My 2007 Macbook Pro has a bad logic board. I'm going to buy a replacement sometime soon, and I would like your opinion on which to buy: new Macbook Pro or new Macbook Air

I've retired from all heavy lifting needs, so I just need a casual use computer, but I want a good, fast one that is good for aging eyes.

What's your opinion? The $200 difference in price is no big deal, I just want to buy the right computer.

Good for aging eyes means a 17" MBP but they don't make those any more. I think it depends on what you connect it to. If you use it stand alone most of the time with no peripherals, get the MBA.

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In tha 360. MRF User Map

If most of its use is sitting on a desk or table, get the MBP. Also you can get a MBP with a retina display which may be better on your eyes.

The MBA is a better lap/couch/bed/surfing computer.

As you've said you're retired from heavy lifting duties, so ergonomics (weight, size, screen size, screen quality) should be the determining factor for you, not features. (IMO)

there are lots of MBAs around, I don't think that degree is worth as much these days.

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Hurts like a bastid...

I've been very happy with my 17" MBP. I ordered it the day after Apple EOLed it and got hundreds of dollars off the original price because they were now "refurbs". You'll need a case of some sort so, a little bigger case will let you carry a 17" MBP (if there still available at the Apple Store).

I recently went through this. I settled on a MBP retina, and I FRICKIN' LOVE THAT SCREEN.

It's a 15, and I couch serf with it on my lap comfortably. It runs much, much cooler on the bottom than the inverted hot plate that was the MBP 15" 2007.

If you can get to a store and try the options, that would probably be most helpful. Otherwise, you're just guessing.

You need to get to an Apple store and see if you're okay with the 13" MBA screen. I'm fine with it, but my wife needs a 15" MBP with the resolution set down a notch.

I'm struggling with this as well - I'm currently on a 13" MBA late 2010 - and would like to upgrade - was hoping the MBA would have retina. Now I'm debating.

The retina screen seems to be the big deal to me. The guy at the Apple store seemed to think it would never be offered with a retina screen. I don't see how that could be true.

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iaJim
The retina screen seems to be the big deal to me. The guy at the Apple store seemed to think it would never be offered with a retina screen. I don't see how that could be true.

Guy at the Apple Store wants to eliminate the possibility of you walking out because you think something better is coming on the horizon. Once that possibility is eliminated you're left to choose between MBA or MBPR. Either way he wins.

I'm considering a loaded MBA with an added monitor at home to use with clamshell. I'm tired of hauling the MBP 15 and my iPad doesn't cut it for the work I do.

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“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in."

A MBA will be faster than your old MBP. I thought my 13" MBA display would be too small but i've found that its plenty for my needs.

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Doesn't the Air have a fairly low quality display. MacBook Pro retina might be a better buy solely for the display.

The Air has a 1440x900 display, which is nicer than the pre-Retina 1280x800.

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Sam3
The Air has a 1440x900 display, which is nicer than the pre-Retina 1280x800.

I thought Apple canned everything but the Retina MBP? I didn't see the old model when I went to the online store just now. Even so, the older non retina Macbook Pro model is an IPS display, and I believe the Air is only TN.

The displays on the Air are pretty average at best unfortunately. For $599, like the recent refurb deal, I might bite, for $1000+, no so much.

Get to a Best Buy or Apple Store, and see the screens for yourself.

I personally think you will come away planning to get a MBPR.

Sekker, I did just that, and I think you are right.

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iaJim
Sekker, I did just that, and I think you are right.

It isn't just the retina, the viewing angles are better, than color should be better as well. I somehow managed to miss the fact the Air never got an upgraded display. I thought for sure they were IPS by now, but during research for a client, I noticed the same old average display.

Plus, 13 MBA stuffs all of the same text that came with an original 17" PB into that tiny screen. Hard to read unless you change the defaults.

13" MBP screen is ultra glossy and looks a little dated.

MBPR screen is the same text found on the 13 MBA but in 15 form factor.

13" MBPR is similarly ok for older eyes.

The guy at the Apple store seemed to think it would never be offered with a retina screen. I don't see how that could be true.

The "Never say 'Never' " thing aside, you'd probably be waiting for an MBAr like rg was waiting for Gadot the next Mac mini.

The Retina screen needs a lot of juice compared to the same sized standard screen.

To put one in the air without sacrificing battery life (possibly the biggest plus of the Air) Apple would have to:

•Make a thicker, heavier Air (not frikken likely)
•Make an Air with shorter battery life (a marketing quandary for Apple given they tout extended run time)
•Develop new battery tech that allows for the same size and weight Air while giving the same battery life.

The first two mean some considerable back-pedaling, and the third means R&D which doesn't appear to be on the horizon.

So "never" may be as little as two, three, or more years unless Apple relents and opts for one of the first two (or a compromise of them).

The MBPr seems to be ok to you, great! I was going to suggest an MBA with an external 1920x1280 display, for natively larger text. But it looks like you want a portable solution.

I looked at the new MBAs and though their resolution is improved, I'll probably pass on another one until if and when it goes Retina. I love the Retina screens.

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I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

They still sell a non-Retina MBP 13". I saw them last night in an Apple store. They are $200 less (I think?)

Also, despite the Retina screen, the placard advertised something like 9 vs only 7 hours of battery life for the non-Retina.

Quote
deckeda
They still sell a non-Retina MBP 13". I saw them last night in an Apple store. They are $200 less (I think?)

Also, despite the Retina screen, the placard advertised something like 9 vs only 7 hours of battery life for the non-Retina.

Can't find it on the regular online store. Anyone have a link?

[store.apple.com]

[store.apple.com]

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I am that Masked Man.

All you can do, is all you can do.

There’s trouble — it's time to play the sound of my people.

Your boos mean nothing to me, I've seen what you cheer for.

Insisting on your rights without acknowledging your responsibilities isn’t freedom, it’s adolescence.

I've been to the edge of the map, and there be monsters.

We are a government of laws, not men.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

When a good man is hurt,
all who would be called good
must suffer with him.

You and I have memories longer than the road that stretches out ahead.

There is no safety for honest men except
by believing all possible evil of evil men.

We don’t do focus groups. They just ensure that you don’t offend anyone, and produce bland inoffensive products. —Sir Jonathan Ive

An armed society is a polite society.
And hope is a lousy defense.

You make me pull, I'll put you down.

I *love* SIGs. It's Glocks I hate.

Ah, when I searched for MacBook Pro, I kept getting links for 13" and 15" retina.

If you click on the Compare Mac notebooks (bottom left) on the MBP page, you get this:

[www.apple.com]

with all the specs, including the non-Retina 13" MBP. It's the only Mac left with an optical drive ('Superdrive').

laJim did not specify if he needed portability. If not, a Mini plus monitor or an iMac might be better for "aging eyes."

I'm toying with replacing my 2010 13" MBP (pre-retina) with an Air for less weight when traveling; the only thing that's stopping me (besides $$) is the CD/DVD drive, which I like to use on the train.

/Mr Lynn

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