran Windows 7 and a couple of Windows apps in VMware Fusion's Unity mode, along with a half dozen OS X apps. my maxed out 13 inch MBA handles all of that as well as the old MBP ever did. Thus, I am sure you understand why I categorically reject the notion that "A maxed out MBA doesn't make sense."

To answer the previous question: Yes, I am planning to sell my MBP17 while the warranty will give the buyer a good vibe, and side-grade to a MBA13 ultimate.

I have this product I have to support 24/7, like I'm on-call etc., and have previously sworn off of having two computers. All the tests I have seen have shown they are about the same (geekbench, etc.) but having put a lot of time in my previous life (GraphOn GoGlobal X Windows client for Windows) tuning for user experience vs. speed, I know that there can be "that magic something that makes it seem crisper."

My GF is on a basic alum. macbook 13 with 4Gb/320Gb. She uses parallels. I am on the previously mentioned MBP17. She has no warranty, I have 3.5 mos left. The realities of money tell me I can sell my MBP for -450$ what I paid for it 2.75 years ago. That's awesome.

I played around at the Apple Store today on the BASE MBA11, and it launches apps sooooo much faster than anything I've got at home...amazing.

They are going to let me take a USB disc and my magic mouse tomorrow, config a MBA13 ultimate with the 27ACD, and I'm going to install Eclipse, and XCode.

I had an epiphany: where previously Developers needed flaming machines to do their work (I used to compile X Windows servers that took hours) now Developers are basically doing high-end word processing.

When I think about it, I don't have the needs that Creative does, running all that bloated Adobe stuff. I deleted Web Special CS3 off of my MBP in preparations for moving off of it, and hadn't used any of it in a long while. POOF.

I'll sit down and do some work for an hour or so, and I'll know then.

My goals:
- Have a portable machine I can support my current product on, from anywhere. We had a "our data provider changed the XML without warning us and it blew everything up" thing happen just today.
- Have at least the same overall performance as what I have
- Be able to hook up to a great monitor
- Have a warranty.

The latter sounds nuts, but, nuts is how I roll. One reason to use Apples today is to have ProCare and be able to get that machine back really really quick.

gwsat has basically the same machine as I did, is running VM type stuff like I am, and other heavy apps like I am, and if he says its equivalent, I would guess he would know huh? (Hey neighbor!)

G.

 

[rockyroad55]

I'm currently typing this in a dark room in my dorms and I love the fact that I still have a backlit keyboard. This is one of my main concerns. Sure, I can touch type, but the convenience of having it is great.

And, yes, I might just go back to the store and ask again. No classes tomorrow!

 

[Dammit Cubs]

I'm a student and like to do the basic needs, such as Word, PPT, Excel, some games like Left for Dead 2, and a lot of web browsing and watching movies. I have no idea which to keep. I already have the 15" but keep thinking about the MBA!

I also like to think in the long run which will last me better and longer. I can't see myself do much more gaming since I have a PS3 and my current apps will stay the same, which means no video or pic editing and no dual boots.

two different computer for two different things. i think if you will be find with the MBA and its more portable.

 

[rockyroad55]

I would go to any Apple store, talk to the manager, and explain your situation nicely. For example, one time I had a 10% off coupon and bought Bose Headphones. I didn't like the headphones, so I returned them, and they weren't going to give me my 10% off coupon back. I asked to speak to the manager, explained the situation nicely, and I finally got the coupon back.

If you explain your situation nicely to a manager, they will waive the restocking fee. Personally, I ordered the 13-inch Air, 128GB SSD, 4GB RAM, and I couldn't be happier. I am a student too btw. I had a MBP, and I know it's not heavy when its carried for short periods of time, but when you have it in your backpack all day it does become annoying. That's why I opted for the MBA. Won't even feel it in my bag.

Called another store, spoke to a different person, says he could probably do it if I come in with it and explain my situation! Thanks for the great advice!

 

[shootingrubber]

Called another store, spoke to a different person, says he could probably do it if I come in with it and explain my situation! Thanks for the great advice!

No problem! Did you opt for the base 13-inch MBA?

 

[feflower]

MBA all the way. Here is why.


I think an undergrad doesn't need more that 150 GB of HD unless you are in video/audio studies.
How much HD space are you using right now on your current computer?
How much of that is needless songs you never listen to?



I'm a grad student, and I only using 80GB. I keep files from fieldwork on an external drive--because I never need to access them daily.

The only reason I don't switch from my MBP to a MBA is because I have the Apogee Duet, which needs Firewire.

 

[cherry su]

Both machines have the same resolution, but the 13.3" screen will look sharper because of a smaller screen.

 

[rockyroad55]

No problem! Did you opt for the base 13-inch MBA?

Maxed! Well I didn't go to the store yet. I'll be there in about half an hour. If I plan on keeping this for a few years, I want the max amount of specs possible

 

[gwsat]

The latter sounds nuts, but, nuts is how I roll. One reason to use Apples today is to have ProCare and be able to get that machine back really really quick.

gwsat has basically the same machine as I did, is running VM type stuff like I am, and other heavy apps like I am, and if he says its equivalent, I would guess he would know huh? (Hey neighbor!)

I have had Applecare coverage on both of my Macs and also have it on an iPad. The 13 inch MBA is my third Mac and I will get Applecare for it, too. Not only are you covered if anything fails during the three year warranty period, I have found the telephone support to be worth its weight in gold, too.

Despite the rather significant demands I have made of it, the little 13 inch MBA has been up to the task so far. I routinely keep Windows 7 and Quicken for Windows running in VMware Fusion's Unity mode 24/7, along with, on the OS X side, Mail, iCal, Address Book, and Chrome. I also frequently use Wordperfect and Garmin Training Center for Garmin GPS sports watches, which are also Windows apps, plus Excel and iTunes on the OS X side. Amazingly, I have seen few beachballs and both the Windows apps and the OS X apps have been stable and run reasonably fast. If my experience from two weeks of use is any guide, the maxed out 13 inch MBA can handle it.

I am now satisfied that the secret of the MBA's being able to handle running Windows in Fusion's Unity mode with only 4GB of RAM is its fast flash storage. Despite a significant number of page outs when Fusion and Windows are running, I have noticed no loss of stability or any slowing of operations.

 

[loslosbaby]

Took Plunge (From MBP17)

Got a MBA 13 Ultimate yesterday plus the ACD27.

I'm coming from a pre-unibody MBP17 2.5/4/320.

All I can say is "Wow", this thing FEELS really really fast. I'm going to do my development work on it for a couple days and report back, but, overall, its unusually responsive.

The only thing that has made it make a sound was indexing the drive after I migrated over my data...and it went up, and up, and uppppp, like a little jet engine!

G.

 

[talmy]

I just dont know how good it will be with video editing, exporting/importing HD video, and multitasking while those things happen.

I've got an aluminum MacBook and an i7 iMac. I do 2-4 hours of video processing per week with iMovie. I wouldn't want anything slower than the MacBook, which is 2.4GHz and 4GB RAM. Also consider the size of the hard drive when doing video processing. The more the better, but faster SSD speeds won't help.

You would definitely be happier with the MacBook Pro.

 

[rockyroad55]

Woww. Ugh. Went to apple yesterday and spoke with manager. Restocking fee applies!!!!

$180 was the fee and I just didn't think it was worth it. For $180, I could upgrade my ram to 8GB from crucial or save money on an SSD or buy something nice for myself like clothing or something. OR white iphone backplate!

I don't know. I'm still on the fence between both even with the fee.