Can't really make up my mind. MBA 11" or iPad 2?

[seong]

I'm sorry if you are tired of these kind of threads, but I had to make this to see other's opinion on this.

I currently have Macbook Pro 13" 2009 with 500GB HDD. I have a friend who is willing to pay around 700~750 dollars for my computer. Currently, I saved up around 500 dollars.
Now, here are my choices.
1. Sell the MBP, and buy MBA 11" and use extra money on something else.
2. Sell the MBP, and buy a better one which has Sandy Bridge.
3. Keep the MBP, and buy the iPad 2.

The only reason I'm considering 11" is because of it's portability (and the same goes for iPad 2.) I need it for taking notes, doing some presentations, writing research paper, and all that good stuff that high schoolers do.

So, would going with MBA and ditching MBP+iPad 2 be a good choice for me? Or should I get the iPad 2 and keep my MBP? I've been thinking about this since the day Apple announced the iPad 2.
Any suggestions?

 

[shstiger2009]

Sell it and buy an 11" Air. Seems like you need it for a little more than what an iPad is for, but then again if you buy iWork for iPad you'll be able to take notes and do powerpoints.

 

[teerexx52]

I'm sorry if you are tired of these kind of threads, but I had to make this to see other's opinion on this.

I currently have Macbook Pro 13" 2009 with 500GB HDD. I have a friend who is willing to pay around 700~750 dollars for my computer. Currently, I saved up around 500 dollars.
Now, here are my choices.
1. Sell the MBP, and buy MBA 11" and use extra money on something else.
2. Sell the MBP, and buy a better one which has Sandy Bridge.
3. Keep the MBP, and buy the iPad 2.

The only reason I'm considering 11" is because of it's portability (and the same goes for iPad 2.) I need it for taking notes, doing some presentations, writing research paper, and all that good stuff that high schoolers do.

So, would going with MBA and ditching MBP+iPad 2 be a good choice for me? Or should I get the iPad 2 and keep my MBP? I've been thinking about this since the day Apple announced the iPad 2.
Any suggestions?

My wife and I use to take ipads where ever we would go. Starbucks, the mall and more. When the MacBook Air came out we bought 11" models and started taking them instead of the ipads. Both of us feel the Air was a much better experience for us. Full keyboard, flash, and more. So, we sold the ipads and use the Airs exclusively now.

 

[seong]

I see. I've been asking similar questions on the iPad section and got variety of opinions.
Looks like I gotta stick with the MBA 11". Hopefully my friend ends up buying my MBP13"!

P.S. Thanks for extremely fast responses! This is the only reason I love Macrumors. So many people helping out each other ;D

 

[michael.lauden]

I'm sorry if you are tired of these kind of threads, but I had to make this to see other's opinion on this.

here ya go then

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1110289/

Now, here are my choices.
1. Sell the MBP, and buy MBA 11" and use extra money on something else.
2. Sell the MBP, and buy a better one which has Sandy Bridge.
3. Keep the MBP, and buy the iPad 2.

The only reason I'm considering 11" is because of it's portability (and the same goes for iPad 2.) I need it for taking notes, doing some presentations, writing research paper, and all that good stuff that high schoolers do.[...]

#1: If you sell the MBP and buy a MBA you will be downgrading to a less powerful machine. Which doesn't matter - because you haven't listed any ways to actually USE the power at hand.

#2. Again, research papers and presentations are no reason for an upgrade - my girlfriend has your computer - which is faster than mine, and a lot faster than even some of my friend's editing and web/graphic design machines.

#3. If you are writing research papers - why would you want an iPad 2?

IMO - I don't think you need to upgrade, I just think you want a new toy - which is fine, I like new toys too, and I buy new toys all the time (don't take it as an insult, but rather a compliment).

Everything you have is more than capable of doing anything you throw at it.


I guess I just don't understand what the question is here. If you want something 'new' then get something new. If you want to play games on an iPad 2 - play games on an iPad 2, if you want to export your presentations to keynote and look like a goober infront of your high school colleagues - then go for it .

 

[impulse462]

Your should go with the 11" air. Any type of content-creating (papers, presentations, etc.) the Air would suit your needs better.

 

[seong]

Well, let's see how I end up. The problem with me is that I don't want to carry MBP 13" all the time with me just to do some simple work at school. Although 13" is way lighter than 15" and 17", MBP + text books + school stuff = dying shoulders. I want to ease off a pain a little bit.

