Doug Lerner2
Level 4 (1,079 points)
Desktops

Q: The value of the HDMI port?

I am debating whether to get a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

 

There are the usual considerations: cost, weight, retina display or not, etc.

 

One that has me wondering if it is worth considering is the presence of the HDMI port on MacBook Pro, which is not present on the MacBook Air.

 

That's the port I would use to hook up to, say, a projector for giving a demo. Or to a larger screen, right?

 

I notice there is an adaptor for this for the MacBook air for just $28. So naturally I'm wondering if this is even an issue I should worry about in making my decision.

 

Any other "really important stuff" I'm not considering while weighing my decision?

 

My main computer will probably remain my iMac (late 2009). But if the specs are good enough, I might consider just using the laptop with, perhaps a larger screen at home. Or I may just use the laptop when on travel, or out doing demos or teaching.

 

Thanks!

 

doug

iMac, Mac OS 9.0.x, iMac (21.5-inch Late 2009, 12 GB)

Posted on Dec 21, 2013 1:35 AM

by PlotinusVeritas,Solvedanswer
PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas
Level 6 (14,811 points)
A:

Hows Japan!        I had BOTH for a few weeks, still have the Air.

 

 

but id frankly call the NEWEST Pro a "macbook Air with Retina display" , or

 

Maybe a “macbook Air PRO with Retina display” 

 

Yes, you can get a HDMI dongle for $30 for the Air..However if you have an Apple TV, theres no real need for it. Just wifi Airplay movies and vids to your AppleTV hooked to your TV.

 

Either the Air or the new Pro are so much more light weight than youre used to, youre gonna love it either way.

 

DETAILED bench tests between the new AIR and the new PRO here:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/11/how-to-choose-13-inch-macbook-air-vs-13-i nch-retina-macbook-pro/2/

 

 

Have some other folks weigh in,,....but Ive got some good comparison info below:

 

 

 

 

 

The newest macbook Pro is essentially a larger macbook Air with Retina display and options for speed in increasing prices up to an independent graphics and quad core processor.

 

both Air and new Pro now have PCIe SSD and permanent RAM.

 

The Air is the lightweight portable form factor, fast to boot and shut down, but with longer battery life than any of the macbook pro in 13"

 

Now the new macbook Pro and macbook Air are extremely close in form factor and nature.

 

both have 802ac wifi

both have permanent RAM, no superdrive

both are slim profiles and SSD

 

The only real differences now are (in the most expensive Pros) faster processors and quadcore processors and top end model autonomous graphics, also HDMI output on the new macbook Pros!. ....and of course the retina display

 

 

both are now "very good for travel"

 

Other than features the form factor of the Air and Pro are VERY close now,....so now its merely a matter of features and price more than anything.

 

 

You need an external HD regardless of what you get for backups etc.   Drop into an Apple store and handle both and make your choice based on features, such as Retina or non-retina, .... both at a distance now look like the same computer.

 

The Pro weighs more, ....but nowhere near what it used to just a month ago on the older macbook Pros

 

The NEW macbook Pro is a different creature entirely than the older macbook Pro, .....the new Pro is thicker than the Air,

 

Instead of Air vs. Pro now,.....its really a smooth transition from Air to pro without comparing say, 2 different creatures, now its like contrasting a horse from a race horse (rough analogy)

 

Either one in 8gig of RAM (preferably)... the 4gig upgrade costs very little,  the I7 you will notice only 15% faster on heavy applications over the I5, and NOTHING on most APPS.....I5 has longer battery life.

 

 

As you see below, the non-Retina 13" AIR is 82% of the Macbook with Retina display in resolution

 

there is no magical number of pixels per inch that automatically equates to Retina quality.

http://www.cultofmac.com/168509/why-you-might-be-disappointed-by-the-resolution- of-those-new-retina-display-macs-feature/

screenshot_530.jpg

 

 

A huge internal SSD isnt a game changer for anything, you need an external HD anyway

 

what you WONT READ on Apple.com etc. is that the larger SSD  are much faster due to SSD density

 

"The 512GB Samsung SSD found in our 13-inch model offers roughly a 400MB/s increase in write speeds over the 128GB SanDisk/Marvell SSD"

http://blog.macsales.com/19008-performance-testing-not-all-2013-macbook-air-ssds -are-the-same

 

 

Here is an excellent video comparison between the 11” I5 vs. I7 2013 Macbook Air.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDqJ-on03z4

 

 

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7113/2013-macbook-air-core-i5-4250u-vs-core-i7-465 0u/2

 

I5 vs. I7 performance 13” Macbook Air 2013

 

Boot performance

  1. 11.7 I5 ……11.4 I7

  Cinebench 

  1. 1.1 I5….1.41 I7

IMovie Import and Opt.

