macbook air vs macbook pro
Discussion
I currently have a 10 year old macbook running el capitan which is starting to show its age - its covered in dents and doesnt last very long when unplugged.
I thought I might update and having a look at the apple website it seems the gulf between macbook air and macbook pro is now pretty slim, I can spec either machine up with same 16 GB RAM and 1TB ssd drive, they are both about the same size (screen is the same size although less bright and lower resolution - although I am guessing better than my 10 year old machine) and have same thunderbolt ports, seems the only difference is processor and the lack of a oled touch bar on the air.
any other bits I am missing? whats the issue with the touch bar that folks dont like?
I thought I might update and having a look at the apple website it seems the gulf between macbook air and macbook pro is now pretty slim, I can spec either machine up with same 16 GB RAM and 1TB ssd drive, they are both about the same size (screen is the same size although less bright and lower resolution - although I am guessing better than my 10 year old machine) and have same thunderbolt ports, seems the only difference is processor and the lack of a oled touch bar on the air.
any other bits I am missing? whats the issue with the touch bar that folks dont like?
Edited by sawman on Friday 21st February 20:38
Not an expert...
... but when I was looking recently, the Touchbar issue was that it changes what each 'button' does when you switch programs (IIRC) which means it's a PITA and not intuitive.
Additionally, I think all the new Macs are light on connectivity (in terms of USBs etc.)?
The mid-late 2015 MBPs are about as good as it gets for connectivity, and you can get them specced to 16gb RAM/1TB SSD, so I personally think they are probably the best option out there.
Hoxton Macs do refurbed versions, although they are not cheap when compared to eBay etc. (but you do get a year's Return To Base warranty).
... but when I was looking recently, the Touchbar issue was that it changes what each 'button' does when you switch programs (IIRC) which means it's a PITA and not intuitive.
Additionally, I think all the new Macs are light on connectivity (in terms of USBs etc.)?
The mid-late 2015 MBPs are about as good as it gets for connectivity, and you can get them specced to 16gb RAM/1TB SSD, so I personally think they are probably the best option out there.
Hoxton Macs do refurbed versions, although they are not cheap when compared to eBay etc. (but you do get a year's Return To Base warranty).
I have a MBP with touchbar for work. Three quarters of the time it’s plugged into an external monitor, which means I don’t get much value out of the bar as it’s out of sight. When I do have it sans-monitor, I don’t get much value from it, and have to constantly press a button to get to common settings like screen brightness.
Not a massive PITA, but if I were upgrading my personal MBA (currently 7 years old and going strong), I’d probably just get another one.
Not a massive PITA, but if I were upgrading my personal MBA (currently 7 years old and going strong), I’d probably just get another one.
I considered both when the new MBA was released last year and bought the MBA over the pro. The added spec of the pro and the Touch Bar were just not worth the extra layout for the type of use I give it.
One point to consider though with the new pro (not sure if all pro models were replaced) which is available now and wasn’t as the time I got mine is that you get a proper keyboard. I would now go for the pro purely for that because the MBA keyboard is like typing on a wooden block.
Edit - see that’s only the 16 inch pro. I would go for that funds allowing or wait to see if the MBA receives an update its been out for a year now
One point to consider though with the new pro (not sure if all pro models were replaced) which is available now and wasn’t as the time I got mine is that you get a proper keyboard. I would now go for the pro purely for that because the MBA keyboard is like typing on a wooden block.
Edit - see that’s only the 16 inch pro. I would go for that funds allowing or wait to see if the MBA receives an update its been out for a year now
rich888 said:
Just a thought here but why not just replace the battery and fit a SSD which would give it a new lease of life?
Already done that, overall capacity not an issue but battery swap has been disappointing, not a huge improvement after non apple but apparently reputable replacement, despite going through smc reset, zapped pram etc. El capitan is no longer gets updates, and i have just started up a freelance business so timing seems right to update.craigjm said:
I considered both when the new MBA was released last year and bought the MBA over the pro. The added spec of the pro and the Touch Bar were just not worth the extra layout for the type of use I give it.
One point to consider though with the new pro (not sure if all pro models were replaced) which is available now and wasn’t as the time I got mine is that you get a proper keyboard. I would now go for the pro purely for that because the MBA keyboard is like typing on a wooden block.
Edit - see that’s only the 16 inch pro. I would go for that funds allowing or wait to see if the MBA receives an update its been out for a year now
Saw a review talking about keys, i dont want a 16 though. I am sure an air would suit what surprised me was that there is only a couple of hundred quid differenceOne point to consider though with the new pro (not sure if all pro models were replaced) which is available now and wasn’t as the time I got mine is that you get a proper keyboard. I would now go for the pro purely for that because the MBA keyboard is like typing on a wooden block.
