What MacBook

Rannoch · 28 Mar 2019 at 12:27

Looking to buy a MacBook for my gf. She likes the new Air & Pro. She also wants to use it for playing movies from an external disk, HD and 4K.

I’m sure it can but will playback be ok on those models? Are the screens good for watching films?

What model would you guys recommend?

Thanks

MacRS4 · 28 Mar 2019 at 12:33

The screens are pretty good on both the Air and the Pro. Personally, if you have the budget, I'd always go with the 13" pro over the Air. I had the latest Air and I found it woefully under-powered, but then it could be because I use some fairly quick stuff day to day.

You can have a look at the performance of the 2018 Air here if you want.

Rannoch · 28 Mar 2019 at 12:47

Thanks

I think the Pro is a better buy and it’s not much more.

MacRS4 · 28 Mar 2019 at 13:26

I'd agree with you there. The 13" is a great laptop.

Rannoch · 28 Mar 2019 at 14:26

MacRS4 said:
I'd agree with you there. The 13" is a great laptop.

Do you know if it’s very quiet when watching movies?

MacRS4 · 28 Mar 2019 at 14:47

I've only got the 15s to hand, and that's quiet watching movies. It's also the i9 so you'd expect it to ramp up the fans by default tbh!

Bluecube · 28 Mar 2019 at 14:52

I've got a 13" MBP (typing on it right now!) and I've never noticed any fan noise even in very quiet environments. Can't say I've watched lengthy films on it but I've watched a fair few long YouTube videos and never noticed the fans. As laptops go, MBPs also have decent sound which I've no doubt covers up any fans.

MrRockliffe · 28 Mar 2019 at 15:04

I wouldn't get the air for 4K playback, unless it has the Iris GPU.

My dad recently asked about which Macbook to get, and to be honest, the best buy at the moment is a 2016 15 inch pro - these can be had for 1650 ish quite often new. Way more powerful than a 13 inch, and still very portable :-)

The pros have a much brighter display than the air too, which really helps when on the plane/train

Super-Spy · 28 Mar 2019 at 16:42

IMHO there is not enough of a price differential between the two that would mean the Air is the better buy. Go for the 13.3 Pro

Rannoch · 29 Mar 2019 at 20:55

Cheers guys

Going to head for the Apple store tomorrow to see them up close. Have given up on the Air.

Rannoch · 30 Mar 2019 at 12:13

Went full circle and ended up getting the iMac 27”. Haven’t set it up yet but it looked awesome in the store. Not quite as portable as a laptop but the big screen will be a real bonus

MacRS4 · 30 Mar 2019 at 12:52

Ahahahah! They're awesome bits of kit. Which did you get? I'm just setting up one fo the new i9 units - it's a flier.

Rannoch · 30 Mar 2019 at 16:38

MacRS4 said:
Ahahahah! They're awesome bits of kit. Which did you get? I'm just setting up one fo the new i9 units - it's a flier.

The 27” with 1TB. Great screen and looks the part also.