MB or MBA for Chem Grad Student

Hey, I'm going into graduate studies in organic chemistry this coming fall and am going to make the jump from PC to Mac.

My question is whether I should get a MB (upper tier white or blackbook) or the MBA?

I'm going just to do basic computing stuff like web, word processing, powerpoint, itunes, videos, basic photo editing, major PDF reading etc but will also want to have the capabilities to run software like ChemSketch (would probably be thru BootCamp).

I'm somewhat leaning towards the MBA, since I guess I'm sort of a lemming when it comes to new technology and trends...but i just wanted to know if it would be "powerful" enough for my purposes.

Weight-wise, the campus that I'm going to is going to be somewhat large and I will be walking a bunch, but I'm not so sure that 2 lbs makes a big difference.

Money...well isn't really that much of an issue since I get a nice discount from my university anyways...

Any advice would be great, thanks!

 

It's a tough call, really... I always like to say that if money is not an issue at all, get the MBP. It weights just slightly more than the MB... yet it's much more powerful and it has an LED backlit screen. However, if the footprint is an issue for you... I'd say just stick with the MB and pass on the MBA. With the money you save, you can purchase some upgrades for your MB and make it a much better machine...

 

Personally, I'd get a MB, but this isn't for me. If you like the MBA, it suits your needs, and not only is the money not an issue, but you're a "lemming" (LOL), I say go for what will serve you best, and yank your technological chain. Enjoy.

 

Pass on the MBA. Design is nice, but kind of odd (1 usb port). The MB seems like the better buy. The extra pound will not kill you. I lugged a 7lb laptop around a HUGE college campus for 2 years...not a problem. If money is not an issue, then I second AuroraS in his recommendation of the MBP - the screen has a higher resolution and it's, overall, a more capable machine.

 

Honestly, I think you're going to be disappointed by the MBA's performance if you want to be doing photo editing, iTunes, PowerPoint, etc. Especially if you want to do any of those together...the slower drive speed (assuming you get the HDD, but I've even heard the SSD doesn't help much) and slower processor both hurt. All you'd gain in portability is about 2-2.5 lbs and slightly thinner - the footprint is the same. Sure, it's gorgeous, but I think you'll be happier in the long run with the MacBook rather than the Air.

Also, wait until the fall if you can - both could be seeing upgrades by then (esp. the MB).

 

As said above, if you want performance, get the MBP, it is very quick and not that much heavier than the MB.

 

the white macbook. dont get the macbook air if this is your primary computer... 2 USB ports is bad enough... let alone 1! plus it doesn't have optical drive! you need to get that if you want this to be your primary computer. and that takes the only usb port you have.
plus! some usb devices; such as full size usb thumb drives may not fit in the MBA.

edit: yup if money is not an issue definitely go for the MBP. it is the best option for desktop replacement. its not really heavier than a macbook. infact; you may think its lighter because of the size. the macbook... you expect the thing to be light and when you pick it up its quite hefty.. in the macbook pro you think its moderately light, but it turn out to be pleasantly lighter

 

Only had MBA for one day but as a current user with all 3 of the mac lines of notebooks.... go MBA!

I'm thinking back to when I was in college 4 years ago lugging around a huge dell notebook and now in comparison if I had this MBA with it's good battery life, light weight, portability I think they extra ports aren't really worth it. For what you need the "extra power" mentioned well that'll just tempt you to play games and push off studies so don't buy into it!!

 

definitely MB.

MBA is mostly an exercise in style over substance.

 

While I disagree that the MBA is an exercise in style over substance, it definitely is not for everyone. I hope to have mine tomorrow (though it's not for me).

Let's see. Are you the power user? Are you downloading tons of music etc? Are you a heavy Photoshop user? Do you use a DVD drive very often? Do you use LightRoom or other photo-editing software? Do you play games? Do you have another system you use at home?

See, would you tell my dad who travels, just e-mails, writes Word documents, casually surfs the Internet, NEVER uses a DVD drive, never plugs anything in via USB except occasionally his digital camera, that a MacBook Air is the wrong choice, and that he should get a MacBook over it? I don't think so!

So depending on what you need, you pick one of the two, but it's clear they're not in the same class of system.

 

I think the MBA isn't overpriced...the cost of design is high. But is it right for most people? No.

For the majority of people, unless you aren't on a tight budget or you really want the MBA, I'd suggest a MacBook instead.

 

I checked an MBA out in a store again yesterday, I have to admit they are very tempting... but from what I can gather I wouldn't expect to be able to do anything other than browsing, email and word processing. The first two of which I can do on my iPhone.

If I had to carry a computer around all day everyday, and I only needed to do light tasks, and I could afford it, I reckon I would get one (my only reservation would be some reports I have read about poor battery life)...

 

I don't think it's fair to say that you can browse from the iPhone in the same way you can on a MBA. Let's not forget the iPhone browser isn't anywhere near as fast or flexible as a full-fledged browser. The fact remains that the MBA IS a proper computer, with a few caveats. But it's still a full computer, in essence. And you can certainly (based on what I read on the Interweb) do a lot more than browse, e-mail and word process!

 

Yes this is definitely true and one of the reasons I am still very tempted by these darn things

Browsing on my iPhone is useful but nothing like the functionality of a browser. On the other hand it fits in my jeans

 

I agree. I love my iPhone for browsing on the go.

And.... the MacBook Air ALMOST fits in your jeans.

(BTW, I should have my MBA today, so I'll let you know how it holds up to my MacBook Pro)

 

For my only computer, I would take a MB or MBP over the MBA. But for a "road machine" there isn't anything better than the MBA. Well there are some lighter Sony machines in the same price range as the MBA but they run a lesser OS (Win somethingorother). Then there are some Asus (EEE) machines that cost a lot less but they also run a lesser OS (Some flavor of Linux, more mac-like but not as nice as OS X). If having an MBA means you will have it with you when you might have left the MB or MBP behind then it might be worth it.

 

I'd say the MB. More power and better battery life than the MBA. The MB is a much better road machine. It may be a bit heavier and what not, but again... more utility and replaceable battery.

I'm not sure what you will need a laptop for precisely. If you get into some crazy chemistry modeling, I'd go MBP all the way. Some of the programs I've seen and heard of require fairly good 3d processing.

rOk, comparing a UMPC and a MBA is kinda difficult. If I wanted an ultra portable, tiny computer that is used for only jotting down note, surfing the web or whatever, the EEE or another UMPC would be a better choice. 1/4 of the price and proper power for that kind of work. But really it's comparing apples to horses.

 

Thing is, I think the MBA would be MORE than enough for the OPs purposes. Just a few years ago, people were using the Powerbook G4 for 'photo-editing' movie editing etc and it was considered the PRO machine.

The MBA with its Core2Duo processors would CRUSH the G4 into smitherine without doubt.

Now its funny that now people are saying that the MBA "is not powerful enough" when its perfectly powerful for the OPs needs.

Also the extra KG is BIG. I assume chemistry textbooks arnt thin since i saw many of my friends and they are very large in which case every KG would help and the MBA can replace even the paper notebook.

I am a graduate student doing Economics and the MBA is perfect. I carry it around the library and check books, type in data right there and then on the shelves etc.

 

yeah I edited 3 videos tonight on the MBA with ease and it went very smooth. I'm with Kaiser I perhaps can't use the latest \ greatest editing programs but I can still use quite a few good ones and get great results