MBA or MBP for me?

I'm planning to get the MBA. But what do you guys think? I went to Apple store like 7 times already to check both of them out! I'll be using it as my MAIN MACHINE. I'll use it for
-browsing web (a lot) for Facebook, YouTube, email, twitter, sports
-light photo editing (nothing like the pros only as a hobby)
-about 150 music and 250 photos
-maybe Xcode and other apps
-I WANT IT TO LAST FOR ATLEAST 4 years
-I want to be able to bring it to my friends house, school (high), and other places
What do you guys think? Tell me which model of which machine I should get (ex. 128GB, 4GB ram, MBA)
Thanks!

MBA is a secondary computer, not a Main computer.
So get the MBP.

Similar Messages

Suitability of MBA and MBP for FCPX ...

Hi there,
i am going to purchase either a 13" Macbook Air or Macbook Pro & plan to use FCPX on it.
the problem is I discovered the following:-
a) the anount of RAM is so low as compared to my iMac whic has 32gb RAM.
b) i always read that it is better to get a dedicated video RAM but most of the latest MBA and MBP only comes with on board video RAM.
c) the HDD though is a flashed based but is so small, start from only 128gb. Could it be that Apple wants us to buy an external HDD ?
cheers & thanks

RyanManUtd wrote:
… But for me, what is important is that when I am editing on the timeline, I hate it when it becomes slow. Sometimes even the beach balls appear.
So in my case, better to have a fast processor or a bigger RAM ?
I have never seen a beachball using FCPX (see my specs: I'm on the very low end of hardware).
(I've seen crashes … it's not all pink here )
Aside 'no background rendering' … or manual initiated rendering (to see complex compos in real-time…) :
Imho, it's all about 'delivery': put each stream on its own 'platter' = no beach balling, no stutter
And with stream I don't mean the source(s), but what you see on screen:
in case, you do pic-in-pic, compounds, MultiCam, you see 2/several streams - then, I recommend 2/several drives …
to over-exaggerate:
when you put the sources of a 4x camera MultiCam on 4 different drives ==> no stutter, no beach balling at all, even on antique, underpowered systems… ok, that's over-the-top, my several external, simple usb3 drives deliver each 2-3 fullHD streams flawless ...
best practice is it anyhow to separate Events from app/OS/cache…
I would suggest a min. of 16GB Ram.
The number-crunching (rendering) is mostly done on GPU, not CPU.
Last, silly comment: benchmark tests test benchmarks!
Means: FCPX + MacOS + Apple hardware sums up 'higher' than expected.
Don't be too focussed on GHz and stuff, no -user is interested in …
Shall I link again to my stunt? (some board members: "Nooo, not again!!" <yawn> )
I do link to my stunt ... >> 4x 4k Multicam on MacMini

What shall i buy MBA or MBP for 4years

recently the macbook air has been updated and i was wanting a latop that will last me for 4 years (my old intel core 2 duo lasted for 3 years).
the following specs that i am configuring for macbook air 13" is, 1.8Ghz i7, 4GB RAM, 256GB flash storage
the following specs that i am configuring for macbook pro 13" is, 2.7Ghz i7, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
the only difference i find is the MBA is undervolted, Hi-Resolution 1440x900, faster SSD
the difference i find in the MBP is HD camera and more ports including SuperDrive
please help me choose the correct one because i want a notebook that will last me for 4 years.
money is no issue since i have already got spare 4GB RAM and 256GB SSD

While I love my Air, and believe such a machine could easily last 4 years, I suspect that you probably want the Pro. Why? Well, because you can upgrade it if you need to.
You don't say what you're going to be doing on this computer. I knew, when I got my 11" Air, that even in four years I'd probably wouldn't need a larger hard drive or more RAM. I knew this because over the years I've simplified my life and I'm not putting everything on my computer the way I used to; I delete more stuff, and keep big files on an external drive. Except for upgrades, I don't put on new programs, etc. I also knew that I'd be doing more traveling and needed lighter and slimmer--so, looking to the future, an Air was right for me.
But if you're not doing that, if it looks like in four years you'll need something to handle bigger programs and keep plenty of data at your fingertips, then you want the Pro, for sure. Because even if you don't get enough now, you can upgrade it later, have it meet your growing and changing needs. You can't do that with the Air. What you get now is what you'll have four years later, whether or not you feel it's gotten too slow or too small for you needs. That's perhaps the biggest and most important difference if you're looking at these computer long-term: You cannot upgrade that Air. What you buy now is what you have for its lifetime.
The Pro can grow and change with your needs over its lifetime. So, I'd recommend the Pro...unless, of course, you are totally in love with the Air. I always say to default on what you love, as you know you'll be happiest on that

Newest MBA or MBP for large applications at the same time?

