Which model of Apple notebooks is best?

Hi everyone,

I am planning to make my very first purchase into the Apple world of notebooks. The only thing Apple I have owned is an iphone and loved it! Right now I am teetering on the edge of fully maxed out 13in Macbook Air (256 SSD, 2.13Ghz C2D, 4GB Ram, etc...) vs a stock 15in Macbook Pro (2.4Ghz i5 processor, 4GB of ram, i think 320 HDD, GPU with sperate ram for it the Nvidia 330M). Now I know since the Logos 4 system is based upon books that are on a hard drive the SSD is the best option. However (throwing a curveball), if i purchase the 15in I do plan to later on purchase a SSD and install it myself. The reason I am leaning towards the 15in is the GPU and the built in disk drive- everyone still uses one. Truth be told I am just trying to be future proof which I know can seem pointless but I do stick with a computer for about 4-5 years. Logos 4 will be my main software I use, but also a worship/sermon presenter will be used. Other than the standard web, email, and perhaps some very very small amount of graphic editing thats it. I also plan on using this a desktop replacement where i would dock it to a kewboard, trackpad, monitor, and speakers.

What say you Mac enthusiasts?

Thanks- adam.

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

Wes Saad

Either one would serve you fine so the question comes down to how portable you want it and how much display space you want. The Air is more portable but traded off for a smaller screen size. If it were me, I'd go with the 15" because I covet screen real estate more than portability (I went with the 17" Macbook Pro). Plugging in an external monitor could address that issue when you are at your primary location, but not when on the road.

Adam Hanna

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218260#Comment_218260

True, the screen size i am flexible with, the portability doesnt matter to me as much, although i have not held or played with the new MBA. I am just trying to err on the side of muscle i suppose? and future proofing. So i guess my question now is, is the 13in MBA decently future proofed and the 15in MBP too future proof, or can u never really have enough hardware muscle? i would buy a sleeve for either and place it in my backpack or a breifcase or even a messenger bag.

Wes Saad

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218264#Comment_218264

too future proof

I am trying to figure out what you mean. This particular combination of words makes no sense to me. One cannot have a computer that is too future proof. When I bought my Macbook Pro in late 2007 I maxed out the specs. I knew it would have to last me a while, and it does. It continues to serve me well. There will always be limitations a few years down the road (the Pro's back then had integrated video cards and I'd really like the dedicated card of the new machines, but oh well) but it's still a good computer.

So if you expect to keep this laptop around for a while, I'd say get the one you can put as much into as you can. And while it's difficult to work on the innards of a Macbook Pro, I imagine an Air would be much more difficult to upgrade later on.

Adam Hanna

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218267#Comment_218267

maybe i just needed reassurance of my thinking on the matter. and yes the insides i have seen of the new air look a little difficult to work with, perhaps even too delicate. the pro i can work in. so i suppose i shall stick with the pro line- now......should i wait as this line is due for an update imminently?

Chris Giammona

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218272#Comment_218272

I have the maxed out Macbook Air (new model) and love it. Logos 4 works very well on this laptop.

Wes Saad

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218272#Comment_218272

The eternal question - when to buy. Macrumors recommends waiting, anticipating a refresh soon. Other sources seem to indicate the refresh may be delayed due to an Intel processor issue. But it's really impossible to say for sure.

If you need a laptop soon, go ahead and get it. If you can stand to wait, it does look like a refresh is not too far off and it might be worth waiting. But then, how long do you wait?

http://www.macrumors.com/buyersguide/#MacBook_Pro

Adam Hanna

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218281#Comment_218281

yeah, been munchin on all the rumors the past 2 weeks. it's annoying. i know i would be upset if i bought one then a month later they came out with an announcement. but, waiting 3 months is not something i wan to do- theyve got me right on my patience line which is super annoying. i blame intel right now- oh well, we shall see. i think i might give apple to announce something until feb 20th. beyond that im just buying.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218285#Comment_218285

... i think i might give apple to announce something until feb 20th. beyond that im just buying. ...

Likewise watching and waiting for Apple to update online store with new Mac models (may quietly appear after Apple web store offline for an update). Also looking forward to Mac OS X 10.7 Lion shipping later this year.

