MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or Ipad2?

[surgtech1956]

I'm thinking about getting either a MacBook Pro(13"), MacBook Air or Ipad2(wi-fi). I would really like an Ipad2 just for the portability, but sort of leaning toward the MacBook Pro, because its got a CD/DVD drive. I see Best Buy has new versions and old versions. I've read the specs on both and really don't see much of a difference. Any advice or input? BTW, I do have an Iphone 4g. Thank you

[OakLeaf]

What do you want to do with it?

[surgtech1956]

I'm an electronic's person - I love my gadgets. I've gotten into photography, so I'd like to do some photo editing. I spend alot of time on the 'net'. I like my itunes, I watch some tv/movies.

[KnottedYet]

I'd go with the MacBook, then.

(and a snow bike... see my reply to your "roller" question!)

[Pax]

I went with a MacBook Pro for the CD/DVD drive, it's been a great choice for me, but I'm not too techy.

We're getting iphones today, makes me glad I've already got a Mac at home.

[Owlie]

Yeah, I'd go with the Macbook. The air...while it's really cool that they can get it that small, I think it's a bit pointless, because the thing had better have a ton of USB ports.

The iPad is also pretty cool, but that's mostly because it has this protein visualization app-thingy...

[channlluv]

I have an Air and its two USB ports are plenty for my purposes. I do have an external disc drive that I use to load CDs and to copy images or whatever for transferring data.

The one drawback that I'd see with image editing is the small screen. If you're doing fine postproduction work, I think a larger screen would be better just so you can see what you're doing and have all your Wacom tablet or Photoshop tools at hand.

Other than the limited screen space (which really isn't all that big an issue, to be honest), I love my Air. If I were dealing with discs and the external drive all the time, though, it might be a hassle.

Roxy

[jyyanks]

Macbook Pro. I have one and I love it. My husband is a semi-professional photographer and full time computer guru who has every gadget you can think of and he also has a macbook pro. I asked his opinion and he said that if you are planning to edit photos, you're not going to use an ipad because there is no photoshop on the ipad. You can use other programs but they are not as good as they don't allow you to edit raw images.
Good Luck.

[Crankin]

I have the MacBook Air, which I love, because I can stuff it in my work bag, no case needed and I can barely feel it.
On the other hand, I do nothing but use the net and email on my computer, or type papers. DH has the pro, which is much heavier. He uses it at home and then he bought another Mac, a teeny tiny thing that he keeps at work and uses when he travels because the Pro was a pain to lug around.

[surgtech1956]

Thanks for all the input. I went to Best Buy today and looked at both the Pro and the Air. I think I'm going to go with the Pro, I like the portability of the Air, but its just a little too small I think.

[HillSlugger]

There are rumors of a 15" MacBook Air coming out, or a slimmed down 15" MacBook Pro. I'm wanting a new Mac, but I'm waiting to see if either of these rumors pan out.

[TsPoet]

Thanks for all the input. I went to Best Buy today and looked at both the Pro and the Air. I think I'm going to go with the Pro, I like the portability of the Air, but its just a little too small I think.

a few months ago I read a review of the air, pro, ipad for a photographer by a professional photographer. The review really struck me, the air lost in all categories, beaten by one or both of the other two. His bottom line? The Mac Air!? Unfortunately, I can't find that review now. But, if you google "Mac photo review", you'll find a surprising number of reviews.
He said when it came right down to it, the Air was "good enough" in every category and so darned easy to carry around that it won, just based on that.
My dream is the Air now - in a couple of years, I have a 2 yr old 13" MacBook and am not ready to spend that much money yet.

[bluebug32]

You can always connect the Macbook to a larger screen. I do this when I want to edit photos or watch a movie. I saved the flatscreen from my old PC and works great for dual screening.

[OakLeaf]

For image editing you'll want the fastest and most processors you can afford. Just going from a 3-year-old MacBook Pro to a new one made an ENORMOUS difference to DH's photography work. Images come up in 5-10 seconds instead of 30 seconds or longer (each).

Another thing to consider is it depends on your internet connection, whether you need the optical drive or not. If we had to download a full version of Photoshop over our DSL because we didn't have an optical drive ... I can't even imagine. I have a couple of image-heavy anatomy apps on my iPad, like 700 MB each, and each one took all night to download. That's just a CD's worth, forget about a DVD or two.

[itself]

I know we are out of the norm, but we have a Mac Airbook and have not been happy with it. A PC just seems more intuitive. Downloading photos and video onto a disc is an act of god to do. So much easier on a PC.

I love my iPad but use that for surfing and email.