4 ms·

The killer feature for me of the 2nd-gen Airs was the battery life. It’s the first time I’d been able to go all day without plugging in (for light management-ty

The killer feature for me of the 2nd-gen Airs was the battery life. It’s the first time I’d been able to go all day without plugging in (for light management-type work). All day was a step change. I was sad when my new 13in MBP needs plugged in at lunchtime. The screen and other specs are much better of course but I’d become used to leaving my PSU in the office all day while zipping around.

FabHK 9y ago
Absolutely true. The 2016 MBP sure has a nice screen and all, but basically half the battery life for twice the price.
- fossuser 9y ago
  The MBP isn't the successor to the air though - that'd be the Macbook which I think has similar battery life and a nicer screen. I'm not sure why Apple still makes the air since the Macbook seems like the obvious replacement.
  - jsjohnst 9y ago
    > The MBP isn't the successor to the air though The 13” non-touchbar MBP was actually announced as a MBA replacement when it was introduced if memory serves.
  - fyfy18 9y ago
    From a design point of view maybe, but the price of the MacBook is far too much for what you get. The 2011 MacBook Air was a good replacement for the discontinued white MacBook. It was a lot more modern, but retained the same price point. It still continued to fulfil the role of the entry level Mac. The current MacBook doesn’t do that though. It’s too expensive to be entry level - similar spec’ed to a MacBook Air, it is $300 more, for some new colours and a slightly better screen? Ok it’s a little more portable, but it’s not like the MacBook Air is bulky... The base model having an underpowered processor definitely isn’t helping it’s reputation - it’s like the original MacBook Air all over again.
  - FabHK 9y ago
    The MacBook, when it’s plugged in, has no ports. For me, that’s a showstopper. The MBA has MagSafe, two USB ports, Thunderbolt 2, and an SD card reader. That’s as much as the expensive MBP, and more useful day-to-day (for me) than the “cheap” 2-port MBP that was actually pitched as a MBA replacement by Schiller, IIRC.
megy 9y ago
I had macbook pros the last few years, last year I went plain old macbook. It has the power, the portability, and has the awesome battery life.

FabHK 9y ago

Absolutely true. The 2016 MBP sure has a nice screen and all, but basically half the battery life for twice the price.

fossuser 9y ago
The MBP isn't the successor to the air though - that'd be the Macbook which I think has similar battery life and a nicer screen. I'm not sure why Apple still makes the air since the Macbook seems like the obvious replacement.
- jsjohnst 9y ago
  > The MBP isn't the successor to the air though The 13” non-touchbar MBP was actually announced as a MBA replacement when it was introduced if memory serves.
- fyfy18 9y ago
  From a design point of view maybe, but the price of the MacBook is far too much for what you get. The 2011 MacBook Air was a good replacement for the discontinued white MacBook. It was a lot more modern, but retained the same price point. It still continued to fulfil the role of the entry level Mac. The current MacBook doesn’t do that though. It’s too expensive to be entry level - similar spec’ed to a MacBook Air, it is $300 more, for some new colours and a slightly better screen? Ok it’s a little more portable, but it’s not like the MacBook Air is bulky... The base model having an underpowered processor definitely isn’t helping it’s reputation - it’s like the original MacBook Air all over again.
- FabHK 9y ago
  The MacBook, when it’s plugged in, has no ports. For me, that’s a showstopper. The MBA has MagSafe, two USB ports, Thunderbolt 2, and an SD card reader. That’s as much as the expensive MBP, and more useful day-to-day (for me) than the “cheap” 2-port MBP that was actually pitched as a MBA replacement by Schiller, IIRC.

megy 9y ago

I had macbook pros the last few years, last year I went plain old macbook. It has the power, the portability, and has the awesome battery life.