Swap: MacBook Pro or iPad for MBA 11"

[MacsAreBetter\]

So here's the situation; I am in love with the MBA 11'. It is the perfect computer I'm looking for. But I don't wanna spend money on it so I have two options;

a) Sell my iPad 64 gig wi-fi and add extra money to buy it.
b) Sell my MacBook Pro 13' (2.26C2D)

I bought the iPad for the novelty. I only use it for web browsing on the couch and an occasional game. I use Pages at school but it'd be way more efficient on an Air. So the iPad is practically sitting there, dusting up in the corner.

Or I can trade in my MacBook Pro, computer I'm generally happy with, only problem being graphics, which are apparently better on MBA.

I'm really lost, can anyone help? Any reason I should keep one of the above?

 

[Hellhammer]

Why not sell both? 11" MBA is like a combination of iPad and 13" MBP. It's fully functional like MBP but almost as small and light as iPad. I think you don't really have use for two devices that are so close to each other. Sure you could sell one first (I would sell iPad) and then after couple of weeks, think if you have use for both computers. If not, then sell the MBP

 

[mark28]

Maybe get the 13" MBA and keep your iPad.

The 13"MBA isn't that much slower CPU wise. So spent $200 extra

But else, I'd probably drop the MBP. The iPad is more different from the MBP in relation to the MBA.

 

[Paulywauly]

As you seem to have your heart set on the 11 MBA and are willing to give up your other devices, i say follow Hellhammers advice. Depending on how it pans out you could actually make some money too which is always nice

 

[racer1441]

I would think hard about moving down from 13 to 11.

I found that the 11 wasn't large enough to do work on. Great for web, ect, but work is hard to do on it.

 

[tim100]

can mba replace a mbp

 

[miata]

I would definitely sell the iPad. If you are so sold on the MBA 11, and I can relate, then I would keep the MBP for heavier tasks and go for a base MBA 11 to replace the iPad.

 

[Zackmd1]

So here's the situation; I am in love with the MBA 11'. It is the perfect computer I'm looking for. But I don't wanna spend money on it so I have two options;

a) Sell my iPad 64 gig wi-fi and add extra money to buy it.
b) Sell my MacBook Pro 13' (2.26C2D)

I bought the iPad for the novelty. I only use it for web browsing on the couch and an occasional game. I use Pages at school but it'd be way more efficient on an Air. So the iPad is practically sitting there, dusting up in the corner.

Or I can trade in my MacBook Pro, computer I'm generally happy with, only problem being graphics, which are apparently better on MBA.

I'm really lost, can anyone help? Any reason I should keep one of the above?

I was in almost the same situation your in. I had a 64gb wifi ipad and a macbook pro 13 2.53ghz. What I ended up doing was selling the 64gb ipad and giving the pro to my brother so if I needed it for say a quick cd burn I would have access to it. This is just what I did but since I've had the air I have yet to use the pro for anything.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

Sell both... You'll be so happy you did.

Then you'll have one great laptop that's so light & portable, capable & flexible, you'll be completely satisfied.

Just be sure you order one with 4GB ram so going forward you will not regret it.

The new upcoming OS X as well as other apps we use as time goes by always demand more resources. I'm so glad I waited while they built a 4GB model for me.

Cheers...

 

[Philalbe]

I'm wrestling with a similar situation. I just bought an 11" Air so I can do design work on the go. I'm tempted to sell my iPad, to recoup some money, but I know I'll miss it if I do. That's the "problem" with Apple devices; they don't really replace each other but compliment one another. I keep my iPad next to me, so I can surf the web for tips and refer to manuals while working on design projects on the air. If I sold it I would lose that convenience. Also I find that the iPad's tablet form factor and touch Interface allows for a better surfing and e-reading experience. Not an easy decision...

 

[G550 Pilot]

Sell the MBP, I sold one real fast for about $900.

I kept an ipad as its a great reading, travel device.

I dont miss the MBP at all and find the 11 inch Air does it all.

I travel a lot and would miss the iPad

 

[miata]

Sell the MBP, I sold one real fast for about $900.

I kept an ipad as its a great reading, travel device.

