Which Apple notebook should I buy?
From Mac Guides
Recently, Apple has increased the number of models that it sells. While this offers more options, it can make it harder to decide which Apple product is right for you, especially for newcomers to the Apple platform.
Contents |
Release Cycle
Before considering a certain model, checking MacRumor's buyer's guide is highly recommended. The buyer's guide estimates when a model will be updated by using past release cycle data, therefore letting you know when is the best time to buy.
Overview
| MacBook | The notebook of choice for many students. Apple's cheapest notebook compromises on the graphics performance by using integrated graphics, but uses an excellent processor which packs plenty of power, making it great value for money for those who don't mind about lower graphical capabilities. |
| MacBook Air | Apple's latest addition to its MacBook family is a light, all aluminium laptop designed for those who frequently travel. The world's thinnest laptop has a comparatively slow processor speeds when compared to the MacBook, but still offers more than enough power for the tasks it is designed for. It lacks an optical drive, has very few ports, has internals that cannot be upgraded and lacks a swappable battery. In addition to this, while great value for an ultraportable, it is still expensive compared to the rest of the MacBook family. |
| MacBook Pro | Apple's portable powerhouse features a fast processor and graphics card as well as a high-resolution screen, making this a great choice for demanding users. |
Comparison - Price
| MacBook | MacBook Air | MacBook Pro | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-end | High-end White/ Black | Low-end | High-end* | Low-end 15" | High-end 15" | 17" | |
| USD | $1,099 | $1,299/$1,499 | $1,799 | $2,099 | $1,999 | $2,499 | $2,799 |
| GBP | £699 | £829/£949 | £1,199 | £1,389 | £1,299 | £1,599 | £1,799 |
| AUD | $1,499 | $1,799/$2,099 | $2,499 | $2,929 | $2,699 | $3,399 | $3,799 |
| CND | $1,249 | $1,449/$1,649 | $1,899 | $2,224 | $2,199 | $2,799 | $3,099 |
*Pricing refers to HDD model.
For many, the most important factor is price. Remember to leave some extra money spare for BTO options such as extra RAM and bigger HDDs, and accessories such as cases, an Apple remote and external HDDs.
Comparison - Power
| MacBook | MacBook Air | MacBook Pro | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-end | High-end White/ Black | Low-end | High-end* | Low-end 15" | High-end 15" | 17" | |
| Processor | 2.1 GHz Core 2 Duo | 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo | 1.6 GHz Core 2 Duo | 1.8 GHz Core 2 Duo | 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo | 2.5 GHz/ 2.6 GHz Core 2 Duo | |
| 3 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB | 4 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB | 3 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB | 6 MB L2 cache, 800 MHz FSB | ||||
| Standard RAM | 1 GB | 2 GB | |||||
| Max RAM | 4 GB | 2 GB | 4 GB | ||||
| Graphics | Intel GMA X3100 | NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT - 256 MB GDDR3 | NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT - 512 MB GDDR3 | ||||
A faster processor will show improvements in almost all applications. However, even the 1.6 GHz MacBook Air has enough power to run light applications such as web browsers, word processors and presentation software almost as quickly as a MacBook Pro. Differences will only be discernible when running multiple applications or more demanding applications. The MacBook Air uses a Santa Rosa based Core 2 Duo while the MacBook and MacBook Pro use Intel's newest Penryn based Core 2 Duos, which offer a marginal performance boost over a similarly clocked Santa Rosa processor.
More RAM also improves speed when multitasking or running heavy apps. Not enough RAM can cause your system to slow down and "hang". It is recommended that you get as much RAM as you can afford. Only the low-end MacBook comes with 1 GB of RAM while all other models come with 2 GBs of standard RAM. 2 GBs is enough for almost all users, but those with more demanding needs are recommended to get as much as they can afford.
Finally, both the MacBook and MacBook Air use integrated graphics unlike the MacBook Pro which uses dedicated graphics. For those who only occasionally play games and don't mind playing on lower settings, the MacBook and MacBook Air should suffice, but for those who play many games or use graphics intensive applications, a MacBook Pro is recommended.
