Post: #76

Guys,
Thank you everyone for all your valuable input! Very much appreciated!
I do LOVE the new MBA, the 12 hour battery life along with its ultra light weight is simply too hard to resist. However, thinking logically, the MBP is much more powerful and at about the same price if not cheaper than the new MBA pimped up. I am going to wait till next week as there are strong rumours that there might be a newer model of the MBP released next week with a stronger battery (12 hours too?). If there will be an MBP released next week with a 12 hour lasting battery, then it's a no brainer, I'm getting the newer MBP. If not, it's going to be a hard choice as the allure of the new MBA is way too hard to resist specially the 12 hour battery life! Can you imagine how awesome it will be to be able to work all day long without a recharge? Or how about being able to work during a 12 hour flight to Asia or South America? Unreal!

Btw, here's an awesome link comparing the various MBAs and MBPs:
http://guides.macrumors.com/Which_Apple_...d_I_buy%3F

Another great link:
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#MacBook_Air

Here's a question to the techies out there:
Between the processor and the memory, if you were to upgrade only one, at least initially, which one would be the most beneficial? Specially on the newer MBA: going from 1.3GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz to the 1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz OR upgrading the memory from a 4GB to an 8GB?

Last question for now: how long is the life span of a battery on both the MBA and MBP? How many recharges can it sustain? I saw on a French documentary that the Iphone's battery has a life span of 1000 recharges. Is it the same for the MBA and MBP?

Thanks again guys for all your input!

Cheers!

Post: #77

(06-12-2013 07:28 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  1. the new MBA, the 12 hour battery life

2. Which one would be the most beneficial? Specially on the newer MBA: going from 1.3GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz to the 1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz OR upgrading the memory from a 4GB to an 8GB?
3. how long is the life span of a battery on both the MBA and MBP? How many recharges can it sustain? I saw on a French documentary that the Iphone's battery has a life span of 1000 recharges. Is it the same for the MBA and MBP?

1. Firstly, the 12-hour indicated battery life is just an indication only. Real-world usage will be close to 11+ hours. But thats still good compared to other laptops currently. Initial tests will show 12+ hours but as you use it often and cycle your battery, it will slowly come down naturally.

2. Stick with the 1.3GHz but upgrade the ram to 8GB and get AppleCare. Because you're not going to push the MBA to the limit and you wont run extreme processor-oriented tasks (doubt Camtasia will push it hard). Upgrade the RAM because future OS will require more RAM and it will be a good selling point (if you wish to sell it in 3 years perhaps).

The Turbo Boost doesnt matter as it is a function of shutting down unused cores and increasing clock speed when using processor intensive apps.

3. The built-in battery of MacBook Pro or MacBook Air is designed to deliver up to 1000 full charge and discharge cycles before it reaches 80 per cent of its original capacity. If your laptop dies prematurely, then it's covered under your warranty and AppleCare. Read this link for more.

Post: #78

Actually Apple claimed 9 hours for the new Macbook Air.

Or you can get the Sony Vaio Duo 13 that has 15 hours battery life. What's even better is that it's a hybrid tablet/laptop, for extra portability.

Load up Macintosh with Vmware and you're ready to go.

http://www.techadvisor.co.uk/new-product...irst-look/


Or you can get this powerhouse for a fraction of the cost...

http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/96552/le...-windows-8


Just look up haswell laptops for the next 2 weeks on slickdeals and you'll find a great deal. Don't just get a mac. Do some research.


The main point to discern:

There are some really, really GOOD laptops coming out over the next month. With far better battery life and performance than Macbook Air or Pro. You don't want to be limited by what programs you can't run.

Just wait a bit and jump on a deal that looks good to you.

Post: #79

I believe the choice became easy with the new MBA refresh. Better battery, performance and price. Absolutely the best deal for business / study / on-the-go.

Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.

Napoleon Hill

Post: #80

Sure, right now it is. But I rather wait for macbook pro retina haswell. Screen quality is amazing.

Post: #81

Any idea when that new MBP will be released? An MBP with 12 hour battery will be the ultimate laptop ever!Can't wait!

(06-16-2013 04:20 PM)pants Wrote:  Sure, right now it is. But I rather wait for macbook pro retina haswell. Screen quality is amazing.

Post: #82

Vp which one did you go for after? i am thinking of getting the new MBA when i get to canada in 2 weeks have any of you guys used it?

