MacBook vs MacBook Air

[Madi100]

My daughter was planning on going to Washington DC on a school trip. The trip costs $1600. We told her she could go before we found out how much it is. Well, she has decided that she wants a MacBook. We normally don't spend that much on Christmas, but she came up with the idea to give up the trip if she gets that for Christmas. We figure it is a good investment, as we hope it lasts her until at least college.

Which would you go with the MacBook or MacBook Air? And, before you try to sell me on something else, she wants a MacBook, not any other brand.

 

[simonkodousek]

Macbook. I have the current generation white Macbook, and I'm very, very happy with it. We looked at the MB Air, but it didn't have a CD drive, more than 1 USB input, and seemed flimsy. I'd rather save the $600 and go w/ the regular MB.

 

[DisneyKevin]

The Mac Book Air....while slimmer, lighter, sexier and newer...has no hard drive, only flash memory.

You will get far less storage space than you would on a MacBook.

The MB Air has no CD/DVD drive as well as other big differences.

I'd make a list of the things she "needs" in a computer and see which best fits the bill.

My guess, for someone your daughter's age, will be that the MacBook better fits the bill.

This page on Apple's site should be helpful.

http://www.apple.com/why-mac/compare/notebooks.html

 

[Madi100]

The Mac Book Air....while slimmer, lighter, sexier and newer...has no hard drive, only flash memory.

You will get far less storage space than you would on a MacBook.

The MB Air has no CD/DVD drive as well as other big differences.

I'd make a list of the things she "needs" in a computer and see which best fits the bill.

My guess, for someone your daughter's age, will be that the MacBook better fits the bill.

This page on Apple's site should be helpful.

http://www.apple.com/why-mac/compare/notebooks.html

Thanks. A lot of those things right there will take away from her wanting the Air. I have not done much research at all. She currently has a netbook and hates it because it is lacking many things.

 

[Madi100]

Macbook. I have the current generation white Macbook, and I'm very, very happy with it. We looked at the MB Air, but it didn't have a CD drive, more than 1 USB input, and seemed flimsy. I'd rather save the $600 and go w/ the regular MB.

I also hadn't looked at the price. Didn't realize the huge price difference.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I also hadn't looked at the price. Didn't realize the huge price difference.

You can get the smallest MB Air and MacBook for the same price.

The big selling point for the MB Air is size and weight.

You will get a more powerful machine with far more storage that does more things with the MacBook.

The difference is that it will be heavier.

Like Simon, I too, have a white MacBook. I love mine as well.

 

[Madi100]

You can get the smallest MB Air and MacBook for the same price.

The big selling point for the MB Air is size and weight.

You will get a more powerful machine with far more storage that does more things with the MacBook.

The difference is that it will be heavier.

Like Simon, I too, have a white MacBook. I love mine as well.

OK, because you are being great at answering questions, I've got another one. We are not an Apple family other than the bazillion listening devices we have. While I love the thought of the iMac, it's not in the budget right now. (yes, my 13 year old will have a MUCH nicer computer than I do). We are all networked together with wifi and printing. Will we be able to connect the MB to this network?

 

[DisneyKevin]

OK, because you are being great at answering questions, I've got another one. We are not an Apple family other than the bazillion listening devices we have. While I love the thought of the iMac, it's not in the budget right now. (yes, my 13 year old will have a MUCH nicer computer than I do). We are all networked together with wifi and printing. Will we be able to connect the MB to this network?

Yes. That should not be an issue.

I work on an iMac and have the MacBook for travel.

Both are linked to our wireless network and printer.

John uses a PC and we have no issue.

The amazing thing is that I never know how to make these things link together.

Upon starting the iMac...it went through a couple of steps and asked if I wanted to link to the wireless network in the house.

John was amazed when he asked if I wanted him to connect my new computer and I told him "no...I did it myself".

He made me print something to prove that I actually did it.

 

[Madi100]

You can get the smallest MB Air and MacBook for the same price.

The big selling point for the MB Air is size and weight.

You will get a more powerful machine with far more storage that does more things with the MacBook.

The difference is that it will be heavier.

Like Simon, I too, have a white MacBook. I love mine as well.

Yes. That should not be an issue.

I work on an iMac and have the MacBook for travel.

Both are linked to our wireless network and printer.

John uses a PC and we have no issue.

The amazing thing is that I never know how to make these things link together.

