Which laptop is right?
Given that the MacBook Air was released on Tuesday and the fact that I am in need of a new computer sometime in the next 6 months–I’ve had my current MacBook for a year and a half–I am focusing myeslf on finding a new Mac for myself. I’m 89% sure I want to go portable, so an iMac, Mac mini and Mac Pro are definitely out of the question (seriously what sane-person needs a Mac Pro?).
Just for the record, here are my MacBook’s specifications:
- 80GB HDD
- 1GB RAM
- 2GHz Intel Core Duo
- 13.3″ screen
- 1 Firewire Port, 2 USB ports, 1 ethernet port
- Integrated graphics
So it comes down to to three choices:
- MacBook
- MacBook Pro
- MacBook Air
For my own sake, I’m going to simply list the pros and cons of each machine:
MacBook
With this line of laptops, I have 3 choices, but in my case, no matter what, I’d be going with the black, higher end laptop because a) I love the color and b) I rarely go cheap.
Pros:
- It’s black
- It’s very portable
- It’s an awesome upgrade from my current computer
- 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 160GB hard drive standard
- 2 USB ports, 1 Firewire port, 1 ethernet port
- I already have all the mini-DVI to VGA, DVI and S-Video adapters
- Airport with wireless N
- SuperDrive (handy, but rarely used on my current computer)
- Swappable battery
Cons:
- Thicker than the MacBook Air
- 1GB memory only
- No Backlit keyboard
Cost: $1499 ($1399 with Student Discount, $1349 with Student Developer discount)
MacBook Pro
Again, I have a choice of models, but this time I’ll be going with the lower end model..
Pros:
- 2GB memory standard
- SuperDrive (again, rarely used)
- Aluminum case is über pretty
- Airport with wireless N
- Backlit keyboard
- 2 Firewire ports (400 & 800), 2 USB ports, ExpressCard 34 slot, 1 ethernet port
- Swappable battery
Cons:
- 120GB hard drive
- 15″LED-backlit screen (size is the disadvantage here)
- Thicker than MacBook Air
- Heavier than MB and MBA (5.4lbs)
- Not as portable
Cost: $1999 ($1799 with education discount, $1599 with Student Developer discount)
MacBook Air
Pros:
- Ãœber thin
- Made to be portable to the extreme
- Larger touchpad with multitouch features
- Weighs 3lbs
- Backlit keyboard
- 2GB RAM standard
- 1.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 5 Hour battery on Wifi
- Pretty Aluminium brush with black keyboard
- 13.3″ screen
- No optical drive
- Airport with wireless N
Cons:
- No Firewire for Time Machine backup–I don’t have enough cash to fork out for a Time Capsule
- 1 USB port, no ethernet
- To use ethernet, an adapter must be purchased
- 80GB HDD (NO UPGRADES AVAILABLE)
- No swappable battery
Cost: $1799 ($1699 with Education Discount, $1619 with Student Developer discount)
And there we have it. If I missed anything, let me know, but from where I sit, I’m still not 100% sure which laptop to get. It’s pretty much coming down to the MacBook and the MacBook Air… I guess I’ll wait 2 weeks and see how much I like the MBA when I see it at the Apple Store near me…