A Question about the MacBook Air (Please act Civilized)

[TheKurtster]

Hello all,

I am having a bit of a pickle trying to pick a configuration for a MacBook Air.

Come this fall I am going to need a laptop for school that is good for Photoshop, Video Editing, Flash Animation and Programming. I have decided to pick the MacBook Air (Which I know isn't a good thing to talk about here).

My problem is that I don't know if the 4GB will be good enough or I should try to save up a little more for the 8GB. I know that the more memory the better, but will 4GB suffice for my needs?

When I say that I will be doing all of this, it isn't anything intensively complex.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[dragoon20005]

generally for any PC or Mac get 8GB at least now

[TheSLSAMG]

I would opt for the 8GB model, since video editing and Photoshop will eat that up fast.

 

You can explore different options from both Apple or any Windows laptop company, but this is your choice. A laptop, especially one with a dual core CPU, won't be quick with video editing though.

 

Fuck the Apple haters.

[ZacDaMan72]

Can't get a MacBook pro w/ Retina?

[NInety]

Not trying to be a bad Apple. (badum tssss)

But I'm pretty sure that you can get a laptop cheaper than a Macbook with better specs for Photoshopping, Video Editing, and Animation. You'll benefit from an i7 and 8 or more GBs of RAM.

[TheKurtster]

I would opt for the 8GB model, since video editing and Photoshop will eat that up fast.

 

You can explore different options from both Apple or any Windows laptop company, but this is your choice. A laptop, especially one with a dual core CPU, won't be quick with video editing though.

 

Fuck the Apple haters.

It doesn't have to be absolutely speedy, just good enough for a Grade 11 Video project. But I have been leaning more towards the 8GB.

[TheKurtster]

The MacBook have a very fast SSD which can be used as virtual RAM.

I did not know this. Please elaborate.

[Rhyn]

Go with the 8 gigabyte model for video editing, it's worth it editing on 4 gigs is garbage. 

[TheKurtster]

Can't get a MacBook pro w/ Retina?

Too expensive.

[dragoon20005]

It doesn't have to be absolutely speedy, just good enough for a Grade 11 Video project. But I have been leaning more towards the 8GB.

pick the 8GB and go for the highest SSD capacity

 

because you can't upgrade it after you get it

[NInety]

I did not know this. Please elaborate.

This feature was also in Win XP. You basically set aside some of your HDD or SSD space as RAM and temporary files are stored there for fast retrieval. (In Photoshop, an image would be pre-loaded on the HDD for faster loading)

[TheKurtster]

pick the 8GB and go for the highest SSD capacity

 

because you can't upgrade it after you get it

I will not have a lot to spend, so off-loading to another HDD will happen.

[ZacDaMan72]

Too expensive.

An 8GB and 256GB MacBook air would be good.

[TheKurtster]

Go with the 8 gigabyte model for video editing, it's worth it editing on 4 gigs is garbage. 

 

I know, I used to try to do it.

[TheKurtster]

An 8GB and 256GB MacBook air would be good.

 

Yeah, was thinking about the previous gen. Air from Apple's Refurbished Store in that configuration. Still a little pricey but could try to work something out.

[dizmo]

I have 4gb of RAM on my ultrabook. I've crashed it with too many tabs open in Chrome.

Don't even consider the 4gb model, it will be obsolete much much faster. I'll never buy a laptop with 4gb again.

[TheKurtster]

Not trying to be a bad Apple. (badum tssss)

But I'm pretty sure that you can get a laptop cheaper than a Macbook with better specs for Photoshopping, Video Editing, and Animation. You'll benefit from an i7 and 8 or more GBs of RAM.

 

I've tried looking for other options in the Ultrabook Category with similar specs, but they usually come with an HDD instead of an SSD to keep the price low.

[TheKurtster]

I have 4gb of RAM on my ultrabook. I've crashed it with too many tabs open in Chrome.

Don't even consider the 4gb model, it will be obsolete much much faster. I'll never buy a laptop with 4gb again.

 

Oh dear. I'm like Linus, a Tab-aholic. That wouldn't be too good.

[ROK]

Are you factoring in the apple edu discount? They usually give like $100 off plus a $110 apple gift card when you buy a macbook pro (less with the airs) during their back to school promo (ends sept 9th iirc).

 

With the edu discount the 13" macbook air with the baseline i5, 8gb ram and 256 ssd and 13" macbook pro with retina display, 2.6GHz i5, 8GB ram and 128GB ssd cost the exact same (1299$ CAD). And, with the retina macbook pro you can always buy a trancend jetdrive upgrade kit or one of those flush SD cards later on.

 

Don't get the air. Get the pro. You're getting much more for your money and your eyes won't bleed from the crappy TN panel in the air.

[harrynowl]

MBA 13" with 8GB of RAM is the one you want for your needs.

[menendez1293]

pick the 8GB and go for the highest SSD capacity

 

because you can't upgrade it after you get it

This is how I see it. 

[TheKurtster]

Are you factoring in the apple edu discount? They usually give like $100 off plus a $110 apple gift card when you buy a macbook pro (less with the airs) during their back to school promo (ends sept 9th iirc).

 

With the edu discount the 13" macbook air with the baseline i5, 8gb ram and 256 ssd and 13" macbook pro with retina display, 2.6GHz i5, 8GB ram and 128GB ssd cost the exact same (1299$ CAD). And, with the retina macbook pro you can always buy a trancend jetdrive upgrade kit or one of those flush SD cards later on.

 

Don't get the air. Get the pro. You're getting much more for your money and your eyes won't bleed from the crappy TN panel in the air.

 

I am not a University Student. Apple's Education discount will not apply to me for another 2 years.

And a MacBook Pro is just too expensive, I do not have $1,400 to spend on a laptop.

[ROK]

I am not a University Student. Apple's Education discount will not apply to me for another 2 years.

And a MacBook Pro is just too expensive, I do not have $1,400 to spend on a laptop.

Neither am I, but that didn't stop me from successfully ordering one (I'm in highschool too and ordered a rMBP with a 256gb ssd yesterday). All you do is add a mbp to your cart, click the web chat/support in the cart and tell the rep you're wondering how to get the edu discount and give the name of a university if prompted. They literally do no check.

[novasae]

Neither an I, but that didn't stop me from successfully ordering one. All you do is add a mbp to your cart, click the web chat/support in the cart and tell the rep you're wondering how to get the edu discount and give the name of a university if prompted. They literally do no check.

 

That is genius...

[TheKurtster]

Neither am I, but that didn't stop me from successfully ordering one (I'm in highschool too and ordered a rMBP with a 256gb ssd yesterday). All you do is add a mbp to your cart, click the web chat/support in the cart and tell the rep you're wondering how to get the edu discount and give the name of a university if prompted. They literally do no check.

 

Are you Canadian? Because if so, that would work perfectly for me!