Upon starting the iMac...it went through a couple of steps and asked if I wanted to link to the wireless network in the house.

John was amazed when he asked if I wanted him to connect my new computer and I told him "no...I did it myself".

He made me print something to prove that I actually did it.

Thanks!

 

[froggy5657]

MacBook all the way

My advice is to go for a model with a larger hard drive, the extra money is a worthwhile investment.

 

[jediobiwan]

The one benefit to the Macbook Air and the other side of the smaller storage space coin is that the flash memory will likely last longer as opposed to a spinning hard drive. I know my macbook which I have had for two years recently had a hard drive failure but I use it every day with me across my college campus so it gets a lot of useage and movement. Might help with the durability.

 

[G66]

Referb MBPro from Apple.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC374?mco=MTM3NDgzMzY

 

[sshaw10060]

The Mac Book Air....while slimmer, lighter, sexier and newer...has no hard drive, only flash memory.

You will get far less storage space than you would on a MacBook.

The MB Air has no CD/DVD drive as well as other big differences.

I'd make a list of the things she "needs" in a computer and see which best fits the bill.

My guess, for someone your daughter's age, will be that the MacBook better fits the bill.

This page on Apple's site should be helpful.

http://www.apple.com/why-mac/compare/notebooks.html

I would agree with Kevin. The Macbook air is really aimed at a niche market that loves cool things and travels a lot. For what your daughter wants the Macbook would make more sense.

On the other hand I am dying to get a Macbook air...

 

[wdwscout]

I know my macbook which I have had for two years recently had a hard drive failure but I use it every day with me across my college campus so it gets a lot of useage and movement. Might help with the durability.

My son has had a Macbook Pro for 2 1/2 yrs now. It travels in his backpack quite a lot and he has also done a lot of gaming on it.
I strongly suggest getting the extended warranty on it. He has had to replace his hard drive twice and most recently (this week) had to also replace the video and graphics cards. This bill would have been over $800, but was covered by the warranty (whew! )

Apple service is fantastic- they have realy helped a lot.
My husband just bought a Macbook last month (with the extended warranty) and is already wondering why he waited so long. (I wish I could switch, ut my work keeps me tethered to a PC)

 

[darrengs]

My 2 cents is get the regular Macbook. The Air is "sexy" but is more like an overpriced netbook.

 

[medicjch]

The wife and I switched to Macbook Pros a few months ago and while I am still learning......we absolutely love them. It simply amazes me how it can connect to a wireless network without any issues and you can hook it up to just about any printer and it just works, no need to install specific drivers. I'd definately recommend a Macbook!

 

[daneenm]

My son has had a Macbook Pro for 2 1/2 yrs now. It travels in his backpack quite a lot and he has also done a lot of gaming on it.
I strongly suggest getting the extended warranty on it.

I agree with you. Any time I am asked for purchasing advice, and the device is portable, I recommend the AppleCare Protection Plan. Portable devices get knocked around more than desktop systems, no matter how careful you are. I even buy it for my desktop machines.

I would say if she wants to store her own music, photos, etc on the machine, or if she uses it to play DVDs (does anyone really buy CDs anymore?) then MB is the way to go. I helped my Dad buy one for my Mom last Christmas and she loves it. I have only played with MB Air, not used it for work or personal use, but it is a very nice machine. Man, the start up time and response time is phenomenal! If I were buying for me, that would be the way I would go. I have external storage for my music and photos so space would be less of an issue.

 

[Madi100]

Thanks for the tips. What is the difference between the Mac book and MacBook pro?

 

[OKW Lover]

Referb MBPro from Apple.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC374?mco=MTM3NDgzMzY

I'll second this suggestion. You get more computer for the money. I've bought a bunch of stuff from Apple in their refurb store and had no problem at all. Right now we've got 3 MBP's in the house, the oldest of which is probably 4 years old and still going strong.

You get a full 1 yr warrantee on the refurbs, just like the brand new ones. Also, you qualify for a $100 rebate on a printer if you buy it at the same time.

 

[tlhbdm]

I would go Macbook pro. That is what I have and LOVE it. DH has a Macbook and I like it but I like my macbook pro a lot more. Two of the main differences in macbook pro and macbook is the pro has a back lit keyboard, which is nice for college lectures and the pro has a memory card slot for SD cards and the macbook does not. The price difference is about $200 between the two I believe.

P.S. I'm from Iowa too!