MikeRapin.com A man. A nerd. A web dev.

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:

1. MacBook
2. MacBook Pro
3. 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...