View Full Version : Which laptop? Macbook, Macbook Pro or Macbook Air?
Right then, I'm buying a laptop. It's going to be an Apple laptop, this is not the place to discuss the pros and cons of Apple hardware Vs non Apple hardware, nor is it the place to discuss the benefits or otherwise of OS X and/or fanboyism. Neither is a place to discuss whether I should be spending this sort of money on a laptop. I will have the hard cash in my hand in a few weeks and it's specifically for this purpose.
Right, with that out of the way, here goes...
Firstly, I was thinking of either the Macbook Pro or the Macbook Air. The Macbook wasn't really on my radar.
I was a bit concerned about the Air because I knew the previous model had a lot of overheating issues and I didn't want to suffer that. So I popped into PC World on my way home and had a look.
The Air was running a lot cooler than I expected so I had a play with it and in all honesty, it felt a bit slow in performance. This was the 1.6GHz version. I wandered over and had a play with the Macbook Pro which was much much faster and that's to be expected but the problem there was that the physical size of the laptop was just too large for my requirements. For sitting in front of the telly with it on my lap, it seemed enormous. They didn't have a Macbook for me to play with.
So a couple of days later I had the opportunity to go to the Apple Store in Lakeside. Sadly I'd forgotten that it's half term and also Blue Peter were holding a mah00sive bring and buy sale at Lakeside so it was absolutely full of brats screaming kids children :(.
I spent about 45 minutes in the store chatting to one of the guys there and playing with different laptops. In the end I decided that the Air isn't suitable because it's just simply not quick enough. I'm used to the speed of the Mac Pro and although the Air isn't a slouch, it's just noticeably slower than what I'm used to and even the 1.86GHz version would frustrate me.
So the choice was limited to the Macbook Pro and the Macbook. I spent time with them both and my feelings about the Pro were confirmed. It's just too large for my requirements.
So that leaves the Macbook.
This is what I've spec'ed up:
http://www.ocukroguesgallery.com/feek/temp/macbook-20090219-221252.png
I've gone with the Apple supplied memory because the difference in price between getting it factory fitted or buying it myself is only about twenty quid now and I'd rather that Apple fit it for me, especially considering that upgrading the memory on the new Unibody Macs isn't as straightforward as it was on the older ones.
Having said that, I'm going to get a replacement larger and much faster hard drive and fit that myself. I won't even boot the system from the supplied drive, it will just get put into the box and stored away somewhere.
I can get it through the Higher Education store which gives a significantly higher discount than the Further Education store :) The HE store also gives three years in-store Applecare which can be extended to full telephone/in-store support for a very small fee. I shall include that as well.
Now having gone through the above process, I find a problem.
Frustratingly, I've just read three independent reviews which all say that the screen on the Macbook is far inferior to that on the Macbook Pro.
Reviews here (http://gizmodo.com/5063492/macbook-and-macbook-pro-dual-review), here (http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/11/02/apples_unibody_macbook_the_review.html&page=1) and here (http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/21/macbook-and-macbook-pro-review/2).
In the sterile, ideal environment of a shop the screen looked perfectly fine. However, the screen on my Dell laptop looked just as perfectly fine when viewed in such an environment but just get slightly away from the correct viewing angle and it's crap.
I've been using the Dell in situations where it's been difficult to get the viewing angle spot on and will be doing the same with the new laptop so that's why I'm concerned. I feel I need another visit to a shop to have a better comparison look.
So I'm open to words and advice from you lovely lot. Given this situation, what would you be going for?
In the sterile, ideal environment of a shop the screen looked perfectly fine.
I went in 'knowing' this difference and so was looking for it. It's definitely inferior and would be enough to put me off (or, perhaps 'conveniently' push me into spending a bit more on the Pro).
It wasn't something that bothered me buying a netbook but when i'm dropping £1000 on a bit of kit, there should be no need to have to put up with a screen like that.
leowyatt
21-02-2009, 17:39
Feek are you sure a 15" Pro is too big?
Well that was my immediate feeling, I've not actually been able to try one sitting on my lap. That's why I'm asking :)
I agree, divine, that's why I'm now undecided again.
leowyatt
21-02-2009, 17:50
When I had my iBook I honestly thought when getting a new laptop I would never get anything larger than say 13". However after using this HP machine I would say the smallest pro would be perfectly acceptable. As long as you aren't buying a 17" version I'm sure you'll become used to the 15" one in no time.
LeperousDust
21-02-2009, 19:00
Right i don't care what you get, or have any advice, but get in touch if you want the HE discount again :)
Thanks Alex, I've found someone a little closer though so I won't need to call on your services again. Not that they were needed last time with my second hand deal of the century ;)
Out of interest, what is the HE discount? Working at a university I'm sure I'd have no problem finding someone eligible to help me out!
