MacBook Air vs Pro

I need to buy a laptop for Sixth Form and I wish to buy a MacBook. I'm into design and programming and wish to continue these as my career. I currently have a 21.5" Late 2011 iMac as my main computer which I do all my work on but since I am going to Sixth Form I am in need of a laptop.
I will be doing assigments and documents, programming (since I will be taking computer as a subject) and everyday tasks. I would also like to use Photoshop and some video editing. I do not need very powerful hardware due to the fact that I can do tasks that require power on my iMac.
I'm not sure whether to go for the 13" MacBook Air (1.3GHz Dual-core i5,128GB SSD, 8GB RAM) at £1029 or the 13" MacBook Pro (2.5GHz Dual-core i5, 500GB HDD, 8GB RAM) at £1079
Is there a huge difference in wieght since that matters quite a bit to me because I will be carrying it around and it will also sit near my iMac at home.

Lemonny wrote:
#1 My question: Is MBP still portable? Portable as in being able to bring it to almost everywhere just like i do with my iPad?
Yes, as long as it's not the 17" model. But none of them are as portable as an iPad, but that's the tradeoff between a tablet and notebook.
#2 MY QUESTION: Can MBA still support iMovie or Photoshop?
Yes, definatley imovie and also PS depending on the specs of the MBA.
#3 My question: Is 128GB of storage enough for average user?
Define your intended use and I can tell you. Ones's idea of an average user can vary greatly.
#4 MY Question: Will MBA last at least 5 years before slowing down and "dying"?
No one can predict how long an electronic device can last. Some will crap out after a few years, some will last 10+ years.
I prefer a MBP because the ram is expandable unlike in the MBA, where the ram is soldered to the logic board and is not upgradeable. Also, I prefer having an optical drive at all times without having to carry one around.

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abraham from san antonio wrote:
whats the difference between an i pad2 / macbook air or pro .im considering buying an ipad2 for school !!
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Ghost48 wrote:
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Yeah, that would be the only detriment I see as well, though I intend to buy the 256GB model and can simply get an external drive if I find it necessary. Thanks for your input!
Another question - (for anyone) - If I order online and select the student discount, how does that work? Do I pay the student rate and then show my student ID & license at the store when I pick it up?

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I think the MBair would meet your needs. Here's a comparison with the MBpro.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57458148-37/13-inch-macbook-air-vs-13-inch-mac book-pro-which-should-you-buy/?tag=postrtcol;posts

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You should also ask this in the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air forums. This is the forum for the 13” white and black plastic MacBooks that were discontinued in 2010. You should also post this question there to increase your chances of getting an answer.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_air

Hello friends, I've a huge matter: whould I buy a Macbook Air or Pro?

I'd want to get a Macbook for my birthday (university's approaching, too).
I saw the new MacBook air 13" and the new MacBook Pro 13" are pretty much at the same prize.
I'll tell you things I considered:
MacBook Pro: more CPU power, more storage, more inputs, upgradable in time.
MacBook Air: better and newer design, higher resolution, faster storage.
So as you can see the pro has better hardware but slower storage (although it's much more) and a bad resolution while the air has few storage and it has few ports and cpu power.
I'd like to use it as my main machine, and I'd like not to have problems with any kind of softwares (Photoshop, iLife, Premiere, some games, HD recording).
What should I get, so?
Maximum budget: 1300-1400€
Thanks a lot!

I just looked at this question myself. I've always used Pros, and in the past what stopped me from using the Airs were the RAM capacity and the drive capacity. The new Airs change all of that..mostly. Finally you can have 8GB RAM and 512GB storage, which I think is what you would want if you are seriously talking about using Photoshop and Premiere regularly. That is a $2099 computer as configured. At that price I'm back on the 15" MacBook Pro non-Retina to stay within budget...that's the spec level I've been using for the last two laptops I've owned.
If you are thinking of getting the base 4GB RAM/256GB SSD model of the 13' Air, keep in mind that 4GB is very minimal for running Photoshop or Premiere. You will effectively only be able to run one app at a time and still possibly run out of RAM on some jobs. That is why I couldn't use the old Airs. I would only buy a new Air with 8GB RAM since you cannot upgrade it later. All my future Macs will have 16GB, the only reason I wouldn't spec the Air with it is that Apple won't let you.
OK, so that's the RAM. The 256GB SSD could run out of space fast unless you are already planning on connecting external drives for your projects/archives/HD recording targets/Photoshop scratch disks. That is why all my future Macs will be specced with 512GB minimum. And with only 4GB or 8GB RAM, you are definitely going to need an external Photoshop scratch disk if you plan on editing anything coming off a DSLR.
So, if I was to get an Air for the Adobe suite it would be the 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD Air or else a 15" MacBook Pro Retina with more power all around and the same disk capacity for only $100 more!

