Few questions comparing to 13" mbp

[gangst]

Hi,

I'm contemplating a new Macbook Pro/ Air. When the first Air came out I thought it was a bit gimmicky, too expensive to be a netbook, not powerful enough to compete with MBP's.

These new upgrades now make it seem like this notebook could suit me. However, a few questions....

1.) how will this stack up to a 13" MBP, I know the processor is slower and RAM spec smaller, but would performance almost be near the par of the MBP?

2.) Will the Air be able to play back 1080p HD, and would it be able to play back 720p/1080p Matroska (mkv) format. I know Mac software for decoding this is pretty rubbish, my Quad G5 drops frames on 1080p mkv, but Intel Mac's seem to do much better.

My main choice for the Air is the portability and the 'wow' factor...how does everyone else suffice at home with external HD, printer etc...does using a USB hub cut it? At Uni my work mainly involves MS Office, Mail and Web so this should be fine...just a little worried about HD video playback.

EDIT: Will this play COD4, and possibly Modern Warfare 2 if it ever makes it to the Mac?


Thanks.

 

[Balthezor]

Just letting you know, COD4 will probably be unplayable or extremely laggy on the Air. You need a dedicated video card for that graphic extensive games. Like the Macbook Pro 15" with the 9600m.

I have a quad-core gaming PC that compliments my Air, so I'll never install games on this.

 

[aleksandra.]

I'm contemplating a new Macbook Pro/ Air. When the first Air came out I thought it was a bit gimmicky, too expensive to be a netbook, not powerful enough to compete with MBP's.

These new upgrades now make it seem like this notebook could suit me. However, a few questions....

1.) how will this stack up to a 13" MBP, I know the processor is slower and RAM spec smaller, but would performance almost be near the par of the MBP?

2.) Will the Air be able to play back 1080p HD, and would it be able to play back 720p/1080p Matroska (mkv) format. I know Mac software for decoding this is pretty rubbish, my Quad G5 drops frames on 1080p mkv, but Intel Mac's seem to do much better.

My main choice for the Air is the portability and the 'wow' factor...how does everyone else suffice at home with external HD, printer etc...does using a USB hub cut it? At Uni my work mainly involves MS Office, Mail and Web so this should be fine...just a little worried about HD video playback.

EDIT: Will this play COD4, and possibly Modern Warfare 2 if it ever makes it to the Mac?

It was never a netbook... even revision A wasn't this bad, though it was overpriced .

Sounds like Air is the computer for you, apart from gaming - I think 13" MBP would be only marginally better though (same graphics, slightly faster processor, less likely to overheat due to form factor). Neither of these laptops is made for games. The only problem with USB hub you may run into is that external SuperDrive is whimsy when it comes to them.

 

[statik13]

It was never a netbook... even revision A wasn't this bad, though it was overpriced .

Sounds like Air is the computer for you, apart from gaming - I think 13" MBP would be only marginally better though (same graphics, slightly faster processor, less likely to overheat due to form factor). Neither of these laptops is made for games. The only problem with USB hub you may run into is that external SuperDrive is whimsy when it comes to them.

One concern with playing 1080p content is that the audio port on the Air is analog, not digital. So even if it handles the nice graphics, the sound will be stereo only. No 5.1 or 7.1.

 

[Balthezor]

I dont know, but why would anyone want to plug in a 5.1 surround sound to an air. It's a ultra portable, not a ultimate media laptop.

 

[Intenost]

Hi, I recently moved from a Rev A AIR to a UMB 13" (original version). The key for me was 4GB vs 2GB. I use VMWare pretty often and other relatively large footprint apps, and the extra memory really helps.

I'm really encouraged by the enhancements made to the Air (although a bit frustrated because the A was pretty rough around the edges - I had the heating issue - great screen through).

Not sure if that is an issue for you but it's something to think about.

If the AIR has 4GB, I'd seriously think about going back to it.

Hi,

I'm contemplating a new Macbook Pro/ Air. When the first Air came out I thought it was a bit gimmicky, too expensive to be a netbook, not powerful enough to compete with MBP's.

These new upgrades now make it seem like this notebook could suit me. However, a few questions....

1.) how will this stack up to a 13" MBP, I know the processor is slower and RAM spec smaller, but would performance almost be near the par of the MBP?

2.) Will the Air be able to play back 1080p HD, and would it be able to play back 720p/1080p Matroska (mkv) format. I know Mac software for decoding this is pretty rubbish, my Quad G5 drops frames on 1080p mkv, but Intel Mac's seem to do much better.

My main choice for the Air is the portability and the 'wow' factor...how does everyone else suffice at home with external HD, printer etc...does using a USB hub cut it? At Uni my work mainly involves MS Office, Mail and Web so this should be fine...just a little worried about HD video playback.

EDIT: Will this play COD4, and possibly Modern Warfare 2 if it ever makes it to the Mac?


Thanks.

 

[statik13]

I dont know, but why would anyone want to plug in a 5.1 surround sound to an air. It's a ultra portable, not a ultimate media laptop.

One of the requirements of the OP was to play 1080p. The assumption is that since the screen resolution is too small for that resolution then at some point the Air would be hooked up to a nice plasma or LCD TV and surround system.

 

[gangst]

One of the requirements of the OP was to play 1080p. The assumption is that since the screen resolution is too small for that resolution then at some point the Air would be hooked up to a nice plasma or LCD TV and surround system.

Exactly...

Hmm quite a tough decision ahead for me, I'm not in urgent need of a new notebook, but by October I will be...that gives 90+ days for an upgrade of some kind on the notebooks.

Weighing up between the Air and 13" is pretty hard, i'll probably jump in with Air for the cool factor and just to be a bit different to most of the generic MB's on campus lol.

