macbook pro & ipad vs macbook air

<p>I'm a high school junior, but I'm trying to think ahead here in terms of what computers would be good for college (my 7-year-old MacBook has finally given up on me...)</p>

<p>I'm trying to decide between getting a MacBook Pro and an iPad, which would cost about $1600, and getting a MacBook Air, which would cost $1500. The Air would be the 256GB 13-inch, and the Pro would be the 500GB 13-inch. I was originally drawn to the Air for portability -- I really would like to be able to bring a laptop to school this year, and the Pro is too heavy for me to carry regularly. However, I think I'll need the most expensive Air, at which point I might as well get the Pro (better computer, upgradeable, I'd probs get an iPad which would be great for organizing myself). But I also need portability for a few reasons, hence the iPad...</p>

<p>So: does anyone have a MacBook Air at college? Do you find it too small/without enough hard drive space, or do you find it functional enough? How often do you tend to carry your laptop somewhere? If you don't have an Air, does it bother you to have to carry a heavier computer around? Does anyone use an iPad? How often?</p>

<p>...basically, anyone have any mac-related wisdom to share?</p>

<p>(For the record, these would both be early graduation gifts from my extended family...I realize this is expensive!)</p>

<p>A 256 GB SSD is good enough for a few applications and some games so you shouldn’t fill it out easily unless you have a bunch of movies or/and pictures.</p>

<p>The 13.3" MacBook Pro isn’t anything special so why would you pick that over the MacBook Air?</p>

<p>Specs for 13.3" MacBook Pro</p>

<pre><code>2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
4GB 1600MHz memory
500GB 5400-rpm hard drive
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Built-in battery (7 hours)
13.3" with 1280 x 800 resolution
</code></pre>

<p>The only things you can upgrade on the Pro are the RAM and HDD IIRC. Maybe the CPU as well but the cooling design is probably not made for CPUs with a 45 W TDP.</p>

<p>I think you need to step up to the 15.4" MacBook Pro if you want a really big difference from the Air.</p>

<p>The next question is why do you want a tablet + a laptop , why not get an all in one solution ( a tablet PC) like the Fujitsu t901 or Lenovo Thinkpad X230t?</p>

<p>Video example : <a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube;

<p>it’s not that I think I need the 500GB, more that the 256GB Air is already getting expensive and by that point I feel like I might as well get a cheaper Pro and then maybe an iPad.</p>

<p>idk, I think I’m sticking to Macs, as irrational as that may be…</p>

<p>I’ve seen some students bring iPads to class and it seems to work well for them. Some have those external keyboards you plug the iPad into and it holds it up while you type. Another option for an external keyboard is the wireless one for macs, you can easily sync it to your iPad. The biggest thing you should think about is how your going to sync your documents to both devices. iCloud my do that or they might even download to your laptop when you sync your iPad to it. You just don’t want to be in a situation where you need a document for something and it’s on the other device.</p>