Questions for MacBook owners - Should I get an Air or Pro?

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I have a 13" MacBook Air, and while I do really like it I kinda wish I'd just spent a bit extra and got a Pro. The extra horsepower would have been useful as it can get quite slow sometimes (although that could be also due to only having 4GB of RAM). There's not much difference in portability anymore either.

And as others have said, the screen is a lot nicer on the Pro. It's still fine on the Air but it's another point in the Pro's favour
 
Alpha_eX said:
Wait, we not talking about the one with USB-C? I have a feeling you already knew this..

My point is, I can't charge it and use a mouse at the same time, having a gross dongle hanging out of the laptop just doesn't do it for me. The laptop looks amazing and is ruined by the port thing hanging out of it.
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The Pro has two usb ports.
 
Weevilone said:
I just retired an Air and I don't really get the hate on the screen. Sure, the Pro is objectively better but it doesn't matter for a lot of use cases. I used mine for work, none of which was with photos or video. It was fine. Most people with retina screens are running them at a similar effective resolution anyways.

Picked up a 12" Machook to replace it. Performance is fine for my office tasks and and other work, plus it's a lot easier to carry with me everywhere.
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it's not just the resolution. It's black levels, contrast, colors, etc.

i might just take a picture of my rmbp and my girlfriend's air.
The difference is actually quite jarring IRL.
 
As someone who actually read this part...

mid83 said:
Most of our usage will be typical web browsing. I'd like to use Bootcamp for Steam at times but most of my gaming is on console now so PC gaming isn't number one for me anymore.
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Don't just get an Air, get a refurbished Air.
 
Alpha_eX said:
Wait, we not talking about the one with USB-C? I have a feeling you already knew this..

My point is, I can't charge it and use a mouse at the same time, having a gross dongle hanging out of the laptop just doesn't do it for me. The laptop looks amazing and is ruined by the port thing hanging out of it.
Click to expand...

The one with the USB-C is the one that's simply called MacBook, not the MacBook Pro.
 
Fliesen said:
it's not just the resolution. It's black levels, contrast, colors, etc.

i might just take a picture of my rmbp and my girlfriend's air.
The difference is actually quite jarring IRL.
Click to expand...

Again, I get that it's better. I went from Air to retina in the past month. I just think it's not that important for a lot of people and use cases. The resolution comment was mostly a response to comments about not buying that resolution in 2016.
 
Weevilone said:
Again, I get that it's better. I went from Air to retina in the past month. I just think it's not that important for a lot of people and use cases. The resolution comment was mostly a response to comments about not buying that resolution in 2016.
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imho, the HDMI port alone is worth the extra bucks. :)

saving you 30$ on an adapter if you need to hook it up to a TV or a modern(!) (i.e. not a crappy VGA port) projector.
 
I wouldn't read too much into the comments about the Air's screen being the worst thing ever or whatever, it's perfectly fine and this is coming from someone regularly using a retina iPad as well. I bought a refurbished 13inch mid-2013 Air (4GB RAM, 256GB SSD) just over a year ago for around half the price it would have cost for a 2015 model with similar specs and it's been worth every penny, didn't seem worth getting one of the newer ones as the spec bumps didn't really warrant the extra cost for my needs. If you're using it for general browsing and stuff then it'll do the job. It'll also be able to handle most indie and smaller games on Steam.

Alpha_eX said:
Wait, we not talking about the one with USB-C? I have a feeling you already knew this..

My point is, I can't charge it and use a mouse at the same time, having a gross dongle hanging out of the laptop just doesn't do it for me. The laptop looks amazing and is ruined by the port thing hanging out of it.
Click to expand...
Surely you won't need a dongle if the laptop has bluetooth built in? I've got a Magic Mouse and that doesn't need one.
 
Fliesen said:
i don't see how the pro would be "redesigned".
they have made it thinner through iterative upgrades (0.75in -> 0.71in).

the air is gonna make room for a bigger "Macbook", most likely, essentially replacing the Air as "the ultra-portable"
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I bet you 10 quid it will be a wedge with mostly usb-c ports. ;p

But seriously compare the internals of the MacBook to the Air and Pro internals. The MacBook was a big leap ahead in that aspect.
 
Mafro said:
I wouldn't read too much into the comments about the Air's screen being the worst thing ever or whatever, it's perfectly fine and this is coming from someone regularly using a retina iPad as well. I bought a refurbished 13inch mid-2013 Air (4GB RAM, 256GB SSD) just over a year ago for around half the price it would have cost for a 2014 model with similar specs and it's been worth every penny, didn't seem worth getting one of the newer ones as the spec bumps didn't really warrant the extra cost for my needs. If you're using it for general browsing and stuff then it'll do the job. It'll also be able to handle most indie and smaller games on Steam.


Surely you won't need a dongle if the laptop has bluetooth built in? I've got a Magic Mouse and that doesn't need one.
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it's not the worst thing ever, but buying a device with a display from 2010 in 2016(!) just to save 200$ just doesn't feel right.

