My dilemma...
Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 7:52AM Ok, so the dilemma is this, to use your ADC discount (which is part of your ADC membership) you need to create a dummy order on the online Apple store, and then ring them to find out what discount is available. On my current level (Select) I get a single credit each year, which gives a variable discount on a single system.
The discount varies on the kit you want to buy, and is really aimed at developers wishing to buy development equipment.
So I duly spec'ed out a MBA with the 128 SSD config and got in touch to check on the discount.
10% :-(
Just 10% off the total order. Do'h
It transpires that the MacBook Pro gets 20% but the MacBook Air only 10%.
If you think about it, that's probably reasonable as no one is going to buy a MBA as a development machine but still.
In reality, what it means is that is costs roughly the same for a:
Macbook Air
Macbook Pro
Now if I were to upgrade, I'd have to sell my existing MBA to help finance the deal so the laptop I'd buy would be my primary laptop.
So for virtually the same price, I'd be getting so much more bang for my buck with the MacBook Pro, more screen real estate, double the RAM, much faster processor, more ports! (including FireWire), double the disk space, a super drive, two video card and twice the video RAM.
But it's nearly twice the weight.
So do I stick with the sleek form factor and get a machine that probably has more than enough horsepower to do all I want, or spend the same money to get a powerhouse that might take a little getting used to.
Oh, the dilemma....
PS. Feel free to add your comments. I imagine I'll get a number of incredulous comments on it being a no brainer as the MacBook Pro looks like the obvious choice. Fair do's but to be honest, once you've become used the the MacBook Air form factor, it's really not that cut and dry.
PPS. Or should I just wait for the MacBook Tablet and sort out my studio chair in the meantime...
Reader Comments (13)
It seems that people don't realise how good the form factor of the Air actually is until they use one, if you didn't already own an Air I'm sure it would be a "no brainer" but as you and alot of people also own an 'Air' know that form factor is so good. I'd love an Air but for so many different uses than yourself, but I am still pleasently surprised how many power users actually find the Air useful.
Again Apple produce something we didn't know we wanted.
Size matters! haha.
When deciding between a Macbook and Macbook Pro, I went with the macbook just because I really love the form factor. With that said I did the get the fastest one. People are always shocked when I tell them it's my primary machine, but it works great and isn't a hassle to carry with me everywhere.
I just don't like the way the 15in MBP feels in my lap.
So IMHO you have a Mac Pro to do your heavy lifting, so you should get a MacBook Air for the comfort of it.
Lastly, here is my rational argument. Since for a profession you test out software, I think it's good for you to have a machine that you can test things on that is at a more minimal spec.
get both. you're a pro. it's an investment in your business :-)
I went through the same pain. Why by the Air when the MB offers more ports, more storage, more RAM, a DVD etc etc. But for me that was a false argument. Why not buy the MBP and you get even more? In the end it was between the 17" MBP or the AIr, everything in between was a compromise.
Do I miss the DVD drive (not at all), the extra ports (not really). What I miss is the extra RAM and the screen real estate. For the later I hope to get the new display, which also allows me more ports. In the end I went for the Air and I am still very happy with it.
One thing I do love is the SS Drive. Not sure if I would go back to a normal HD. Starting up my old 17" MBP is like starting up a steam engine. Also when you spec a MB with SSD and the Air with SSD, the price difference looks very different. Do the math and you will see.
Restarting the AIr with SSD is amazing. Very different than what I was used to.
Do you really need to upgrade at all? Is it just because of the credit discount? If it is, give it a family member, I'm sure they'd appreciate it.
Your current Air is good enough, and you prefer the form factor so you'd hate the MBP.
I'd say stick with it and wait for a new updated Air later in the year.
I'm inclined to agree with Peter M.
From your previous post it sounds like your Air is your carry around the house, balancing on your lap, just checking your email/feeds kind of laptop (and the new one would kind of be serving the same purpose?).
And I'm sure your current Air still does a good job when it comes to that, so I'd forget about the discount (not that much of a discount in the scheme of things) and see what turns up in the summer.
Although if it was my ADC discount, I'd probably apply different logic!
Don, wait for the summer, your MBA is good enough for what you do with it. The summer brings flat things with bright lights that you can touch.
I have a first gen refurbished MBA and never find myself going back to my MBP. It is great to be able to carry it around the house with ease and I use Spaces for my screen real estate issue. It fits in my bag with ease and is so light I don't even know it's there sometimes.
I don't think you'll be happy going back to a MBP - all that weight (lol!) and I don't believe the 2nd generation MBA warrants spending the money involved - not for a machine mainly used for web surfing, email, etc.
When USB 3.0 comes out (probably 2010), you're no doubt going to want to replace all your machines anyway, so unless your current MBA dies on you, I would say hold out if you can (I know impulse control is not one of your strong suits, though Don!).
I don't know Don, as much as I"d like to have a new machine, I"m holding out another 8 months to a year. I'm inclined to say do nothing and wait. Unless of course you need an on the road production machine to continue your business, in which case, you need to buy a high powered laptop. But if it's not a need right now, I vote wait.
In the alternative, if that discount is burning a hole in your pocket, you can always buy me one or the other, I'm not picky. :)
Suprised at the amount of posts in favour of the MacBook Air. I anticipated I'd get smacked down hard on even considering it.
The good thing is I've got until November to use my ADC credit so there is no rush - I just may exercise some restraint on my "impulse control" Thank you very much Mike B :-)
Back to the gym. You'll be strong enough to handle the MBP in no time.
You have enough power with your other machines Don - do you really need the performance on your portable? I would hang on to the MBA and get the next speed bump of the MBA instead - the form factor in the MBA is second to none in my view
I have a Macbook Air which I used for a while, and I also have a 17" Macbook Pro. Even though it's bigger and heavier, I actually prefer using it -- even just around the house. I'm surprised by this myself, but my Macbook Air pretty much sits around.
That said, the Air is such a hot little piece of tech that sometimes I basically force myself to use it, but then I always find myself longing for the big screen and the power of the Macbook Pro.
I suppose I should look into selling my Air.
Anyway, I just thought I'd share my personal experience. Your dilemma is different. My recommendation is that you hold out for that rumored tablet.