Anticipating MacBook Pro refresh soon since inventory drawing down => http://www.macrumors.com/2011/01/26/macbook-pro-supplies-tightening-ahead-of-potential-refresh/ - not know how much refresh delay from Intel defect => http://www.macrumors.com/2011/01/31/intel-announces-setback-in-production-of-chipsets-destined-for-imac-revision/

Suggest visiting an Apple Store => http://www.apple.com/retail/ - try out current models (Apple employees rated on answering customer questions - not commission - Apple retail employees do not know about future model refreshes.

Apple also offers refurbished models => http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac - same warranty as New - only box marked refurbished - current Mac Book Pro models have NVidia GeForce 320M or 330M. Model refresh includes reducing refurbished prices of previous generation.

Illustrated repair guides show upgradability of Mac models => http://www.ifixit.com/Browse/Mac - only SSD upgradeable in new MacBook Air.

If qualified, recommend checking Apple Education discounts.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Adam Hanna

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218303#Comment_218303

not know how much refresh delay from Intel defect => http://www.macrumors.com/2011/01/31/intel-announces-setback-in-production-of-chipsets-destined-for-imac-revision/

Apple also offers refurbished models => http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac - same warranty as New - only box marked refurbished - current Mac Book Pro models have NVidia GeForce 320M or 330M. Model refresh includes reducing refurbished prices of previous generation.

Illustrated repair guides show upgradability of Mac models => http://www.ifixit.com/Browse/Mac - only SSD upgradeable in new MacBook Air.

If qualified, recommend checking Apple Education discounts.

1) the refresh delay i am hypothesizing will be about a half to a whole week in production

2) the refurbished models are good, however provided a link from applinsider.com you can get an additional discount that only puts you spending pocket change above for a new one from macmall (via the link in the appleinsider site) compared to the final price of a refurb from the apple store.

3) It is indeed possible to install a SSD into a current macbook pro- ive seen it done

4) apple education discounts are good, just graduated college- plus the discount mentioned above is still better than the education discount.

Im trapped inside the ice freeze here in DFW, so all i am able to do is do my research on my purchase....plus obviously run logos! its so cold. Super Bowl XLV is here......GO Steelers!

thanks for helping me out so far everyone!

mab

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218312#Comment_218312

I'd definitely wait until the new models come out. I also hope they move to a faster drive option as a standard. The current standard 5400 RPM is not in the best interest of a Logos 4 Mac user. Apple needs to lead the way. One doesn't mind spending more, but then to have to haul a new machine into the shop to make it usable isn't on my list of endearing attributes.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218312#Comment_218312

1) the refresh delay i am hypothesizing will be about a half to a whole week in production

Could be longer - Intel defect announcement was a month after official release - not know how many new MacBook Pro's now need repair (hopefully before being sold to consumers).

2) the refurbished models are good, however provided a link from applinsider.com you can get an additional discount that only puts you spending pocket change above for a new one from macmall (via the link in the appleinsider site) compared to the final price of a refurb from the apple store.

Comparison is wise: http://www.appleinsider.com/mac_price_guide/ On Apple Refurbished, was surprised by 15" anti-glare screen costing $ 130 more than glossy.

3) It is indeed possible to install a SSD into a current macbook pro- ive seen it done

Hybrid drive offers more capacity with SSD caching of frequently used files for noticeable performance boost => http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148591&cm_re=seagate_momentus_xt_hybrid-_-22-148-591-_-Product

Since hybrid drive costs much less than SSD, could purchase more Logos resources.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218312#Comment_218312

Im trapped inside the ice freeze here in DFW, so all i am able to do is do my research on my purchase....plus obviously run logos!

Couple stores to consider are Microcenter => http://www.microcenter.com/index.html (noticed one in Dallas Metroplex) and Fry's => http://www.frys.com/

Keep Smiling [:)]

Ben

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218322#Comment_218322

I'm not in the market (probably), but I'd wait for the new ones. I'd love to see a dual 64Gb SSD/1Tb HD in a MacbookPro.

The general rule is, if you need it now, buy it now. Otherwise, wait.

