topic Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro in Electronics

MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Jordan2 — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 15:56:51 GMT

I know this must have been discussed before, I would like some new insight to which one is better. I’m thinking about getting one of these around the holiday season ( maybe some sales). I would imagine the Pro is probably better (I could be wrong), but for what I would use it for surfing the web, social media, email, shopping, the Air may be enough. The Pro is probably more than I need, I don’t do any editing and such. I also never know how much storage do I need, you can’t add storage to the MacBook, sometimes I think I overpay, I don’t come close to using up my storage. If the Pro isn’t much more expensive than the Air, is it worth it to purchase the Pro? When I read articles comparing the two I find it confusing. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

NickNack — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 16:15:08 GMT

@Jordan2 I have a MacBook Air and love it! I use it for the same things that you do. It's very lightweight, which I like.

My niece is getting her PhD and looked into which one she needed. The MacBook Air wouldn't do certain things that she needed for her classes, so she got the MacBook Pro. It is a lot heavier.

My suggestion would be to go to the Apple Store and discuss your needs with them. I'm sure you would probably do that anyway though.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

jackthebear — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 17:12:27 GMT

if you can get to the Apple store before the holidays do that they will walk you thru

I got a Mac Book almost 2 years ago and one of the differences at that time was screen resolution, so the sales person showed me the differences side by side.

Mr jtb got one around Dec last year and a newer model for about what I paid

good luck

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

momoftwo2007 — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 19:30:56 GMT

@Jordan2 I have a MacBook Air, and just like @NickNack said, I like it because it is lightweight. I carry it all around the house and use it on the couch, in the dining room, for e-mail, browsing, and social media. I think if you don't need to for more than daily tasks, you don't need a MacBook Pro.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Bhvbum — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 20:50:48 GMT

I have a Mac Air and an Ipad Pro 12.9". I love both but they are different too. You cannot get the apps for the Mac like you can for the Ipad, they use two totally different OS. That was my biggest surprise when I got the Air. For example I cannot load the QVC app on my Mac.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Jordan2 — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 21:55:21 GMT

@Bhvbum wrote:
I have a Mac Air and an Ipad Pro 12.9". I love both but they are different too. You cannot get the apps for the Mac like you can for the Ipad, they use two totally different OS. That was my biggest surprise when I got the Air. For example I cannot load the QVC app on my Mac.

@Bhvbum I have an iPad Air, the one that came out like last November. I have a Samsung Chromebook Pro that I spent a lot of money on ($500 I could have bought a Chromebook for much less), I hate it. I have had it for three years, I have had a lot of problems with it, I'm ready for something else.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Dinaki — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 22:01:16 GMT

@Jordan2 do get the Macbook Air. Thew model has:

Fascinated and brilliant retina display

Security with touch ID

Better sound

New keypoard

Excellent battery life ...and it is sexy after all! (please get the gold, I like it so much)!

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

gardenman — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 13:34:04 GMT

Unless you're married to the Apple ecosystem there are lots of other options out there also. The Louis Rossman videos (from Rossman Repair Group on Youtube) would make me leery of buying anything in the Apple ecosystem these days. His business is built on repairing Apple products and he encourages people not to buy Apple.

Apple does some strange stuff in their hardware design these days. Linus, of Linus Tech Tips on YouTube, was playing with one the other day and removed the back cover to show how the exhaust fan wasn't even connected to the CPU cooler. In fact, the CPU cooler was barely there. They made several adjustments to the device and got significantly better performance from it. The Apple design was severely thermal throttling the CPU and keeping it from performing at its optimal level. Even with the temperature issues fixed, Apple's hardware design choked the CPU for the power it needed also limiting performance.

Apple makes pretty stuff, but the old quality of Apple isn't always there these days. And when something from Apple breaks, the cost to repair can be quite high.

For your needs, you have nearly unlimited options ranging from tablets to laptops of every type. Unless you absolutely have to have an Apple product, looking around may find you a better option at a lower cost. People used to buy Apple because they were a higher quality product. That's not what most experts say these days.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Sooner — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 13:38:51 GMT

After vast experience with other platforms, you cannot beat Apple. I have had a couple of Air's since 2011 and I wouldn't consider buying anything else for me. It is great.

If you use one alot for business, school, editing, high end graphics etc. get the pro. Otherwise, I have zero complaints about the Airs!

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

alicedee — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 18:02:41 GMT

I have had my Air for over three years, and love it. I use Garage Band and iMovie (both came loaded on it) and have a ball with both...as well as the usual email, YouTube, Facebook, etc.

