These babies worth it? MBP to MBA upgrade/downgrade?

[millerb7]

Okay...

I have a 15" MBP 3,1 2.2ghz 2gb ram right now. About 4 years old.

I have 6GB ram and an SSD on the way for it.


I'm thinking of just selling it and buying a 13' MBA with 4GB ram. I can either install the ssd/ram into MBP and then sell, return them and sell it as is, or just install the 6GB ram (only cost me $100) and try to get another $100 for the deal.... I think I'd lose to much $$$ with the SSD... not gonna get what it's worth. The MBP is getting older now, and I love the MBA's.... just afraid if it's a step backwards or not?

I do web design work (nothing visually intensive) and a LOT of just web browser/text editing stuff... so I don't need a hoss. It'd be my main computer until next where when I add the iMac.

Anyways, keep the MBP I have, and add the updates I bought?
Or sell it off (with 2GB or 6GB), return the SSD, and buy a MBA?

Thoughts?

Discuss!

<3

Is going from a 2.2GHz C2D down to a 1.86GHz to big of a step backwards? Plus my new SSD is better than the MBA's SSD... the issue I'm having is my machine CAN'T last that much longer.. it's 4 years old as is, and still running the 8600m GT GPU.

 

[Apple OC]

Seeing as you already have your sights on the new machine ... I would return the extras and sell the MBP (or put them in and sell, either way you will most likely recoup your costs)

after 4 years ... I think you will be happier with the new Air 4GB

 

[millerb7]

Seeing as you already have your sights on the new machine ... I would return the extras and sell the MBP (or put them in and sell, either way you will most likely recoup your costs)

after 4 years ... I think you will be happier with the new Air 4GB

I'm trying to be unbiased >< Wanna make sure it's not just "new-stuff-itis"

I would never recoup the 128GB SSD ($230)... but I would probably recoup the 6GB ram ($100)... so I will probably return the SSD and install the 6GB ram and sell it that way.

 

[thejoshhoward]

I've been using the new Macbook Air for a few weeks now. I'm a graphic designer/musician/producer and it's been super speedy for basic work. I've been using it for live music performance as a synth/piano/vocal processor Personally, I wouldn't use it as my only machine. As great as it is, I need a little more connectivity for my work…fast external drives and such.

If your visual work isn't too intense, I think you'll get along just fine and really enjoy the Air.

 

[KPOM]

Are you going for the 128GB model or the 256GB model? The 256GB model has a 2.13GHz C2D option.

Anyway, the 1.86GHz and 2.13GHz C2D used in the 13" MacBook Air has 6MB of cache vs the 4MB on yours. Plus, the front side bus operates at 1066MHz vs 800MHz on your Pro. Between the two, they likely offset.

 

[millerb7]

I've been using the new Macbook Air for a few weeks now. I'm a graphic designer/musician/producer and it's been super speedy for basic work. I've been using it for live music performance as a synth/piano/vocal processor Personally, I wouldn't use it as my only machine. As great as it is, I need a little more connectivity for my work…fast external drives and such.

If your visual work isn't too intense, I think you'll get along just fine and really enjoy the Air.

85% all web browser stuff. Some Photoshop/illustrator but not much. All text based coding.

Are you going for the 128GB model or the 256GB model? The 256GB model has a 2.13GHz C2D option.

Anyway, the 1.86GHz and 2.13GHz C2D used in the 13" MacBook Air has 6MB of cache vs the 4MB on yours. Plus, the front side bus operates at 1066MHz vs 800MHz on your Pro. Between the two, they likely offset.

1.86GHz model 13" with 4GB ram. Currently a 2.2GHz with 2GB ram.

Could install the 6GB and 120GB SSD into the MBP and keep it. Hope it doesn't die.

 

[KPOM]

85% all web browser stuff. Some Photoshop/illustrator but not much. All text based coding.


1.86GHz model 13" with 4GB ram. Currently a 2.2GHz with 2GB ram.

Could install the 6GB and 120GB SSD into the MBP and keep it. Hope it doesn't die.

But which size SSD are you looking at for the Air? Is it the 128GB since you are considering a 120GB SSD in the Pro?

 

[millerb7]

But which size SSD are you looking at for the Air? Is it the 128GB since you are considering a 120GB SSD in the Pro?

Yes 128GB SSD.

MBP is 120GB HHD with 50GB free

 

[altair7]

I have the exact same MBP you do. I can tell you a few pros and cons you will likely see:

You will notice that the MBA will have a lower quality screen. It will have a higher density (and likely better but I don't know you), however the colors will not be as good nor will the viewing angle be as good.

The MBA will feel much sturdier than the MBP. I always have had to be careful if there was a disk in the mbp because of how wobbly it is.

The chicklet keyboard is a minor step down for me but very minor.

The newer trackpads are omg amazing compared to the older mbp ones.

It will be much more portable but smaller screen may hinder a bit.

Getting rid of the 8600M graphics card will be good.

That's my 2 cents.

 

[millerb7]

I have the exact same MBP you do. I can tell you a few pros and cons you will likely see:

You will notice that the MBA will have a lower quality screen. It will have a higher density (and likely better but I don't know you), however the colors will not be as good nor will the viewing angle be as good.

The MBA will feel much sturdier than the MBP. I always have had to be careful if there was a disk in the mbp because of how wobbly it is.

The chicklet keyboard is a minor step down for me but very minor.

The newer trackpads are omg amazing compared to the older mbp ones.

It will be much more portable but smaller screen may hinder a bit.

Getting rid of the 8600M graphics card will be good.

That's my 2 cents.

Thanks! I'm gonna do it. The 4GB 13". I played with them today and the 11" is to small for a full-time notebook but the 13" was perfect.

Yeah my MBP hasn't had the 8600m GT issue yet, and it's from 2007, just scared it's coming haha!

I thought the 13" MBA screen was amazing when I played with them today. I like the keys better too, and I NEVER (I actually have it disabled) use the backlit keys... I HATE them.

I have 60GB (just checked) of my 120GB free so I don't use much room either.

The ONLY concern I have is if the MBA will be able to run windows 7 in a virtual machine (parallels 6) with having 4GB ram? My MBP struggles now with 2GB so I am putting 6GB in it before I sell it.

 

[KPOM]

The ONLY concern I have is if the MBA will be able to run windows 7 in a virtual machine (parallels 6) with having 4GB ram? My MBP struggles now with 2GB so I am putting 6GB in it before I sell it.

If that's your only concern, then go for it. I am running Windows 7 right now in Parallels 6 on the 4GB 13" model.

My only concern, and I think it's a parallels issue, is that the Alias on my Dock keeps on getting disabled. Parallels and the VM work fine, though.

 

[millerb7]

If that's your only concern, then go for it. I am running Windows 7 right now in Parallels 6 on the 4GB 13" model.

My only concern, and I think it's a parallels issue, is that the Alias on my Dock keeps on getting disabled. Parallels and the VM work fine, though.

Sweet! MBP is listed for sale. I'm excited to have a warranty back. And I'm doing the AppleCare this time!