Love the newest MBA and really want it - the reviews are so fantastic - but I am simply afraid of making the same mistake I've made in the past and ordering the less powerful machine. I currently have a Dell and an HP, and neither will allow me to use photoshop CS5 BY ITSELF with any efficiency, let alone while open with other applications such as internet explorer. The quality of webcam conversations with Skype is also very poor, despite a very fast internet connection. I am fed up and converting to Mac, just not sure which one to get - but I need it to be the best for PS and Skype. Advice from those who have used the newest MBA? Thanks!

Ferrell, I have done what you suggested. I clicked onto the Spaces icon in the upper control panel and assigned spaces to six apps: Mail, Safari, iPhoto, iMovie, Pages, and iWeb.
The problem is that if I am one app and I want to put something into that app, then the minute my mouse cursor goes to get that other thing, the original application into which I want the thing put GETS WHOOSHED OFF THE DESKTOP. What I want is for the original app to remain open whilst I go to retrieve a file or folder, and stay open while I put that thing into the original app.
How does one turn off Spaces? I don't mean to delete all the names from the settings.I mean, just turn it off for a while so I can do something which requires for two apps to be open at the same time????
~ Lorna in Southern California

MBA vs MBP for engineering use

Hi,
I'm planning to buy either a MacBook air or MacBook pro but am little confused as which way to go. I'm an engineer and so will be using VMware for heavy engineering softwares like Xilinx, modelsim and orcad. So im looking for help from someone with experience in this regard
Thanks

While the Macbook Air & MacBook Pro are offered both with models that have i5 and i7 processors. The Air offers dual core processors 1.6 Ghz i5 or a dual core 1.7Ghz i7. The MBP 13 base offers core i5 at 2.4 Ghz, or a dual core 2.8 Ghz i7. Slightly faster then the MacBook Air. If you go up to a 15-Inch Macbook Pro you get even more power with ether 2.2 Quad Core i7 or a 2.4 Quad Core i7. Those extra cores give you lots more power when plugged in, and it will be a noticable boost in VM. thats twice as many cores as the MacBook Air.
The Macbook Air and the 13-Inch Macbook Pro have the same Advanced Intel HD Graphics 3000. But the 15-inch MacBook Pro also has a AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB GDDR5, or a AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 1GB GDDR5. Having the Radeon graphics card means the computer has lots of 3D rendeirng power! if your using cad this is a great benifit for the 3D models you may be working on. Or even just running Mac OS X and Windows 7 at the same time. (it's also nice for gaming)
The Macbook Pros also offer more storage space. the 13-Inch & 15-Inch base models of the MacBook Pro has twice the space as the top end MacBook Air. Running Dual OS takes up allot of space. So having the additonal space is going to be really handy.
Plus your getting extra ports. A built-in super drive will make it easier to install window 7 or any other disk based software.
if it was me, and I was using the computer for enginering I would be looking at a 15-Inch MacBook Pro because of the quad core, and Radion Graphics.
Also, you would benfit from finding out the exact software you want to run; and exactly what are the requirements to run it. That way you can make sure you get the right graphic cards, and more then enough ram. Also keep in mind if you want to run windows in VM. your going to need extra ram. because mac OS X is going to want ram too.

MBA instead of MBP for main computer?