I have no need of the more expensive Pro....the Air does everything I want.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Jordan2 — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 21:35:05 GMT

I have owned several Apple products, I haven't had any problems. My niece bought a Macbook Air three years ago and she is happy with it. My nephew has owned two Macbook Airs, the last one he had trouble with, he ended up buying a new HP laptop. He wasn't happy with it at first (being an Apple guy maybe it took getting use to), he likes it now.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Lilysmom — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 09:27:47 GMT

@Jordan2 , I have the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro. I could have done everything I do with the MacBook Air and regular iPad. LM

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

glb613 — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 10:34:52 GMT

When I was shopping for a new Macbook, I considered a Macbook Air but bought the Macbook Pro. It's not heavy and I'm happy with my purchase.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

jackthebear — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 13:53:50 GMT

@Bhvbum wrote:
I have a Mac Air and an Ipad Pro 12.9". I love both but they are different too. You cannot get the apps for the Mac like you can for the Ipad, they use two totally different OS. That was my biggest surprise when I got the Air. For example I cannot load the QVC app on my Mac.

why would you want to put the app on the mac

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Nuttmeg — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 15:45:36 GMT

@Jordan2

Apple will be moving to ARM processors in 12-18 months. The company will not support a new MacBook product brought today.

I read an article with an interview by a respected Tech editor, and writer, Gordon Umg. He wrote for Maximium PC.

Gordon said, he planned to buy a MacBook Pro, but changed his mind. He knew Apple would not

provide the best hardware and software support.

They would place it on a shelf to collect dust.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Jordan2 — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 15:45:06 GMT

@Nuttmeg wrote:

@Jordan2

Apple will be moving to ARM processors in 12-18 months. The company will not support a new MacBook product brought today.

I read an article with an interview by a respected Tech editor, and writer, Gordon Umg. He wrote for Maximium PC.
When

@Nuttmeg I am not a techie, so this is whoosh right over my head! So are you saying I should wait 12-18 months to buy a MacBook ( it's not like I can't wait I have a Chrome book that I'm using)?

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Icegoddess — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 15:53:43 GMT

I have the MacBook Pro and love it, but if that is really all you use a computer for then I would suggest an Air. I often have multiple windows/tabs/programs open and need the storage for pictures and all the word processing and databases I do. I also use a computer until long past what most people do, until it can no longer be updated and even a bit beyond. My husband's main computer right now can't even handle the latest OS, so I don't think I'd feel comfortable going out and getting a newer version when his is even older than mine and I'm using a 2013 model.

I'm the same way with other things too. Buy new and use forever. I'm still driving a 1997 Jeep.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Nuttmeg — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 16:17:20 GMT

@Jordan2

@Nuttmeg
I am not a techie, so this is whoosh right over my head! So are you saying I should wait 12-18 months to buy a MacBook ( it's not like I can't wait I have a Chrome book that I'm using)?

@Jordan2

Anyone can buy a bad tech product, and I have purchased a few over the years.

I would wait for the improved products with the ARM processors.

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

Buster43 — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 01:22:37 GMT

I am currently using the MacBook Air 2017 edition. It has more features than I will ever use, being an everyday type user who reads email and surfs the internet with maybe an occasional trip off to an unknown feature. The MacBook Pro is probably more appropriate for the heavy scientific or graphic user.

Others have responded that your objectives can be achieved with less expensive computers but over the years I have spent a lot of time and energy trying to keep them up to date with both hardware and software. I have not had any major problems with this machine and look forward to a long, continued relationship with it.

I am not particularly concerned that a new processor may cause some features to stop functioning...I trust that Apple will continue to support my device for its lifetime as it has done in the past.

Good luck in making your decision...if and when you are ready!

Re: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro

gardenman — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 11:12:03 GMT

@Nuttmeg wrote:

@Jordan2

@Nuttmeg
I am not a techie, so this is whoosh right over my head! So are you saying I should wait 12-18 months to buy a MacBook ( it's not like I can't wait I have a Chrome book that I'm using)?

@Jordan2
Anyone can buy a bad tech product, and I have purchased a few over the years.
I would wait for the improved products with the ARM processors.

I wouldn't count on the products with the ARM processors being improved. ARM processors have a smaller instruction set and integrate more functions onto a chip to reduce the power required, but in the CPU world power consumption and performance are closely linked. The most powerful CPUs use the most power. Apple is looking to squeeze more profit from consumers by using their own CPUs instead of buying those made by Intel or AMD, but Intel and AMD make CPUs for a living and know what they're doing while Apple is largely learning PC CPU design on the fly.

I wouldn't be an early adopter of the new CPUs if I had a choice. There are likely to be significant hiccups along the way. If there's a big booboo, you could end up with a very pricey paperweight a year or two down the road. You've got two companies (Intel and AMD) that have been building CPUs for 40-50 years versus a company (Apple) that's just started doing so recently. Maybe Apple can pull it off without a hiccup, but odds are there will be multiple hiccups.