  1. 6.69 I5….5.35 I7

  IMovie Export 

  1. 10.33 I5…8.20 I7

Final Cut Pro X

  1. 21.47 I5…17.71 I7

  Adobe Lightroom 3 Export 

  1. 25.8 I5….31.8 I7

Adobe Photoshop CS5 Performance

  1. 27.3 I5…22.6 I7

screenshot_184.jpg

 

 

Reviews of the newest Retina 2013 Macbook Pro

 

13”

Digital Trends (13") - http://www.digitaltrends.com/laptop-...h-2013-review/

LaptopMag (13") - http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/lap...play-2013.aspx

Engadget (13") - http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/29/m...-13-inch-2013/

The Verge (13") - http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/30/5...ay-review-2013

CNet (13") - http://www.cnet.com/laptops/apple-ma...-35831098.html

 

 

15”

The Verge (15") - http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/24/5...w-15-inch-2013

LaptopMag (15") - http://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/lap...inch-2013.aspx

TechCrunch (15") - http://techcrunch.com/2013/10/25/lat...ok-pro-review/

CNet (15") - http://www.cnet.com/apple-macbook-pro-with-retina-2013/

PC Mag (15") - http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2426359,00.asp

Arstechnica (15") - http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/10...-pro-reviewed/

Slashgear (15") - http://www.slashgear.com/macbook-pro...2013-26303163/

 

 

 

 

Macbook Pro ports:

screenshot_574.jpg

 

 

Macbook Air (13") ports:

screenshot_575.jpg

Posted on Dec 21, 2013 1:55 AM

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Doug Lerner2

Q: The value of the HDMI port?

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  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas Dec 24, 2013 8:34 PM in response to Doug Lerner2
    Level 6 (14,811 points)
    Dec 24, 2013 8:34 PM in response to Doug Lerner2

    2gig compressed and 1.3 wired.

     

    10 gig used.  Mmhm.

     

     

    what APP or two is sitting on the RAM?

     

    I know its not Safari tabs.

     

     

    Using Chrome ?  That wouldnt account for the RAM rather the power use.

  • by Doug Lerner2,

    Doug Lerner2 Doug Lerner2 Dec 24, 2013 8:42 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas
    Level 4 (1,079 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 24, 2013 8:42 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

    Right now what is opened is:

     

    BBEdit

    Messages

    FileMaker Pro 10 Advanced (just 1 small database)

    YummyFTP

    Omnifocus

    Evernote

    Firefox (7 tabs)

    Chrome (6 tabs)

    Skype

    Calendar

    Preview (2 small PDFs open)

    iTunes

    Word (blank document)

    Excel (6 spreadsheets open, nothing tremendous in size)

    Terminal (just 1 tab)

    PasswordWallet

    LittleSnapper

    MailPlane (6 tabs)

    ActivityMonitor

     

    That's it.

     

    doug

  • by Doug Lerner2,

    Doug Lerner2 Doug Lerner2 Dec 24, 2013 8:45 PM in response to Doug Lerner2
    Level 4 (1,079 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 24, 2013 8:45 PM in response to Doug Lerner2

    It also occurs to me that if I need repairs (and I always have with every notebook computer I've ever bought from Apple) that having the standard RAM configuration, rather than a special order, might make repair turnaround time quicker.

     

    doug

  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas Dec 24, 2013 8:53 PM in response to Doug Lerner2
    Level 6 (14,811 points)
    Dec 24, 2013 8:53 PM in response to Doug Lerner2

    littlesnapper,  whats that using, 100KB of RAM  *winks.    I love that APP

     

    FTP client is nothing,

     

    Skype I suspect.