@michael.lauden
Yea.. since I'm a Apple-geek, I feel like buying one of the newly released 'toy' is like essential. Anyways, I do use some 'graphic' design such as motion 4, or use final cut pro. It's a good thing that you pointed that out I finally came back to the reality!

 

[michael.lauden]

Your should go with the 11" air. Any type of content-creating (papers, presentations, etc.) the Air would suit your needs better.

Maybe against an iPad, but vs. keeping his MBP? How is that any more efficient?

 

[impulse462]

Maybe against an iPad, but vs. keeping his MBP? How is that any more efficient?

Sorry i'm not exactly following you, the OP said "for taking notes, doing some presentations, writing research paper, and all that good stuff that high schoolers do." The 11" air only ways 2.3 pounds which is a lot less than the 13" MBP. (My last computer was the 2009 13"MBP).

If the OP wants to do any formal type of video editing, I would go with the 2011 13" MBP due to the faster CPU.

Also, you'd end up carrying a 13" MBP as well as an iPad. Although the iPad is light, adding weight isn't the solution.

 

[bizzle]

I'd recommend ANY option that does not include an iPad.

 

[michael.lauden]

Sorry i'm not exactly following you, the OP said "for taking notes, doing some presentations, writing research paper, and all that good stuff that high schoolers do." The 11" air only ways 2.3 pounds which is a lot less than the 13" MBP. (My last computer was the 2009 13"MBP).

If the OP wants to do any formal type of video editing, I would go with the 2011 13" MBP due to the faster CPU.

Also, you'd end up carrying a 13" MBP as well as an iPad. Although the iPad is light, adding weight isn't the solution.

I guess I'm just missing the point of organizing the sale of a perfectly good machine - then spending 300$ extra dollars to get a less capable computer. He's in high school - not traveling the globe. He will have textbooks in his bag too. I personally have never found the 13" '09 MBP to be heavy.

 

[entatlrg]

I recommend getting rid of the 13" MBP.

Then either replace it with the 11 or 13" MBA. Personally I'd recommend the 13" MBA with 4gb, then if you want to do video editing or anything that requires a little more screen real estate or power you'll have it.

Down the road grab an iPad when the money permits.

Yes, going from the 13" MBP to an MBA means the loss of 'power' ... So what. Why carry a heavier, thicker, less fun to use machine everywhere so that you can have the extra power should you need it ... if you don't need power then don't go chasing spec's like SO MANY do on this forum, (and in the windows world too).

User experience is more important that spec's and always will be. Of course get the spec's you need to do your work. For example, don't drool over Sandy Bridges power if you aren't going to be using it, because that power in this case adds weight, size, and possibly heat and fan noise too!

Don't under estimate the capabilities of the MacBook Airs and don't over estimate the capabilities of the iPad.

 

[douglasf13]

I just switched from a 2009 MBP 13 to a MBA 13 Ultimate, and, I must say, I don't notice any performance slow down. In fact, it seems as fast or faster with any that I do on it, and it runs COD 4 very smoothly. The weight/size difference between the two is very noticeable and worthwhile.

I'd go MBA 13".

 

[Scottsdale]

Don't under estimate the capabilities of the MacBook Airs and don't over estimate the capabilities of the iPad.

I really believe this. Typing is worse on an iPad than an iPhone. It is too big to fit in the hands and type so it must rest somewhere then is awkward at best. There is a lot of potential in the iPad but it requires specific uses like Garage Band or gaming.

The iPhone does everything better than the iPad because it's more mobile and fits in my pocket. The only time the iPad wins is watching movies on an airplane due to long battery life. I believe an iPhone 4 is perfect mobility non-computing and the 13" MBA is the best mobile computer and yet instantly transforms to an amazing desktop when paired with an ACD.

I believe most that plan to use one Mac are best off with 13" MBA with 4GB RAM. They are $1189 refurbished with 4GB RAM, 1.86GHz, 128GB storage and 13" LED. By far the best value of any Mac right now.

 

[douglasf13]

I really believe this. Typing is worse on an iPad than an iPhone. It is too big to fit in the hands and type so it must rest somewhere then is awkward at best. There is a lot of potential in the iPad but it requires specific uses like Garage Band or gaming.

The iPhone does everything better than the iPad because it's more mobile and fits in my pocket. The only time the iPad wins is watching movies on an airplane due to long battery life. I believe an iPhone 4 is perfect mobility non-computing and the 13" MBA is the best mobile computer and yet instantly transforms to an amazing desktop when paired with an ACD.

I believe most that plan to use one Mac are best off with 13" MBA with 4GB RAM. They are $1189 refurbished with 4GB RAM, 1.86GHz, 128GB storage and 13" LED. By far the best value of any Mac right now.