 

[gman901]

This is a great laptop now! I am not sure about COD4, but it plays Mirror's Edge, FEAR and HL2ep 1 fine on medium settings. Not bad for the slimmest notebook out there. I like the fact that it doesn't skimp on the power and useability.

 

[glitch44]

This is a great laptop now! I am not sure about COD4, but it plays Mirror's Edge, FEAR and HL2ep 1 fine on medium settings. Not bad for the slimmest notebook out there. I like the fact that it doesn't skimp on the power and useability.

Gman, I was wondering if you could try Left 4 Dead (if you own it)?

 

[gman901]

Sure, I can install it tonight and post back. I limited my bootcamp partition to 32 GB for Windows 7, so about 3-4 games is all I keep there at one time. Maybe we can get a round in this week.

 

[uniforms]

I went from Air A to B, and LOVED the B with the SSD. When the New MBP 13 came out I thought it was time as I really needed more HD Space. I've had this machine for a week and love having all the hard drive space. Note, I added a 500 gig HD, which was quite easy to do. If I didn't need more HD space I would stick to my Air. I find the pro slow to wake up from sleep. It may have something to do with it not being an SSD. Here is my take on the pro's on both. Air: Lightweight, WOW factor, VERY fast with SSD, new low price. Pro: More Hard Drive space, more ram, all in one with cd/dvd Superdrive. Cons, Air: Not enough HD Space, limited to one USB port, no expansion available. Pro: SSD option very expensive and 250gig not available online, slow at waking up from sleep, screen not as good as air.

So there are my views. Yes, it's a tough decision, but you will be a winner with either choice. Good luck!

 

[Fizzoid]

Just letting you know, COD4 will probably be unplayable or extremely laggy on the Air. You need a dedicated video card for that graphic extensive games. Like the Macbook Pro 15" with the 9600m.

I have a quad-core gaming PC that compliments my Air, so I'll never install games on this.

People are running COD4 on their 13" uMB\MBP, admittedly, not on high settings, but it will be playable

 

[entatlrg]

I went from Air A to B, and LOVED the B with the SSD. When the New MBP 13 came out I thought it was time as I really needed more HD Space. I've had this machine for a week and love having all the hard drive space. Note, I added a 500 gig HD, which was quite easy to do. If I didn't need more HD space I would stick to my Air. I find the pro slow to wake up from sleep. It may have something to do with it not being an SSD. Here is my take on the pro's on both. Air: Lightweight, WOW factor, VERY fast with SSD, new low price. Pro: More Hard Drive space, more ram, all in one with cd/dvd Superdrive. Cons, Air: Not enough HD Space, limited to one USB port, no expansion available. Pro: SSD option very expensive and 250gig not available online, slow at waking up from sleep, screen not as good as air.

So there are my views. Yes, it's a tough decision, but you will be a winner with either choice. Good luck!

owning both is the best solution, good for you, good for apple but not so good for the wallet

 

[glitch44]

Sure, I can install it tonight and post back. I limited my bootcamp partition to 32 GB for Windows 7, so about 3-4 games is all I keep there at one time. Maybe we can get a round in this week.

Just so you know, I asked in another thread too and this is what ayeying wrote:

1280x800 @ all med works perfectly.

Also tried CoD: WaW, CoD4, GTA4, Civ 4 all expansions including colonization, Sins of a Solar Empire w/ expansion, Star Wars Empires at War, all runs nicely when configured properly

So it looks like Left 4 Dead will work on Rev C. This is making my purchase decision difficult...

 

[gman901]

L4d

Good news for you! It plays fine on all settings, but it can get a little choppy at times when you are at 1280 x 800 resolution, unless it's some lag from my wireless Internet connection. I really enjoyed playing it on my Air, but I really suck at this game. People who play it have no patience for newbies like me.

 

[funkyc]

for those of u with both an air and the new 13" mbp how does the screen compare? tia

 

[uniforms]

for those of u with both an air and the new 13" mbp how does the screen compare?

The screens on both air A and B were AWSOME. The 13" pro is just good. It took some time to get the colors right using Heuy Pro. But still not as nice as Air. I don't have the marks left on the screen like I did on the air. (keyboard)

I have been using this 13" MBP for a week while on the road. I do miss my air, but the pro is a great machine. As I said in an earlier post, there are pro's and con's to each machine and either one would be a superior choice. Even just the transfer of information from one machine to the other went flawless using Migration. And all my contacts, calender and mail went through with Mobile me with not one problem. Apple sure has it over any other computer company. That's why I'm up so early ready to get inline so I can get the new iPhone! I'm hooked!

 

[funkyc]

The screens on both air A and B were AWSOME. The 13" pro is just good. It took some time to get the colors right using Heuy Pro. But still not as nice as Air. I don't have the marks left on the screen like I did on the air. (keyboard)

I have been using this 13" MBP for a week while on the road. I do miss my air, but the pro is a great machine. As I said in an earlier post, there are pro's and con's to each machine and either one would be a superior choice. Even just the transfer of information from one machine to the other went flawless using Migration. And all my contacts, calender and mail went through with Mobile me with not one problem. Apple sure has it over any other computer company. That's why I'm up so early ready to get inline so I can get the new iPhone! I'm hooked!

ah, so the rumours that the new 13" mbp screens are the same as those on the airs is not true?

could u share some of the settings on ur new machine with those of us without access to a calibrator? cheers

i'm yet to get a new 13" mbp but looking to get one when the new OS comes out later on...

 

[entatlrg]

That's why I'm up so early ready to get inline so I can get the new iPhone! I'm hooked!

yea, me too, up early ready to be first in line for the new (32gb) iphone in a few hours, woo hoo !