I dont miss the MBP at all and find the 11 inch Air does it all.

I travel a lot and would miss the iPad

Why not travel with the MBA 11 if it does it all -- and is almost as portable as the iPad? I find that the iPad is nice to have around the house for streaming NetFlix and stuff, but need a Mac for doing a most of other stuff -- including browsing. I don't yet have a MBA 11, but it seems like the perfect combination of functionality and portability.

Last time we took a family vacation we took the iPad and MBP 15. The first day we took the iPad while touring around. The second day we left it at the hotel room -- just too big and didn't provide much over a pocketable smart phone. I think a 9" iPad mini would have made a big difference on that trip. On the other hand, the big iPad was very popular back at the hotel room for watching movies -- if that is important.

 

[Alvesang]

can mba replace a mbp

It depends on usage. My MBA can't substitute my MBP. I have to work with large files, so an external FireWire HDD is imperative for me. I have to do a lot of photo, audio and video editing, hence a faster CPU and more RAM are things I really appreciate. If connectivity and performance aren't major issues to you (and don't get me wrong here, the MBA performs just swell minus the aforementioned), then yes, it can replace it. I am glad to be able to rely on my MBP for intense tasks and love to use the MBA for everything casual (even gaming).

 

[MXSkier62]

I'm in a similar dilemma to the OP. I bought an iMac and ipad in September, and already have an iPhone. I thought I would use the ipad as my mobile computer for casual use, and my iMac for my main computer use, as well as streaming netflix and hulu. But recently I've found that the limited functionality is somewhat inhibiting what tiny productivity I have to do while in school. I think I want to try to sell my 32gb wifi ipad with cases, and hopefully get around 1/2 the cost. I'm just worried about buying a computer with such old internals. I wouldn't do more than browsing, streaming video, and iTunes. I am also worried about the 5hour battery.

Could someone please explain the battery life? I know it says 5 hours, is that actual use? If I were to close the lid when not using it and open it 1 hor later, would the battery essentially be the same? Also how well do the older processor hold up to newer applications?

 

[gdeputy]

I'm in a similar dilemma to the OP. I bought an iMac and ipad in September, and already have an iPhone. I thought I would use the ipad as my mobile computer for casual use, and my iMac for my main computer use, as well as streaming netflix and hulu. But recently I've found that the limited functionality is somewhat inhibiting what tiny productivity I have to do while in school. I think I want to try to sell my 32gb wifi ipad with cases, and hopefully get around 1/2 the cost. I'm just worried about buying a computer with such old internals. I wouldn't do more than browsing, streaming video, and iTunes. I am also worried about the 5hour battery.

Could someone please explain the battery life? I know it says 5 hours, is that actual use? If I were to close the lid when not using it and open it 1 hor later, would the battery essentially be the same? Also how well do the older processor hold up to newer applications?

I have the 13" MBA with 1.83 ghz proc. and 4gb ram.

From my experience, if i were just browsing mac rumors and message boards without flash or video, I could get probably 8 hours out of my battery, maybe more.

If i'm watching 1080p video, maybe 3 hours.

It's totally dependent on what your doing as far as battery life is concerned. What newer applications are you curious about?

I have the iLife suite and Office 2011, both run perfectly fine. I've done some minor video editing and it was adequate, took awhile to process the video but once it's loaded actual editing is perfectly fine, very smooth.

I've had no complaints about the performance, and I'm coming from a very capable desktop PC for comparison. Overall I'm satisfied with my purchase, and it is my go-to over the iPad currently. I do like the ipad at night time when in my bed still, especially when i'm laying down and not sitting upright. That's when the iPad shines IMHO.

As far as capabilities, I haven't posted a video yet but my MBA ran counterstrike:source at about 40-80FPS depending on native OSX, which is very impressive IMHO. it was at max settings and 1440x900 resolution.

in bootcamp that performance would probably be significantly better. Also ran starcraft 2 pretty well, however I don't know if it's with all macs or what but my mouse funtions weird on macbook. It seems to slow down when it hovers over something you can click on, which makes it difficult to use IMHO.

Alas, I didn't buy my MBA to game, so I'm not really concerned, but the capability is there if you so desire.