No matter what, i'd wait until march
 
curls said:
I bet you 10 quid it will be a wedge with mostly usb-c ports. ;p

But seriously compare the internals of the MacBook to the Air and Pro internals. The MacBook was a big leap ahead in that aspect.
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yeah, stuff like that tiny logic board, sure.
But i'm not sure thats's gonna end up in a dramatic redesign, beyond them stuffing MORE batteries inside the device and maybe making it a tiny bit thinner. the form factor's still perfectly fine.

You want them to make it a top-heavy wedge too slim for proper USB ports? :O
 
Air is more comfortable to type on. That raised edge where your palms rest on the Pro annoyed me so I returned it and kept my Air. Of course I wouldn't buy an Air for more than $700 considering how out of date the screen is. I would wait for Feb(?) I think to see what happens with Skylake updates.
 
Fliesen said:
yeah, stuff like that tiny logic board, sure.
But i'm not sure thats's gonna end up in a dramatic redesign, beyond them stuffing MORE batteries inside the device and maybe making it a tiny bit thinner. the form factor's still perfectly fine.

You want them to make it a top-heavy wedge too slim for proper USB ports? :O
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I actually dont if it will impact on thermal performance, but I can see it happening. Putting 1 USB C port on the MacBook was a bold statement.

Edit: Just seen the new 13" & 15" Dell XPS. - Yep its gonna be a wedge - I'm sure.
 
So 3ish years ago I bought a 13" Air and I've loved it... It's an incredible computer, but I've been feeling the need for a larger development laptop for about a year now, and whil eI'm holding off for at least 9 months, this is something that I've thought a lot about.

I spent a hefty amount on my Air, about $1800, going for the larger 256gb SSD, 8GB Ram, and any other higher end enhancements (I think a 1.9ghz chip instead of whatever the default was).

The Air has been awesome but the low resolution on those 2012 or 2013 models is getting to me now especially when I have very little real estate to realistically have apps side by side.

So, FOR ME, I'm going to be buying a larger development laptop. For you, though, a mid-priced Air may be a better option, as the benefits of battery life and mobility will outweigh the benefits of more computing power and possible screen real estate it would sound like.
 
Don't buy a Macbook right now. Most of the lines haven't been refreshed in a while and Apple has an event rumored for March.

Also, go to an Apple store or a Best Buy with an Apple section and compare the two models a bit. The Pro w/ Retina is more money because of the screen. Personally, I'd say it's worth it, but that's always going to be a personal decision based on budget, etc.

EDIT - ProTip...Apple's refurbished products are very high quality and have the same warranty as a new product. Don't hesitate to buy refurbished to save 10-15%.
 
I went from an Air to a Pro and couldn't go back. There is one thing the Air had going for it - I preferred the way it tapers off at the front. It just makes typing more comfortable compared to the Pro. Everything else, the Pro is way out in front. Even the size aspect surprised me, and there isn't much between them when it comes to weight either.

Although Apple are refreshing the Pro, I would personally wait and see if they put the horrible new keyboards in them. If they do, I would pick up a 2015 Pro with Retina at a hopefully reduced price.
 
I will never ever again purchase a notebook without a retina screen. You may not need the Pro's power, but you want that screen!
 
Pro. Their fonts grow less and less optimized for non-retina as time goes on. And Retina is just great in general.

Not just the resolution either, the TN panel on the Air has some ugly color shifting.
 
I think you can make it with either, but wait for one with a Retina display. It's hard to go back to my old air after using one with retina.
 
I'm going to be facing this same hurdle myself soon. I don't use my Mac for graphics stuff as much as I did in my college days, so power isn't a big deal.

And the aforementioned display being worse in the Air isn't a big deal either, as I'll likely have it paired with a display most of the time anyway.

Keeping an eye on this thread.

Edit: The big selling point for me on the Pro is the extra ports right there on the computer. I still use Firewire 800 for External Hard Drives.
 
The Air would probably be a better buy given your use intentions, but that screen is awful.

I'd wait until March if possible for a likely Air refresh.
 
iNvid02 said:
it doesnt sound like you'd get much benefit from a pro, not for general web use, and if it makes any difference macrumors buying guide advises to wait for a refresh across most mac models

SmqJuf7.png
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This seems pretty accurate
 
Get a Dell XPS instead, vastly superior and cheaper than both. Windows 10 has also surpassed OSX in my opinion.

But if you really want to stay Apple, wait a month or so as the next batch will be revealed.

If you REALLY want to stay Apple and DONT want to wait, get a Pro.
 
I'd say Pro too. The Air is obviously at the end of its run. With the new MacBook around it's only a matter of time before it replaces it. The Air will just become that sad fat MacBook Pro with the optical drive that Apple kept around for a couple years after the Retina Pro came out.

Right now the Air is still faster than the new MacBook, but it's a little heavier, doesn't have the newest technology like the new trackpad, keyboard, USB-C or the new battery layering tech, isn't Retina. It's only a matter of time before the lines are merged again. The Air will be dropped when the MacBook is capable enough.

The Pro is really good on all ends. Nice display, all the new tech aside from USB-C, better starting specs. Only a few hundred more for the entry.

