MacBook Air - is the SSD worth it?

Josey Wales

I've spent the day trying to decide between a 13" MacBook Air or the 13" MacBook Pro.

My main concern about the Air is the relatively small SSD space compared to what is available in the Pro. I would go for the 256GB SSD, which brings the price up to the same as the Pro. Also the Air has a slower processor.

Would I be right in saying that the Air's processor in combination with the SSD would make the performance of the Air pretty snappy?

I don't plan on using either model for serious gaming but would like to play the odd indie game. I'm thinking of games from the Indie Humble Bundles (i.e. Super Meatboy, Bastion) not graphically intensive 3D games. Any idea how the Air would handle these with Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics?

Sad Professor

Switching to an SSD is the biggest performance boost you will ever experience. HDDs are dead antiquated technology to me. The reduced storage is a small price to pay.

Sierra Oscar

Sad Professor wrote: »

Switching to an SSD is the biggest performance boost you will ever experience. HDDs are dead antiquated technology to me. The reduced storage is a small price to pay.

I agree - I have been using an SSD on a desktop for over two years now, and I could never go back to a HDD. I have purchased three SSD's over the last two years for various systems and I am yet to experience any problem with any of the drives, so I find them reliable too.

When I upgrade to a new laptop over the next month so I will ensure it has a SSD - I do not think I could bear to go back.

ToadVine

Is the advice to the OP to go with the MBA rather than the MBP (seen as both are the same price)?

Sean Quagmire

I asked this exact question a few months back and opted with the air.

I'll give you my input based on using both. But I am comparing a 15" mbp with a 13" mba. If i had to buy a machine tomorrow I would go with the pro as I believe with the better CPU it is faster and you can worry less about hard drive space. What is an extra few lb's when they are both super portable. The HDD is not that much slower believe me, barely if any difference In my experience.

It might be just my experience but I have had more issue with the MBA also, slower opening apps and folder navigation and internet connection problems.

Having said that, if you are set on the 13" screen go with the air.

silvine

I installed an SSD in my 13 Macbook Pro. I could never go back. It boots and restores in seconds and apps launch almost instantly. You could always use an external HDD for your media.

Josey Wales

I decided to order the 13" MBA in the end. I was set on the 13" size so I was never going to go for the 15" Pro. If I find that space is an issue I will use something like Western Digitals My Book Live.

Now I'm just waiting on it to arrive sometime next week. In the meantime I'm making a list of things I need to do when it is first booted.

portcrap

Folks,

Im having difficulty finding an ssd for my mid 2011 13" macbook air. It has 128gb ssd and i want to upgrade to either the 256 or 512gb ssd drive. Anybody know where i can source these at the best prices?

Jarren

Decent enough price

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-2-5inch-Notebook-Accessory-Norton/dp/B005OK6VLS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339776820&sr=8-1

portcrap

Jarren wrote: »

Decent enough price

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-2-5inch-Notebook-Accessory-Norton/dp/B005OK6VLS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339776820&sr=8-1

not compatible with the MBA though.. as in a replacement for internal ssd

Sad Professor

I thought you said you had a MBP?

portcrap

My bad prof. I meant for a macbook air

Sad Professor

The SSD in your Air isn't user replaceable. There was a company selling custom upgrades for a while, but Apple shut them down. So I'm not sure what other options you have.

Hobbes

portcrap wrote: »

Folks,

Im having difficulty finding an ssd for my mid 2011 13" macbook air. It has 128gb ssd and i want to upgrade to either the 256 or 512gb ssd drive. Anybody know where i can source these at the best prices?

Try Crucial.

case_sensitive

I was really looking forward to the new MBP 13", my 2007 MB 13" is looking a little jaded now.
The Ivy bridge updates seem to have brought the MBA closer in capability to the Pro, while the Pro got a very small update. Prices are very similar, but the SSD BTO for the MBP are crazy.
I went utterly nuts and ordered the Retina MBP, (same weight as my MB!) and instead of holding it in my sweaty paws (10% off in CompuB's new shop in Dundrum today only) today, I have to wait a month. Can't wait.