Post: #83

Salmon,
Depends what you need it for. If you need a powerful machine, with incredible endurance/battery life and yet ultra light, then the MBA is the way to go. If you need a much more powerful machine for business and heavy video editing, then the MBP is the answer. For my lifestyle, I'm going to get the new MBA and pimp it out to the max with extra memory and stuff.
How's work in the oil fields treating you?

All the best buddy!

(07-01-2013 04:28 PM)salmonfella Wrote:  Vp which one did you go for after? i am thinking of getting the new MBA when i get to canada in 2 weeks have any of you guys used it?

Post: #84

I'm looking to decide between the Pro and the Air as well.

I'm leaning toward the Air, since it has the flash drive which from what I have read is much more efficient than the standard hard drive on the Pro. Also because of battery life, and thinner lightweight design.

My only concern is the CD and ethernet inputs that are absent on the air.

How much of an issue is this?

Is this something that you should have 'just in case'?

But really I don't see this as a major downfall since 99% of the time I use wireless or I don't use CDs anyways.

Post: #85

Lack of CD is irrelevant. Not needed. WiFi everywhere. You can buy external if you absolutely have to. Only reason I would get Air over Pro Retina (13") is if I wanted extra long battery life. Pro can be configured with flash drive. Just go to an Apple Store and see them in person.

Post: #86

What's this retina bullshit. You guys are riding its Dick so hard its gotta be some star wars level technology or something.

Post: #87

WC, just higher resolution. That's what apple calls it. You could equally say high-res display. It is not important to everyone, of course.

Post: #88

(08-07-2013 02:38 PM)WesternCancer Wrote:  What's this retina bullshit. You guys are riding its Dick so hard its gotta be some star wars level technology or something.

Higher resolution is nice because you're able to see the screen more clearly and work more efficiently. It improves work flow. Having retina display on my computer has actually helped me make more money than if I didn't have it.

Post: #89

Update:
It was a very hard decision but at the end, I went with the MBPro as I love the power and the fact that I have a cd drive and a big enough hard drive. I love the 12 hour battery of the MBA but the power is not there for the kind of tasks I'll be using it for.

I'm hearing that there'll be a new MBPro coming in the next month or so with a longer battery and better/faster processor (Hackswell). In other word, a computer combining the strong points of the MBA and the MBP that is the incredible battery of the MBA and the sheer power of the MBP. Does anyone know more about the new MBP that is about to be launched next month? Is it worth waiting for?

I have the option of using this MBP for 2 weeks and return it for a full refund. My thinking is if there'll be a much better MBP coming in the next month or so, then I may wait for it. Thoughts? Suggestions? Is the new MBP worth the wait?

So far, I LOVE it! It's the best laptop I've ever used. Very beautiful and classy as well. And very fast and responsive! Like night and day with my previous 3 year old Toshiba laptop which has been a nightmare lately as it's been freezing and crashing more and more frequently. On top of being uber slow! I've had the MBP for 24 hours and so far, it's giving me about 6, to 6.5 hours of battery which is great but I'm a little bit disappointed as I was looking forward to getting the advertised 7 hours.

Question to the pros: how do I get a French keyboard as I do write articles and blog posts in French for biz and will need all the French keys as well as the English keys. I searched on the App Store and there is no such thing. Should I change my laptop to one with a French keyboard? Or can I just go to my local Apple store and have them install it?

I can now fully understand all those who have been saying that once you go Mac, you can't go back to PC! I thought it was all Fan Boys talk, but after having this ALPHA machine in my hands for the past 24 hours, it's hard to even put it down! It's one incredible machine! Well worth every penny! Gets a little bit time to get used to it, but wow, what a powerful machine! I'm in love!

Post: #90

(08-20-2013 11:07 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Question to the pros: how do I get a French keyboard as I do write articles and blog posts in French for biz and will need all the French keys as well as the English keys. I searched on the App Store and there is no such thing. Should I change my laptop to one with a French keyboard? Or can I just go to my local Apple store and have them install it?

Apple Menu --> System Preferences --> Language & Text --> Input Sources

You can add whatever language you want from there and it will show as a little menu. I think if I were you I'd wait until the next Apple announcement, then order the new model.

Post: #91

The air will handle 90% of your needs. If you're doing any kind of serious video editing go with the pro. Apple tends to make redundant back up copies of video as you make video edits. Hard drive space fills up very quickly.

I prefer a large monitor for video editing personally. 13" is way to small. Two 19" monitors are ideal.

