45 Questions on Portability & Battery Life
-
Which one is better for me? MacBook Pro or MacBook Air?
I will be studying a Masters in Spanish next year. The program is 2 months in the states, 9 months in Spain, and 2 months in Argentina. I'm debating between the Pro and Air. I have hesitations about the Air not having a CDROM drive, although I know if need be I can purchase an external. I would be transporting the MacBook frequently and was wondering if the 1.5lb weight difference would be significant. Would love to hear from anyone who has experience with the Pro or Air and international travel. Thanks!
- Asked by Margaret F from San Diego
- Apr 16, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
Answer
I would get the MacBook Pro retina. The weight would defiantly not be an issue with that pro. I have had both and until the Air has the retina display I am going to always use my Pro. I also have had the Original pro with the optical drive. Once you have seen things in the retina you just can't go back the display is amazing. The retina has the fast ssd drive and it will be faster than the Air. The pro just feels better to me. With you traveling the flash drive will be better. The hard drives are on their way out. To many moving parts that can break and give you problems. Get the Mac Pro retina if you want the best I bought the 15 inch but returned it for the 13 inch as it was just to bulky for me. I love the 13 inch retina Pro. It's only a half a pound heavier. It's a bit smaller too. Any mac you get you will like but why buy a pro with a hard drive when the flash drives being so much better. If you need an optical drive like you said just get you an external. Trust me. The retina pro is the best.
- Answered by Rhonda S from Little Rock
- May 8, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Can I use my iMac in Europe?
I'm moving to Europe and I was wondering can I use my iMac here?
- Asked by Laurie S from Lombardy
- May 5, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
I want to listen to my iTunes from my Macbook through my stereo that has a USB input. Can I hook up my Macbook Pro to my stereo so that I can do this?
Using my Macbook to play songs through my stereo
- Asked by Gary W from Martinez
- May 11, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
do i need a voltage converter when traveling with my mac to south korea, thailand or australia?
- Asked by Alexandra J S from Belvidere
- Apr 7, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
Answer
No but there is this travel cord i cant put a link on here but copy this and delete all the spaces between the url
h t t p : / / s t o r e . a p p l e . c o m / a u _ s m b _ 4 8 6 0 / p r o d u c t / M B 9 7 4 Z M / B / a p p l e - w o r l d - t r a v e l - a d a p t o r - k i t ? f n o d e = 5 a- Answered by Peter H from Boxford
- Apr 8, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
-
will quick books pro work with ipad
Looking for new light weight computer that I can use accounting program with. Does Mac have an easy to use program? Can I use my current Quick Books Pro ? Which machine would be best?
- Asked by Susan J from Charlotte
- Apr 27, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Can you charge a macbook via USB like some PC laptops do?
- Asked by John W from Stony Point
- Apr 18, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
- Asked about: Apple 45W MagSafe Power Adaptor for…
-
can a 21" mac fit in baggage or be checked on an airplane international flight?
- Asked by Beth C from Jersey City
- Apr 16, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
this Macpro has hd 4000 & gt 650 How do those two graphics work together ? Usually Most laptops have one or the other ?
2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
8GB 1600MHz memory
750GB 5400-rpm hard drive1
Intel HD Graphics 4000
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory- Asked by Anthony R from Wallingford
- Oct 15, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
Best Answer
MacBook Pro, not Mac Pro.
It uses both, if a application needs better graphics it would require the strongest which is GT650. At its base it start with 4000 HD. You can also download a third party software to change your GPU (graphic card)
Usually laptops have two, just if you want to save money then you have a choice of buying one with integrated graphic card.- Answered by Samad G
- Oct 22, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
My PC (Compaq) gave out on me and I'm entertaining replacing it with either a Macbook Air 13 inch (128GB) or the Macbook Pro 13 inch (2.4 ghz). HELP!
I am a group fitness manager and the bulk of the memory of my itunes is exercise music. I checked my ipad and out of 32GB, I've already used 23GB of the total memory. (That is just a thousand songs roughly. Industry wise, that is a small library of music - and I intend to increase my music collection.) I also have exercise videos and choreography loaded in my current itunes library and ipad. So in terms of storage, the Air worries me as my budget will allow for the 128GB only.
Another important concern is that I shuttle between 3 different centers for work so yes, transporting my work laptop is an issue. My back has suffered because of the weight I need to carry around, so in terms of this dimension, the Air seems to be the runaway winner.
My monthly reports are in Excel (I've never had a Mac before, this will be my first) and I suppose in either models, I have to get software to make it compatible - did I understand it correctly?
I am not a gamer. I only dabble in Cafe World by Zynga (I know, "serious" gamers laugh at it and the ones who play it) so the issue of graphics quality is not all that important to me. (Which is why for the PRO, I don't need the AMD Radeon.) I'm not in advertising, so I don't think I'll be using Final Cut Pro or other apps of that nature.
I do use youtube and other video sites frequently, both for music videos and exercise applications. I browse sites like ACE and ACSM for information. I regularly do online transactions. As far as ordering exercise music, I'm planning to switch completely to downloading instead of (how I used to do it until last year) ordering CDs from the USA and having them shipped all the way to the Philippines. (The fees are killing me.)
I need help deciding which of the two models would be better, given my worklife and lifestyle. Price wise, they are roughly the same so I need to hear advice from people who actually use either of these models.
Thanks in advance for any help, I appreciate it!- Asked by Joey R from Quezon City
- Jan 12, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
Best Answer
I would say the Macbook Air. From reading everything you wrote, I think the one thing you should be concerned about is storage. But remember, there's always external hard drives or other options if you need more space. 256GB is a lot more than it sounds. The RAM, processor and graphics would not be an issue for the way you're going to use your new laptop.
