Rev.A MBA or Unibody MB as Secondary Machine

[SonicRage]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to buy a secondary machine to compliment my primary MBP and I'm torn between a refurbished Rev A MBA 1.6/80 and a Unibody MB 2.0. Right now, my MBP is pretty much acting as a desktop so I'm looking for something I can carry with me around the house and very occasionally on trips. A family member of mine has a Rev A MBA so I'm quite familiar with what it is capable of which is 95% of the things I might use want to use it for.

Some of the "pros" I've been considering (to make things simple, a con for one is listed as a pro for the other):

MacBook Air:
More Affordable
More Complimentary (to my MBP)
Superior Display
Backlit Keyboard
More Portable

MacBook:
Better Performance (occasional Flash video, WoW)
More Versatile (Optical Drive for occasional DVDs)
More Reliable (considering Rev A MBA issues)
More Sturdy (IMO..."sloppy" refurb MBA screens are jarring)
Upgradeability

There really isn't any dealbreakers for me so I guess I can't go wrong with either but I'd greatly appreciate anyone's input. Thanks advance!

 

[Maks]

I use an MBP and occasionally a PC as my primary machines, I have an MBA Rev. A as my work computer. I bought it over the Macbook Unibody due to the screen and the additional weight savings. 1.5lbs isn't a lot, but you can argue a pound more for a pro over a MB isn't much and keep going on and on until you are at a 6.5lb machine. I also prefer the screen on the MBA to that of the Macbook...if there was a matte option for the Macbook it definitely would've been a tougher decision. Considering the different environments I work in (client sites, hotel lobbies, airplanes, airports, etc) I couldn't handle having an ultra glossy display. I also haven't had any CPU/heat issues on my Rev A and that includes watching 30+ minutes of youtube, running multiple MS Office apps and general computing.

That said--I will be upgrading to the 1.86 w/128G SSD next week

 

[Doju]

Definitely the air. No doubt.

You already have a powerhouse laptop, why buy another with almost the same specs, just two inches smaller in screen size? Get the real portable if you want a portable.

I mean, the Rev A SHOULD work well in those tasks, but if not, just pop over to your MBP. If you get a MacBook, you may very well just use that all the time.

So definitely a MBA for me. But, as it's cheaper than the MB, I'd recommend paying a tiny bit more closer to the MB price and buying a second hand Rev B HDD. Usually they're in great condition, or never had the box opened, and around $1300 if you're lucky. A bit older ones can be found for $1150 ish. THEN it would be perfect, no questions asked.

Definitely go for the MBA. Like I said, a MBA defines portable, and it's more affordable. You'd be silly not to.

 

[jimboutilier]

I have a Rev A MBA 1.6/2/80 and used it heavily for the past 8 months or so as my primary machine. There is some tweaking that helps performance and the disk speed and capacity is limiting but its been a great machine with fantastic portability, a great screen and you'll love the backlit keyboard.

The MB is still pretty small and light compared to the MBP and has lots of speed and capacity for most people's "only" machine. But if you don't want to cary even the MBP around the house I'd suggest the huge portability difference between the MBP and the MBA rather than going middle of the road with a MB

So unless you watch a lot of video on your computer I'd suggest the MBA over the MB. If you do watch a lot of video, you might be better off with the MB

 

[dubhe]

I think a Rev. B MBA would hold a better resale value than a MB, but a Rev. A may not (the Rev. B being so much better...)

But then, what about a Rev. B MB?

 

[Boston Fan]

Why do you say that the Air is more affordable? It starts at $500 more than the 2.0 Unibody. And if you want the backlit keyboard, the 2.4 Unibody is still $300 cheaper!

And why do you say that the Air is "more portable"? It is lighter, sure, but not sure what you mean by more portable (heck, the Unibody can even fit in a manila envelope, just like the Air). Also confused by your statement "More Complimentary (to my MBP)" - more complimentary how?

 

[Miker2k]

Why do you say that the Air is more affordable? It starts at $500 more than the 2.0 Unibody. And if you want the backlit keyboard, the 2.4 Unibody is still $300 cheaper!

The TS did mention he was looking at a refurb Rev A 1.6 which is $999....

 

[Boston Fan]

The TS did mention he was looking at a refurb Rev A 1.6 which is $999....

Thanks - missed that part. I was comparing new.

But the rest of my questions still stand .

 

[tubbymac]

Get the MBA. I have the MB too and the MBA is much better as the secondary portable. Weight and thinness cannot be understated and when you are using your secondary computer chances are you won't be at a desk and can't get exact viewing angles so the MBA screen wins.