offroadaaron Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Okay so I've currently got a 15" MBPr and a 11" MBA and I'll probably end up getting Rid of the MBA over an oversea trip I'm completing soon. Work pays for my laptops every few years and I'm due for one soon (a month or so). I don't want to get a Windows laptop because the trackpads are horrible and I'm always using my laptop on my lap or while I'm carrying my laptop round or in places where there's no room for a mouse. Anyways I like the MBPr for the screen space (resolution) and the 16GB of RAM but the MBA for how compact it is. I carry my laptop around everywhere (everywhere) and I'm leaning towards a MBPr but I'm wondering if it's going too heavy.... I currently lug my 15" MBPr everywhere is and it's massively heavy. 1.57 vs 1.35kg hmmmmm..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.XXIV Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Okay so I've currently got a 15" MBPr and a 11" MBA and I'll probably end up getting Rid of the MBA over an oversea trip I'm completing soon. Work pay for my laptops every few years and I'm due for one soon (a month or so). I don't want to get a Windows laptop because the trackpads are horrible and I'm always using my laptop on my lap or while I'm carrying my laptop round or in places where there's no room for mice. Anyways I like the MBPr for the screen space (resolution) and the 16GB of RAM but the MBA for how compact it is. I carry my laptop around everywhere (everywhere) and I'm leaning towards a MBPr but I'm wondering if it's going too heavy.... I currently carry my 15" MBPr everywhere is and it's massively heavy. 1.57 vs 1.35kg hmmmmm..... Wouldn't think that a retina would be heavy, but you're lucky about the fact that it's lighter than most Windows laptops in general. But as far as when you can get the Macbook, next month may be the conference for Apple and hopefully they do announce the performance enhancements. So personally, I'd wait til then. But because this is work related, you probably just care about what gets done and any current MPBr can handle your needs. Heck, a 13" may be suitable if weight is a problem. If you're worried about carrying the laptop, I recommend getting a backpack (for example if you haven't already have something to carry it with) meant for carrying books and the Macbook specifically, either at the Apple store or on Amazon (where the same item may hopefully be found for cheaper). http://store.apple.com/us/mac/mac-accessories/notebook-cases?f=backpack&fh=36c2%2B30c7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unksi Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 I'd say, after carrying a 17", 3.5kg laptop around for a year... anything that is 15" or smaller and less than 2 kg is good. To take it the other way around, since you are talking about 200 grams of difference, would you really notice the difference? Both laptops are quite light. If I were to choose, I would probably point my attention towards the amount of screen real estate (how much things you can fit into the screen and how much space you need for them to work comfortably) + any difference around the specs that might affect your working (such as having enough RAM). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmomoman Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 Retina without question. Why step backwards in an amazing screen resolution for such a small weight difference. +E.Worm Jimmy 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadaaron Posted August 25, 2014 Author Share Posted August 25, 2014 I'd say, after carrying a 17", 3.5kg laptop around for a year... anything that is 15" or smaller and less than 2 kg is good. To take it the other way around, since you are talking about 200 grams of difference, would you really notice the difference? Both laptops are quite light. Unfortunately I will notice the difference as I will literally be carrying the laptop at certain points for 4-5 hours in my hands. I've been doing this with the 15" and afterwards my arm is numb pretty much. Also forgot about having to monitors in the office so Retina will most likely be the go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gotenks98 Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Unfortunately I will notice the difference as I will literally be carrying the laptop at certain points for 4-5 hours in my hands. I've been doing this with the 15" and afterwards my arm is numb pretty much. Also forgot about having to monitors in the office so Retina will most likely be the go. Lol you need to work out more. Seriously go for the retina. There is no reason to get an air especially if someone else is paying for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadaaron Posted October 4, 2014 Author Share Posted October 4, 2014 Lol you need to work out more. Seriously go for the retina. There is no reason to get an air especially if someone else is paying for it. LOL you try carrying a laptop for 5-7 hours straight in your arms and let me know how you go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cacoe Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Unfortunately I will notice the difference as I will literally be carrying the laptop at certain points for 4-5 hours in my hands. I've been doing this with the 15" and afterwards my arm is numb pretty much. Also forgot about having to monitors in the office so Retina will most likely be the go. You know they invented this thing called "the bag" a while ago which can be carried over the shoulder, right? +LogicalApex 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian M. Veteran Posted October 4, 2014 Veteran Share Posted October 4, 2014 I have exactly the same setup as the op - the 