New 2.13GHz SSD MBA - keep or trade?

[smchan]

I just won a 2.13GHz SSD MBA in a sweepstakes. I'm shocked I won b/c I usually enter these things, forget about them and never hear anything back. I currently have an early 2008 17" MBP which is impossible to use on an airplane in coach so I was considering a 13" or 15" MBP for the smaller size, bigger battery life and - in the case of the 15" - the possibility of having 8G memory.

My primary concerns when traveling are ability to use the machine in coach and battery life for longer trips between recharging. I do email, writing, presentations, and very light photo (Photoshop) and video editing (Premiere Pro) when traveling. I will occasionally boot Winodows in Fusion, as well.

Should I keep the MBA or sell it in order to buy a smaller MBP?

Thanks,
Sam

 

[GoCubsGo]

I would trade for a 13" MBP only because you mentioned premier. And wow, what a great prize. I love the MBAir but you seem to need slightly more ram.

 

[halledise]

I just won a 2.13GHz SSD MBA in a sweepstakes. I'm shocked I won b/c I usually enter these things, forget about them and never hear anything back. I currently have an early 2008 17" MBP which is impossible to use on an airplane in coach so I was considering a 13" or 15" MBP for the smaller size, bigger battery life and - in the case of the 15" - the possibility of having 8G memory.

My primary concerns when traveling are ability to use the machine in coach and battery life for longer trips between recharging. I do email, writing, presentations, and very light photo (Photoshop) and video editing (Premiere Pro) when traveling. I will occasionally boot Winodows in Fusion, as well.

Should I keep the MBA or sell it in order to buy a smaller MBP?

Thanks,
Sam

agree with jessica - go for a top of the range 13" MBPro and select the SSD option.
they are soundless and faster than a 5400rpm spinner.
then you can max out the memory from 4gb to 8gb at your leisure - if you find you have a need for it.

the 128gb SSD should be sufficient w/o going to the expense of the 256gb SSD, as an external 250gb drive are cheap as chips these days (sorry: 'chips' = 'fries' to you yanks)

 

[tubbymac]

Should I keep the MBA or sell it in order to buy a smaller MBP?

I'd sell it and get a MBP 13. The extra battery life on the MBP versus the MBA is extremely handy to have on flights. You'll worry less about trying to find a power outlet.

I have mine paired with a SSD and it's amazing for traveling.

 

[GadgetGeek407]

I'd sell it and get a MBP 13. The extra battery life on the MBP versus the MBA is extremely handy to have on flights. You'll worry less about trying to find a power outlet.

I have mine paired with a SSD and it's amazing for traveling.

A couple of people have talked about taking the 13" pro and putting SSD , how much did it cost? was it easy to do?

I am REALLY looking forward to a MBA with 4gb ram, SSD and better battery....I have the pro13" and was playing with my ssd 2.13 air and DAMN I still like it lol, I love the trackpad on pro too

 

[PsyD4Me]

on my MBA i could get about 4.5 hours while i think real world numbers for the MBP are what about 6.5? so if a few extra hours are more important than form factor (as it is much easier to lug around a MBA) go for it, but than again having two MBP's is kinda overkill. I find that diversification makes life more fun

 

[cfitz7111]

Based on what you are using the computer for, I agree with many here, the top of the 13 MBP is your best bet.

 

[smchan]

I received notification on Tuesday that the MBA I won will be ordered this week and sent to me. I'm excited. I was tempted to ask for a substition for a MBP13 w/ SSD but the contest rules specifically said no prize substitutions.

I still haven't decided whether to keep or trade/sell for a MBP13 - though still strongly leaning towards some form of new MBP. As previously mentioned, I have an older MBP17 (employer supplied) and a Mac Pro (personal workstation). My wife has a MBP15 that I bought for her about 6 weeks ago and she's considering a trade for the MBA - in which case I'll retire my MBP17. If I keep the MBA or trade for a MBP13, then I'll maintain it as a travel machine only. She only does email, light photo editing, etc and I think she'd like the MBA if she can get used to the 13" screen. We're going by the local Apple store tomorrow so she can try one out.

I do video editing as a hobby and software development as a profession, so the thought of a machine with 8G memory is very appealing. I know I'd like the long battery life as well as my MBP17 barely last 3 hours on battery.

Sam

 

[smchan]

An update

I received my MacBook Air today. I actually received the 1.86GHz model with a 120G hard drive - not the SSD model I was expecting. No worries, free is free. Anyways, I took the machine to the Apple Store and they graciously let me swap for a 13" 2.53GHz MacBook Pro. Since the 13" MBP cost the same as the MBA I won - it was an even swap with no money out of pocket.

I really liked the MBA and had I received the SSD model, I would've probably kept it. Anyways, I'm sure I'll be happy with the extra memory and battery life on the MBP as well.

Thanks, all, for your help.

Sam

 

[5630745]

Congats and enjoy the new machine!!