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Re: Macbook Air vs Macbook Pro

  • 04-02-2012 9:23pm
    #1
    okman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17 ✭


    Hi Guys,

    Quick question which I could really use some advice on.

    I am a university lecturer. I mainly use my computer for making power point slides, internet browsing, managing large database sets on excel and using stats programs such as spss.

    What would be bet to buy, the top of the range macbook air

    http://store.apple.com/ie/configure/MC965B/A

    or the lowest range of macbook pro

    http://store.apple.com/ie/configure/MD313B/A


    I do prefer the look of the macbook air, and obviously its ultra portability. But I dont want to buy this any then find that it is slow at processing my data or leaving me limited in the amount of things I can do.

    Please help with my decision and I appreciate your advice!

    Cheers


Comments

  • #2
    Nonoperational
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,401 ✭✭✭Nonoperational


    The Air should have no problem running any of the applications you need. Personal choice really, both would be more than adequate from a spec point of view.


  • #3
    okman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17 ✭okman


    Can I set up the mac in a duel boot system for rather doss or mac os. My friend has this done with his macbook pro


  • #4
    partyatmygaff
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,992 ✭✭✭✭partyatmygaff


    okman wrote: »
    Can I set up the mac in a duel boot system for rather doss or mac os. My friend has this done with his macbook pro
    Doss? Do you mean DOS? If so, i'm fairly sure you can (Although I can't imagine why you'd want to).

    Personally, if I had to buy Apple i'd go with the Air. But if I was going to buy a laptop i'd steer clear of Apple and get something a bit better.

    I'd personally recommend something like a Lenovo X220. It'll be better built and it will have the power of the Macbook Pro and the portability of a Macbook Air. The IPS display, mobile broadband and three years warranty as standard are also selling points over Apple.


  • #5
    tonsiltickler
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 249 ✭✭tonsiltickler


    I'd have to agree with partyatmygaff. I bought a macbook pro recently and its great (i had a discount at the time making it worth it). When it comes to laptops you really don't get a whole lot of value for money with apple, the imac's are better bang for your buck really.

    I would choose the pro over the air tho. The air just feels very flimsy. I don't trust ssd's yet and you cant upgrade the ram yourself (soldered to mb).


  • #6
    UX
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 ✭UX


    Go with the MBA. Perfect for what you want. I have an MBA and MacBook Pros (15s and 17s).

    Just tweet @vonprond if you want third-level insight into such matters..:)


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  • #7
    Stripey Cat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 741 ✭✭✭Stripey Cat


    No disk drive on a macbook air.

    Some of them don't have the backlit keyboard (which is essential for using in lecture halls).

    Also, it's seems a bit too light, if you know what I mean.


  • #8
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Stripey Cat wrote: »
    No disk drive on a macbook air.
    USB Disk Drives go for pocket change. Weigh that against how often you actually employ your optical drive.


  • #9
    Stripey Cat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 741 ✭✭✭Stripey Cat


    Overheal wrote: »
    USB Disk Drives go for pocket change.

    Yeah but then you end up carrying around a disk drive in your pocket.
    Overheal wrote: »
    Weigh that against how often you actually employ your optical drive.

    I use mine to watch dvd's, so, quite often.


  • #10
    windingo
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 90 ✭✭windingo


    I would go for the lower spec macbook pro. On the 13inch 2.8GHz (pro) which is cheaper than than the highest spec air, you get a better processor, bigger ram so better for running your programs, getting a proper hard drive as compared with just flash storage on the air. In my opinion the macbook pro is better than the air. As for what people say about apple, I have an imac and I have had no problems with it and it is Three years old.


  • #11
    Overheal
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Stripey Cat wrote: »
    Yeah but then you end up carrying around a disk drive in your pocket.



    I use mine to watch dvd's, so, quite often.
    http://www.123copydvd.com/


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  • #12
    anton
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 134 ✭✭anton


    I own 13" Air and absolutely love it. Wouldn't trade it for any Macbook Pro. The build quality is great, and it feels very solid. Who needs extra weight to lug around, especially if you take it to work every day?


  • #13
    iphonehead
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 65 ✭✭iphonehead


    Just took delivery of an 11' Macbook Air on monday. I'm stunned at the difference in speed between it and my Macbook Pro... the form factor is great, the weight is non-existant and it still handles all my applications particularly the one that I use to run live theatre shows and videos... Ask me again in a couple of weeks but initial reaction is hell yeah I made the right choice... I wouldn't hesitate.. I would get at least the 128g disk though as I did... the 64 I would panic is a bit small...


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