New aluminum macbook or macbook air?

I am looking for a new or refurbished laptop for school as I just sold my hp laptop on ebay. I am looking for a laptop that can offer me at least 4 hours of battery life with web surfing and word processing. I also commute 2 hours on a daily basis so I need a laptop that will not easily break (I carried my laptop in a neoprene case). Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

either is fine for your usage. the cheapest aluminum macbook would serve you well. the only real difference is the price. you can pay more for a thinner laptop: the macbook air. or you can take the macbook, which is already thin as far as laptops go.

plus, the macbook is already about as small as laptops can get and still have an internal disc drive.

play CD's or DVD movies? macbook.

 

The macbook air is a cool idea, but even with the new version, still lacking in some basic functions. I'd say if you don't mind a little extra size and weight, definitely take a macbook. More powerful and cheaper.

 

I too agree. Macbook.

 

He needs at least 4 hours of battery life. I don't think the Macbook will get you there. Macbook Air might.

I would prefer Macbook Air, better battery life, a lot lighter and a better screen.

 

Umm.... coming from the NBR review....

 

Yes I was wrong there. Laptopmag also comes to 4 hours 45 minutes.

I'd still recommend the MBA though. Especially if you're on the road every day.

 

the macbook lasts longer on the battery than the air, so that whole argument is flawed.

 

You probably misunderstood what I said. If you're on the road every day I'd prefer a 1.37kg laptop over a 2kg laptop.

Both Macbook and Air will reach 4 hours.

 

i thought you mentioned battery life and then decided on the macbook air. the macbook battery lasts longer...

he said he wants at least 4 hours of battery life. i'd say go with the macbook just because he will likely appreciate the half hour extra or so the macbook provides over the macbook air.

you may or may not make it to 4 hours with either notebook, depending on what you are doing.

 

Have you found any measurements on the new macbook air battery life?

The only one I found is a battery test with 30% CPU load on Notebookjournal. The new Macbook Air with 128GB SSD scored better than the Macbook 2.4 in that test.

Edit: already found it: http://www.slashgear.com/macbook-air-review-its-a-different-beast-inside-out-2824523/
4 hours 25 minutes

That confirms that both will last over 4 hours with surfing and text editing.

 

If you have money and don't need optical drive,then go for macbook air

 

I would say still stick with a MacBook, since you are a student! It is nice that the MacBook will have "everything you need" (optical drive, more ports, more processing power), and while I think the MBA is great, it is better as a "companion notebook" if you have a more powerful computer at home.

Unless you already have a desktop or other notebook to rely on, then by all means the MBA!

 

Having owned both an Air and the new Unibody MacBook, I'd suggest the new MacBook. I loved my Air, but I love my new MacBook more. The extra weight to carry around is marginal.

 

Get the MacBook if you are deadset on a Mac. Do not get the MacBook Air! It is garbage! There are other ultra-portables that are 1000X better.

 

Man,let me tell you something.What you are doing is seriously un-cool!either stop your pointless posting and try to be more helpful,or,please,leave apple forum in peace!

 

Well each to his own ofcourse but there isn't any ultra portable that packs a 1.86Ghz C2D and an Nividia 9400 GPU at 1.37kg.

Only thing that comes close to those specs is a Sony Z but that weighs 1.5kg.