MBA or MB?

[3dflyboy1]

Well, I'm a student in need of a new laptop, and I couldn't decide between a MBA or MB. (both refurbed)

Here's the links:
MBA: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC505LL/A?mco=MjA2NTk3NzA
MB: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC516LL/A?mco=MTg0NzA2MTU

If I only use it for word processing, web surfing, music, movies, etc. will the MBA fit my needs just as well as the MB? As a student, the lightweight, ultraportable design of the MBA is rather enticing. But I'm also concerned that the MBA would be too similar to the iPad I already own.

Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

[alust2013]

I'd say an 11" air and an iPad are redundant. Plus, you have very limited storage in that particular Air.

 

[3dflyboy1]

The storage isn't too big of a problem, because my iTunes library isn't that big and I have an external HDD. 64GB would be more than enough for me. Also, the primary use would be word processing, such as notes, essays, etc. Taking this into account, the MBA and MB look very, very similar, concerning my particular needs. However, as you mentioned, the redundancy is a factor as well. I could use the ipad and bluetooth keyboard for taking notes, but I think that toting around both defeats the purpose of the ipad. Maybe I could sell the ipad and buy the MBA? Thoughts?

 

[Poisoned1]

I bought an ipad when they first came out and was so happy with using it that i decided to buy a mac. when they mba came out i waited and researched it to make sure it was sufficient for my needs, which are similar to yours. I settled for the 11" 1.6 c2d 4gb ram with 128gb ssd. so far i really love it. i only have an 8 gb itunes library but going to start buying some movies soon. i had bought like 2-3 games and pages off of the mac app store. i have more than half of my ssd available. i rarely use my ipad anymore and looking to sell it also to help pay off the mba. i decided the best combo for me would be the mba and an ipod touch (waiting for new model to come out) for school. i say sell the ipad and get mba. i think the mba is more ideal for school work over the ipad.

 

[3dflyboy1]

i decided the best combo for me would be the mba and an ipod touch (waiting for new model to come out) for school. i say sell the ipad and get mba. i think the mba is more ideal for school work over the ipad.

I'm beginning to think the same thing...and I'm seeing 1st gen ipads going for ~350 on ebay (16GB wifi) so selling is looking pretty good. And I'm waiting for the new ipod touch to some out too so I can upgrade from my 2nd gen.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I'd say an 11" air and an iPad are redundant. Plus, you have very limited storage in that particular Air.

This is my view as well; I'd suggest that you sell the iPad and get the MBA - it's more versatile for what you have in mind.

Cheers

 

[palpatine]

the ipad can be pretty useful. here's what i do.

1) in class i take notes with pen/pencil and paper (remember better this way, and take better notes)
2) in between classes i read materials on ipad (i digitize everything including books, journal articles, and handouts)
3) at home i scan notes into pdf form using scansnap and upload these to evernote

i usually only bring an ipad and notebook on campus. my mbp is at home. the mba sounds like it would be perfectly fine for you, but one thing you cannot do well on it (or the ipod) is read pdfs.

besides having a lighter backpack (no books), an organized life (no papers), and thousands of books available in the palm of your hand (everything scanned), once everything is digitized, you can search all of it instantly. this is quite nice when you are writing papers

i'd keep the ipad.

 

[42streetsdown]

I'd say an 11" air and an iPad are redundant. Plus, you have very limited storage in that particular Air.

No it's not! Real keyboard, real OS. If the OP wants to type notes in class is the iPad going to hold up?

I personally would wait for the new models of both the MB, and the MBA, but referbs of those won't be out for a couple months after their release.

I personally like the Air better. the portability is awesome, and don't really worry about the storage because i've got an iMac with plenty of room.

It's all about preference i guess, but keep in mind that those refurbs have pretty old processors in them.

 

[Young Spade]

The storage isn't too big of a problem, because my iTunes library isn't that big and I have an external HDD. 64GB would be more than enough for me. Also, the primary use would be word processing, such as notes, essays, etc. Taking this into account, the MBA and MB look very, very similar, concerning my particular needs. However, as you mentioned, the redundancy is a factor as well. I could use the ipad and bluetooth keyboard for taking notes, but I think that toting around both defeats the purpose of the ipad. Maybe I could sell the ipad and buy the MBA? Thoughts?

I would go for the MBA in this case. Yes you already have an iPad but I don't see how having a tablet would influence your preference of laptop if you aren't going to be doing anything particularly CPU intensive. You should always purchase what's best for YOU and what you want to do with the machine. For the tasks you stated, the MBA would actually be faster than the MB because of the SSD.

If you haven't yet, go look at comparison videos of the MBA and the new MBPs with the SNB processor. For pretty much every application, the MBA opens it faster than the Pro or iMac does, along with insane boot times.

I'm currently trying to sell my upgraded blackbook to actually purchase a MBA because, like you, I only watch HD video, want to do a little light gaming, web browsing, and document composition. The MBA can handle all of that and has the smallest footprint.