Hi, I'm currently trying to decide between the 13in. MBA and MBP. I'll be a junior in college and have finally decided to update my aging five year old Dell (the screen is coming off, it's gotten so bad). I was considering the 13 MBP two years ago, but they were still using Dual Core 2 processors. I'll be carrying my computer around campus, on flights home, and going abroad with my new computer, so its kind of annoying the 13 in MBP is still using the same chassis from four years ago.
I'm comparing the 13 in MBA with 256 SSD, i7, 8GB RAM (for about $1600) to the 13 in MBP base model for $1099 (assuming 500 GB HD and i5 are fine for my needs). I'll be using it as my main computer for all the usual tasks (word, PP, internet, videos) as well as some Photoshop work. Do you think the MBA can handle my needs? I use my computer pretty much all day, every day. I greatly prefer the MBA form factor, display, and SSD, but when talking to someone at Apple, he said that I would notice a significant performance lack on the MBA compared to the MBP, which is concerns me, especially for the extra $500 or so. I know the battery life estimate is the same, but is that true in actuality?
At this point, with everything moving the direction of the air, does it make sense to still get a Pro for the performance? Also, my budget is relatively flexible after waiting for so long...would it be a decent investment to go for the SSD in a MBP instead?
Thanks!

Limnos,
I think that comparing durability between the two is a near "push", in gambling terms. Yes, the MBP is more "sturdy" in construction, but extra mass is also a detriment. Extra mass can result in greater force when jostled or dropped. I've owned Air's and Pros. I would feel less nervous if something were to be dropped on the Pro, but less so if my Air were to be dropped. Mind you, my machines have always sported aftermarket hard shells, and transported in a reasonably well padded stiff case (I'm using a Level 8 case now).
Overall, I suppose I would have to give the Pro a slight overall edge in overall resistance to damage, but it is entirely manageable. Probably the biggest worry is the lack of any extra glass layer protection on the MBA screen, as the the 13" Pro has.

13" MBA or 15" MBP for a musician, amateur photographer, and college student?

Now, if I had it my way I'd wait for the next MBP release, but alas my mother says I must buy a laptop now.
I've heard that the MBA is great for just about every average user's needs, but I do use my computer for more than the average user does.
Right now I'm using an HP desktop which I'll be bringing with me to college: 6 GB RAM, an i5 2.67GHz processor, and a 512 GB HDD at 7200 rpm.
It has a sucky monitor, but I'm going to replace it very soon.
I'm excited to get my Mac and use Aperture with it, because I tried Lightroom and found that it is not good enough in terms of workflow, so I did not purchase it (pricey) and am just using the Nikon software included with my camera.
I work with RAW files and often import 8 GB of them at a time and edit them, convert them to jpegs. The processes are all just a little slow, with the conversion to jpegs being the worst by far. That could be because I'm using the Nikon software, though. I recall that Lightroom was lightyears faster at that.
My point it, I WANT to use the Macbook I get as my primary photo editing machine. Is this realistic? Can either of the machines I'm looking at really handle that?
The 13" MBA would be too small, wouldn't it?
If I got the 15" MBP, I'd get the hi-res screen as well.
But the MBA is just so beautiful and portable. I'm worried that the MBP will feel like a burden. Then again, 6 pounds isn't that heavy still. And I know that if I buy the MBP, they will release a new one and I will feel remorseful, but, hey, a new model will always be around the corner.
And I couldn't afford a SSD if I got the MBP. :/
If I get the MBA, it will be maxed out.
I will also probably be purchasing an external hard drive for photos in the next 6 months, so I'm not concerned about 256 GB on the MBA being too little.
As far as other uses of the computer, I do some audio recording and editing. How good are the two machines at Garageband?
I'll do a lot of word processing for school. I like to stream video, listen to music.
Also, I love the HD cam on the MBP and hate the one of the MBA. I will be Skyping a lot this year.
Oh my GOSH. Sorry for writing so much and being disorganized. Thanks for reading! Haha.

From what I see on Twitter and blogs, a lot of photography pros are picking up the new MacBook Airs as their road machines because with the new Core iX processors they are quite acceptable for performance. I've mostly read about them using Lightroom, though, and not as a primary machine, so you should take some of your raw photos to an Apple store and run some Aperture tests to see how it feels. Do you think there is enough room to see everything, or does it feel cramped?
The main problem with the MacBook Air is not being able to put more than 4GB RAM in it, but with the SSD you might not notice the lag as much. For most people the Air is a fantastic computer. I use the 15" MacBook Pro, because I use other graphics apps where I need room to display documents, filmstrips, palettes, etc. so I need mor pixels, and also because I need to be able to have more RAM.
I would guess that GarageBand wouldn't be a problem on any new Mac, assuming you're not piling on heaps of effects.

