Macbook Air 11.6 for University

[Hustle]

I'm currently in my first year studying BSc Computing and am lugging a 13.3'' Macbook Pro to and from university everyday. While it's not as heavy as most full 15'' laptops, it's still quite noticeable when you're carrying it around for 6 hours a day.

Is it worth selling it and getting the 11.6'' Macbook Air?

My main concerns are that for my course I will have to program in java occasionally and therefore I would most likely have to install Windows for this (I am learning how to program in Windows and am not sure how to do this with a mac).

Also, the backlit keyboard is missing in the air. Even though I'm a touch typist, this is a nice feature on the MBP.

Has anyone switched from the pro 13 to the air 11? Any opinions/comments? Thanks

 

[Hellhammer]

I'm planning to get 13" MBA for uni though my usage includes mostly writing papers and stuff.

You can install Windows via Parallels to run OS X and Windows at the same time.

 

[citron230]

I dumped the 13" MBP for a 13" MBA for my university studies. I use my computer mostly for taking notes, writing papers, internet, email, iChat, etc. The weight difference is noticble in my bag and I agree, lugging the MBP with my books around all day sucks. I am on campus about 6-8 a day.
I chose the 13" over the 11" MBA for several reasons. I love the size of the 11", but I wanted the extra two hours for of battery life the 13" offers. Most days I have three lectures with passing periods in between and I hate having to look for a power source. My 2009 MPB had the 7 hour internal battery and I was able to get through school days 90% of the time without having to plug in. I didn't want to give that up. I must say though, I am very impressed so far with the batter life of 13", it is better than my MBP was for sure.

 

[jameskk]

I dumped the 13" MBP for a 13" MBA for my university studies. I use my computer mostly for taking notes, writing papers, internet, email, iChat, etc. The weight difference is noticble in my bag and I agree, lugging the MBP with my books around all day sucks. I am on campus about 6-8 a day.
I chose the 13" over the 11" MBA for several reasons. I love the size of the 11", but I wanted the extra two hours for of battery life the 13" offers. Most days I have three lectures with passing periods in between and I hate having to look for a power source. My 2009 MPB had the 7 hour internal battery and I was able to get through school days 90% of the time without having to plug in. I didn't want to give that up. I must say though, I am very impressed so far with the batter life of 13", it is better than my MBP was for sure.

I did the same earlier this semester... would never go back!! MBA is the future baby!

 

[johannnn]

I did buy 2010 13" MBP and took it to school everyday. Then I also bought an iPad, and I left the MBP at home. I do mostly reading at school anyway. And it was so nice for my back. Now I've ordered the 11" MBA and I'll sell both the MBP and iPad. I'm so eager to get it.

 

[Transporteur]

My main concerns are that for my course I will have to program in java occasionally and therefore I would most likely have to install Windows for this (I am learning how to program in Windows and am not sure how to do this with a mac).

Java programming is the same for both Mac and PC, since it is platform independent (one big advantage of Java).

The most common IDE's such as Eclipse and Netbeans are available for both platforms. Being a Java developer for the last 4 years (not any more though), I highly recommend Eclipse over Netbeans.

 

[Hustle]

Java programming is the same for both Mac and PC, since it is platform independent (one big advantage of Java).

The most common IDE's such as Eclipse and Netbeans are available for both platforms. Being a Java developer for the last 4 years (not any more though), I highly recommend Eclipse over Netbeans.

At the moment, we're only making simple programs in TextPad, saving them as .java and compiling/running them in Command Prompt. I guess you can just use a similar program to TextPad on a Mac and use terminal to compile/run them? I'm guessing there's an SDK for mac.

 

[mattpreston11]

Where are you studying out of interest?

I'm in my 3rd year of the same course, yes I believe you will need windows for the java programming, although the applications you use (assuming they are the same as what i used) are netbeans and eclipse. I'm not sure if they are available for mac as i only got my first mac a few weeks ago (and my 2nd today, the 11.6 inch air)

Although i can't speak from experience, having only had my air for a day, but i think il be using my air and taking it to uni much more than my previous laptop. its weight is barely noticeable in a bag.

 

[Transporteur]

At the moment, we're only making simple programs in TextPad, saving them as .java and compiling/running them in Command Prompt. I guess you can just use a similar program to TextPad on a Mac and use terminal to compile/run them? I'm guessing there's an SDK for mac.

IDE = SDK.
So as I said, Eclipse (highly recommended) or Netbeans.

It is easier and much faster to develop with an IDE instead of using a text editor and executing via terminal.

I recommend starting with an IDE from the very beginning. You have to get used to it anyway.

 

[Hustle]

Where are you studying out of interest?

I'm in my 3rd year of the same course, yes I believe you will need windows for the java programming, although the applications you use (assuming they are the same as what i used) are netbeans and eclipse. I'm not sure if they are available for mac as i only got my first mac a few weeks ago (and my 2nd today, the 11.6 inch air)

Although i can't speak from experience, having only had my air for a day, but i think il be using my air and taking it to uni much more than my previous laptop. its weight is barely noticeable in a bag.

I'm studying at Bournemouth University, UK. I've never touched programming before, so this is all new to me, but I'm loving it.

IDE = SDK.
So as I said, Eclipse (highly recommended) or Netbeans.

It is easier and much faster to develop with an IDE instead of using a text editor and executing via terminal.

I recommend starting with an IDE from the very beginning. You have to get used to it anyway.

Great, thanks!

 

[omgitscro]

BlueJ is also a good Java IDE, geared towards beginners. I don't have much experience with Eclipse but I do know that BlueJ runs natively and at 64-bit.

 

[Transporteur]

BlueJ is also a good Java IDE, geared towards beginners. I don't have much experience with Eclipse but I do know that BlueJ runs natively and at 64-bit.

Eclipse is also available in 64bit. Doesn't really make a difference, though.

 

[jameskk]

I am also a CS major and we use Eclipse for Java programming... Eclipse is a real memory hog. Get 4GB if you can. I wish that my Rev B MBA had 4GB! But at least the SSD makes a huge difference.