Macbook Pro vs Macbook Air
 

Hi everyone!

I am wanting a new laptop and considering these two. If you are familiar with these, please give me your opinion. Thanks!

I prefer the pro over the air, because for me, the weight gives it added stability. The air could fly out of my hands because it was so thin & light. I think if you're not moving it around much, that wouldn't matter, but I drag my laptop all over the place & am more careful with the pro than the air.

I chose the Macbook Pro because the Air seemed too lightweight to me. The only mistake I made was choosing the smaller Pro for price. It doesn't have the number pad on the keyboard, and the keys are spaced too far apart for fast typing.

What size screen do you have?

We had the same reaction to the Air, too thin and light. Seems like if someone wanted something that light, they would go for the iPad.

Since it's for personal use, I got the 13". If it was for work/school, I'd definitely get the 15+. The 13" is a tight workspace.

Very true, I miss the number pad on the right!

Are the numbers across the top?
Did you get the USB superdrive for CDs and DVDs?

I have the 13" inch with drive.

It doesn't have the block of number keys off to the right hand side like most keyboards. The block that is arranged like this:

7 8 9
4 5 6
1 2 3

I am getting it for personal use only for internet, pictures, music, nothing more. I am also not sure what keynotes, page and numbers are. These cost 19.99 each. Are you all familiar with them?

If you want it to play games, you need the more expensive Pro. Something about the display is required for gaming/graphics, if I recall correctly. I would check with the Apple people on that if it is one of your interests.

Sorry, I don't know what those things are. The only thing I got that wasn't standard is the wireless mouse.

I want to at least be able to do word and excel documents
so I wasn't sure if that is just what apple calls theirs.

Also, is the drive an attachment or it inside?

Sorry for so many questions. I am in the beginning
Stages of my research.

The drive is inside.

In my opinion, nothing compares to Microsoft Word and Excel. I don't think Apple has a product like Excel, and their only word processing is more like MS Notepad.

I have Microsoft Office for Mac. It cost $130.00.

You can also run Bootcamp, which means you have Windows on your Mac, but still have to pay for MS Office.

If you have an Apple store in your area, it is worth going in to talk to their reps.

In order to do word/excel, you'll have to purchase MS Office for Mac. I want to say it's about $110. I know that Apple has an office program, but it's rated consistantly poorer when compared to Office. It works about the same on Mac as it does with PC, but with a few Mac tweaks that aren't a big deal.

As far as the drive, it's an internal drive- there should be a "slot" on the right side of the Mac and that's where the dvd/cd's are inserted. I believe the 13" comes standard with 2 usb ports- I went ahead and got an external usb hub in case I use it for school, because then I need several extra ports. It depends on how many you'll really need.

Yes, you are right, because I thought I had to purchase a drive separately
based on what I saw on the internet. And I also thought I had to purchase keynotes and numbers to get something close to word and excel. Website is not very clear. Thanks for all the input!

The only downside to running windows on your Mac is that it opens your Mac to the risk of PC-only viruses. And please don't let your Apple rep tell you Macs don't get viruses. They can, but since there's so many more PC's, it's quicker/easier to write viruses for PC's. Since Macs are gaining popularity, they're making more viruses for them and you'll want to consider virus-protection either way.

Do they offer virus protection?

Apple has an "office-like" program, but most people don't like the way it operates. It's pretty simple and watered down. If you want office, I'd recommend the Office for Mac software.

I don't think Apple has their own anti-virus software, but once you get your Mac and go to the App Store or look online and you'll find products for it. You'll have to research what's out there- sort of like what's out for PC's- and see what you prefer.

I have the Macbook Pro, love it. I also debated on either updating to the Macbook Pro or the Air and decided for my use the Pro was the best solution. I also have an IPad and add a bluetooth keyboard when I want to us it for documents or speadsheets.

I think I will go with the pro and add MS office for mac. Now I am trying to decide what size screen I want. Decisions, decisions!:D

You are right on all points, plus Bootcamp is a nuisance.

We live without anti-virus programs. Fatalivy, make sure you set up an administrator's account, and then a general user's account for daily use of your computer. The user account has fewer permissions and prevents things from being automatically installed on your computer.

Then keep your computer current with all of the updates. When you check for updates, you have to enter the adminstrator's ID and password.

This is the way PC users should operate too. Never use an adminstrator's account for daily computer use.

Never install or update programs from suspicious pop ups or third party pages.

:thumbup: I recommend testing out the keyboards in person on the 2 sizes. If you don't have an Apple store convenient to you, we have had good luck with Best Buy reps.

If you want Time Machine backup, I believe that does require an additional external hard drive.

There are alternatives for backing up: Apple - Support - Backup

Great! Thanks for all these suggestions.
Soooo, are you saying the 13 in vs 15 in use different keyboards?

Yes, unless Apple has made changes since I bought mine a year ago.

My 13" inch Pro has the keyboard without the number pad. The keys are the same size, but they are spread out a little bit more than those on the 15" keyboard.

Also, as Faboosh mentioned, the screen size may not be to your liking on the 13". It doesn't bother me, but it really depends on the work you are doing.

I'm in the market for a new Macbook. I really need one with much more space, and faster ram, and a non-cracked screen (lol, dropped it once, dented the top, then stepped on it and cracked the top of the screen). It's been a fantastic laptop for 5 years though and there's nothing wrong with it (besides what I'VE done to it lol). I just want to upgrade.

So anyway my debate is between the 13" Pro or the 13" Pro with Retina Display. It seems the retina display does not have a built in DVD/CD player. Which I think I could live with. I really don't use it THAT much and could buy one separately. The retina screen really seems amazing. But I dunno, I might just go with the regular Pro which has one, and it also has a hard drive whereas the new computers have flash drive.

I need to research the main differences and which one is better still. I am just looking for a lot of space. I want to be able to keep a lot of my videos and pics on my actual computer. My current computer is super small harddrive. I bought the lowest of the low 5yrs ago because I just wanted a macbook like NOW and couldn't wait to save up more money for a bigger one lol.

I wouldn't personally get an Air unless you were just surfing the internet and checking e-mail type thing. But I did hear the battery life is fantastic on it. It just seems so breakable to me.

You can compare macbooks here
Apple - Why You?ll Love a Mac - Compare Mac notebook computers.

I currently have the MacBook Pro and its amazing really. I have had it since August of 2011 and haven't had any problems. I have the 15" and yes its a little heavy to lug around but if its just going to sit at your house its perfect. I play games, upload pics/videos, email, watch shows online, etc.

I have read that the ones with retina display cant be upgraded, but I have never upgraded my other laptops, so no biggie there. And, since I am so used to a hard drive and since the retina has a flash drive I am torn on if I really care. I want a hard drive only because that is all I have ever had. :D However, my ipad has retina display and I got it because I saw a difference between one with and without retina display and the pic/images were sharper with the retina. My other issue is deciding between anti glare or glossy screen.
My dad is retired from computer programming and he suggested the mac pro 13 inch since I do absolutely nothing except browse the internet, download music and sometimes put together word documents.

And yes, I want it NOW, too. Lol