MBA vs MBP

Hi everyone. I'm wondering which one to buy MBA or MBP. The things i want to know for each -
1 How hot can they get?
2 How well they perform on heavy load ( photoshop, games, flash etc.) and compared to each other
3 Is there a big difference between 11" and 13" MBA? Or is it enough 11" or rather you should just add those 200 and get a better one?
I really like that air is light, probably wouldn't hurt when using it on my laps for hours.
That's pretty much it. Thanks in advance.

I had an MBP 13" 2008 and now have an MBA 11". I can't speak for the present MBP's, but I did notice that now and then my 2008 MBP would get warm under the left-hand side of the keys there. Never hot. Believe, me, I've had laptops that got too hot to use, and the MBP, while it got a little warm, was never, ever so bad.
So far, my little 11", doing all the things my MBP 13" used to do, hasn't gotten warm once. Betting that they improved on the current MBP's, I'd say you don't have to worry about heat unless you're really putting them to work. The aluminum bodies are remarkably cool and work very well.
The difference between 11" and 13" MBA is this:
(1) Obviously, smaller screen real estate. That's up to you. I have no problem with this, but some people want more room just to see things wider and/or have more windows open across a screen.
(2) Battery-- 11" gets 5 hours (six sometimes), 13" gets a whopping 10 hours. MBP 13" by the by, gets around 7 hours.
(3) SSD--11" max is 128G, 13" max is 256.
Just in case it matters to you:
* Backlit keyboard--only on MBP not on the AIrs (some people find this a deal breaker)
* Lock slot--only on the MBP not on the Airs. This is my one issue with the Airs. There is an odd sort of device on sale for them now by which one can lock them to the table, but no slot in the computer. Except in places I really trust, I never leave my little 11" out on a table. If I'm at a coffee place and need to get more coffee, I close it up and take it with me. it's just too easy for someone to snatch it. I am thinking of getting the new weird lock thing for it. My old MBP, however, had the slot and I could lock it to the table.
Here's some things to consider:
(1) MBA can't be upgraded. So whatever you get, that's what you get. If you get 2G RAM you're stuck with that, you can't make it 4G RAM--which is why the advice to go for 4G is a good one. With the MBP you can upgrade.
(2) Disk Drive--obviously, MBA doesn't have one, MBP does.
(3) MBA comes with SSD standard. MBP doesn't and if you want it you'll have to pay a lot more. But you can have it with the MBP if you want it. I gotta tell you, now that I've got it, I'm spoilt. I won't ever go back
In the end, the best way to decide is, I think, twofold. First, which is more important to you, power or portability. Because portability is where you get the real magic of the Airs. Their lightness (you'd be surprised at how much of a difference going down from almost 6 pounds to 2 or 3 makes), slimness, even the speed of getting them in and out of carrier bags is beyond compare. Power and storage is where the MBP excels. Second, if you haven't yet, you should go to a store and check both out. I'm a great believer in going for the computer that calls your name, that you fall in love with. If an MBA is what you fall in love with, you can make it work even if it doesn't have all you think you want.
Hope that helps!

Suggestion-MBA or MBP

I'm looking into purchasing a MBA or MBP, and I need some advice on which will work better for my needs. I currently use a PC and I am ready for a change. I use Adobe, Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint frequently. I create and save many documents in word and Excel spreadsheets. With so many choices for apple notebooks I am unsure of the differences or which to get MBA or MBP. Please Help!
I currently have Ipad and Iphone 4s. We are slowly converting our household over to Apple products.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

it depends on ur use.
if u use ur laptop only for browsing, email, some work with work/excel/powerpoint etc, music and so on, then MBA is enough. actually its enough for most of us. MBA also comes with large SSDs, so u can check the storage before buying. and its more comfortable for carrying.
but if u r into heavy gaming, hardcore audio/video editing or need to run other special heavyload softweres, then u will need MBP.
but remember, some gaming, little of photo editing etc also runs smooth on MBA.

MBA or MBP

I am thinking of getting a Mac but I can't chose between the MBA or MBP..I need a optical drive but I already have a separate SuperDrive...Portability is a huge thing, same a disk space as I will download movies and stuff...any help would by appreciate

it depends on ur use.
if u use ur laptop only for browsing, email, some work with work/excel/powerpoint etc, music and so on, then MBA is enough. actually its enough for most of us. MBA also comes with large SSDs, so u can check the storage before buying. and its more comfortable for carrying.
but if u r into heavy gaming, hardcore audio/video editing or need to run other special heavyload softweres, then u will need MBP.
but remember, some gaming, little of photo editing etc also runs smooth on MBA.

