Considering a MacBook Air for travel

Question

Level 1

9 points

Considering a MacBook Air for travel

I have a 15-inch MacBook Pro that I use as my daily computer. But after years of lugging its predecessor and now it (purchased early 2011) around when traveling, I am about to throw in the towel. I'm considering a 13-inch MacBook Air to use just for travel, moving files I need into a Dropbox for use on the Air. Thoughts? I also need more battery life when I'm on sight, and for some reason my current MacBook Pro, no matter what I do or what I'm running, gets no more than 3 hours. Is it a waste of money? Should I just lift more weights to strengthen my shoulder?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Sep 3, 2011 1:48 PM

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Answer 1

cpickrell

Level 2

300 points

Sep 3, 2011 2:23 PM in response to medwriterdg

The 2011 Air is a great option for a travel and primary compuer as is the 11". The weight difference is significant (I have an old 15" too). You will get more than 3 hours depending on what you do. The Airs sip power, but when you use applications like Photoshop or Flash you will drain the battery much faster.

Alternatively a hyperjuice external battery pack is about $350 which claims to give you 35 hours of runtime for a 15" MacBook Pro.

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Answer 2

wheezemd

Level 1

12 points

Sep 3, 2011 2:28 PM in response to medwriterdg

I was in the same situation. Travelling over 100,000 airmiles each year. Made the switch 2 weeks ago to 13 inch MacBook Air i5 256 GB as my travel computer and my main computer and will never go back to the MacBook Pro. Recently had a 3.5 hour trip to the West Coast--worked the whole time on my Air and had battery to spare when I landed. Just do it.

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Answer 3

Sep 3, 2011 2:42 PM in response to medwriterdg

The Air is a fantastic machine for travel, highly recommended. Use one in person so you can see the screen resolution yourself if you haven't already, some people find the text small.

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Answer 4

medwriterdg Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 3, 2011 2:57 PM in response to medwriterdg

Ok, you guys have convinced me. I mainly use Word and Powerpoint, email etc. I have an iPad, but it's not great for actual work, when I often need to be online and go back and forth between writing and researching. Putting in the order now. Getting the 13 inch for my failing eyes. Will the 128 GB of memory be ok?

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Answer 5

medwriterdg Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 3, 2011 3:03 PM in response to cpickrell

How much does a hyperjuice pack weigh?

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Answer 6

cpickrell

Level 2

300 points

Sep 3, 2011 3:24 PM in response to medwriterdg

2.4 lbs for the model recommended for the 15".

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Answer 7

avedon

Level 1

66 points

Sep 4, 2011 1:31 AM in response to medwriterdg

I just bought the new 13 mba.WOW!I had a 2007 15 mbp.What a change.I was worried that i couldn't get used to the smaller screen.But from day one,it's like i've always used a 13 inch.Go ahead and get the 13 mba.You won't regret it.

Battery life is phenomenal.

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Answer 8

carl wolf

Level 6

14,631 points

Sep 4, 2011 2:03 AM in response to medwriterdg

"Will the 128 GB of memory be ok?"

How much memory do you use in your current computer?

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Answer 9

medwriterdg Author

Level 1

9 points

Sep 4, 2011 7:36 AM in response to carl wolf

Much more than that, but I don't need photos or music or even all my documents on this computer. Just some software and fairly basic word and PPT and excel files.

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Answer 10

braulioe

Level 1

5 points

Sep 5, 2011 9:41 AM in response to medwriterdg

I purchased a 13" MBA 128 last week specifically for travel. I also have a 15" MBPro and it is heavy to lug around when traveling.

I used the MBA this weekend and LOVE it!!. It's light, easy to back around and super fast. I did not migrate my photos and music so the 128 SSD has lot of room for the work apps and date.

I am back from a Labor weekend trip and find myself reaching for the MBA at home rather than the Pro. The MBA is a great laptop.

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