Questions for MBA 13 base owners

[bakacornelius]

I waited for the Air announcement when I wanted a MBP, just in case something amazing came out. I liked the form factor but the specs looked like poop. So I went ahead and bought the MBP. Then, a couple of days later, the benchmarks and real world impressions start coming out and it seems as though, except in the truly high demand world of video editing, transcoding and graphics work, the 13 base MBA is the equal (if not outperforms) the MBP. I have a week to decide whether to return the MBP for an air and I don't want to wishing I did for months/years after. So, here's some questions for MBA owners (hopefully some that had/have 13 MBPs).

1. One of the things I like about the 13 MBP is how it does most things effortlessly without the fans ramping up. I'd liken it to how a car like a BMW derives a lot of power from torque at modest revs whereas a Honda will do it from HP at high revs. Does the MBA have to be working furiously all the time to match or beat the MBPs performance? I have a 4.5 year old MB and it still works well but if I do almost anything demanding the fan goes up to 6K and it starts burning a hole in my pants.

2. How does the MBA feel? Is it solid as heck like the MBP?

I'll use the MBA for web browsing, iTunes, HD movies, maybe some games, iPhoto/Picasa.

Thanks!

 

[teerexx52]

I waited for the Air announcement when I wanted a MBP, just in case something amazing came out. I liked the form factor but the specs looked like poop. So I went ahead and bought the MBP. Then, a couple of days later, the benchmarks and real world impressions start coming out and it seems as though, except in the truly high demand world of video editing, transcoding and graphics work, the 13 base MBA is the equal (if not outperforms) the MBP. I have a week to decide whether to return the MBP for an air and I don't want to wishing I did for months/years after. So, here's some questions for MBA owners (hopefully some that had/have 13 MBPs).

1. One of the things I like about the 13 MBP is how it does most things effortlessly without the fans ramping up. I'd liken it to how a car like a BMW derives a lot of power from torque at modest revs whereas a Honda will do it from HP at high revs. Does the MBA have to be working furiously all the time to match or beat the MBPs performance? I have a 4.5 year old MB and it still works well but if I do almost anything demanding the fan goes up to 6K and it starts burning a hole in my pants.

2. How does the MBA feel? Is it solid as heck like the MBP?

Thanks!

I have a 15" MBP i7 and my wife a 13" C2D. We both switched over to Macbook Airs. Mine is base model hers is 11.6 + 128GB SSD. Both 2GB Ram. I think it is all based on what you do with the computer. I have played You Tube, HD Trailers, Surfed, edited photos, did my itunes, word processing. I opened 9 programs at once trying to get it to bounce more than once in the dock and couldn't do it. No beach balls, no slow downs so far. The unit is very solid and the screen is superb.

Hope this helps you.

 

[bakacornelius]

Thanks Teerexx,

Yeah, I'll be doing the same apps (nothing major). Just to clarify, you have the base 13? Does it get hot at all underneath and do you hear the fans when you are doing basic web browsing with flash, iTunes and iPhoto?

Thanks again.

 

[citizenal]

Just got mine in today and was watching a 720 p movie streaming from the web. After watching for a couple of minutes I let it run in the background and downloaded smc fan control. Temps were in the 160's, but the bottom didn't feel too hot, only at the back left and middle of the machine. I turned on the fans to 3000 rmp and temps dropped to 150's to high 140's. Machine then felt warm, but never hot. I am very happy so far with my 13.3 w/ 2.13 and 256 ram so far.

 

[teerexx52]

Thanks Teerexx,

Yeah, I'll be doing the same apps (nothing major). Just to clarify, you have the base 13? Does it get hot at all underneath and do you hear the fans when you are doing basic web browsing with flash, iTunes and iPhoto?

Thanks again.

It does get "warmer" when I am surfing and using flash extensively like Farmville. Not nearly as warm as my i7 gets. I would honestly say for most anything it has remained remarkably cool. Mine is a base 13" with 2gb ram. I almost took it back for 4gb but didn't want to make the trip and possibly have to pay restocking. The more I use it the more I'm happy with the 2gb base. I am sitting across from my wife at Dunkin Donuts and she is on an 11.6" model. I'm just a little jealous....just a little