Problem is as you are aware, everything is due for updates. Probably not soon. Usually they've done their MacBook updates in the summer or fall. But recently it's been more spring time. You never know though. It's also around that time for new designs too. Apple keeps designs around for a few years until they perfect the technology and have new stuff to add then redesign it. It's been a while since either was redesigned. Especially Air. 2010 for the Air and 2012 for the Pro. Aside from slight changes. Though the current designs are perfect as they are, it's not a guarantee that Apple can't change them eventually. At worst they'll just replace some of the ports on the Pro with USB-C. But I don't see the Air getting as much love right now with the new baby in the nursery. Apple's gonna coddle its new MacBook baby and the Air is gonna get jealous. Eventually it'll silently disappear and get replaced with the MacBook when it matures enough to do so. (Remember the original Air was super underpowered because Intel hadn't been coerced into perfecting its mobile chip line for the non-existent "Ultrabook" form factor. The 2010 redesign brought with it a new world of laptop tech. I suspect the new MacBook will be the same case. Right now it's really underpowered, but in time they'll make it really good and a worthy successor to the Air.)

In other words, TL;DR, get the Pro. It'll be worth it more in the long run to just spend the extra money.
 
I have an old gaming pc that can't run most newer multiplatform releases. But everything prior to 2013 it can run at decent settings. I also have a Lenovo Y500 laptop that is a couple of years old, and while the graphic card and battery life are not the greatest, it has power to spare for everything else.

Late last year I switched from Android to iPhone and wanted to play around with programming my own apps. I was looking at the cheapest way I could get an OSX computer, and was at first contemplating the Apple mini. After reading about the Mini, I decided against it since the specs of that thing are really bad compared to the hardware we have nowadays. So that left the Macbook Air, and the Macbook Pro, both the 13 inch models, as my options. For me it came down as to whether I wanted to justify a bigger hard-drive and a better CPU for $300-$400 more. For the stuff that I intend to do with a Mac, and having my other two computers where I can play games, and do more computing intensive tasks, the answer to my question was NO.

After having my Macbook Air, the base model, for about 2 months, all I can say is that it does everything I want perfectly. The battery life is amazing, and you really can't tell that the resolution is not 1080p. If you have an external monitor, you can connect the Mabook Air to it. For me as a programmer, that is my preferred way to write code. I would not get any model of Macbook as a workstation replacement, or as a gaming computer. Hope that helps you.

edit - Also I should mention that I got mine $200 off during the holidays.
 
I have both, and I have to admit that I still use my 11" Air a little bit more than my 13" Pro, even though my Pro is newer by three years and has the retina screen.

I use the Pro for, well, professional work. But the form factor of the Air is so perfect, to me. I prefer it when I'm sitting on the couch and browsing the web, or just when doing some quick work.

And it's easy to just grab and take with me when I'm heading out somewhere; I don't even bother with a case or anything. Not that the Pro is huge, by any means, but the Air is so tiny. It's what I usually bring on trips too, when I'll be doing some work. Plus, even though it's almost four years old, it's still plenty speedy for me. Probably my favorite computer, ever (up with the Apple IIc).
 
Fliesen said:
review-macbookpro13retinavsair.jpg

the difference between the air and the 13" pro is rather tiny. the air is actually "longer"

3.48 pounds (13" rMBP) vs. 2.96 pounds (13" air)

currently:
the 13" pro has a WAY(!) better display (not just higher res, but also better, more vibrant colors, as well as brighter and better viewing angles)
has 1 more thunderbolt port, as well as an HDMI port which the Air lacks
a pressure sensitive trackpad
Click to expand...

While only about half a pound in weight different, the Air is 17% lighter than the Pro. Also, for quite a while the Air had an appreciably better battery life than the pro. I think it's now much closer, somewhere around 11 hours for the Air and 9 hours for a retina pro. I can see why somebody focused on mobility, over the years, would have preferred an Air.

ALthough today the difference is much less.

evilr said:
Get a Dell XPS instead, vastly superior and cheaper than both. Windows 10 has also surpassed OSX in my opinion.
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"NeoGaf, I'm deciding between buying nutella or peanut butter, which do you think I should buy?"
"Get grape jelly instead, it's cheaper than both and jelly has surpassed nut spreads in my opinion"
 
No retina screen on the Air makes it an instant "no buy" for anyone, in my book. The retina on the Pro is too hard to step down from.
 
Don't buy a 2015 12 inch retina. Beautiful machine but ultimately has heavy flaws.

Don't buy an Air or Pro either, they still have the terrible old keyboard.

You need to wait until March, OP.
 
jaxapollo said:
Don't buy a 2015 12 inch retina. Beautiful machine but ultimately has heavy flaws.

Don't buy an Air or Pro either, they still have the terrible old keyboard.

You need to wait until March, OP.
Click to expand...

I'd also recommend trying both keyboards (if the new revision has the keyboard found on the new Macbook) as I couldn't stand it. Some don't like the old style one either though, so it's well worth demoing both.
 
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