MacBook Air or Pro

Hemps

Hemps

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So I have used OSX in the past, I started with Mountain Lion on a hackintosh desktop, then hackintosh laptop and really enjoyed the experience but it had it's flaws as you'd imagine.

Recently Work upgraded my laptop to a Dell I7, nvidia 2gb, 2x 750gb hdd, 1x 30gb sad , it's monster of a laptop.

I read it was perfect for OSX (hackintosh) and got everything working except HD acceleration which is a must!
Thought I had an awesome laptop for hackintoshing.
So instead am now running it inside a VMware image on top of Windows 8.1 Pro.

I'm really enjoying using the operating system to appoint where I'd think I might buy an apple laptop, the price has always put me off.

I have only ever used a macbook air for 15min odd minute,s only thing that put me off was screen size but this can be fixed with external monitor and NO ethernet port, only wireless again not too much of an issue.

So I'm typing this from my Mavericks VMware image, speed is not the best though.

Is it worth getting the laptop a laptop designed for OSX?
I gather that the a laptop designed for OSX will give me a much greater experience ?
Big difference between Air and Pro?
 
Hemps said:
Is it worth getting the laptop a laptop designed for OSX?
I gather that the a laptop designed for OSX will give me a much greater experience ?
Big difference between Air and Pro?
Click to expand...

Pro is just faster with better specs, sometimes larger monitor - otherwise no real difference. If you'll be using it often I recommend the 15.6" screen. Apart from the keyboard and gesture support you get with a Macbook you won't notice much difference in Mavericks from just using a hackintosh.

The 'experience' of owning an Apple however comes into play with the overall hardware and build-quality of their devices, and access to iTunes/Appstore and their cloud services. Personally having used a macbook for the past 2 years I won't be going back.
 
I have an iPad 3 and iPhone 5 already and am so chuffed with the syncing between everything, I showed my Boss how emails are synced as example and he was very chuffed and wanted prices of laptops etc.
 
if you are a power user (i.e. developer) the Pro is a must... Otherwise the Air. You can always get an external ethernet dongle and the lack of optical drive only worries people stuck in the 90s. The Air has much better battery life + smaller form factor is a win for whipping it out anywhere you need to get some work done.
 
stricken said:
if you are a power user (i.e. developer) the Pro is a must... Otherwise the Air. You can always get an external ethernet dongle and the lack of optical drive only worries people stuck in the 90s. The Air has much better battery life + smaller form factor is a win for whipping it out anywhere you need to get some work done.
Click to expand...

Sage advice. I'd look at the "13 Air if you decide to go that route 'tho. The extra screen real estate makes a huge difference. Can't really see value in the "13 Pro over the Air, the full spec "15 'tho :love:
 
Deciding between the two depends on what you need.

For me the main selling point of the Pro is the Retina screen, the screen on the Air is okay but nowhere near Retina quality. If you're looking for a super portable laptop with excellent battery life than I would highly recommend the Air.
 
$1099 in the US for that laptop that guy is selling in my area, R11 179 over here and his selling for R9300?
 
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I wouldn't trust that seller - check his feedback

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/jsp/userp...r_UserId=276205&UserReview_ReviewedUserType=0

"WARNING: DO NOT TRUST THIS PERSON. Falsely advertised 2013 model Macbook Air (I even called to confirm), was a MID 2011 model! Now avoiding my calls"

"After having won the bid, all attempts to contact the seller failed, even after having made the payment. Had to eventually cancel."
 
I wouldn't trust that seller - check his feedback

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/jsp/userpr...ewedUserType=0

"WARNING: DO NOT TRUST THIS PERSON. Falsely advertised 2013 model Macbook Air (I even called to confirm), was a MID 2011 model! Now avoiding my calls"

"After having won the bid, all attempts to contact the seller failed, even after having made the payment. Had to eventually cancel."
Click to expand...

Saw that as well, messaged him apparently I can come have a look to confirm.
 
Hemps said:
Saw that as well, messaged him apparently I can come have a look to confirm.
Click to expand...
An easy way to check remotely is to ask him for the serial number, from that you'll be able to determine what it is and where it was made. Google to make sure this serial number is not reported stolen or hasn't been lifted from an online site.

In any case make sure money never changes hands until you have seen and tested the Mac.

Use this Apple website to confirm if support is still active: https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do
Use this website to confirm hardware that it was shipped with: http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
 
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stricken said:
if you are a power user (i.e. developer) the Pro is a must... Otherwise the Air. You can always get an external ethernet dongle and the lack of optical drive only worries people stuck in the 90s. The Air has much better battery life + smaller form factor is a win for whipping it out anywhere you need to get some work done.
Click to expand...

LOL, because in the 90s there were DVD burners in laptops. Still one can get affordable USB drive BD RW XL drives these days.

Lack of ethernet is retarded. The dongle will cost you a USB slot and an extra thing to get lost. There are thin and light computers which somehow have retained ethernet which is still a useful thing.
 
"Lack of ethernet is retarded. The dongle will cost you a USB slot and an extra thing to get lost. There are thin and light computers which somehow have retained ethernet which is still a useful thing."....Nope! Thunderbolt > Ethernet...still have your x2 USB 3 ports.
With the cost of these, you don't loose them too easily!:)
 
Anyone have the 11 inch air. Looking at it instead of a tablet . And ye I know it is a crap load more expensive than a tablet. But it will allow me way more freedom in terms of use. Will allow me full office use and more. And I love the form factor. Can't seem to find any haswell 11 inch available in South Africa. The only haswell windows one is the Sony vaio pro 13.

Any thoughts would help?
 
I have the 13"MBPR and the Ipad3. I hardly use it, and intend selling it.
I went for the 13"Retina as I'm often in sun and the screen is less reflective than my 2010 MBP....I have the same issue with the iPad screen outdoors or strong light, hence my intent on selling.
I would go with the Air 2013 Haswell, as I understand the screen is less reflective....just my needs though.
 
roughiain said:
Anyone have the 11 inch air. Looking at it instead of a tablet . And ye I know it is a crap load more expensive than a tablet. But it will allow me way more freedom in terms of use. Will allow me full office use and more. And I love the form factor. Can't seem to find any haswell 11 inch available in South Africa. The only haswell windows one is the Sony vaio pro 13.

Any thoughts would help?
Click to expand...

I don't have the air but if I had to replace my work 15"Pro it would be with one. The 11 inch is not bad and I like the small form factor.

As for not being for a power user, BS. Ive a mate who is a developer and does everything on it.

The SSD also helps.

Personally I would opt for the 13"
 
Looks like it will be an air 11 now 128 or 256. In the uk can get an 8 gb ram on. Wonder if core has them.
 
Is iStore and FNb the cheapest place to buy an Air 13 inch?
 
You could always buy used apple devices - thats how i enjoy the fruits if Apple products - with exception to my iPhones, those are always bought new.

I have a macbook 13" retina 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM late 2012 which i got for 10k....... Not a scratch on it!
 
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