MBA vs MBP: Should I buy?

I was hoping to get some opinions from some of you who have the Macbook Air.
Currently I have a Powerbook G4.. the second to last revision before the Intel switch: 1.67Ghz G4/1Gb RAM/160Gb HD/ATI 9700 w/128MB.
Here is my dilema: I am going to be buying a new Apple laptop as early as tomorrow 2/15. I was originally planning on buying a 15" Macbook Pro fully maxed out in every made to order configuration, but all my research has led me to believe that an update to that product line is imminent. I am the type of person that likes to have the best/most powerful thing for the sake of having it even when I may not use it to the limit of it's capabilities, but I am also very impatient and don't know if I can wait for the update whenever that may happen while my $$$ burns a hole in my pocket.
So, I began thinking about what I actually do with my PBG4.. I used to do music production and graphic design but not so much anymore. Mostly I watch movies and surf the net, I do convert movies and music quite often, but don't really utilize all the IO that I have (except S-video) I have been tempted by the Macbook Air, but I am wondering if I will regret giving up all the power and IO of a Powerbook or Macbook Pro.
I know if I get a Macbook Pro and they release an updated version shortly after my purchase I will be totally burned.. but I am wondering if I could live within the limitations of the Air?
Just interested in getting some opinions from those of you that have the Air or both MBA and MBP..
Many thanks,
James

Really, IMO, you should wait it out until the MBP is refreshed. If you absolutely cannot, then it's going to be a difficult decision on your part. When you break down the specifications, the MBA is really not "new" in the sense that it still uses the 65nm Merom microprocessor. This processor is set to be eventually phased out by the new Peryn, 45nm processors that were announced in late January. So if you go with an MBA today, you're almost dropping the cost of the baseline 15" MBP for a notebook that is essentially last year's technology. Not to mention that the RAM in the MBA is not upgradable, and the HD uses an outdated parallel ATA interface (ie slow).
Additionally, you need to really consider your needs in a notebook. If you still do music production and graphic design at all, then the MBA is probably going to be a huge disappointment. Remember that this thing wasn't meant to be a desktop replacement like the MBP. Apple's target consumer for the MBA is someone who needs a second or even third computer for situations where portability is a must, and is willing to sacrifice speed and power to get it.

2007 iMac vs New MBP for Web/Graphic Design?

Hey everyone,
I'm a web/graphic designer currently using a Mid-2007 iMac and looking to upgrade to the top level MBP for better performance and mobility. I'm usually running a few programs at a time (photoshop, indesign, illustrator, safari, spotify, etc) and my current setup seems to be bogging down lately. Given the specs below, will I see a big boost in performance by upgrading to the MBP? On paper 2.4ghz vs 2.8ghz doesn't seem like a lot, but I know the RAM, graphics card and whatever "turbo boost" is all play a big role as well. Any advice?
Current iMac:
-Mid-2007 iMac - 24"
-2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
-4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
-ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 256 MB
-500 GB SATA Disk
Potential MBP:
-2.8GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 4.0GHz
-16GB 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM
-512GB PCIe-based Flash Storage
-Intel Iris Pro Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M with 2GB of GDDR5 memory

Hi Bee!
Thanks very much for your advice!
However, why do you suggest the 21.5" over the 27"? Do you think it is worth the extra screen size, because I can afford either?
It seemed to me that the iMac was the best option also - I'm in need of the power, but I'm still deliberating over size.
Also, on a side note, do you know of any iPhone apps that can help me with transferring files from home to college I'm getting an iPod Touch as part of the new deal Apple are running and I just wondered if there were any apps that I would find handy for transporting files etc.?
Thanks again!

Is the MBA 256gb right for me?

Hello all,
Let me start by saying Im going to be buying a Macbook soon and Im leaning toward the MBA because of the portability and speed it offers. This will be my first Mac. I am a High School Teacher and Im also going to school myself so I need portability, but money is also tight. Primary uses will be for Word Documents, Spreadsheets, Internet surfing, Emails with PDF downloads and a "homebase" for my iTunes account. I cant think of any use where I would need a CD drive.
I guess my question is, will the MBA be enough for me or should I opt for the Macbook Pro? Any suggestions?
Also, Macrumors says the MBA is due for an update soon? Should I hold off my purchase? My HP is on its way out!
Thank you for any help you have to offer!

