MBA 13" vs. MBP 13"

[fngo]

I'm in the market for a new laptop and I'm having trouble deciding between the MBP 13" and MBA 13" (both with standard configuration).

I currently have a mid-2008 MBP 15" where I mostly do simple web browsing, word processing, torrenting, and the occasional light photo editing. Most of the time, I just do a lot of movie/tv show watching. For these things, I think the MBA would be perfect..however...because I'm in a long distance relationship I spend a LOT of time on Skype/iChat while doing these tasks.

Is being on Skype/iChat with the camera constantly on going to mess with the small processor?

I leaning heavily toward the Air just because I'd really really appreciate the smaller size and weight. I just want to make sure that it'll still be able to function while I'm video chatting, something I do consistently every single day.

Sorry if this was a stupid question, but I'd really appreciate the input! Thanks.

 

[bella92108]

I'm in the market for a new laptop and I'm having trouble deciding between the MBP 13" and MBA 13" (both with standard configuration).

I currently have a mid-2008 MBP 15" where I mostly do simple web browsing, word processing, torrenting, and the occasional light photo editing. Most of the time, I just do a lot of movie/tv show watching. For these things, I think the MBA would be perfect..however...because I'm in a long distance relationship I spend a LOT of time on Skype/iChat while doing these tasks.

Is being on Skype/iChat with the camera constantly on going to mess with the small processor?

I leaning heavily toward the Air just because I'd really really appreciate the smaller size and weight. I just want to make sure that it'll still be able to function while I'm video chatting, something I do consistently every single day.

Sorry if this was a stupid question, but I'd really appreciate the input! Thanks.

Loads of people discussed this already, just browse for how it compares to other systems and which might be right based on your needs. At the end of the day it depends on your needs.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I think the biggest issue for you wouldn't be the CPU (I have a 1.4ghz celeron in my Dell v13, it's their $500 equivalent of the MBA) and it works fine for video chatting, plus web browsing or the like. However, the MBA only has 128gigs of space, which will be eaten up very fast once you add iLife and torrents.

 

[Mhkobe]

First off, it's not a stupid question at all, I'm sure many are wondering which of those two is best for them. The 13.3" MBA would be absolutely perfect for you, I currently have a younger brother at university who I talk to from time to time over iChat. One of those times was earlier today with my new 2.16Ghz 4Gb RAM MBA to his 13" Aluminum MacBook (from that short time when they made base MacBooks aluminum) with 2.0Ghz CPU, and 4Gb RAM. Both of us were on Wifi, and we got pretty decent quality; it cut in and out occasionally, however, that happens even with my early 2008 20" iMac with 4Gb RAM, and a 2.0Ghz CPU. I assume that this is due to his poor internet connection where he is right now (on a coop term), because it affects every computer I use to communicate with him right now, but not when he is actually at university where they have a good internet connection. So, based on your needs and my experiences, I would say that a 13.3" MBA is perfect for you.

 

[bella92108]

First off, it's not a stupid question at all

Who said it was a stupid question?

 

[teski]

Who said it was a stupid question?

The original poster said "Sorry if this was a stupid question, but I'd really appreciate the input! Thanks."

The person replying was stating that the original question was not a stupid one.

 

[bella92108]

The original poster said "Sorry if this was a stupid question, but I'd really appreciate the input! Thanks."

The person replying was stating that the original question was not a stupid one.

Redundant question = YES
Answered in 100 other threads = YES
Stupid question = NO

The answer of which is best for me is asked and answered every time a new macbook or any computer comes out. People should try to understand the fundamentals of what memory, processor, video adaptor, etc offers toward the performance of a computer. That understanding will make you a more enlightened buyer, and make decisions that are best for you and not what others or the salesman want you to go with

 

[bolsen78]

Who said it was a stupid question?

He had mentioned at the end of his post "sorry if this was a stupid question" or something like that.