Macbook Air! I think it's the right choice.- Answered by Peter A from South Portland
- Jan 30, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Is it better to run the macbook pro with the battery charger plugged in at all times or wait for the power to run out and then re-charge it fully?
- Asked by Sanaa F from Thornhill
- Oct 2, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
Best Answer
You can find info on MacBook batteries on the Apple website, in the Support section.
Basically, it is a MUST to use the battery once in a while. It is perfectly okay to use it on the AC adapter most of the time as the battery will never overcharge. While on AC, click on the battery icon and you will see 'Power Source: Power Adapter'. This means it's not charging and using your battery at the same time.
In fact, using it on AC will help you NOT finish up the limited charge cycles your battery can hold (Apple claims 1000 cycles for MacBook Pros) AS FAST as you would if you were to use the battery ALL the time. That being said, all batteries will degrade naturally over time, whether you use it or not.
My advice?
1) At least once a week run down the battery to 75% (or whatever number you choose), then use it plugged in as you wish. I personally use it on AC most of the time since I'm always near a socket, but once a day let it run to 80% before plugging in again. This is to keep the electrons moving (which is very important. See Apple's Support page.).
2) Once a month, charge it to 100%, run it down all the way, then recharge to 100%. This is solely for calibration purposes. Don't do this too often as it will be HARMFUL to the battery instead. (look up Battery University for proof) In fact, you can even opt to do it once every 6 months or not at all. Not important.
3) MOST IMPORTANT: Keep it AWAY from HEAT! Always ensure your laptop is cool. Heat is your battery's worse enemy. Stay away from it.
Just remember - Move the ELECTRONS once in a while and keep away from HEAT! These are the most important things. Don't worry about the rest. Enjoy your MacBook Pro!- Answered by Jed Y.j L
- Nov 14, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
How can I order a battery for my 2009 13" MacBook Pro?
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM- Asked by Lynnette M
- Mar 9, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
-
My MacBook Pro has a dead battery although it was purchased less than 2 years ago. How can I get a new battery.
- Asked by Dolores D from Peoria
- Feb 12, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
I currently have a PC for my business. I would like to get either a Macbook Pro or an iPad to use at home, but not sure which one.
My PC at work is for managing invoices, client portfolios, and a lot of Microsoft documents. I would like to have something at home that I can use for storing my work related photos, view work documents when not at home and to take with when I travel.
In the next year or two I would really like to get some sort of mac at work as well, but for now I am stuck with the PC.- Asked by Kathy B from Duluth
- Jan 15, 2013
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Help! Should I get the MacBook pro 13" or 15" for photoshop and general movies, music, Internet and "future proof-ability"?!
I want to buy a Macbook pro but cannot decide between the top end 13" or the bottom end 15". I would use if for general stuff and probably the most processor consuming task is photoshop. So I'm stuck between the decision and it would be great if anyone knew if the 13" could handle photoshop and is powerful enough to be future proof (ie. I can use it for 1-2 yrs and not worry about speed.
I like the size & portability and 750gb HDD of the 13" and have an external monitor so screen size isn't an issue at home.
On the other hand is it worth waiting until the new MBP range?
Thanks in advance!- Asked by Samarth S
- Feb 13, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
Answer
For real future proofing I'd go with the 15" because of their quad-cores. The 13" easily does what you want but since you want it future proofed I say 15".
1-2 years no speed problems for 13" but any longer I'd go with 15"
It could be worth waiting for the new range, depending on how long until you need a new one.- Answered by Louise N from Happy Valley
- Apr 18, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Impact of SSD on weight of 13" MacBook Pro
I am planning to buy 13″ 2.9GHz Dual-core i7. Weight is an important factor but can’t take Air as will have to run Windows too for Visio and Microsoft Project. So WIN7 VM image will be running on the side all along.
I want to know the impact on the weight of the system if i purchase it with SSD 256GB. If any by how many grams the laptop will be lighter . Dont want to pay extrac if the impact will not be significant.
Will appreciate an answer on this – thanks.- Asked by Ramakant P from Sydney
- Oct 5, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Best Answer
If you want a server, Mac is probably not your best option unless you have a specific need to run Mac programs. Mac is a desktop computer. Even the Apple website itself uses a Linux-based server. Good server operating systems include Linux (CentOS or Red Hat), OpenBSD, NetBSD, and FreeBSD.
- Answered by Alexander J from Winston-salem
- Oct 15, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
Which laptop can I use to replace my desktop and that has hard drives?
I want it to be light weight, easy to use, fast, efficient, lighted keys.
- Asked by Neomi R from Glendora
- Dec 3, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
-
What Mac laptop should I use for animation? 13 inch macbook pro, or 13 inch air with same upgrades?
I need a laptop that can render frame rates without lag and with exceptional quality to multitasking.
- Asked by Michael C from Ada
- Oct 17, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate
Best Answer
For this answer I will assume your animation software is primarily CPU-intensive; animation programs like 3DS Max 2013 do not use the computer's graphics card to speed up the rendering process, although some of its plugins do.
To your question, the MacBook Air uses processors that specialize in power efficiency (so, working longer on a single battery charge) whereas the MacBook Pro line uses regular notebook processors that are faster but that use more power. A MacBook Pro with an Intel Core i7 processor, say, will therefore be faster than a MacBook Air with a Core i7 and should run animation programs faster.- Answered by Fabian M from Moscow
- Oct 20, 2012
- Flag as inappropriate