     

    6 tabs of Chrome as well.

     

     

    Same as yourself I have 6 tabs of Firefox myself open with Flash running in the background and am using 1.8 gigs of RAM.

     

     

    I dont know BBEdit,   and File Maker Pro cant be using a lot.

     

     

    If all of that is your average spectrum of Apps I cant see you having any probs with 8gig of RAM,

     

     

    As said the only one I dont know is BBEdit

    here: http://www.barebones.com/products/bbedit/

    doesnt look like much.

     

     

     

    Didnt you say this would be your first SSD Macbook?  (what an improvement, especially in boot)

     

     

     

    That seems logical on logic board replacement however sensibly probably not since replacement logic in both 8 gig and 16gig are likely stocked well in case of spills and failure for parts replacement.

     

    Former generation logic boards on MBP Retina had no longer delays on higher RAM than standard from any indication heard as replacement parts order.

  • by Doug Lerner2,

    Doug Lerner2 Doug Lerner2 Dec 24, 2013 9:02 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas
    Level 4 (1,079 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 24, 2013 9:02 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

    Yes, this would be my first SSD MacBook. I normally don't boot though. I never put my iMac to sleep. And for my notebooks I usually just let them go to sleep when I close the cover. So boot time really isn't an issue.

     

    Basically I'm sitting here wavering between taking a chance that the 16 GB version would arrive in 2 weeks rather than 3 and if it doesn't arrive by the 5th saying, "Gee, I wonder why it isn't here yet" or just ordering the 8 GB and getting it by Friday and being done with it.

     

    I don't know why the extra 8 GB is nagging at me at this point. Especially since $200 for an extra 8 GB is an outrageous price.

     

    doug

  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas Dec 24, 2013 9:16 PM in response to Doug Lerner2
    Level 6 (14,811 points)
    Dec 24, 2013 9:16 PM in response to Doug Lerner2

    well, not good on the battery always in sleep and on charge. The lithiums dont like it.

     

    Regardless of boot, APP launching is much faster, and no worry of SMS sensors and flying spindles, HD armatures, and platters.

     

    Youre just wondering if you can get the 16gig before Jan 5th, which you said you cant.

     

     

    If your APPS above are indication, then its mostly a moot point except for possible resale cost and possible change in your usage habits with your Pro.    Just last min. indecisiveness common to most people.

  • by Doug Lerner2,

    Doug Lerner2 Doug Lerner2 Dec 24, 2013 9:20 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas
    Level 4 (1,079 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 24, 2013 9:20 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

    You don't think the fact the activity monitor says I'm currently using 10 GB is indicative that I generally would use more than 8 GB?

     

    doug@running to the store on a last-minute gift errand and will decide before I get back and place the order!

  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas Dec 24, 2013 9:23 PM in response to Doug Lerner2
    Level 6 (14,811 points)
    Dec 24, 2013 9:23 PM in response to Doug Lerner2

    always good to run an errand and decide after a little trip.  Considering its only time and youre only paying for the RAM, Id get the 16gigs of RAM.   But thats just me.

     

    You APP use doesnt indicate the necessity for 16gig or RAM, however your use may change in a year or two.

     

    neither one of us knows the answer to that question.

  • by Doug Lerner2,

    Doug Lerner2 Doug Lerner2 Dec 24, 2013 10:13 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas
    Level 4 (1,079 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 24, 2013 10:13 PM in response to PlotinusVeritas

    I was hoping to rely on your judgment so I wouldn't have to think for myself. :)

     

    Anyway, on the way to Akihabara to buy a gift for somebody who never really seems to like the gifts I choose, though they are always polite about it. :)

     

    Doug

  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas Dec 24, 2013 11:11 PM in response to Doug Lerner2
    Level 6 (14,811 points)
    Dec 24, 2013 11:11 PM in response to Doug Lerner2

    LoL.  Well the only important thing is a well informed decision,....on your part.

     

     

    your decision has several variables that make both a good choice

     

    Needs

    Your cost since you're only paying for the Ram

    Delivery time

    Possible change in future use

    Resale value with more Ram

    ~~~~etc.