To add my tuppence, I'd rule out the Air simply because it has no optical drive or removable battery, regardless of the speed issues, and my only reasoning behind getting a Macbook Pro before was because I didn't want a plastic case. Now the Macbook is in the same spiffy aluminium as the Pro I'd certainly consider it over the Pro... though I'd have to compare the screens in person to make a judgement on that. I don't find the 15" overly big either, but the 17" just doesn't seem all that portable.
It's quite hefty, the base model 15" Macbook Pro is £1,163.80 compared to £1,369.00
If you're feeling clever, do the sums and post the percentage ;)
compared to £1,369.00
:shocked:
leowyatt
21-02-2009, 19:35
17.6 % more expensive
17.6 % more expensive
:shocked:
I really must try to raise the money one day for a Macbook while I still have my HE discount :D
I'd go with your instincts as only you really know what you want it for and what would suit.
Anyway, to me the Air is Apple's attempt at the ultraportable market (before the netbooks came along), and as is traditional in that market the hardware tends to be underpowered so they can get away with smaller (lighter) batteries. Your thoughts are thus entirely justified and I agree with them.
I'd also agree that 15 inch is the absolute limit for lap-friendliness. My Dell 15 inch was fine on my lap - I just couldn't see the screen so it was a bit pointless. ;D
If you have to go back to the store, then do. I know it'll cost you the petrol but better that then getting something and later realising you made the wrong choice.
Interestingly, when I got my MB Pro just under two years ago, I got my parents (who lived in America at the time) to buy it and bring it back to me when they visited. I saved about £400 doing that. Just done the conversion on how much I'd save at the current exchange rate..... it'd cost me £40 more to get it in the US! Stupid useless pound.
Aye, I'd already done those figures but surely that's good, we're not 'rip-off Britain' any more?
leowyatt
21-02-2009, 19:57
I can't believe how crap the pound is at the moment :(
Aye, I'd already done those figures but surely that's good, we're not 'rip-off Britain' any more?
I guess - hell of a way to even the balance though! Remember if you bought it legitimately in the US you'd then have to pay import and VAT on that as well!
Aye, I'd already done those figures but surely that's good, we're not 'rip-off Britain' any more?
People won't see it like that though, seeing as it's everything else that has got as expensive as us, rather than us getting cheaper.
HE discount is ~18% typically, though it varies from item to item, for example I think you get more off the base macbook than you do the top end Pro for example.
Macbook retail price is £719 - HE price is £618.70
Macbook Air retail price is £1,271 - HE price is £1,092.50
Macbook Pro 17" retail price is £1,949 - HE price is £1,657.15
Someone do the percentages please :)
Dymetrie
21-02-2009, 22:23
14%
14%
15%
Give or take :)
Dropped a bit since I last really looked then.
They seem to keep them very similar to what the VAT is at if you see what I mean, as the VAT exc. price on the Macbook for example is £625.
Beansprout
22-02-2009, 03:26
I'm in a similar situation to you, Feek. Currently have an MBP which is dying and in need of repairs which'll probably cost a silly amount, so figuring I may as well get a new one instead.
But looking at the new Macbook / Pro ranges, the only major thing the Pros have going for them is the bigger screen and extra graphics power which, tbh, I've never used. Carrying my MBP around (esp in airports) hasn't been much fun either, and it's too big to use easily on a plane unless you're in Business....and forget about it on domestic/Easyjet flights!
The illuminated keyboard is handy, albeit for the hour a month I need it....
I was in a similar quandry about a year ago and I plumped for the MacBook. I thought the Air was underpowered and overpriced whereas the Pro was overkill for what I was going to use it for taking price into account.
Beany! Long time no see!
It's not the screen size that I'm bothered about, 13" will do me fine but it's the multiple things I'm reading and now hearing from people about the screen quality being poor on the MB compared to the MBP.
Burble, I know you've got the older model MB but how good is the screen for viewing angle? If you lie in bed with the lappy resting on your belly/chest, can you easily get a good viewing angle?
I've got no complaints about the screen. Viewing angles are good, easily as good as my Dell D820 (the only one I've done a direct comparison with). The colours are a tiny bit washed out compared to the D820 panel but I only notice it when I see both machines side by side.
So, are you happy with your decision? This is a fairly major spend and I want to get it right, hence why I'm garnering as many opinions and views as I can.
Same question to you Beany..
Just for my edification what are the advantages of the Pro over the non Pro apart from the screen? And does the price increase make one more worthwhile than the other? Isn't the PRO useable with PArallels and windows etc?