Post: #92

Thank you for the tip/help on the French keyboard! +1!
While I do love the current MBP, I'm very intrigued by the newer one. So will see.

Parlay,
Yeah you're probably right in that the MBA can handle about 90% of everything I'd need done. And I love the extra long battery and very light weight of it. However, pimping the MBA would cost twice as much as an equally powerful MBP. But I do love the 12 hour battery. Will prolly give it a try for a 2 week.

What would be a very highly reliable external storage device if I were to go with an MBA to store my data? I was told Seagate is the way to go. Apple are of course pushing their own time machine, but it's very bulky while the Seagate and the MW are very portable (the size of an iPhone/Androide phone). Thoughts on them being reliable to carry your data with you?

Thanks guys!

(08-20-2013 11:12 PM)Menace Wrote:  

(08-20-2013 11:07 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Question to the pros: how do I get a French keyboard as I do write articles and blog posts in French for biz and will need all the French keys as well as the English keys. I searched on the App Store and there is no such thing. Should I change my laptop to one with a French keyboard? Or can I just go to my local Apple store and have them install it?

Apple Menu --> System Preferences --> Language & Text --> Input Sources

You can add whatever language you want from there and it will show as a little menu. I think if I were you I'd wait until the next Apple announcement, then order the new model.

Post: #93

Seagate is a very good brand with an A+ reputation. I've always used Western Digital without any issue. I've had at least a dozen WD products. They're the best bang for the buck in my opinion. Get an external drive at least 2x the size of you're laptop drive. I used a 2TB WD USB drive to store all my important files and backup images. Get a few usb flash drives. Keep one as a bootable repair drive just in case. Hopefully you're kinda tech savvy and do your own pc repairs.

Post: #94

(08-20-2013 11:54 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  What would be a very highly reliable external storage device if I were to go with an MBA to store my data? I was told Seagate is the way to go. Apple are of course pushing their own time machine, but it's very bulky while the Seagate and the MW are very portable (the size of an iPhone/Androide phone). Thoughts on them being reliable to carry your data with you?

Its not just the disk you need to match. You also need the right software to backup your data.

While Time Machine is good, try SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cleaner. CCC 3.4.7 (from their site) is free, good and works well with the latest OS even though it says it doesnt work.

The difference between Time Machine and others is others also copy the partition data (your OS structure) in addition to changed files. Time Machine only copies the changed files and doesnt show you the complete changes. Incase, your drive goes kaput, a backup from SuperDuper/CCC can help.

Post: #95

Vacancier- I don't know the exact time frame for the MBP refresh but I feel it's worth waiting for. Haswell has significant improvements in power efficiency which translates into increased battery life.

Post: #96

The new MacBook Pro line up is rumored to be coming out in mid-September...

http://www.macrumors.com/2013/08/22/refr...september/

Post: #97

Not sure if anyone mentioned this yet but if you live near an Apple store they have free classes that teach how to use their products. Some classes get advanced like how to use a Mac for business applications. Probably worth checking out even if you've been using Apple stuff for a long time. Check their website to register online.

Post: #98

Update:
I returned yesterday the MBP. Some thoughts on it:
While it was the best laptop I've used to date, I was a bit disappointed by the battery. Despite the claims that it would go up to 7 hours, I only got at best, about 5 to 5.5 hours at most. And it's not that I was doing any intensive work on it. Just regular browsing, writing and at times, listening to music. Also, at times, I noticed some slowing downs. Other than that, nothing to say against it. Very powerful and awesome to use for anyone looking for a powerful machine.

So yesterday, after returning the Pro, I got the MBA (basic 128GB, 4GM RAM) and I'm going to use it for the next 2 weeks until the new MBP is launched. So far, loving the Air, how awesomely light it is and I'm totally in love with the incredible battery. Not having a cd/dvd drive included is not a big deal for me. I could always get a portable one when really needed.

So far, it's my fav laptop, period. The only way I wouldn't get an Air would be if the new MBP combines the awesome power of the Pro with the battery of the Air at a reasonable price (say under 1300-1400$). A pimped Air, (8GB Ram, i7 processor and 256 GB SSD, possibly 525GB SSD drive) would be the ultimate, but it won't be cheap as that would cost about 2k, but very well worth every penny IMO.

So will have to wait until the new MBP launches before making my final decision.

Post: #99

Would you consider a powerful PC touchscreen laptop with MBP power and MBA battery life?

Post: #100

I'm all ears NYD!