I think you may be right. I love my combo of iphone4+MBA 13, and I am having a hard time rationalizing an iPad at this point. I originally thought that it would be great for reading books, but, now that I have the MBA, I'm realizing that just laying it on my chest is even better for reading, because I don't have to hold the device. I would have done this with my MBP, too, but the weight was noticeable.

 

[seong]

You know, I don't really mind "downgrading."
After using the MBA inside the local Apple Store, It doesn't seem like there are any hugh performance differences. I just decided not to get the iPad, since most of you are not recommending it.

Just to tell you one thing. I haven't even decided to sell it yet. I just wanted to hear some opinions.

 

[Bakari45]

As a student, you definitely need the MBP or the Air. If you can afford to get the Air, then go for it. It’s more portable and can handle your needs. The iPad though would be mainly for paperless reading. Try to get all your documents, books and other reading material on there. Get a few good PDF readers with annotation tools if you need them.

 

[tim100]

I recommend getting rid of the 13" MBP.

Then either replace it with the 11 or 13" MBA. Personally I'd recommend the 13" MBA with 4gb, then if you want to do video editing or anything that requires a little more screen real estate or power you'll have it.

Down the road grab an iPad when the money permits.

Yes, going from the 13" MBP to an MBA means the loss of 'power' ... So what. Why carry a heavier, thicker, less fun to use machine everywhere so that you can have the extra power should you need it ... if you don't need power then don't go chasing spec's like SO MANY do on this forum, (and in the windows world too).

User experience is more important that spec's and always will be. Of course get the spec's you need to do your work. For example, don't drool over Sandy Bridges power if you aren't going to be using it, because that power in this case adds weight, size, and possibly heat and fan noise too!

Don't under estimate the capabilities of the MacBook Airs and don't over estimate the capabilities of the iPad.

good point. he may want to consider 4 gigs of ram.

 

[tim100]

i agree

I really believe this. Typing is worse on an iPad than an iPhone. It is too big to fit in the hands and type so it must rest somewhere then is awkward at best. There is a lot of potential in the iPad but it requires specific uses like Garage Band or gaming.

The iPhone does everything better than the iPad because it's more mobile and fits in my pocket. The only time the iPad wins is watching movies on an airplane due to long battery life. I believe an iPhone 4 is perfect mobility non-computing and the 13" MBA is the best mobile computer and yet instantly transforms to an amazing desktop when paired with an ACD.

I believe most that plan to use one Mac are best off with 13" MBA with 4GB RAM. They are $1189 refurbished with 4GB RAM, 1.86GHz, 128GB storage and 13" LED. By far the best value of any Mac right now.

this has been my experience. ipad is a nice second/third device. i prefer my iphone over the ipad. the mbp has more power than i need. the 13 mba has meet all my needs.

how about the 11?

 

[MikePA]

I'm sorry if you are tired of these kind of threads, but I had to make this to see other's opinion on this.

That's OK. The answers are not any different from when the MBA11 first came out and people asked if they should sell their iPad1 and get an MBA. It will be fun reliving them.

 

[edoras]

iPad is great for "consuming" data... Its not that suitable for people who wanted to create a lot of data (data creators).
Its not that easy to "cut and paste" certain content and quite troublesome to switch apps fast.
Thus, when I purchased the light weight MBA, I'm beginning to use my iPad lesser everyday

 

[CHSeifert]

Best solution is to get a MBA 13 for papers, writing and bloqs and an ipad2 for web reading, mails and looking cool in the cafe and on the bus

----
Vh/Regards
Claus - TapaTalk on my Ip4

 

[Patrick946]

Best solution is to get a MBA 13 for papers, writing and bloqs and an ipad2 for web reading, mails and looking cool in the cafe and on the bus

Hah, yeah, because a MBA can't be used for looking at websites or emails, and it definitely doesn't look cool.

I think the iPad would be much more appealing if I didn't have an iPhone, but iPhone + MBA seems like a way better combination to me.

 

[theyanman]

get the MBA. I have the original iPad, and it's really only good for consumption and light altering of files. The MBA is a fully capable computer with no compromises (except if you wish to run anything CPU intensive).

 

[dXTC]

The MBA is a fully capable computer with no compromises (except if you wish to run anything CPU intensive).

Emphasis mine. The Air is a fine machine for most things students do, even some light gaming. However, there are certain activities that would seriously tax the Air, one well-known example being HandBrake. Then again, HandBrake can't even be run on an iPad...