Macbook Air or Pro

[The_Observer]

So im jumping ship, moving to a Apple Mac Book Air or Pro. This will replace my Windows Desktop Computer. Dont know if i want a Air or Pro (13" Model), have been looking at the Air with a upgrade to i7 and 8gig memory. Using this for just Web/Music (listening). The CPU power is what im not too sure about. Should i get the Mac Book Air with upgrades or go for a Mac Book Pro?

[SMELTN]

I just did the same thing a almost a month ago. Went from a Windows 7 Gaming desktop to a Macbook, and I was unsure as to which to buy. Due to it being "mainly" your desktop replacement, I went with the Macbook Pro because: it still has the ethernet port and it has a larger hard drive with the Super Drive. So I didn't have to go out and buy an external burner or anything else.

Since you aren't traveling with it 99% of the time, go with the Pro.

[The_Observer]

I just did the same thing a almost a month ago. Went from a Windows 7 Gaming desktop to a Macbook, and I was unsure as to which to buy. Due to it being "mainly" your desktop replacement, I went with the Macbook Pro because: it still has the ethernet port and it has a larger hard drive with the Super Drive. So I didn't have to go out and buy an external burner or anything else.

Since you aren't traveling with it 99% of the time, go with the Pro.

Thanks for that, Do you know if it easy to install a SSD drive into the Pro?

[Shadrack]

I don't think it is very easy to install an SSD in the new Retina Pro.

Want to upgrade that 'Retina' MacBook Pro? Tough luck!

[neuroticdave]

I just went from a MacBook Pro 13.3" to a MacBook Air 13.3" and I love it! I love it's sleek profile, and for my use, it runs just as fast (If not faster) as my MBP.

[Tech085]

Why not have both :)

[myxomatosis]

Got a MacBook Pro Retina personaly, my first Mac ever since my first computer (a 286 11Mhz :p). I'm very pleased with this machine. (2.3GHz + 16GB RAM model)

I have a 100GB Windows 7 partition for games. No trouble, eveything runs pretty well

[The_Observer]

I just went from a MacBook Pro 13.3" to a MacBook Air 13.3" and I love it! I love it's sleek profile, and for my use, it runs just as fast (If not faster) as my MBP.

Did you upgrade the CPU ?? or are you just running the i5

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Personally I would always pick a Macbook Pro over an Air, but that's just a personal preference. At the end of the day you need to think about what you're going to use it for and which would best suit you.

Just a question: Isn't an i7 and 8GB of RAM a bit of overkill for a machine that you say you're only going to use for browsing the internet and listening to music? Obviously you'll end up doing other things with it, but since you didn't list "gaming" as one of the main purposes for the machine it seems a bit extreme. Unless of course an i7 and 8GB RAM is all they offer, I haven't checked the site in a while...

[(Account no longer active)]

I highly recommend the MacBook Pro over an Air.

Reasons:

- DVD-RW drive

- user upgradable parts (HDD/RAM)

- better screen (Pro screen has better contrast)

- better graphics card

- Ethernet port always available

- I feel a resolution of 1400x900 is too high for a 13". 1280x800 is much more comfortable to work with.

[(Account no longer active)]

An i5 should be more than enough for your needs (web browsing/music). Through hyper-threading, you effectively get four cores - offering serious power. For Mac OS X, I would recommend a minimum of 8GB of RAM.

(Current) Pro CPUs:

2.5 GHz (3210M) Intel Core i5 with 3 MB on-chip L3 cache, or

2.9 GHz (3520M) Intel Core i7 Ivy Bridge with 4 MB on-chip L3 cache

(Current) Air CPUs:

1.8 GHz (i5-3427U) dual-core Intel Core i5 with 3 MB shared L3 cache

Optional 2.0 GHz (i7-3667U) dual-core Intel Core i7 with 4 MB shared L3 cache

Look up their benchmarks here: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

There's not much difference between the i5s and i7s across models. The Pro has the slight advantage.

[Shadrack]

I'm not sure how much lighter the new Pro is compared to the Air. My fiance got the new 11" Air and it is SWEET. I might be incline to get the 13" Air over the Pro. The retina display of the Pro is nice though. For me it might come down to if I'm more incline to go with a 13" or 15" screen and the weight. Good luck.

[neuroticdave]

Did you upgrade the CPU ?? or are you just running the i5

I had the i7 2.9Ghz on the MBP, I am now on the i5 1.8Ghz. I haven't had a single hiccup on the Air. Like some have said, this is based on how you will use it. If you plan to do heavy stuff, go rMBP. In between, go with an upgraded MBP (Like the one I had). Casual use for school, college courses, daily use....go Air.