They're all usable with Parallels etc.
The Pro is bigger, has more ports, better screen, non shared video memory.
In fact, this is easier...
http://www.ocukroguesgallery.com/feek/temp/compare-20090222-165845.png
(ignore these prices btw, they're not what I'll be paying)
leowyatt
22-02-2009, 18:02
I'd still seriously consider a 15" Pro Feekles :)
From reading that alone from a specs POV I'd go straight for the pro 15". But that's with a very flakey knowledge of macs. :)
I consulted the Oracle.
Any Questions Answered (http://www.aqa.63336.com/)
http://www.ocukroguesgallery.com/feek/temp/aqa-20090222-191741.png
What do you intend to use it for Feekles?
It's an expensive toy, it's for sitting on my lap when I'm downstairs so I can at least appear a bit more sociable, it's for internet use, email, bit of video, some audio stuff and for even playing a few games on. It'll also go with me when I go away places so I can do my own stuff on my own laptop without having to faff about with the work one.
So, are you happy with your decision?
Absolutely.
Despite being a huge techno junkie I couldn't personally justify the extra outlay for the MBP and if I were in the market for a new laptop right now I'd still go for a Macbook.
If I were you, i'd go back to the store and just bend down and look at those screens from every which way you can. They're fine viewed from 'above' for the most but if there is a chance you might be eye level with it for example, it verges on unacceptable IMO. Don't forget, the current Macbook screens are the new LED ones, so they're not the same as the old Macbook screens.
Del Lardo
23-02-2009, 01:24
From some rough measurements the Pro seems to be about the same side as my lenovo T61P. While I do prefer having it on a small table when I'm on the sofa I can easily use it on my lap, the only problem is after 30 mins or so it starts to cook my leg.
That's a good point - the underside of my Macbook does get very warm after about an hour. No idea if the new ones do.
If I were you, i'd go back to the store and just bend down
I believe this is compulsory for all customers. :( Or at least our wallets.
Decision made.
I went to PC World and spent some time with both the Macbook and Macbook Pro today (luckily they had both models on display which they didn't when I went last time) and they were next to each other so I was able to get them both displaying exactly the same things and with the colour settings the same. I then moved all around them, angled the screens, checked how they look at different angles etc.
I must have looked a bit odd, ducking and weaving because one of the assistants came over and looked a bit purturbed as she asked me if she could help. I explained what I was doing and she was fine with that.
The Macbook screen is inferior to the Macbook Pro, of that there's no doubt but it's not as bad as the reviews I linked to earlier seem to indicate. When the viewing angle is spot on, the colours are not as bright and it just seems a bit duller but the correct viewing angle is noticeably smaller than the Pro.
I just know (because I know myself and how I think) that if I get the Macbook then I'm going to always have the thought on the back of my mind that I've got a unit with a screen that's not as good as I could have had.
Still, the size of the Pro hasn't reduced since I last saw it and it's still huge. So I asked, and they let me go into the business area and take both the Macbook and the Macbook Pro with me. I was impressed by this.
You know what? The MBP isn't too large when it's sitting on my lap. I do have a large lap though ;)
I shall get a Macbook Pro.
leowyatt
23-02-2009, 14:56
Glad to hear it Mr Feekles :D
Ordered today through the HE store along with Applecare and a WD 320Gb Scorpio Black 7200rpm hard drive. I won't even boot it from the supplied drive, it'll just go straight into storage.
http://www.ocukroguesgallery.com/feek/temp/mbp-20090302-175208.png
It should be here towards the end of next week, I'm excited :D
Oooh exciting, you lucky sod :D
It's arrived, it's in my car. I go home on a half day in just over 30 minutes :D
It's arrived, it's in my car. I go home on a half day in just over 30 minutes :D
Suitably artistic and Appley pics or STFU.
Awesome! Bet you can't wait! :D
Beansprout
10-03-2009, 21:19
Jealouse jealous jealous++ :D
Now stop making love to it and post pics :D
I can't take pictures when I'm using it! Which is what I'm doing, it's rather splendid :D
I should add that it's a bloody good job that the first thing I was did yesterday was to swap the hard drive otherwise I'd not have noticed that the battery cover is dented. I've got an appointment at the local Apple store tomorrow after I phoned the Applecare people yesterday.
Wandered into the store with my laptop, they guy had a look, wandered out the back and then told me that there were two options. Either I contact the Online Store (through which it was bought) and they'd provide me with a brand new replacement laptop or they could just give me a replacement cover on the spot.
I went with the latter option, seemed a lot easier to me. I was impressed that I was offered a complete replacement system because the cover was dented though.
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