15" rMBP for home, and an 11" MBA for work (with an external display). I got the 11" MBA since, after carrying my 15" around for a while (even in a bag) I decided I needed something lighter. I don't notice the air in my bag, but with the MBP my bag feels considerably heavier. The screen on the MBP is nice, but it's a lot of laptop to carry around all day every day. For that reason I'd go for the air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeadEndAccount Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Personally I'd get a MacBook Pro 13" but up the top 13" to 16GB and an i7 CPU for longevity - that is the formula that I'm going for when I upgrade once Broadwell is released and Apple refreshes their line up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadaaron Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 You know they invented this thing called "the bag" a while ago which can be carried over the shoulder, right? Oh thanks for that advice, but how do I put my computer in my bag and work on it at the same time (doing wireless surveying)? I literally need carry my computer while complete wireless surveying, which can anywhere from 2 hours to 7 hours a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+E.Worm Jimmy Subscriber¹ Posted October 5, 2014 Subscriber¹ Share Posted October 5, 2014 I literally need carry my computer while complete wireless surveying, which can anywhere from 2 hours to 7 hours a day. well then... the air is better, since the weight of the laptop seems to be the most important to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RottGutt Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 I have the 13" rMBP, and I love it. I have to carry it around a few hours a day as well. It is without question the best laptop I have ever owned. OP: Just out of curiosity, is the wireless surveying app you use available for the iPad? If so, that would be a great solution for you! Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadaaron Posted October 7, 2014 Author Share Posted October 7, 2014 OP: Just out of curiosity, is the wireless surveying app you use available for the iPad? If so, that would be a great solution for you! I don't think so and if it is it'll be an extra cost and most-likely a cut down version. I was thinking maybe a Surface Pro 3 and a MBPr but I'm not sure how good the pen's are as it needs to fairly accurate otherwise my work becomes a pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutsnbolts64 Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 Unfortunately I will notice the difference as I will literally be carrying the laptop at certain points for 4-5 hours in my hands. I've been doing this with the 15" and afterwards my arm is numb pretty much. Also forgot about having to monitors in the office so Retina will most likely be the go. We've got a MBA at home. Super light. And also a great machine. If you don't need the extra RAM you'll get with a Pro, I'd go for the portability of the Air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sikh Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 I got a 13" retina recently and it feels as light as an air to me. Thats from someone who's been using a 15" OG Retina and someone who's had countless windows laptops in countless sizes that are at minimum double the weight. So if you think the 15" retina is heavy, wow...... I still recommend 13" retina. The portability of the air is nice, but the extra half pound and you get a retina display which is beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T3X4S Posted October 7, 2014 Share Posted October 7, 2014 I don't think so and if it is it'll be an extra cost and most-likely a cut down version. I was thinking maybe a Surface Pro 3 and a MBPr but I'm not sure how good the pen's are as it needs to fairly accurate otherwise my work becomes a pain. You can always BootCamp it.... Which wifi app you use ? And I suggest working out. If you're female.... should still work out but that would help with the mental image I have of you right now ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offroadaaron Posted October 8, 2014 Author Share Posted October 8, 2014 You can always BootCamp it.... Which wifi app you use ? And I suggest working out. If you're female.... should still work out but that would help with the mental image I have of you right now ;) What do I need boot camp for? I got a 13" retina recently and it feels as light as an air to me. Thats from someone who's been using a 15" OG Retina and someone who's had countless windows laptops in countless sizes that are at minimum double the weight. So if you think the 15" retina is heavy, wow...... I still recommend 13" retina. The portability of the air is nice, but the extra half pound and you get a retina display which is beautiful. Thanks. It's heavy when you're carrying it around for 5-7 hours straight. Looking over the comments from the Surface it looks as if the pen is laggy. I'll most likely go a 13" MBPr maxed out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmitry G Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 I've just got a 13" MacBook Pro, It's almost as light as the Air and it's a lot more powerful than Air too. Can't have 16GB RAM in MBA :) offroadaaron 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T3X4S Posted October 8, 2014 Share Posted October 8, 2014 What do I need boot camp for? Thanks. It's heavy when you're carrying it around for 5-7 hours straight. Looking over the comments from the Surface it looks as if the pen is laggy. I'll most likely go a 13" MBPr maxed out. My bad - I got your quote mixed with another... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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