MBA "upgrade" from MBP

[Olvenskol]

So, I have a 15" Macbook Pro that is about a year old now. I love this machine: my favorite machine out of 25+ years of owning personal computers.

Recently, as an extravagant birthday present, I got a 1.6/HD Macbook Air. I spent a lot of time agonizing over whether or not the limitations would be a problem, would it have fan problems, would it run too hot. All the stuff we see posted here.

Anyhow, the MBA has been working pretty well and I find that I now think of my much-loved MBP as "the dinosaur". I really have no clue what to do with it.

My primary use of the MBA is "portable office"... web, email, iLife, iWork, MS Office. I don't game on it (but I didn't on my MBP either), I don't store my media on it (but I didn't on my MBP either).

Heat... pretty much never above 55 unless I intentionally push it (which I have). Fans, don't remember them above 2600 unless I'm trying to make them run high. Battery life... 3.5 hours usually. Wish it was more, could probably stretch it to 4 with some tuning.

So, I guess my message is this... if you fit the right user profile (this is critical), then the MBA is a truly great machine, even with the revision A limitations and problems. Perhaps I got lucky with the unit, perhaps not. I think the more significant factor is that I'm in the sweet spot for the user profile... very portable, office/productivity-style applications.

 

[Sky Blue]

Anyhow, the MBA has been working pretty well and I find that I now think of my much-loved MBP as "the dinosaur". I really have no clue what to do with it.

Dismantle it and throw the components at peasants as they pass by your window.

 

[tMac85]

I can see the same thing happening to me. At first the MBA wasnt anything special to me. I dont have one, but the more i see it, use it, the more i think that it could be. I have a MBP and it still is the best machine i have owned too. Maybe later when things pick up, the MBA will be a good choice for me.

 

[forafireescape]

I'm glad it worked out for you, but you're definitely right about the "right market." I can't picture the MBA as my sole computer.

 

[NC MacGuy]

My situation exactly.

Thought the Air was going to be for travel only and haven't touched the MBP except for updates since the Air arrived.

I'd still holding on to it though. And got time machine going just in-case

 

[Skystar]

I am on the same exact boat, except I have not got my MBA yet. I am trying to sell my MBP (Rev. A Intel!). I do the same things you do - web, email, and maybe some light iphoto/imovie work. I take my MBP with me on a train commute every day with bus and subway connections. I'm hoping getting a MBA would feel like an "upgrade" just because of the size and weight alone.

 

[Olvenskol]

I'm glad it worked out for you, but you're definitely right about the "right market." I can't picture the MBA as my sole computer.

I complete agree there. I would not want it as my sole computer either. I do game and have my zillion picture library and my digital music. Just not on my MBA

 

[iSee]

I agree.

My wife's old computer (Thinkpad) broke down and I switched her over to the MBA. She is the perfect MBA user:
* Uses email, Office, and the Internet
* Portability is very important (she has to cart the thing between the house, office and courthouse constantly).
* No games.
* Doesn't need large media files on the computer itself. Our movies, photos, music, etc. are elsewhere.
* Would prefer to never use a computer port again for the rest of her life. The limited ports is not a negative in her mind.

A Macbook would have been good for her, too. But it has a couple extra pounds of capabilities she'd have to carry around but never use.

 

[Seth Hawkins]

I came to the same conclusions. My "old" laptop is a desktop replacement - big, heavy and hot. I thought it was exactly what I wanted in a notebook computer. Then, the MacBook Air came along. My first thoughts on it were "yeah, right... what can you do on a notebook that small? Why, it doesn't even have an optical drive. Apple's gonna take it in the shorts with this thing." But I started thinking about what I actually do with my big, heavy, hot laptop. I email, surf, listen to music, watch videos, and use office-type software - word processing, spread sheets, etc.

I found this site, and noticed that everyone who uses their notebook to do all those same things found the MBA was perfect for them. So I bought one. Since it arrived, I haven't touched ANY of my other computers. Other than gaming, the MBA does everything I want a notebook computer to do.

 

[mdwsta4]

if i had a mac pro i'd probably buy a MBA for the portability. but i have a MBP that is an excellent machine. don't see the point in having two laptops. plus i'm not sure how i feel about not being able to keep my music and photo collection on the computer (because of how small the hard drive is)

 

[seancusick]

I purchased the air the day it came out. I then had serious buyers remorse- most of which came from reading these boards, with people saying how much more computer you get with a MPB. Many comments I agree with. Sold the air, and used the MBP for about a month. I could not believe how the once stylish and slim MPB felt like a dinosaur. More importantly, I found myself not taking it on the go as much. So my wife thinks that I am crazy, but I just bought another air. (Thank you high EBAY resale of macs) The best equation that I can give is between my digital rebel and my pocket Canon. Not a super difference for casual pictures. Due to the size, I find myself using the pocket camera more often. The lens kits are nice- but are a pain to carry everyday...The same holds true with these computers. The pro is needed for video work and gaming. The air tends to be used so much more for 90% of how I use a computer on most days. And to be honest, I don't edit movies on the go- I transfer them and work at a desk. The one usb, not really an issue for me. I print wirelessly, and only use it to import pictures.

