MacBook 13" - Air or Pro?

The_Abyss

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MacBook 13" - Air or Pro? - updated with question on updating RAM

Since switching my PC to an iMac earlier in the year I've been looking to replace my very ageing laptop and complete the Apple transition (iPhone and iPad are already well established). During the past 2 months I'd set up saved eBay searches for a MacBook Air 13" late 2013 model, and bid on all of them that fit my spec requirements (ideally looking for more than the basic 4 gb RAM and 128 gb storage). I've set a fairly competitive maximum bid and then tried not to get emotionally engaged in any auction and just left it, hoping that I might get lucky.

Well, like buses, none came along for ages and then two came along together. However, the conundrum was that one was a MacBook Pro that was picked up in my eBay search because the seller had listed both Air and Pro in the title. So now I have:

MacBook Air, i7, 8 gb RAM, 128 gb; and
MacBook Pro retina, i5, 4 gb RAM, 128 gb

Both are the 13" model.

I'm not a heavy laptop user. The main uses it gets are occasional browsing whilst watch TV or at work and, more importantly, use for photos whilst away on holiday. I use Lightroom 5, and on some trips like to be able to process the photos whilst I'm away.

I like the Air for its design and light weight. The screen seems pretty good, despite being considered to be outdated and in need of an increase in resolution. The Pro has a magnificent screen, but doesn't really seem to do anything that I need it to any much faster than the Air.

Perversely, the Pro cost around £90 less than the Air which is making the decision harder. So, the question is, which one should I keep? I feel like I want to keep the Air, as that's the machine I like the best, but the screen on the Pro keeps making me question the decision. The £90 difference isn't life or death either - the one I don't keep will just go back on eBay. Really nice decision to have, I know, but I'm a bit stuck!
 
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The MBA is noticeably lighter and thinner than the MBP. If mobility is top on priorities then I would take the MBA. If you require graphics power then the MBP will come back into the decision.
 
The different in size and weight between the pro is minimal now so ignore that factor, the MacBook Pro is so thin now that I'd be surprised if there was much in it to make it worth losing the Retina display over.

MBA: 0.11-0.7 inches, 2.96lbs
MBP: 0.7 inches, 4lbs
 
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Steedie said:
The different in size and weight between the pro is minimal now so ignore that factor, the MacBook Pro is so thin now that I'd be surprised if there was much in it to make it worth losing the Retina display over.

MBA: 0.11-0.7 inches, 2.96lbs
MBP: 0.7 inches, 4lbs
Click to expand...

This.

Iris graphics and the retina IPS screen are worth the little extra weight.
 
I wouldn't undervalue the form factor of the Air. The taper makes it a much nicer machine to type on, and the weight difference combined with the form factor does make it an easier machine to carry and move around. The rMBP feels far closer to an old MBP than it does an MBA. The MBA will run cooler when pushed and does offer noticeably longer battery life, particularly under light loads that may occur off the plug (e.g. running a VM for basic productivity tasks).

The Pro has a fantastic display but truth be told I don't find myself yearning for one every time I see it, and as you said the MBA's display is surprisingly good for what it is (colour accuracy, viewing angles and black levels are all top-notch for a TN panel found in such machines).

Would take the Air myself.
 
Well, after 24 hours I'm really none the wiser.

The extra graphics power in the rMBP is nice to have, but I'm not going to use it so that's not decisive. The screen is superb though, clearly sharper and more vibrant side by side. However, the form factor of the Air is superior, and I've noticed no difference in performance between the two - maybe due to the extra RAM and i7 in the Air.

On balance, although there are now going to be some regrets whatever the decision, I think I'm starting to learn towards the rMBP due to the screen. I'll test Lightroom on the both next, and provided that the rMBP doesn't struggle with just 4 gb RAM then I think that'll do. The form factor and design of the Air is really superior, but I'll spend more of my time looking at the screen rather than at the device itself. Crucially, the screen in the rMBP is a near perfect match for the iMac display, and consistency is important.
 
I kept the rMBP in the end, but would like to update the RAM in it from the installed 4 gb. I have a couple of questions:

- is the maximum RAM 8 gb? This article http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201165 seems to suggest so yet other sites suggest that 16 gb is possible. Given that the difference in cost between 8 gb and 16 gb is pretty low, if it is possible then I may as well install 16 gb
- the above linked article suggests that it is a simple operation to replace it. Can anyone who's done this confirm?

Thanks in advance.

Edit - now it appears that the RAM may be soldered as it is in the MBA?! Getting a little confused with conflicting information now!
 
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I believe the ram in the rMBP are soldered in as are the MBA. You would have wanted a non retina MBP. I don't think you can upgrade anything in either one.
 
The difference in weight and dimensions is negligible between the two.

The rMBP wins hands down for its display panel.
 
Bonjour said:
The Air is 25% lighter and, I find at least, performs better as a portable device due to its form and portability.
Click to expand...

Unless you struggle to lift very light weights, the 25% lighter makes near on no difference compared to the benefits you get from the rMBP.
 
For me I went with the Air purely for the extra battery power, can do a full/long day at work without having to worry about charging/carrying a charger with me.

If it was needed for visual work (video/photo etc) then I would have opted for the pro.
 
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