MacBook Pro or Air?

[Cornell]

Hello Smart TUGgers. I have a 8 year old MacBook Pro that I'd like to replace with either a new MB Pro or an Air. Not my area of expertise. For you Apple people out there, want to give me some advice on what to purchase? I am using this strictly for lightweight home related tasks -- surfing the web, occasionally streaming video, emailing, social media, the occasional document / spreadsheet creation. No gaming or hard core analytics going on. Thank you in advance! I value all of your opinions. There are some smart people on here.

 

[bbodb1]

Hello Cornell,

First of all, best of luck with this purchase. It's good that you listed your main uses for what you want to do with whatever you choose. But your list really suggests this question first - why a MacBook Pro or Air? The tasks you list as your requirements can all be done with other (read less expensive) solutions. The first thought that came to me was a ChromeBook.

Are you wanting to stay in the world of Apple?
Disclaimer: I am writing this on my Mac Mini - a device I have used effectively for my needs for 6+ years. I did upgrade the HD and and add additional memory to the Mini. Other than that, my Mini has worked well for me.

 

[bbodb1]

BTW: If you have not considered a Mac Mini in your process, AND you have good peripherals already you might want to consider a Mini if portability is NOT a goal.

If portability IS a goal, let me ask you this: what kind of phone are you using at present?

 

[Cornell]

Hello Cornell,

First of all, best of luck with this purchase. It's good that you listed your main uses for what you want to do with whatever you choose. But your list really suggests this question first - why a MacBook Pro or Air? The tasks you list as your requirements can all be done with other (read less expensive) solutions. The first thought that came to me was a ChromeBook.

Are you wanting to stay in the world of Apple?
Disclaimer: I am writing this on my Mac Mini - a device I have used effectively for my needs for 6+ years. I did upgrade the HD and and add additional memory to the Mini. Other than that, my Mini has worked well for me.

I like being able to use iMessage on my laptop and Airdrop. That's why I prefer to stay w/Apple than moving to a Chromebook. And I have an iPhone.

 

[DaveNV]

I own a MacBook Pro, which I upgraded to from a MacBook Air about three years ago. The Pro has a bigger, faster processor and hard drive, compared to the Air, and is a more robust machine. Better graphics card, more memory, and a side effect - more USB and memory card ports. For my needs, it was a no brainer.

I still use the Air at work for a quick website checker. It was more because it was sitting unused in a drawer, than because I needed it.

Dave

 

[Wyominguy]

When I replaced my MacBook Air and iPad (last fall) I replaced them with the new iPad Pro. It was not cheap but the portability is well worth it. When matched with the Apple keyboard it is my go to computer now.

 

[Cornell]

I own a MacBook Pro, which I upgraded to from a MacBook Air about three years ago. The Pro has a bigger, faster processor and hard drive, compared to the Air, and is a more robust machine. Better graphics card, more memory, and a side effect - more USB and memory card ports. For my needs, it was a no brainer.

I still use the Air at work for a quick website checker. It was more because it was sitting unused in a drawer, than because I needed it.

Dave

I'm leaning towards the Pro b/c the touchbar could be a really nice feature to have.

 

[Cornell]

When I replaced my MacBook Air and iPad (last fall) I replaced them with the new iPad Pro. It was not cheap but the portability is well worth it. When matched with the Apple keyboard it is my go to computer now.

Interesting idea -- is the keyboard you are using illuminated / backlit?

 

[Ken555]

I'm leaning towards the Pro b/c the touchbar could be a really nice feature to have.

I have this, and it’s convenient at times but not essential. I would prioritize 16gb memory, sufficient storage, weight, and a comfortable display size before all else. The MacBook Air and 13” Pros were just updated last week so now is a great time to buy.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Cornell]

I have this, and it’s convenient at times but not essential. I would prioritize 16gb memory, sufficient storage, weight, and a comfortable display size before all else. The MacBook Air and 13” Pros were just updated last week so now is a great time to buy.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

This is excellent information - -thank you. Now that I'm thinking about this, it's probably not a feature I'll even use that much.

 

[bnoble]

Hello Smart TUGgers. I have a 8 year old MacBook Pro that I'd like to replace with either a new MB Pro or an Air. Not my area of expertise. For you Apple people out there, want to give me some advice on what to purchase? I am using this strictly for lightweight home related tasks -- surfing the web, occasionally streaming video, emailing, social media, the occasional document / spreadsheet creation. No gaming or hard core analytics going on. Thank you in advance! I value all of your opinions. There are some smart people on here.

I would recommend an Air. You aren't doing any heavy CPU work. Spend money instead on storage (local copies of photos, downloaded movies to watch on the plane/up at the cabin/whatever/etc.) One of my kids is replacing their laptop, and I came to the same conclusion for them pretty quickly.

I have a 2 year old MacBook (the model they just discontinued). If I were to replace that today I would probably make the same decision: longer battery life, 1/4 pound lighter, and the touch bar is not that compelling for me personally. I could use the extra processing power, but probably don't *need* it. So, it's a more difficult decision, but probably the same one in the end.

 

[bbodb1]

@Cornell - since you mentioned this earlier:

...I am using this strictly for lightweight home related tasks...

Is portability truly a crucial factor in your decision? (Just want to be sure you saw the idea with respect to the Mini earlier...) If you already have the peripherals, it might a lower cost solution for you.