Comparison - Features
| MacBook | MacBook Air | MacBook Pro | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-end | High-end White/ Black | Low-end* | High-end* | Low-end 15" | High-end 15" | 17" | |
| Display | 13.3" widescreen at 1280x800 | 15.4" widescreen at 1440x900 | 17" widescreen at 1680x1050 or 1920x1200 (HD) | ||||
| Storage | 120 GB | 160 GB/ 250 GB | 80 GB HDD or 64 GB SSD | 200/250 GB | 250 GB | ||
| Optical Drive | ComboDrive | 8x DL SuperDrive | No optical drive | 8x DL SuperDrive | |||
| Keyboard | Full-size keyboard | Full-size backlit keyboard | |||||
| Trackpad | Standard trackpad | Multi-touch trackpad | |||||
Higher resolution means more effective workspace. The 1920x1200 (HD) option on the 17" MBP has more densely packed pixels, which means everything including text and the interface appear smaller which may cause increased eye strain in some people, but for others, the benefits of the extra resolution far outweighs the smaller interface. Resolution Independence may fix the problem of higher pixel densities, but has yet to be officially released by Apple. It is also important to decide on whether a matte or glossy screen will suit you. Glossy screens boast superior contrast, while the traditional matte anti-glare screens offer better viewing where strong light is directly hitting the screen. Which one is better is a matter of opinion, so viewing in person is recommended.
The computer industry is beginning a slow transition to flash storage (similar to the storage technology in today's iPod shuffle, nano and touch). The MacBook Air has a $999 upgrade option to a SSD (solid-state drive). These offer performance improvements in some areas, reduced battery usage and as they feature no moving parts, are much more durable the Hard Disk Drives. The Hard Disk Drives offered in the MacBook and MacBook Pro operate at 5,400rpm while the MacBook Air's default storage is a 4,200 rpm "iPod-grade" Hard Disk Drive, which is slightly slower. A typical text file is under 100 KB, a 4 minute iTunes song (128 kbps) is around 4 MB while a 4 minute iTunes Plus song (256 kbps) is 8 MB and a 3D game can require several GBs of storage.
Any model of Apple portable can be customized through the Apple Store to include a larger capacity or faster hard drive (up to 250 GB at 5,400rpm for both the MacBook Pro and the MacBook, 200 GB at 7,200rpm for the MacBook Pro and 300 GB at 4,200 rpm for the 17" MacBook Pro) at an extra cost. In addition to Apple Store configurations, the MacBook's Hard Drive is a simple job for a user to replace.
ComboDrives cannot burn DVDs whereas SuperDrives can. In their attempt to reduce weight and size, the MacBook Air lacks an optical drive. An external SuperDrive designed for the MacBook Air is an optional extra for those who require it.
Backlit keyboards allow you to clearly see all the keys during dark conditions. It is automatically controlled by an ambient light sensor. A multi-touch trackpad allows users to use gestures as shortcuts.
Comparison - Portability
| MacBook | MacBook Air | MacBook Pro | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low-end | High-end White/ Black | Low-end | High-end* | Low-end 15" | High-end 15" | 17" | |
| Battery Life | 4.5 hours | 5 hours | 5 hours | 4.5 hours (5 hours with HD display) | |||
| Weight | 5 lbs/ 2.27 kg | 3 lbs/ 1.36 kg | 5.4 lbs/ 2.45 kg | 6.8 lbs/ 3.08 kg | |||
| Length | 12.8"/ 32.5cm | 14.1"/ 35.7cm | 15.4"/ 39.2cm | ||||
| Width | 8.92"/ 22.7cm | 9.6"/ 24.3cm | 10.4"/ 26.5cm | ||||
| Height | 1.08"/ 2.75cm | 0.16 - 0.76"/ 0.4 to 1.94cm | 1"/ 2.59cm | ||||
For those who travel often, portability will be a factor. A MacBook Air is the best choice for a frequent traveller but the MacBook and even the MacBook Pro are still very portable machines. It should be noted that the MacBook Air lacks a swappable battery, which means that unlike the MacBook and MacBook Pro, you can't carry a secondary battery to potentially double its battery life.
It should be noted that Apple appears to have lowered their latest battery life claims to be more in-line with real-world battery life. Therefore, while it seems like the previous generation had a better battery, this is not case.
How to Make An Informed Decision
Obviously technical details cannot be enough to help buyers arrive at the right decision for them. As such, it is advisable that you consider your needs carefully. It is perhaps best to start with a list of features you believe you must have in order to do what you need/want to do with your Mac. If, for example, DVD burning is an activity you engage in often or you want a particular screen size, you can eliminate certain models.
