Hi Andy, ah that clears it up then. I thought from the original post you just needed the laptop for a one time use for training.
There’s a lot of ways to go.
The air is the thinnest model. It has a real keyboard with discrete keys. The
spread between the keys is surprisingly good especially for the size. I’d go
with the larger 13 inch model for more hand room.
Let me try to clear up some of the confusion on the different models.
The Macbook is the least powerful version. It uses a mobile processor and
probably isn’t for you in that it is very under powered. I’m not sure what
Apple was thinking market wise with this device but if I were you I’d skip it.
The Air is a nice super thin model. Would be great for your traveling and fits
nicely in a bag or you can get it a nice hard shell covering. It’s maybe a
quarter inch thick, has great battery life and you can get an I5 or I7 model
depending on your processing needs. This model has been around a while so you
may also buy previous years versions or on the second hand market to save some
extra money.
Then you have the pro of where there are two types, the 13 inch an 15 inch.
Other than screen size difference the 15 inch model can have more processing
power.
About processing power, I know that can be confusing. Typically with Apple
you’re dealing with either an I5 or I7. These are Intel processors where think
of the number as a grade or class. A 7 is a more powerful processor than a 5.
When you hear the word cores mentioned, processors now have more than
one physical processing component or core on a single piece of silicon. So in
one slot you may actually have 2 or 4 processors in the case of Apple or other
devices 12 or more cores or processors per slot. The more cores means more
processing units to bring to bare on your tasks. The way these get assigned
and used is way outside the scope here and I don’t want to confuse you worse.
Just as a general rule the more cores and better quality processor the better
for performance. You need to decide whether you want to spend more or less
here.
The 13 inch and 15 inch pros have been around a good long while so you have
lots of previous year options if you want to save some money and you can also
go with a factory refurbished option direct from Apple. Again you can speak to
your budget needs best.
The 15 inch model has a bit better graphics card, obviously slightly larger
screen and all models of the pro have a very good keyboard. Feels a lot like
the air but with a little more throw on the keys but not enough to drastically
impact your experience I don’t think.
The best thing I could suggest is if you can have a feel of the units. I don’t
know what your computer buying options are in Scotland but here in the states
we have stores where they are all set up to touch and type on. I know you have
an Apple store there but you may have another store geographically closer to
you for convenience.
If I were you I’d go with the air for portability reasons if you like to travel
a lot or if you feel you need a lot of horsepower in a mobile package the 13
inch pro should have more than enough juice. If you want to go top of the line
and spend spend spend go 15 inch but I’m not sure you’ll gain a lot of
functionality for the money. I’m an engineer, use the heck out of my laptop
and a 13 inch model did me just fine.
The Mini isn’t for you if you want to travel. It’s still a desktop so you’ll
be carrying a separate monitor, keyboard, the associated cables and the mini
itself. If you want a decent home desktop or media server type deal the Mini
is a decent option. If you want to travel though I’d take that off your list.
Let me know if I can help any further.
Good luck with your travels and apple purchase.
> On Jun 28, 2016, at 2:12 PM, Andy <meikle.ai...@btinternet.com> wrote:
>
> Oh Scott.
>
> I do need a portable device because I'm going on a 14 day hotel trip later
> this year to train with my new dog, and I simply could not stand being stuck
> in a hotel room with nothing. Also, I'm hoping to have a holiday later this
> year if I can get the dog out of the way firstly, so again, I need something
> to keep me in contact with civilasation . In addition, I think it would be
> quite nice to go to my local pub and sit there doing my email and other
> things, so hiring a mac book is no good.
>
> You recommend a Macbook Air. Does that have a tactyle keyboard or is there
> perhaps something better to consider?
>
> Very best wishes.
> Andy.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Scott Granados <mailto:sc...@qualityip.net>
>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com <mailto:macvisionaries@googlegroups.com>
>> Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2016 3:45 PM
>> Subject: Re: Mac book recommendation please
>>
>> Hi Andy,
>>
>> Depends on what you want to do. A Macbook Air would be a fine option
>> especially for a secondary machine. Probably low enough on the cost
>> especially on the second hand market.
>>
>> A pro will give you more horse power but if you already have that IMac I
>> think you’re probably in good shape.
>>
>> Here’s a whacky idea, what about renting a Macbook Pro for a few days for
>> the training and then going back to your iMac when you’re done. Less
>> expensive and you don’t end up with hardware you don’t sound like you need.
>>
>>> On Jun 28, 2016, at 10:42 AM, Andy <meikle.ai...@btinternet.com
>>> <mailto:meikle.ai...@btinternet.com>> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi all.
>>>
>>> I have just purchased an imac desk-top computer but in order for me to
>>> undergo one-to-one training in my area, I need to buy a second hand
>>> portable device.
>>>
>>> Once I have a recomendation, a friend can have a look on Ebay.
>>>
>>> I'd like a mac lap-top and if possible, running El Capitan.
>>>
>>> My sense of touch is very poor so I need a mac book with a pretty good
>>> keyboard on it. I could attach the Apple USB keyboard if necessary, but
>>> that's another bit of equipment to carry.
>>>
>>> So should I buy a second hand Mac book pro: a Mac book or something
>>> similar?
>>>
>>> Your advise would be very welcome as I'm just dying to take up this
>>> training opertunity.
>>>
>>> Very best wishes.
>>> Andy.
>>>
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