MBA should do you just fine--do make sure you get 4gb RAM. The Pro is really for people who either need that disk drive, or might need something larger/expandable in the future. That doesn't seem likely with you (i.e. they're doing heavy duty programs, animation, videos, etc.--or might be doing that in the future.). And though some may say otherwise, having switched from a Pro myself, I can say that I very much notice the weight difference--and how much easier and faster it is to slip my computer in and out of the bag. Also that I can carry around a thinner bag You can't imagine the bulky backpacks I had before I got the air. Packing and unpacking are very speedy as I can manage my MBA with one hand, which means I get where I'm going and get to work that much faster. You might think that a pound or so less in weight and half-the-thickness wouldn't matter, but it really can be a huge difference.
As for whether you need anything bigger or more powerful: the thing you have to remember is that the common wisdom for computers of yesteryear really doesn't apply any more. That wisdom was to get the biggest and fastest, because everything in your life was going to be on it--mail, documents, programs, pictures, music, movies, games....
But the fact is, between what we put on our phones, renting rather than buying movies, external hard drives (always a good idea to have so you can back everything up in case!), clouds, the internet, iPods, iPads, etc, most of us really don't need ourlaptops to be able to hold everything. And, in addition, many of those things have significantly shrunk in recent years, while hard drives and SSD on laptops have gotten larger. So music takes up far less space than it once did on hard drives, yet you've got more hard drive than you did back when the music was taking up so much space.
Which all means you really can have a laptop as thin and light as the MBA that does all you'd want a laptop to do. Just check how much HD you'll need for all you want to put on it. If the amount is less than 256g--i.e. you'll be able to put it all on and have some wiggle room--you're golden.

Which would you choose MBP for FCP7

Ok here is my question.
I am looking to invest in a refurbished 15in MBP. I cannot afford a new one at thist time. Below is what I am planning to use it for and I will give you the two models I am looking at, I would really be thankful if any of you experts out there can give me a had in the selection. Ok here it goes.
Uses
FCP7 (I will be shooting in AVCCAM(Both 1080 and 720p) and transfering it to Pro-Res 422(LT)
Photoshop CS5 or CS6 (Using smaller images taken with an 8MP Camera, not looking to edit images over 12MP at this time.)
Adobe Lightroom
Some small use of After Effects.
Surf The Web
Watch a movie or two.
Here are the two machines I am looking at.
the October 2011 15inch MBP with 2.2Ghz Quar Core...I am planning to upgrade the memory to 8GB
OR
the April 2010 15inch MBP with 2.8 Intel Core i7....This model will have the matte Hi-Res screen not the glossy one I will get on the one above. I am also planning to upgrade the memory to 8GB.
I know these are not the AWSOME new machines that Apple is making, I cant afford them and cannot see ever being able to drop more then 1400 on a machine at this time. I am not a real power user either. I guess I am curious with these two processors and the two different displays what you all think is more important.
Thanks everyone

yv,
Have you actually seen this "graininess" issue for yourself? I only ask because I was very hesitant about buying a MBP for that reason. I went into the Apple Store, compared screens between MacBook, MacBook Pro and iMac. The MacBook screen was clearly inferior. The MacBook Pro (15") and the iMac screen looked comparable in quality. I saw no graininess.
I went to CompUSA the following week. I brought my wife with me. She's a graphic designer, works on very good quality monitors all day--in fact she makes the purchasing decisions for the graphics department of a Fortune 500 company. We compared the same three sets of monitors. She came to the same conclusion as me: the MacBook monitor is inferior. The MacBook Pro and iMac monitors are not noticeably different in quality. In fact, she even thought the MacBook Pro was every bit as good as the Apple Cinema Display they had. I bought a MacBook Pro right there.
I've been using it for about 6 weeks now. Its the best laptop screen I've ever used-better than my daughter's PowerBook G4 (last generation), better than my wife's high-end PC laptop (I think its a Toshiba), better than my son's PowerBook G4 (second to last generation). I also compare it to my higher end 22" external monitor (more expensive Gateway version). Sure, the external is better, but it isn't designed for a laptop.
So, maybe I got lucky, and all the MacBook Pros at the Apple Store, and the ones at CompUSA and the one I purchased all happened to be the few that don't have this problem (mine was manufactured during the last week of November or the first week of December). Or, this is a relatively rare problem with one of the earlier batches. Or it is exaggerated to begin with. Take a look for yourself.

