[carito83]

Hi everyone,

I need to get a new computer (old one died) and I am trying to decide between a macbook pro or a macbook air. I like the the air is so portable and is cheaper, but I'm not sure if it's going to be powerful enough for me. My old computer was a macbook pro. Along with Microsoft Office, I primarily use my laptop to run Matlab, SPSS (statistics software), GIMP (free photo editing software), and Psyscope (program that runs psychology experiments and allows you to present visual stimuli on computer). Should I stick with the macbook pro or should I try out the cheaper macbook air?

Thank you in advance for any help!

[Just_Me_D]

Either should be sufficient, in my opinion....

[Peter Cohen]

I'll just leave this here.

MacBook Air vs. MacBook Pro: Which laptop should you get? | iMore

[iOS Gravity]

Either should be sufficient, in my opinion....

I agree.

[UJ95x]

The MBA isn't much lighter than the new MBP, so that shouldn't be a factor. I'd go for the Pro seeing as you need to run more resource heavy software. The better CPU and GPU should give you an all around better experience

[anon8800080]

First of all i think that you should consider the screen size. For the job you want it, i think that the 11" of macbook air would be so small. Actually i ran similar simulator applications for my university and before i buy the top of the line 15" MBPr late 2013, i was between 13" MBPr of 15". I went to the 15" inch model. The MBPr does not have so much difference at weight with MBA. It's my opinion that your first factor should be the performance and not the weight. The 13" inch MBPr will definitely be enough for your job, but i think that the basic 15" inch MBPr is the way to go. Your job will be much more easier.

[UJ95x]

First of all i think that you should consider the screen size. For the job you want it, i think that the 11" of macbook air would be so small. Actually i ran similar simulator applications for my university and before i buy the top of the line 15" MBPr late 2013, i was between 13" MBPr of 15". I went to the 15" inch model. The MBPr does not have so much difference at weight with MBA. It's my opinion that your first factor should be the performance and not the weight. The 13" inch MBPr will definitely be enough for your job, but i think that the basic 15" inch MBPr is the way to go. Your job will be much more easier.

There's really no reason to go with the 15 inch rMBP over the 13 unless you need the dGPU in the 15, which the base model does not have.

Sent from my Galaxy S4 running Slim Kat 4.4.2

[anon8800080]

There's really no reason to go with the 15 inch rMBP over the 13 unless you need the dGPU in the 15, which the base model does not have.

Sent from my Galaxy S4 running Slim Kat 4.4.2

The better CPU (which is necessary for the kind of applications the TS needs to run) and the screen size that makes you work more comfortably are pretty much very good reasons.
Anyway, everyone here just say our opinion to help the TS decide which model is best for him.