The larger the screen the more reflections.

Actually, pulled up the NYTimes on both and still text advantages with the rMBP. Doubt the screen has changed on the new MBA, so its screen still quite usable, but if you were doing lots of reading... like in college..

Edited June 14, 201313 yr by blessingx

Just my opinion but I really do not see an advantage of the rMBP over the MBA except the screen for most people. I'll take the weight savings every time, even with my seriously old eyes, and I do a lot of reading on the MBA.

Edited June 14, 201313 yr by morphsci

I'm a little perplexed because I didn't know until recently that the rMBP jettisoned the hard drive.  Flash is cool and all, but i think it should at least be an option.  I agree that she could easily make do with the MBA screen (and has throughout her HS that used them for everything--reading materials, notes, email, BBs, etc), and I am hard pressed to understand any other advantage of the rMBP for a typical student.  I have to discuss further with her.

The only way she will want the rMBP over the MBA is if she uses the retina screen for any length of time.  Hard to explain, but it is just difficult to go back.  I love this machine.  But if you don't get hooked in the first place...The MBA is where the value is and it is seriously portable, which will be very, very important to a student.

 

Of course, I couldn't even tell you where the entrance to the library is on that campus, but that's another story...

I was thinking there was a MBA with retina display, that'd be ideal   Now seriously the weight isn't that different just 300grs. Battery life seems to be way larger, specially the 13" MBA.

For a bit more money you can swap the HDD in the rMBP for a SSD, so weighs are more similar and probably battery life will be longer too.

FWIW, you can still get a 15" MBP with hard drive.  No retina display, though (you can get it with hi-res antiglare screen option).  You need to actually go into the store section of Apple website to see it now, though.

I can't even imagine lugging a 15" laptop around from class to class. That seems so 20th century.

13" screen (or 11" for that matter) is too small for me, at least as a primary computer.  Now, if I had another computer with larger screen (or an external monitor), I can live with 13" laptop.

 

Oh and when I went to school, I was lugging around ~10-15 pounds worth of text books.

Edited June 15, 201313 yr by Salt Peanuts

I can't even imagine lugging a 15" laptop around from class to class. That seems so 20th century.

This!

13" screen (or 11" for that matter) is too small for me, at least as a primary computer. Now, if I had another computer with larger screen (or an external monitor), I can live with 13" laptop.

Oh and when I went to school, I was lugging around ~10-15 pounds worth of text books.

You have old eyes. I've been using an 11" MacBook for a couple years now as my primary computer, 10+ hrs a day

I guess it is personal preference as my 11" MBA display is more than adequate on the move. I can also use the iPad retina as an extra display when necessary. At home the 24" external is quite nice though. The bottom line is other than the display, the real difference between an MBP and an MBA seems minimal for most people's needs, including mine. Plus weight becomes very important when you are trying to outrun zombies.

It's not eye sight issue as iPad works just fine for me, I just prefer more screen estate for my computer.

For those with 11-inchers, does the lack of a wrist rest ever cause problems on various surfaces (especially if you tend to use them normally)?

Edited June 17, 201313 yr by blessingx

it has a wrist rest

You're right. My bad. Guess I thought it didn't because my large hands felt cramped and I doesn't fully leverage it in test uses. Rephrasing, anyone with large hands have issues long term?

Edited June 17, 201313 yr by blessingx

I guess it is personal preference as my 11" MBA display is more than adequate on the move. I can also use the iPad retina as an extra display when necessary. At home the 24" external is quite nice though. The bottom line is other than the display, the real difference between an MBP and an MBA seems minimal for most people's needs, including mine. Plus weight becomes very important when you are trying to outrun zombies.

 

This.  I thought the 11" would be too small, after carrying around a 15" MBP for many years.  I am perfectly happy using an 11" on the go and using an external monitor when home.  I wish I had an external monitor larger than 20" though.  In fact, I really wish Apple would make a 24" or 25" Thunderbolt display!

 

The only reason I would possibly get a 13" MBA would be for longer battery life. 

 

I have miniature hands so I can't help out with your question, Ric. 

Edited June 17, 201313 yr by shellylh

my hands aren't small, and I don't have a problem with my 11" mba keyboard.

My hands aren't Tice size, but no problems here either.

I have small hands and it is annoying. The only benefit is I dont have to remove my watch with the Tice sized one.

I went to the Apple Store today thinking I was ready to plunk down money for the new 13" Air.  I then realized midway through talking to one of the associates that the annual Back to School promotion would probably be starting soon.  I wonder what the promotion will entail this year.

Cook may change it up, but been $100 Apple iTunes/App Store gift card last two years. 

 

EDIT: And this year in Aus/NZ the same. 

 

 

And thanks for the wrist rest feedback everyone. 

Edited June 19, 201313 yr by blessingx

The obsolescence of Steve Jobs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zut2NLMVL_k

Wow, my MBA 11" is apparently at my office ... from Japan AT 8PM last night to my door step at 1054am. That's pretty amazing. Looks like I'll have to stop at the office on the way home from the hospital!!

Edited June 19, 201313 yr by jvlgato

Just think how much longer a heavier 13" MBA would have taken. 

The obsolescence of Steve Jobs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zut2NLMVL_k

 

Love the man, hate the shirt.