Which macbook?
April 10, 2018 6:33 PM Subscribe
I want to buy a macbook. It should be light. I'm mainly using it for reading, writing and watching movies on. What should I get?
Money is an issue, but I'd be willing to spend a bit more to get a lighter one. I don't care about the best, fastest, greatest, but it should be good enough to hold me for at least 4 years or so.
I don't really want to have to carry around a bunch of dongles, so a USB port would be nice.
I'm in Chile, but will be in the US in two months time, so getting it there might work if it's worth it.
Money is an issue, but I'd be willing to spend a bit more to get a lighter one. I don't care about the best, fastest, greatest, but it should be good enough to hold me for at least 4 years or so.
I don't really want to have to carry around a bunch of dongles, so a USB port would be nice.
I'm in Chile, but will be in the US in two months time, so getting it there might work if it's worth it.
For what you want, would an iPad Pro be a better option? Accessories like bluetooth keyboards work great. I use my ipad for the things you listed. I save my macbook pro for heavier lifting and crunching of things. But if weight is an issue and the iPad is out then definitely the air. You can get those refurbished from Apple as well to get a lower price point and Applecare.
posted by jadepearl at 6:55 PM on April 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by jadepearl at 6:55 PM on April 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
I would not buy an Air at this point. The lowest grade 13" Pro is a better, and more future-proof, option, even with the USB problem.
posted by uberchet at 7:07 PM on April 10, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by uberchet at 7:07 PM on April 10, 2018 [3 favorites]
You might want to see if you can find a refurbished 2015 Retina 13" Macbook Pro on the apple site. It's the one I have (I purchased it new), and I believe it's the last generation of MBP before they ditched the standard USB and charging ports; it also has the "classic" keyboard, as opposed to the newer ones that I know a lot of people don't like. It's a great computer. Refurbished will also be cheaper.
While it's light compared to the older models, it's still kind of clunky compared to the Air or Macbook. I believe the latest generation MBP is half a pound lighter, but you have to be willing to compromise on the ports.
Basically, you have to balance cost vs weight vs longevity. I would say the MBP is your best bet for longevity, but if you want the lightest and most cost efficient option, an Air is probably your best bet, although in general I know it's not recommended since they're no longer being updated. Still, I had a 2010 Air before I upgraded to the Pro, and it was a great computer. I still sometimes miss how light it was.
Personally, I'd probably avoid the Macbook for the price it's currently being sold at.
posted by litera scripta manet at 9:15 PM on April 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
While it's light compared to the older models, it's still kind of clunky compared to the Air or Macbook. I believe the latest generation MBP is half a pound lighter, but you have to be willing to compromise on the ports.
Basically, you have to balance cost vs weight vs longevity. I would say the MBP is your best bet for longevity, but if you want the lightest and most cost efficient option, an Air is probably your best bet, although in general I know it's not recommended since they're no longer being updated. Still, I had a 2010 Air before I upgraded to the Pro, and it was a great computer. I still sometimes miss how light it was.
Personally, I'd probably avoid the Macbook for the price it's currently being sold at.
posted by litera scripta manet at 9:15 PM on April 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
If 2018 is like 2017, it’s likely revised configurations will be announced in June. There’s rumors of a lower-cost MacBook Air, but if i were buying i’d want a retina display so i’d not get the current Air (would love it if that case design was updated with a new screen).
posted by D.C. at 11:27 PM on April 10, 2018
posted by D.C. at 11:27 PM on April 10, 2018
I love my 13" Air. It fits perfectly in a backpack and has plenty of USB ports. Yes, they supposedly aren't being updated anymore but it does what I need it to do, which is mostly web browsing, streaming video, and some transcription work. You really can't beat the price point. When I need to replace it, I'm OK with the fact that it will probably have to be replaced with a different model; it's a bridge I'll cross when I come to it.
The new MacBook is even thinner than the Air, but since it only has USB-C I would say it is less travel-friendly if only because you would def need a dongle or the $80 Mac multi-port adapter. It's also way more expensive! If price is a major consideration, I would pass on the MacBook for now and go with a (new or refurbished) Air.
posted by assenav at 11:30 PM on April 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
The new MacBook is even thinner than the Air, but since it only has USB-C I would say it is less travel-friendly if only because you would def need a dongle or the $80 Mac multi-port adapter. It's also way more expensive! If price is a major consideration, I would pass on the MacBook for now and go with a (new or refurbished) Air.
posted by assenav at 11:30 PM on April 10, 2018 [1 favorite]
Make sure you try the keyboard on the newest models before you buy one. I have been postponing a laptop refresh at work, hoping desperately that they'll come to their senses. They probably won't, but you should try before you invest. Or go for one of the pre-touchbar models, as several people have already recommended.
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:15 AM on April 11, 2018
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:15 AM on April 11, 2018
My favorite computer ever is the 11 inch macbook air. You forget you're carrying it, but it's also like a real notebook in that you can start writing as soon as you open it. It's true that the screen seems terrible after I've been working on my employer-owned 13 inch macbook pro, yet I still go back to the Air when traveling, or if I need a computer at a meeting somewhere off site. I love it so much I want to marry it.
posted by Morpeth at 6:24 AM on April 11, 2018
posted by Morpeth at 6:24 AM on April 11, 2018
> I'm mainly using it for reading, writing and watching movies on.
Pay more if need be, but get a Retina screen. It's a big upgrade compared to the Macbook Air for your use case.
Beyond that: the ports won't matter for your use. If you get a newer USB-C version, you might have to pay to add one extra adapter - I have a couple that do USB-A + HDMI + power - but it's really not that big a deal.
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:24 AM on April 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
Pay more if need be, but get a Retina screen. It's a big upgrade compared to the Macbook Air for your use case.
Beyond that: the ports won't matter for your use. If you get a newer USB-C version, you might have to pay to add one extra adapter - I have a couple that do USB-A + HDMI + power - but it's really not that big a deal.
posted by RedOrGreen at 8:24 AM on April 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
Refurbished Air from Apple. It's the perfect laptop for light to medium use.
If it's being excluded from future MacOS upgrades I don't think that's as big a deal anymore. Upgrades like High Sierra have become a series of diminishing returns and increasing headaches as the versions break things you know and love.
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:05 AM on April 11, 2018
If it's being excluded from future MacOS upgrades I don't think that's as big a deal anymore. Upgrades like High Sierra have become a series of diminishing returns and increasing headaches as the versions break things you know and love.
posted by JoeZydeco at 9:05 AM on April 11, 2018
If it's being excluded from future MacOS upgrades I don't think that's as big a deal anymore.
Security updates. Apple generally releases security updates only for the current system and the previous two (so, currently 10.11 to 11.13).
posted by D.C. at 4:17 PM on April 11, 2018
Security updates. Apple generally releases security updates only for the current system and the previous two (so, currently 10.11 to 11.13).
posted by D.C. at 4:17 PM on April 11, 2018
Response by poster: Ended up getting a 2016 rose-gold 12" macbook retina for a good price. It's gorgeous and super light.
posted by signal at 12:51 PM on May 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by signal at 12:51 PM on May 11, 2018 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jessamyn at 6:46 PM on April 10, 2018 [1 favorite]