Currently i'm using a 13" 2.2 GHz Core 2 Duo (C2D) MacBook Pro (MBP), and its just not cutting the mustard. …Well it does a pretty good job for most things, but when I load up VMware or just have a billion things open, it just …well struggles…
I had made up my mind, I was going to Upgrade to a 15" MBP. Apple just released the new sandy-bridge version, it absolutely decimated the last i5/i7 roll out from the previous year, and lets face it, my C2D just aint cutting it for a IT Pro 
I even tweeted it here (tweet, tweet )
My next macbook pro = Meri Vritti » 2011 15? MacBook Pro i7 2.2GHz SSD = Speed Demon: http://bit.ly/jMNjDO
The plan was to
- upgrade to a 15" MBP and
- max it out with a quad core i7 cpu,
- 8GB ram (/drools… | if you think that is impressive, well u should see the 48GB CISCO server i got a few weeks back /…creams pants),
- SSD HDD -
- in other words a beast. a real desktop replacement /killer.
However there was a problem, ….its 15". its not really portable… i mean it is, but….. i'm used to the 13", i think its a good size (no, good size is not code for too small)
ok… so why not max out a 13" MBP then, …problem solved…!!!!…yeh???…errr well not exactly
but wait, the thing that urks me with the 13" is that the screen resolution is too small. its really been giving me the shits. althouhg i do spend most of my time at my desk with an external monitor plugged in, still, when i need to go portable, the 13" res sucks balls. (/me screams at Apple…… why not HI-RES option?? why!!!!??)
grrr
but then on the AIR – the 13" has the same resolution as the 15" MBP…WTF!!!?? and you cant do this on the 13" PRO!!! seriously, why!?
Then, there is also the cost factor to upgrade the MBP from a normal HDD to an SSD. the cost is astrominical. Even then, you can go a third party option (which i was considering) but then there are all sorts of issues with TRIM compatibility, and it still adds up.
ex:
- upgrade MPB to 240GB SSD from OCW you are looking at $500
- upgrade 256GB with Apple you are lookin at $620
- …thats some serious coin$ for not much storage
- the 128GB is an option if coupled with a Data Doubler Optical Bay Hard Drive kit (loosing the DVD drive)
And then you look at the AIR,
The 13" "ultimate" AIR comes with a
- 1440×900 resolution!!!! =
- 4 GB RAM (8GB upgrade would have been awesome but no bingo there /…sadface ) = same as now =
- 256 SSD HDD!!! =
- i7 CPU (ok its dual core, quad would be sweet, but fuk, its gonna cream my C2D!) =
- no DVD drive – buy USB DVD drive =
- no ethernet port - Use wifi and buy USB adaptor for when needed =
- it even has an sd card slot = dont care never use =
- its friggen small!!! and super light =
ok i know both the AIR and 13" MBP have crap video cards, but stilll, i'm not a gamer, i mean i played Tf2 a little on my 13" MBP on low settings when i need to get my gamer on. if i wanna game then i can use my dusty xbox 360.
OK so whats the Damage? ($)
13" MBA
- 1.8GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7
- 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM
- 256GB flash storage
- Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive
- Keyboard & User's Guide
- USB Ethernet Adapter
- AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook / MacBook Air / 13-inch MacBook Pro – Auto-enroll
Apple RRP = A$ 2,345.99 incl. GST
13" MBP
- 2.3GHz Dual-core Intel Core i5
- 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM — 2x2GB
- 256GB Solid State Drive
- SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
- Backlit Keyboard & User's Guide
- AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook / MacBook Air / 13-inch MacBook Pro – Auto-enroll
RRP @ $2,548.00
+ $229 for i7 processor (2,776.99)
+ $100 for 8GB RAM (DIY upgrade)
15" MBP
- 2.0GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
- 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM – 2x2GB
- 256GB Solid State Drive
- SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
- MacBook Pro 15-inch Hi-Res Antiglare Widescreen Display
- Backlit Keyboard & User's Guide
- AppleCare Protection Plan for MacBook Pro – Auto-enroll
A$ 3,498.00 incl. GST= Ouch!
+$100 8GB DIY ram