     

    You only need 8

     

    But you're only paying for cost of Ram....and the other pluses for 16

  • by Doug Lerner2,

    Doug Lerner2 Doug Lerner2 Dec 25, 2013 12:11 AM in response to PlotinusVeritas
    Level 4 (1,079 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 25, 2013 12:11 AM in response to PlotinusVeritas

    If not for the time factor I would get the 16 for the small cost. Maybe I will take a chance and do that. If it's too late for the first lesson maybe I can temporize. :)

     

    Doug

  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas Dec 25, 2013 12:24 AM in response to Doug Lerner2
    Level 6 (14,811 points)
    Dec 25, 2013 12:24 AM in response to Doug Lerner2

    If not 16gig $200

     

    spend that cash on external hard drive redundancies and a Magic Trackpad

  • by Doug Lerner2,

    Doug Lerner2 Doug Lerner2 Dec 25, 2013 1:05 AM in response to PlotinusVeritas
    Level 4 (1,079 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 25, 2013 1:05 AM in response to PlotinusVeritas

    Yes, that is a good point too. (Where do you live? Do you sleep?)

     

    I definitely don't need a Magic Trackpad. What would I need that for?

     

    External backup drives are always necessary. For my iMac I have two: one for Time Machine and one for CCC which makes a bootable complete backup every morning at 3:30 am.

     

    So I would need something for backups for the MacBook Pro.

     

    And of course I will need AppleCare sometime within the first few months. 100% of all Mac notebook computers I have purchased have needed repairs, both within a year and within 3 years of purchase. 100%.

     

    And I might want to get the external DVD drive for ¥7,800 yen. Though I haven't used my own DVD drive for years. Still, on travel, you never know.

     

    The thing is, as you say, $192 could be a taxi ride in Tokyo. That's a bit of an exaggeration actually. $192 could take me all the way to Narita Airport. But it definitely could be just a night out with friends.

     

    While at Akihabara today buying a present for a friend, I stopped by the Mac corner of Yodobashi again, just to compare the MacBook 13" with the MacBook 15". I have an old 17" so was a bit concerned about the size. But I think for my purpose the 13" will do just fine. Plus the 15" is already getting uncomfortably heavy. And frankly large, if you think of something like airplane flights and the size of fold-down trays.

     

    One strategy I was thinking of trying (and will call Apple to ask if it is ok) is to order the 16, which has a promised delivery time of 2-3 weeks and if it doesn't arrive before 2 weeks see if it is ok to change the order to the 8 GB model at that time. You see, everything you order from Apple here in Japan ALWAYS comes earlier than promised. I think the idea is that they like to exceed expectations. My guess is if I order the 16 GB model it will come before January 5th. Assuming it's not being imported. In that case, well, all of Japan will close down for the New Year holidays and it could very well get stuck somewhere during that time.

     

    doug

  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas Dec 25, 2013 1:16 AM in response to Doug Lerner2
    Level 6 (14,811 points)
    Dec 25, 2013 1:16 AM in response to Doug Lerner2

    It's going to be 81 here tomorrow, swimsuit weather,..almost

     

    yes, supreme Japanese efficiency,..I love ordering stuff from Japan.

     

    I ordered many Spyderco utensils for the holidays as gifts, made in Seki city Japan.

     

     

    Yes considering distribution hub is so close to Japan, one would presume the Macbook gets there very fast.

  • by Doug Lerner2,

    Doug Lerner2 Doug Lerner2 Dec 25, 2013 1:26 AM in response to PlotinusVeritas
    Level 4 (1,079 points)
    Desktops
    Dec 25, 2013 1:26 AM in response to PlotinusVeritas

    Well, if it's going to be 81 and we are both awake at the same time most of the time, I would guess New Zealand or Australia...

     

    I called Apple and they said I can cancel or change the order at any time and they don't charge the card until it's shipped, so I can order with assurance and if my strategy doesn't work and I want to switch to the 8 GB model at any time, assuming it's in stock, I can do that.

     

    So I just need to prevaricate a bit more and decide which model I really need. Even the sales person said they almost never hear of anybody not having enoug RAM with 8 GB.

     

    doug

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