Ben

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218324#Comment_218324

And just because I love books and I suspect most logos folks do too, I'd put it in a Bookbook.

http://twelvesouth.com/products/bookbook/

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218322#Comment_218322

1) the refresh delay i am hypothesizing will be about a half to a whole week in production

Could be longer - Intel defect announcement was a month after official release - not know how many new MacBook Pro's now need repair (hopefully before being sold to consumers).

Longer update => http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20110201PR202.html - Intel initial delivery to customers later this month with full volume recovery in April.

Appears my dreams for a Sandy Bridge Mac will wait some more.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Chris Hulshof

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218446#Comment_218446

I'm using a Spring 2010 MBP (last years refresh). It is the 15" Intel® Core™ i7 Processor, 2.66GHz processor speed,4GB Memory, 500GB Hard Drive. Logos has worked very well on my machine. No complaints. Personally, I would struggle with Logos on a 13" or 11" screen like the MBA for everyday Logos use. My previous laptop was a 17" Inspiron and wanted to go smaller for portability. I have found my MBP to be very portable and very powerful. It does all that I need it to do and more. One reason I purchased the highest end MBP I could afford was to avoid feeling the need to jump on every MBP refresh just to keep up. So, while I have watched the Mac rumors I also have not felt like my MBP has now gone the way of Old Tech.

Second the recommendation for the twelve south BookBook. I love my BookBook case!!

Adam Hanna

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218446#Comment_218446

Longer update => http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20110201PR202.html - Intel initial delivery to customers later this month with full volume recovery in April.

Appears my dreams for a Sandy Bridge Mac will wait some more.

I read in the article the second gen core i5 and i7 processors are the ones that have a defect in them as well. Although people are encouraged to buy and use them and to keep in working with the manufacturer of the computer, doesnt this make me not want to buy a current gen macbook pro? seems like bit of a risk now and possibly worth waiting for sandy bridge.

and that matter also raises the question: Applecare, is it really worth the extra $350???? (You can get it for $244 on bhphotovideo.com) but seriously, if ur going to buy an apple notebook- is it worth all that money? it just seems a bit steep.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218502#Comment_218502

Longer update => http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20110201PR202.html - Intel initial delivery to customers later this month with full volume recovery in April.

Appears my dreams for a Sandy Bridge Mac will wait some more.

I read in the article the second gen core i5 and i7 processors are the ones that have a defect in them as well. Although people are encouraged to buy and use them and to keep in working with the manufacturer of the computer, doesnt this make me not want to buy a current gen macbook pro? seems like bit of a risk now and possibly worth waiting for sandy bridge.

and that matter also raises the question: Applecare, is it really worth the extra $350???? (You can get it for $244 on bhphotovideo.com) but seriously, if ur going to buy an apple notebook- is it worth all that money? it just seems a bit steep.

Second generation (Sandy Bridge) core i5 and i7 processors are noticeably faster - also requires new motherboards and chipsets - with Intel's defect and resolution adding 2 to 3 month delay, not know when to expect Mac model refreshes - may delay into Summer, about same time as Mac OS X Lion release => http://www.apple.com/macosx/lion/ - my dream of a Sandy Bridge Mac morphing to include Mac OS X Lion - wonder about Full Screen application display for Logos 4 ?

With my current circumstances, choosing to wait and dream is good - Thankful current computer is adequate for Logos 4.

Concerning AppleCare, a guide offers some thoughts => http://guides.macrumors.com/AppleCare#AppleCare_worth_it.3F

Personally not buy extended warranties from any computer manufacturer - less expensive to fix what breaks - also comfortable carefully doing repair guide steps => http://www.ifixit.com/Browse/Mac (can consume many hours + many machines have small blood sacrifice from me - contact with sharp edges)

Likewise have observed some people, whose handling tendencies are appropriate for recommending AppleCare and extended warranties.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Adam Hanna

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/218610#Comment_218610

well i did it! i ordered one. decided on the 13" MBP: 2.4 Ghz C2D, 4Gb Ram, Nvidia 320 w/256Mb, 160GB OCZ Vertex 2 SSD, and went with iWork. now just waiting. also bought minidisplay port to dvi adapter and ended up spending 1480 on it all. this shall be fun!