Thinking of getting a 15" MBP for FCPX... few questions...

Hey everyone,
I am thinking of getting a MBP for FCPX.
I am new to Mac's and have always used PC's but with all of the trouble I have had with my PC's lately, and the fact that I have an iPhone, iPod, and everything seems to be moving to the "cloud" I think it is time to go with what seems like the superior product, an Apple Laptop
So my question to you:
I am on a budget, but don't want to be regretting not spending enough in the long run.
I want to do some video editing and I have always used Sony Vegas in the past. With FCPX only being $300 now, that seems much more reasonable than the way FCP7 was previously priced.
What sort of system spec's should I shoot for?
I am reading that the minimums are as follows:
Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor or better.
2GB of RAM (4GB of RAM recommended).
OpenCL-capable graphics card or
Intel HD Graphics 3000 or later.
256MB of VRAM (512MB of VRAM recommended).
Display with 1280-by-768 resolution or higher.
OS X v10.6.8 or OS X v10.7.5 or OS X v10.8.2 or later.
2.4GB of disk space.
So if I got a 15" Macbook Pro (without Retina display... do I really need the Retina?) here are the specs and my questions:
2.3GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz Or should I go for the 2.6GHz Quad-core Intel Core?
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GBI figured this would be a good upgrade from the 4GB of RAM
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpmATA versus SSD? What size do you think?
MacBook Pro 15-inch Glossy Widescreen DisplayAre the high-res glossy or anti-glare any better? Is the regular screen pretty easy on the eyes?
Any other tips or suggestions for what to get? I want this to run as smoothly as possible, and I want this to be a computer that will last me a few years. I am currently on year 5 of my laptop PC, so I hope that the Apple's are as good of a product.
Thanks!

As Tony writes, try to get the faster machine if you can afford. fcpx needs: a fast hard drive, a fast processor and lots of memory (ram).
Just a bit of my own experience: I am presently working with fcpx 1005 on a retina macbook pro (15", 2.7GHz, 16GB ram, the faster video card, and 500GB SSD internal drive). I was waiting for a mac pro so I settled for this machine and it lives up to all my expectations. I am editing material in ProRes 1080p30 with a lot of processing (effects) and usually 4-5 layers. The machine performs better than I would have imagined.
- Internal hard drive: of course the internal SSD hard drive helps but you can skip that if money is tight. Try and put a 7200 rpm drive, the price difference should not be so great and there still will be a difference.
- RAM is vital: on a regular project, as soon as you use color correction and plugins fcpx eats all the ram it can get. I used to work on a 6GB ram macbook pro until last summer and needed to quit and relaunch fcpx constantly. Now I have 16GB in the new macbook pro and the memory-hungry situation is just slightly better. The performance of course is much better in the sense that fcpx tends less to forget things, to show the beach ball or to act erratically. All this is due to lack of RAM. So do not spare on that and put in the maximum your machine can take.
- The speed of the processor will make a difference between smooth and less smooth performance, and render times of course.
- fcpx, also, is now GPU optimized and a faster video card in the macbook pro will make a definite difference. Same as for CPU.
- external hard drives: don't even think of editing on your internal drive. Think that all your system and apps are installed there, so you want to keep this drive from running hot and die prematurely.
Use USB3 or eSATA drive enclosures. With an adaptor expresscard (like sonnet) you will get a decent performance and be able to read several ProRes 422 layers and a lot of ProRes Proxy layers and not despair in front of a sluggish machine. (I just upgraded from eSATA to TBolt RAID. This also helps with hi-res material and when you load an event with a lot of video files - much faster display). But both usb3 and eSATA are quite fine. If you can try and use a dual-drive enclosure you will get a real measurable performance boost.
- Screen: the retina is showing the images with a LOT better definition than the regular monitor. It is not too relfective. In studio, with a normal lighting arrangement it is fine. My other machines were all non-reflective and of course that's perfect. Stil the retina without question is better.
What else… well good luck.

MBA or MBP for me?

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