So those on the fence...the air replaced my MBP- which has always been my favorite ( I have owned 3) The air now holds that spot.
I also think that Apple has worked out some of the early bugs. This one is much cooler, and beach balls much less... Well, I am writing this in the park via some free wifi. I def have an extra spring in my step with the slight weight. I don't care what others say, it makes a real noticeable difference.

 

[silverblack]

What a good analogy with the digital camera. No one would disagree that your dSLR will give you much better performance than your point-and-shoot. But it is the point-and-shoot (or even your cell phone camera) and you take with you everywhere.

Too many times, I take my MBA with me to meetings, and end up using it even though I did not expect to need it. With my previous MB, everyday I asked myself a 2nd time "do I really need it today" before I left my office or hotel room with it.

Remember computer performance is all relative, not too long ago, the 1.6G C2D was the fastest cpu. And, not too far from the distant future, someone will consider the 8-core cpu too slow. However, what hasn't changed in the history of laptop computers: <3 lbs is light; >5 lbs is too heavy.

My point is, for average consumers, the performance reduction in MBA is over-rated. On the other hand, the benefit of portability is not fully recognized until you experience it.

 

[aristobrat]

So those on the fence...the air replaced my MBP- which has always been my favorite ( I have owned 3) The air now holds that spot.

+1

Haven't used my MBP since I received my Air earlier this month. Will be eBaying shortly...

 

[Skystar]

.... My point is, for average consumers, the performance reduction in MBA is over-rated. On the other hand, the benefit of portability is not fully recognized until you experience it.

Exactly. I used to lug a 15" MBP with me to work everyday (train/subway/bus/walk commute), I even left the power adapter at work to save some weight in my bag. Yesterday I purchased my MBA, and today it felt like I forgot my laptop at home! I'm going to be able to get a much smaller bag now.

 

[NC MacGuy]

Exactly. I used to lug a 15" MBP with me to work everyday (train/subway/bus/walk commute), I even left the power adapter at work to save some weight in my bag. Yesterday I purchased my MBA, and today it felt like I forgot my laptop at home! I'm going to be able to get a much smaller bag now.

After more than two months, I STILL check my bag to make sure I've got my Air. It just doesn't feel like it's there.

Bought a much smaller briefcase but the thinness along the couple of pounds wht. reduction really do make a world of difference if you carried a laptop all day before it.

 

[ayeying]

So, I have a 15" Macbook Pro that is about a year old now. I love this machine: my favorite machine out of 25+ years of owning personal computers.

Recently, as an extravagant birthday present, I got a 1.6/HD Macbook Air. I spent a lot of time agonizing over whether or not the limitations would be a problem, would it have fan problems, would it run too hot. All the stuff we see posted here.

Anyhow, the MBA has been working pretty well and I find that I now think of my much-loved MBP as "the dinosaur". I really have no clue what to do with it.

My primary use of the MBA is "portable office"... web, email, iLife, iWork, MS Office. I don't game on it (but I didn't on my MBP either), I don't store my media on it (but I didn't on my MBP either).

Heat... pretty much never above 55 unless I intentionally push it (which I have). Fans, don't remember them above 2600 unless I'm trying to make them run high. Battery life... 3.5 hours usually. Wish it was more, could probably stretch it to 4 with some tuning.

So, I guess my message is this... if you fit the right user profile (this is critical), then the MBA is a truly great machine, even with the revision A limitations and problems. Perhaps I got lucky with the unit, perhaps not. I think the more significant factor is that I'm in the sweet spot for the user profile... very portable, office/productivity-style applications.

Im actually in the same boat as you are, except the fact I do game. Not as much anymore but I do game like maybe 20 minutes a day.. yeah, seems like nothing but I like to try out new games when it comes out.. play it for about a week and get bored of it. lol. really bad for me.

Maybe this is why I got the MacBook Pro to help me with the gaming part... but its kinda bulky after having the air but it satisfies my gaming part. I just wished the air had just a little bit more powerful in graphics.. then it owuld be perfect for me.

 

[steve31]

I then had serious buyers remorse- most of which came from reading these boards, with people saying how much more computer you get with a MPB.

ME TOO!! But I wanted something small to surf on the couch and to do some light traveling with. I returned it and bought a BLK MB and after I used it for a day I realized that it was the same weight as my MBP and I was missing the "Thinness" and LED screen... So the next morning I was back to the store to get the same MBA that I just returned back...very embarrassed..but happy!