Help me pick which laptop

[SonnyZ4]

My MBA program is giving us a free MacBook for enrolling this Fall. I've never owned a macbook so I'm not sure if I should look at the tech specs differently than when I've looked at a Windows laptop in the past. I'd be using it for school work (ms office and internet) and maybe a few games (Steam). They come with windows 7 installed on boot camp hard drive or whatever they call it. One has a higher GHz processor with lower ram and the other is a lower processor with double the ram, but I don't know which is more beneficial to have.

I don't plan on doing any video/music/picture editing, programming or any fancy stuff.

Thanks!

Here are the specs:
Standard MacBook Configuration:

The 11-inch Macbook Air
Wifi Certified
1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 onboard memory
128GB flash storage
Intel HD Graphics 4000
11.6" high-resolution LED-backlit widescreen display
Thunderbolt Port
Illuminated keyboard
802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking
Bluetooth
Built-in FaceTime HD camera

Or 13-inch MacBook Pro
2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
4GB 1600MHz DDR3 onboard memory
500GB 5400-rpm hard drive
8x SuperDriveWifi Certified
Intel HD Graphics 4000
13.3" high-resolution LED-backlit widescreen display
Thunderbolt port
SDXC card slot
FireWire 800 port
Illuminated keyboard
802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking
Bluetooth
Built-in FaceTime HD camera

 

[mad4slalom]

whatever you buy just check it aint got windows 8,.... Its shite !!!! :thumbsdown:

 

[SonnyZ4]

I had my HP replaced a month ago after I managed to step on it with a new one with Windows 8 and I still can't figure out how to use half of the stuff I've never hated a computer as much as this one with windows 8 haha

 

[Stuart Truman]

A computer (any computer) is a balance of processor, memory and I/O capability. I'm not familiar enough with the mac operating system to know how it responds to memory, but I'd say the 8GB option looks better. An i5 is a good CPU.

The main question for me if I were selling to you is how you'll get on with the actual size of the system. An 11" screen and smaller keyboard might be tiresome.

 

[tomscott]

The MBA is faster and more portable. MBP is more expandable.

The new MBP will be coming out soon with the haswell architecture then they will be on par with the MBA.

The standard MBP wont come as standard with a PCIX solid state technology so it will still feel slower. PCIX is much quicker than a standard SSD.

The MBA has a full size keyboard like the MBP. Also the pixel density is similar so the display doesnt feel smaller. I have gone from a 13" alu unibody MB to the 11" and its better IMO. The MBP feels huge in comparison.

 

[WLH]

I would suggest going with the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Both the memory and HD can be upgraded if needed at a later date. I find the screen on the Air Book too small for my taste. It is faster but for what you're going to use it for you won't see a big difference except on boot up.

 

[Stuart Truman]

Sonnyz4, if you tell me the CPU model numbers I'll tell you the full spec

If the model number is i5-4xxx it's a 4th gen part (codenamed Haswell) if it's an i5-3xxx it's a 3rd generation (codenamed Ivy Bridge)

 

[SonnyZ4]

tomscott: I'll be honest...I'm not sure what half of that means haha

If the ram can be upgraded at a later time, I think I might go with the 13" macbook pro. I'll have to check out an 11" in person, but it just seems tiny. Granted I've always had 15" screens.

With it being a Mac, is upgrading ram only doable by an apple store?

 

[tomscott]

The current MBP are Ivy bridge. They haven't been updated yet. To be updated soon possibly september along with the imac line.

The whole Apple line up is to be updated soon. The air and the ipod touch are the only recent updates.

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com

 

[SonnyZ4]

Sonnyz4, if you tell me the CPU model numbers I'll tell you the full spec

If the model number is i5-4xxx it's a 4th gen part (codenamed Haswell) if it's an i5-3xxx it's a 3rd generation (codenamed Ivy Bridge)

Their tech specs send you to these pages
- for the Air: http://support.apple.com/kb/SP650
- for the Pro: http://support.apple.com/kb/SP649

I don't know if that gives you anymore insight though

 

[tomscott]

http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/performance/

 

[Stuart Truman]

Hmm.

The link that goes to the apple site is for a 4th gen part, but the original specs you posted are for a 3rd gen part, probably this one or a close equivalent.

http://ark.intel.com/products/65707/Intel-Core-i5-3317U-Processor-3M-Cache-up-to-2_60-GHz

 

[tomscott]

tomscott: I'll be honest...I'm not sure what half of that means haha

If the ram can be upgraded at a later time, I think I might go with the 13" macbook pro. I'll have to check out an 11" in person, but it just seems tiny. Granted I've always had 15" screens.

With it being a Mac, is upgrading ram only doable by an apple store?

Ye thats the drawback of air. Basically the air is built to order you cant upgrade it so max the areas you need like the ram CPU isnt important in this instance the standard is pretty rapid turbo boosting to 2.6ghz. But its specs are the best on the market at the moment for its potability, its also faster than the current gen 13" MBP until the new architecture is introduced. You are better off waiting for the new MBP to arrive next month the new architecture is much much faster. It is tiny which is the benefit for me but understand its not for everyone. 13" isnt much bigger and the 11" MBA has a higher resolution display pixels per inch so the actual screen doesn't feel smaller in use. Ive owned all the line up apart from the 15" and so far found the 11" to be my favourite. I think the retina 13" is a good compromise but its still huge and so much heavier and the Air has enough power and battery to keep you going for 12hrs.

