[k4tja]

Hi! Being in search of a solid replacement of my current early-2008 plastic MacBook 13,3", I have severely mixed feelings on whether I should invest in the new MacBook Pro 13,3" 2,9 GHz or the new MacBook Air 13,3" 2,0 GHz.

My apple laptop will be my primary computer mostly for school, work and surfing, but also for light photo- and video editing — leaving gaming and what-so-ever to my PC. Because I will be bringing it to school every day, the MacBook Air's slimness and light weight is perfect, while the MacBook Pro, on the other hand, is rather bulky and heavy in comparison. I also admit being a much bigger fan of the MacBook Air's design, and I can always buy a USB-connected DVD drive if I need to. But the idea of not being able to upgrade the flash storage is just another that makes me look the other way.
And also, a MacBook Pro 13,3" 2,9 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 with 8GB 1600 MHz memory and a 128 GB SSD drive for 2.180$ seems like a powerhouse that will provide me with much more than I am in need of, but a lot more for the money than a MacBook Air 13,3" 2,0 GHz dual-core Inter Core i7 with 8GB 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM and 256GB of flash storage for 2.311$ (Norwegian prices in USD).

What impression do you have of the two laptops (for either studying or heavier work)? Which one did you go for, which one would you go for, and which one should I go for?

Thanks a lot in advance

[bastion]

k4tja, on 13 July 2012 - 02:19 AM, said:

What impression do you have of the two laptops (for either studying or heavier work)? Which one did you go for, which one would you go for, and which one should I go for?

Thanks a lot in advance

I can't get excited about the Air. I like it in the abstract, but unless the size/weight issue is unarguably at the top of your list of priorities, it's a very compromised machine. You noted the issue with internal storage upgrades. I'd be much more concerned about non-upgradeable RAM.

[iBookmaster]

I am waiting delivery (from China) on the entry level MacBook Air with 8 GB of ram. Double the ram for $100 was the only extra I ordered. From all the reviews I've read, the Air is just as fast as a Pro especially when the Pros have a traditional slow spinning drive vs the Air's non spinning/flash drive. The Air is slowest in frame rates for games. Non issue for me.

[smax013]

k4tja, on 13 July 2012 - 02:19 AM, said:

Hi! Being in search of a solid replacement of my current early-2008 plastic MacBook 13,3", I have severely mixed feelings on whether I should invest in the new MacBook Pro 13,3" 2,9 GHz or the new MacBook Air 13,3" 2,0 GHz.

My apple laptop will be my primary computer mostly for school, work and surfing, but also for light photo- and video editing — leaving gaming and what-so-ever to my PC. Because I will be bringing it to school every day, the MacBook Air's slimness and light weight is perfect, while the MacBook Pro, on the other hand, is rather bulky and heavy in comparison. I also admit being a much bigger fan of the MacBook Air's design, and I can always buy a USB-connected DVD drive if I need to. But the idea of not being able to upgrade the flash storage is just another that makes me look the other way.
And also, a MacBook Pro 13,3" 2,9 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 with 8GB 1600 MHz memory and a 128 GB SSD drive for 2.180$ seems like a powerhouse that will provide me with much more than I am in need of, but a lot more for the money than a MacBook Air 13,3" 2,0 GHz dual-core Inter Core i7 with 8GB 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM and 256GB of flash storage for 2.311$ (Norwegian prices in USD).

What impression do you have of the two laptops (for either studying or heavier work)? Which one did you go for, which one would you go for, and which one should I go for?

Thanks a lot in advance

FWIW, there are options out there to upgrade the SSD in MBA's (http://eshop.macsale...m/shop/SSD/OWC/ scroll down about half way).

As others have noted, you CANNOT upgrade the RAM, so if you go with the Air you might want to get the maximum amount of RAM that you can get (i.e. 8 GB).