keep last year's 13" Pro or get the 11" Air?

[joshwithachance]

I love my Pro, but I've been so fascinated by the 11.6" Air since it's release...

Things I use my Pro for:

- Tumblr/web browsing
- listening to iTunes
- light video editing in iMovie
- microsoft word
- some email in Mail
- Skype

What would you do?

 

[Hellhammer]

Well, if you move it around A LOT so the extra portability would be useful for you, then it might be worth it. It is slower so IMO the only reason to get one is if you need more portability than your current setup offers.

 

[joshwithachance]

Well, if you move it around A LOT so the extra portability would be useful for you, then it might be worth it. It is slower so IMO the only reason to get one is if you need more portability than your current setup offers.

you might not believe it, but this post helped me out A LOT. I don't really move around a lot where I am constantly carrying my MacBook so I guess I'll stick with the Pro for the light up keyboard and added power/battery life. thanks

 

[jasonph]

Tough choice

That's a tough choice. Lose money on selling your 13" pro or keep it.

I have a 13" Macbook Air and have to say it is very very fast. For everyday use it's probably the most responsive notebook I've ever used and the instant on from sleep and boot from cold in 12 seconds makes me want to use the machine - before I've defaulted to the ipad because I couldn't be bothered to turn my notebook on.

I agree with previous comments on other posts that Apple concentrated on the one area which really affects performance on modern computers - the I/O subsystem.

With so many O/S's relying on swap files putting a solid state drive in makes all the difference as the biggest bottleneck in any PC (especially notebooks) is the hard drive. This, along with Apple integrating the new drives into the Firmware and OS X makes these things fly.

I run a variety of software from browsers to some design applications, games and even do some video conversion for my iphone.

I have to say also that the screen is awesome. I was torn whether to go with an Air or a Pro but I'm glad I went with the Air - the screen and SSD drives really made the difference for me, especially as quality SSD drives are so expensive and Apple has carefully optimised the drives it has chosen for the air.

 

[VNM]

Made that exact switch recently, was able to sell off the MBP and find an 11" (1.4/64/4) with case on kijiji and come out $50 ahead. Been a great switch, the portability difference is very nice. Had an external monitor for working on projects, so the switch to the smaller screen hasn't been an issue. Only complaint is that the battery life isn't as good, and that I sometimes think I forgot the MBA since my bag is so light...

 

[fyrefly]

Made that exact switch recently, was able to sell off the MBP and find an 11" (1.4/64/4) with case on kijiji and come out $50 ahead. Been a great switch, the portability difference is very nice. Had an external monitor for working on projects, so the switch to the smaller screen hasn't been an issue.

I second Hellhammer's comments, that other than an increase in portability (which you highlight as well), the 11" MBA would almost be a downgrade in terms of overall performance (tho it may *feel* faster due to the SSD.

Also, not sure the OP has an external monitor to work on, plus if you're looking at MBP w/o external (and it works for your use) or needing an external to make the 11" useful most of the time, I'd say the MBP would be a better choice.

Only complaint is that the battery life isn't as good, and that I sometimes think I forgot the MBA since my bag is so light...

Hah. I've had that "Is my computer even in the bag?" issue since I got the first MBA in 2008! Nice to see I'm not alone.

To the OP, I'd also surmise that asking this question in the MBP forum might get you different answers, and tilt your poll back in the other direction, rather than asking MBA owners if they think the MBA is better (of course they do! They own them! )

 

[BENJMNS]

love how often these threads creep up when 99% of the time, it's not about desire, it's about $.

look man... you're "fascinated" with the MBA. are you "fascinated" with the MBP? no.

get the MBA. done.

 

[VNM]

Also, not sure the OP has an external monitor to work on, plus if you're looking at MBP w/o external (and it works for your use) or needing an external to make the 11" useful most of the time, I'd say the MBP would be a better choice.

I meant for certain things the external is useful, for general word processing, surfing, etc. the MBA's screen size isn't an issue. But if I need multiple papers open, a second monitor is very useful, and was often needed with the MBP as well. From the OP's list, only the video editing might be hindered by the screen size.

And yes, the MBA is a downgrade in terms of processing, my MBP had a SSD in too, so for my uses they are essentially equivalent in speed. If you're going from a 5400 RPM hdd to the MBA I would assume it appears faster for non-CPU intensive tasks.