Dilemma, what to do?

[elsandor]

First of all, I'm new here on this forum, so hello all

Then on to my dilemma. I currently have an 11 inch MBA with a 27 inch Apple Cinema Display, and I love this setup.

Problem is, I need to run VM's on a regular, and my MBA is lacking the RAM for doing so. I take my MBA to classes all day, and it's a delight to carry around. Gaming is not really an issue at this moment, since I don't play any games at the moment, but as soon as Diablo 3 hits, I might want to start playing that.

With that in mind, I have a few options to improve my setup:
1. Keep my MBA, and trade in my ACD for an iMac. I can put in some extra RAM there to make my VM's work, downside is that I can't take my VM's to classes.
2. Ditch my MBA, and get a 15 inch MBP. I can put some extra RAM in there, and I can take it to classes. Extra weight of the MBP is not really a problem for me, and at home I still have my 27 inch ACD.
3. Keep my MBA, and buy a new Mac Mini as soon as it gets refreshed. I can put some RAM in there too, and I can switch between the Mac Mini and my MBA on the ACD. But will the graphics be enough to play some Diablo 3 in about a year?

Hope you guys can shed some light on this dilemma, budget is available for all three options, and if you have other idea's don't hesitate to share!

Thanks in advance

 

[Tomorrow]

If it were me, option 2. The MBP has plenty of horsepower for what you want, it's plenty portable enough for to use the way you're currently using your MBA, plus you still have a nice 27" screen to connect to once you're home from class.

 

[Dute]

First of all, I'm new here on this forum, so hello all

Then on to my dilemma. I currently have an 11 inch MBA with a 27 inch Apple Cinema Display, and I love this setup.

Problem is, I need to run VM's on a regular, and my MBA is lacking the RAM for doing so. I take my MBA to classes all day, and it's a delight to carry around. Gaming is not really an issue at this moment, since I don't play any games at the moment, but as soon as Diablo 3 hits, I might want to start playing that.

With that in mind, I have a few options to improve my setup:
1. Keep my MBA, and trade in my ACD for an iMac. I can put in some extra RAM there to make my VM's work, downside is that I can't take my VM's to classes.
2. Ditch my MBA, and get a 15 inch MBP. I can put some extra RAM in there, and I can take it to classes. Extra weight of the MBP is not really a problem for me, and at home I still have my 27 inch ACD.
3. Keep my MBA, and buy a new Mac Mini as soon as it gets refreshed. I can put some RAM in there too, and I can switch between the Mac Mini and my MBA on the ACD. But will the graphics be enough to play some Diablo 3 in about a year?

Hope you guys can shed some light on this dilemma, budget is available for all three options, and if you have other idea's don't hesitate to share!

Thanks in advance

It sounds like swapping out the MBA for a MBP would be the best solution here. Hang onto the ACD.

A current MBP is going to be fully capable of D3; knowing Blizzard's habits of keeping systems requirements quite low.

 

[elsandor]

If it were me, option 2. The MBP has plenty of horsepower for what you want, it's plenty portable enough for to use the way you're currently using your MBA, plus you still have a nice 27" screen to connect to once you're home from class.

It sounds like swapping out the MBA for a MBP would be the best solution here. Hang onto the ACD.

A current MBP is going to be fully capable of D3; knowing Blizzard's habits of keeping systems requirements quite low.

I was already leaning that way. The investment would be about the same.

I think I'd have to take the high-end 15 inch though, since the low-end's GPU is not that great. But I wouldn't be sure about the screen (leaving it standard, going for HR-glossy, or AG?). Wouldn't order the extra Apple RAM, but just install it myself, same with the SSD.

 

[Dute]

I was already leaning that way. The investment would be about the same.

I think I'd have to take the high-end 15 inch though, since the low-end's GPU is not that great. But I wouldn't be sure about the screen (leaving it standard, going for HR-glossy, or AG?). Wouldn't order the extra Apple RAM, but just install it myself, same with the SSD.

If gaming is in your future, the high-end would probably be your best bet.

How do you like the current Air screen? That should be your point of reference.

One thing to keep in mind about upgrading to the high-res display is gaming. It takes more GPU power to push a higher resolution (although, obviously, you could just run games at 1440x900). My old '07 MBP looks great with the standard 1440x900 display, I've never felt it was lacking in any way.

 

[elsandor]

If gaming is in your future, the high-end would probably be your best bet.

How do you like the current Air screen? That should be your point of reference.

One thing to keep in mind about upgrading to the high-res display is gaming. It takes more GPU power to push a higher resolution (although, obviously, you could just run games at 1440x900). My old '07 MBP looks great with the standard 1440x900 display, I've never felt it was lacking in any way.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a heavy gamer or anything, and I won't be playing a lot of games, just some casual Diablo 3, loved D2 and D1

I like the Air screen, but I wouldn't mind the screen being as glossy as my ACD, so I think that rules out the AG screen. If I play a game, it will be on my ACD, so I don't think I'd have to keep in mind that the HR screen would take more from my GPU, allthough the GPU might have a hard time with my ACD's 2560x1440.

Generally I might like having the extra space on the go, the MBA is on the edge imo.