 

[dioxide45]

I'm leaning towards the Pro b/c the touchbar could be a really nice feature to have.

I use a 15" 2017 MacBook Pro and hardly ever use that touchbar. It is mainly used to turn the volume up and down or to mute the speaker. Not much else other than Esc every once and a while. I use the computer for pretty heavy video editing, and it does a great job, but for basic tasks it would be overkill I wouldn't spend the extra cash just to have the touchbar.

 

[dioxide45]

@Cornell - since you mentioned this earlier:

Is portability truly a crucial factor in your decision? (Just want to be sure you saw the idea with respect to the Mini earlier...) If you already have the peripherals, it might a lower cost solution for you.

The new minis are great, almost as good as their higher end machines. We would spring for one to replace a late 2014 Mac Mini that seems to be crawling these days if it wasn't for the big price tags to get one that we would need to do what we would want it to do. I a more inclined to upgrade the internal drive to an SSD to get a few more years out of it.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I had a 2006 Powerbook, then went to a 2013 MacBook Air. Both machines had backlit keyboard, and both have been extremely satisfactory. I'll be in the market for a new machine in a few months so I appreciate reading all the input.

By the way, I stay with the Apple products because they have been very satisfactory during my use. No complaints whatsoever. I always buy the AppleCare Warranty just to be sure!




.

 

[Wyominguy]

This is excellent information - -thank you. Now that I'm thinking about this, it's probably not a feature I'll even use that much.

No, the keypad for the iPad Pro is not backlit.

 

[bbodb1]

The new minis are great, almost as good as their higher end machines. We would spring for one to replace a late 2014 Mac Mini that seems to be crawling these days if it wasn't for the big price tags to get one that we would need to do what we would want it to do. I a more inclined to upgrade the internal drive to an SSD to get a few more years out of it.

This is exactly what I did and the results were definitely worth the effort. Although my Mac Mini is older (late 2012 version), replacing the hard drive with a SSD cut my boot time by 2/3rds and has helped my Mini run like a spring chicken once again.

I should also note I maxed out the RAM (16 gb).

Both upgrades were easy to do and I'd say they added three (or more) years of useful life to my Mini.

 

[Cornell]

@Cornell - since you mentioned this earlier:



Is portability truly a crucial factor in your decision? (Just want to be sure you saw the idea with respect to the Mini earlier...) If you already have the peripherals, it might a lower cost solution for you.

Great suggestion - thank you but portability is key. I use my laptop all over my house.

 

[Cornell]

Thank you all for the input , thoughts. It's really appreciated. I have been SO happy w/my current MacBook Pro -- it will be fun to get a new laptop.

 

[loosefeet]

Thank you all for the input , thoughts. It's really appreciated. I have been SO happy w/my current MacBook Pro -- it will be fun to get a new laptop.

Go into an Apple Store and try them out. I was surprised how light the new MacBook Pros are--much lighter than mine (4 yrs old). The keyboard on the Pro is more "satisfying." Air easier to carry around.

 

[Cornell]

Go into an Apple Store and try them out. I was surprised how light the new MacBook Pros are--much lighter than mine (4 yrs old). The keyboard on the Pro is more "satisfying." Air easier to carry around.

Another excellent suggestion. I hadn't thought to do that. A truly abhor the Apple store (I feel like I've walked into a cult meeting when I'm there!) but given the $$ of this purchase you make a great point.

Tangentially related, my employer just got me a new laptop. We use Dells. Holy cow I cannot believe how small , thin , and light my new one is. Or perhaps I should say, I can't believe how heavy my old one was! I do major data analytics in my professional life and I would have never imagined 20 years ago that a laptop could be so small and have the power and speed to do my job.

 

[bnoble]

I would have never imagined 20 years ago that a laptop could be so small and have the power and speed to do my job.

Dennard scaling is great. Unfortunately, it's also running out of steam.

 

[Cornell]

Dennard scaling is great. Unfortunately, it's also running out of steam.

I had to google that!

 

[bbodb1]

Another excellent suggestion. I hadn't thought to do that. A truly abhor the Apple store (I feel like I've walked into a cult meeting when I'm there!) but given the $$ of this purchase you make a great point.

Tangentially related, my employer just got me a new laptop. We use Dells. Holy cow I cannot believe how small , thin , and light my new one is. Or perhaps I should say, I can't believe how heavy my old one was! I do major data analytics in my professional life and I would have never imagined 20 years ago that a laptop could be so small and have the power and speed to do my job.

Some Best Buy stores still have enough of an Apple presence that you may find the products you are considering there - this is NOT to suggest you should (or should not) purchase them from Best Buy but it might offer a closer alternative for a 'hands on' experience.

Best of luck with this purchase!

 

[Ken555]

Another excellent suggestion. I hadn't thought to do that. A truly abhor the Apple store (I feel like I've walked into a cult meeting when I'm there!) but given the $$ of this purchase you make a great point.

Ha! This just proves how effective their store design, training, and marketing can be.

On the flip side, I’ve gone to the store to show someone a new unit and we were able to go in, evaluate the device and exit without speaking with any employee other than a brief hello.

I would also recommend evaluating the new MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro in person. Functionally there’s very little difference for your intended purpose.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk