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[eponymous]

Mac users!

Has anyone gone from a 15" MacBook Pro to the 13" Air? Did you find the switch comfortable, or did you miss the larger screen?

It's time to replace my 2008 MBP, and I can't decide whether I should get a new 15" MBP (and then there's the retina vs non-retina decision) or go with the Air.

I've been dithering about this for several

Comments

[eponymous]

The 11" Air is adorable! It looks like such a great portable, I can see why you'd love it.

I use my laptop as my primary machine, so I think I need at least a 13". I suppose part of why I'm hesitating is because years ago, Alasen had a 12" Powerbook, and I definitely felt that would've been too small for me to be comfortable with on a daily basis. Screens are much higher resolution for the same size these days, though. Perhaps I wouldn't notice.

I like the Air screen better than the regular MBP super-glossy screen, too.

Thanks for the thoughts! Back to pondering.

[gf2e]

The retina display is way less glossy than the standard MBP screen. Damn near perfect IMHO :)

[quiet000001]

Am consulting my mac-geek friend.

ETA: Mind if I direct him here? He's asking me QUESTIONS.

[eponymous]

Sure, thanks!

[quiet000001]

I have directed him this way. He's been into Macs since at least the Newton, so if he doesn't have good answers I may have to just stop speaking to him. ;)

ETA: I kind of have fear, he claims he's been typing for a couple of minutes now... (He does have a kid, that might be his excuse.)

[gf2e]

Today is an iPad day. My kid is content on his own right now. :)

[miafeliz]

I like the MacBook Air for it's portability and ease. I was looking at a new machine and thought about the MBP 15" when my Sony Vaio was starting to die, but my hubby let me takeover his MBA and I was totally pleased but I needed a machine of my own.

In the end, I got a Mac Mini because it was half the cost of the MBP I was dreaming about. I already had a 28" monitor which I hooked my old laptop too, so it made sense to get a desk top. I'd still love a MBP, but I'm content. You'll need a few extra accessories for the air-- an air drive being the biggest-- but I don't use a CD/DVD drive often.

Also, I have the new iPad with the retina display and it's awesome. That would make me consider a MBP over the Air if I was shopping now and could afford it.

[eponymous]

Thanks for the feedback!

I love the clarity of the retina iPads. I can't justify buying a new one (I have an iPad 2), but I'm very tempted by the retina MBPs.

[gf2e]

Did you have the standard resolution 15"? If so, I'm guessing you are aware that the 13" Air has the same screen resolution. If your eyesight is reasonable then I think you'd be happy with that switch

[quiet000001]

See what I mean? Mac-geek. I keep trying to cure him of it but it's been years and it just doesn't take. He keeps trying to convert me instead. :)

[gf2e]

Hey. I have a Windows VM that I use too. And at least six Linux boxes. I'm quite poly.

[eponymous]

Thank you for such a wonderfully detailed reply! That's been very helpful in working everything through

[without_me]

I've never used an Air, but I went from a 15" MBP to a 13" MBP with no problems whatsoever. It's more comfortable to carry around and the screen is just fine for me.

[quiet000001]

I think an issue in general is how much screen real estate you actually use. If you're a multiple-windows-visible-at-once worker then even with crazy high resolution, it still gets impractical. (Because you may be able to fit all the windows on, but all the text and everything either ends up tiny, or you still effectively don't have as much screen space.)

That's why my dad still has pretty large laptops (relatively speaking) even though smaller and lighter ones are available - he wants the screen space for the way he works.

[gf2e]

Remember that the normal 15" has the same pixel,count as the 13" Air. The 13" MBP has fewer pixels than the 13" Air.

[eponymous]

That's great to hear, thanks! I'm leaning towards the Air, especially as it runs the same resolution.