decision... dilemma...
from AntBlog701

decision... dilemma...

vs

As many of you have heard the today's tech news headline, Apple announced a ultra-portable notebook - MacBook Air. And I am due for a new laptop.

As mentioned in previous entry, my trusted PowerBook G4 bought in May 2004, although still functioning perfectly well, is due for replacement. I need something faster and more powerful and preferably with larger screen.

So, here's the tech specs of my current model, PowerBook G4 (12-inch 1.33GHz):
1.33GHz PowerPC G4, 1.25GB PC2700 (333MHz) DDR RAM, 12.1-inch 1024x768, NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 with 64MB of DDR SDRAM, 80 GB 5400-rpm Ultra ATA/100 hard drive.
Height: 3.0 cm (1.18 inches);
Width: 27.7 cm (10.9 inches);
Depth: 21.9 cm (8.6 inches);
Weight: 2.1 kg (4.6 pounds) with battery and optical drive installed

The tech specs of the new MacBook Air:
1.6GHz or 1.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM onboard, 13.3-inch (diagonal) glossy widescreen TFT LED backlit display 1280 by 800, Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared, 80GB 4200-rpm Parallel ATA hard disk drive. (I can't afford the Solid State drive)
Height: 0.4-1.94 cm (0.16-0.76 inch)
Width: 32.5 cm (12.8 inches)
Depth: 22.7 cm (8.94 inches)
Weight: 1.36 kg (3.0 pounds)

And the MacBook Pro (15-inch):
2.2GHz, 2.4GHz or 2.6GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB - 4GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM onboard, 15.4-inch (diagonal) (glossy or antiglare) widescreen LED display 1440 x 900, NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 128MB or 256MB of GDDR3 SDRAM, 120GB, 160GB or 250GB Serial ATA, 5400 rpm.
Height: 2.59 cm (1 inch)
Width: 35.7 cm (14.1 inches)
Depth: 24.3 cm (9.6 inches)
Weight: 2.45 kg (5.4 pounds)

The new MacBook Air is lovely, thin, and portable. MacBook Pro is a bit bigger and heavier than my current PowerBook G4 12-inch.

Somehow I don't think the 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz with 2GB non-expandable RAM MacBook Air will suit my need, but MacBook Pro (15-inch) is almost twice as heavy as a MacBook Air. I really like the ultra-portable design of MacBook Air and I am sure I can live without an optical drive on the road, but I also want something that is powerful. I guess I can't have both at the same time.

Don L suggested me to go for the MacBook Pro, for the additional power and onboard optical drive. Jack Lin from applewoods.org pointed out this blog entry to me. A neutral comparison for the two models.

I haven't made up my minds yet.

Related page:
Apple introduces MacBook Air, world's thinnest notebook (MacCentre701 15 Jan 2008)