Edit - see that’s only the 16 inch pro. I would go for that funds allowing or wait to see if the MBA receives an update its been out for a year now
RSTurboPaul said:
The mid-late 2015 MBPs are about as good as it gets for connectivity, and you can get them specced to 16gb RAM/1TB SSD, so I personally think they are probably the best option out there.
Tend to agree with this. I'm actually still running an even earlier 2012 MBP (the first of the retina models). It's a bit of a Trigger's Broom having had a new screen and an upgraded 480GB SSD, but the USB and HDMI ports are invaluable when you need to actually plug in a peripheral or projector.I'm a developer so fairly heavy user (multiple VMs etc) and it's never felt underpowered. It's been an absolute workhorse and I just can't see the need to spunk £2k on a new equivalent model until this one well and truly dies.
Touchbar is just a gimmick IMO, I can see the fingerprint reader might be useful, which I think the MBA has?
RSTurboPaul said:
The mid-late 2015 MBPs are about as good as it gets for connectivity, and you can get them specced to 16gb RAM/1TB SSD, so I personally think they are probably the best option out there.
Hoxton Macs do refurbed versions, although they are not cheap when compared to eBay etc. (but you do get a year's Return To Base warranty).
https://www.hoxtonmacs.co.uk/collections/macbook-pro-15-inch/mid-2015Hoxton Macs do refurbed versions, although they are not cheap when compared to eBay etc. (but you do get a year's Return To Base warranty).
Unbelievable, I could get more than what I paid for my mid-2015 4 years ago.
Let's not forget that these have their share of issues too, batteries which are on an airline ban list, flaking screens (went through both luckily FOC).
I've had both the MacBook Air and Pro, and for my usage I prefer the MacBook Air. The size/weight difference isn't much on paper, but I find the Air much nicer to carry/use due in part to the tapered design. The MBP is obviously quite a bit faster than the MBA but for browsing the internet/email/spreadsheets/light photoshop the Air is perfectly fine. The latest version of the keyboard (butterfly mechanism) appears to have solved most of the issues with the older generations (I've had three keyboards replaced); I'm typing this on a 2018 Air with a 2019 replacement keyboard and I actually like it although that's not a common view.
One thing to note; there was an Apple product designation recently registered on the Eurasian database, which points to a replacement 13" laptop due soon - there is speculation that this will include the "magic" keyboard from the 16", so it might be worth waiting will the end of March when there is likely to be an Apple event.
One thing to note; there was an Apple product designation recently registered on the Eurasian database, which points to a replacement 13" laptop due soon - there is speculation that this will include the "magic" keyboard from the 16", so it might be worth waiting will the end of March when there is likely to be an Apple event.
tim0409 said:
I've had both the MacBook Air and Pro, and for my usage I prefer the MacBook Air. The size/weight difference isn't much on paper, but I find the Air much nicer to carry/use due in part to the tapered design. The MBP is obviously quite a bit faster than the MBA but for browsing the internet/email/spreadsheets/light photoshop the Air is perfectly fine. The latest version of the keyboard (butterfly mechanism) appears to have solved most of the issues with the older generations (I've had three keyboards replaced); I'm typing this on a 2018 Air with a 2019 replacement keyboard and I actually like it although that's not a common view.
One thing to note; there was an Apple product designation recently registered on the Eurasian database, which points to a replacement 13" laptop due soon - there is speculation that this will include the "magic" keyboard from the 16", so it might be worth waiting will the end of March when there is likely to be an Apple event.
Cheers, I had a look at these in pc world this afternoon, I had a play with a 16" MBP which presumably had the magic keyboard, and to be honest the difference between this and the keyboard on 13" MBP and air seems pretty minimal - both are very different to my 2010 MBP. One thing to note; there was an Apple product designation recently registered on the Eurasian database, which points to a replacement 13" laptop due soon - there is speculation that this will include the "magic" keyboard from the 16", so it might be worth waiting will the end of March when there is likely to be an Apple event.
re the touch bar - it seems a bit pointless - I am sure if it's there you get used to it
I always buy a new full spec MacBook Air every couple of years. The most recent one (2018 model) has been total s
t. It heats up, makes loads of fan noise, slows to a crawl and crashes frequently, and I even had one catastrophic drive failure which required replacement. And to cap things off, some of the keys have worn down so much there are no letters visible on them any more. I mean, I do type a lot but this is just unacceptable.
Not impressed.
t. It heats up, makes loads of fan noise, slows to a crawl and crashes frequently, and I even had one catastrophic drive failure which required replacement. And to cap things off, some of the keys have worn down so much there are no letters visible on them any more. I mean, I do type a lot but this is just unacceptable. Not impressed.
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