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Hi guys,
I already have a Mac Pro as a desktop, but I need a notebook for High School (Yr 11 student in Australia)
I am deciding whether to get a MBA or MBP.
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11in Screen
128GB SSD
Core i5
Backlit Keyboard
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(Early 2011 Model)
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Thanks

I think you have answered your own question.
If you value portability more than power, then the MBA 11" is the way to go.
For most day-to-day computing, there's not much between the MBA 11" and MBP 13". The MBA may in fact feel faster due to the SSD than the MBP with is mechanical HD.
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Im a second year college student currently with a 2 year old macbook pro 15", which I have discovered is way too heavy for me to be lugging around to the library and back and around campus. But I LOVE how big the screen is on it because on of the primary uses for me is watching tv and movies on it. My mom is really rallying to take my laptop so I can get a new one and I am consdering it. But I just don't know if I should get a Macbook pro retina display, also 15", or a 13" macbook air. which would be lighter and I would be able to take to the library and around. But i would sacrifice the screen size which it what i love about my current macbook pro. I NEED HELP

The Ipad is a TOY, its pure futility to attempt productivity on same, even though I own 2 Ipads, ....I wouldnt even think of comparing an Ipad with a genuine powerhouse like the Air.
Some people err in seeing the thin AIR and thinking is something like a netbook, which is just in actuality an over-inflated tablet. The Air is nothing like a netbook, ....have you or your dad check out the specs on the Air
http://www.apple.com/macbook-air/features.html
Between the Ipad and the Air ....is like comparing a childs pedal car to a genuine car.
Given the fact that you deem it for general school use etc, and a base Macbook pro is the roughly the same price as a Macbook Air,...YES, the Air is the superior choice.
Why? Weight,... only one moving part, ...no HD to crash from packing around campus.....ultra fast boot time, which is just incredibly important for turning off and on all the time, which IS what youll do on campus.
Also the new Air runs very cool, and is perfect for doing "bed /dorm room productivity", something College folk (as I did as well) do a lot,....bed full of books, and a laptop, on your lap.

Macbook air or pro ?

Hi.
First, I apologise for my english, which is not vey good.
So, I'm thinking of changing my old (3 years) white macbook 13' this summer.
But I don't know if I have to choose the macbook air 13' or the macbook pro 13'...
I'm a student and my tasks are :
- surfing on the net
- watching movies
- listening to music
- doing work on Microsoft office or I'Life for my studies
- using photoshop (a little bit, not for big works)
- playing games. I'm not a big gamer. Most of the time I'm playing Football Manager, but Batman Arkham City, Fifa 12 or Assassins Creed could be games which I use.
So my question is simple : for these tasks is it better to buy macbook air (with 8GB ram) or macbook pro (but I don't want an HDD, I prefer SSD and it costs me 187 euros more if I choose a MBP) ?

Thank's for your answer !
The portability of the air, is in fact more important, because of its weight in my bag !
In terms of graphic results, the MBP 13 and MBA 13 both have HD Intel.....etc But is there any difference because of the processor during my tasks ?

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Hey,
I'm about to start year 12 then go onto study art in university after that. I'm looking to buy a Mac for school and personal use but I'm stuck between the air and the pro. My primary uses are:
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
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Downloading & watching movies and tv shows
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Writing essays.
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Here's a comparison of the two.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57458148-37/13-inch-macbook-air-vs-13-inch-mac book-pro-which-should-you-buy/?tag=postrtcol;posts

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