MBP vs. MBA???

[Dmac77]

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So I'll be getting a new Mac within the month, which will replace/supplement my 2007 iMac (20" 2.4 Ghz).

I'm debating between the 13" MBP (base) and either the 11.6" or 13" MBA (1.6 Ghz for the 11.6" and 1.86 Ghz for the 13", 128GB for both, and 4GB RAM for both).

I'm a junior in high school who currently lugs a 6 lbs 15" toshiba to school everyday, and the weight does get to me.

Main Uses:

Word Processing
Frequent keynotes/PowerPoints
Web browsing
Occasional work in Photoshop CS5
Occasional work in InDesign CS5
Occasional work in xCode (not often)
Watching videos/listening to music

Which one is going to be better for me?

Thanks,

-Don

 

[zub3qin]

Not sure if the new Macbook Air (esp the 11.6) will be able to run MS Office 2011 effectively. Or parallels and windows xp.

Anyone know if the slower processor can do this well on the 11.6 MBA?

 

[Velin]

Concerning the Air, and for word processing and presentations, forget the 11". You'll need the 13.3" for sure. You will get frustrated having to continually move your document or slide around when you can't fit much on that 11" screen.

So no matter what, you really -- really -- will want the bigger screen. Take it from someone who does a lot of what you do on a 13" MBP. I'm getting the 13" Air, no way could I work on that smaller screen.

 

[Dmac77]

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That could be an issue, because I do use MS word for almost 6 hours a day taking notes in class. I use keynote for presentations though.

Bootcamp wouldn't be an issue though, I despise windows, I find my buggy hackintosh install on my toshiba to be better than windows 7.

Edit: @Velin- would that be an issue with the 1366x768 resolution on the screen? That is the resolution on my 15" toshiba and it hasnt been an issue.
-Don

 

[jb1280]

Concerning the Air, and for word processing and presentations, forget the 11". You'll need the 13.3" for sure. You will get frustrated having to continually move your document or slide around when you can't fit much on that 11" screen.

So no matter what, you really -- really -- will want the bigger screen. Take it from someone who does a lot of what you do on a 13" MBP. I'm getting the 13" Air, no way could I work on that smaller screen.

you say this even with the increased resolution?

 

[kingsal]

I'm a junior in high school

Do you plan on keeping this laptop in college (2 years away for you) as well? If so, you might want Air because it will be much lighter to carry around campus. I don't think 11" vs 13" will make much of a difference, if you can afford to the higher price go for the larger screen.

 

[Dmac77]

Do you plan on keeping this laptop in college (2 years away for you) as well? If so, you might want Air because it will be much lighter to carry around campus. I don't think 11" vs 13" will make much of a difference, if you can afford to the higher price go for the larger screen.

No, I don't plan on keeping this laptop into college. That's why I'm not thinking about getting the max upgrades (i.e. 2.13 Ghz, 256GB, etc.) on either of the laptops.

-Don

 

[King t.]

currently thinking of selling my MBP so that I can get the high end MBA...

 

[J400uk]

Concerning the Air, and for word processing and presentations, forget the 11". You'll need the 13.3" for sure. You will get frustrated having to continually move your document or slide around when you can't fit much on that 11" screen.

So no matter what, you really -- really -- will want the bigger screen. Take it from someone who does a lot of what you do on a 13" MBP. I'm getting the 13" Air, no way could I work on that smaller screen.

Yes but the 11" Air has a higher resolution screen than the 13" Pro