No if you get the MBP you undo the bottom panel and swap the ram straight out.

What will you use the laptop for. If your going to be doing intense graphics gaming computation the only option is to go up to the 15" but the MBA is faster than all the 13" MBPs currently and has the same graphics faster PCIXSSD and faster ram.

 

[WLH]

With it being a Mac, is upgrading ram only doable by an apple store?

There are a number of videos on Youtube on how to upgrade the RAM and/or HD. It's pretty easy to do and I have upgraded both the RAM and my HD on one of my 2 MacBook Pro's both of which are 13 inch. The upgrade took less than 15 minutes and the only tool needed was a fine screwdriver.

 

[tomscott]

Hmm.

The link that goes to the apple site is for a 4th gen part, but the original specs you posted are for a 3rd gen part, probably this one or a close equivalent.

http://ark.intel.com/products/65707/Intel-Core-i5-3317U-Processor-3M-Cache-up-to-2_60-GHz

From the link I posted above

http://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/performance/

"Built on a 22-nanometer process, Intel’s third-generation Core architecture keeps the processor, cache, graphics processor, and a faster-than-ever 1600MHz memory controller on a single chip. Since data doesn’t have as far to travel, you can fly through demanding tasks like editing HD video, compiling audio, or rendering a multilayered image file."

 

[Stuart Truman]

Tom, your link was to the Pro, the link I am referring to was to the air. That doesn't have the 4th gen CPU either.

Edit - the new 4th gen powered one will probably have the HD5000 "Iris" graphics which are head and shoulder over the HD4000.

 

[tomscott]

OSX also makes using smaller screens easier, all main apps are full screen capable which takes advantage of the whole screen real estate. It has 'spaces' which alows you to swipe using the track pad and swap out each application to a new screen like opening up a new desktop so you can have them all open at once. Also has a dedicated button on the keyboard called mission control to show all your spaces



The dock can also be hidden until you need it by hovering the mouse over it.

There is also a dedicated button called launchpad which shows all your apps at the touch of a button

It all works very well and is a neat little package

 

[tomscott]

Tom, your link was to the Pro, the link I am referring to was to the air. That doesn't have the 4th gen CPU either.

The main feature of the 2013 MBA is the haswell architecture.

http://www.apple.com/macbook-air/features.html#processor

'MacBook Air is powered by the all-new fourth-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors. This ultra-efficient architecture was designed to use less power and still deliver high performance. Which means not only can you do whatever you want — you can keep doing it for longer than before. In addition, the new Intel HD Graphics 5000 offers up to 40 percent faster graphics — performance you’ll especially notice with games and other graphics-intensive tasks.'

 

[SonnyZ4]

tomscott: So the higher pixel count on the air essentially makes up for the smaller screen size and doesn't remind you that you're looking at a small screen? The 11" screen is starting to sound not so bad after all. I think I'm thinking of it being tiny because I'm comparing it to my current laptop, but considering the pro would be only 2" bigger, its not as huge of a difference. Im going to stop by the apple store to check out the air's screen size in person this weekend.

The screen shot you posted looks really slick. The image is ~11.5" diagonal so it gives me a good idea of screen size too. That's actually not that bad at all, can I increase the size of the text under the desktop icons? Those do seem a little small, granted I'm looking at a picture, so the real thing might be much sharper.

I don't have the option of waiting for the new Pro, since the school is giving us them for free for new fall students. I assume to make some room for the all the new stuff coming out.

If I were to get the 13" pro and upgrade the ram to 8GB just like the air, would the performance difference be almost unnoticeable for someone like me who's most intense program would be MS Office?

 

[tomscott]

Not completely but in a way yes. You can never beat a bigger screen but with the resolution being larger and the pixel count being higher makes moving from a 13" to an 11' feel natural. But if your used to a bigger screen it may feel small for a while. No it wouldn't be noticeable but if your going to be traveling around as a student you will certainly enjoy the weight loss and portability! I lugged a 17" around uni breaking my back pain in the ass. But I wouldn't want the old tech its been out 18 months already.

Best thing to do is to have a look at them all size, weight, have a hold etc. I was torn when buying the 11" but took the plunge and love it the 13" is really nice too but also feels huge compared to the 11". For me portability was most important but the Haswell architecture makes is very attractive as a powerful portable machine.

I am a photographer and graphic designer and use it on the go works great. Screen real estate is always nice but you can huck it up to an external display and use it on a desk if you need something larger for work purposes. The intel 5000 graphics can run 30+" displays natively.

I edited the National Z4 Meet at the lake on the air

the air compared to my old 13" unibody macbook

You can see how much smaller it is! And its faster its a win win atm until they do something to make the macbook pro more competitive in the market.

Hope that helps