Anyone using Lightroom on MacBook Air (MBA)?

Wail

Wail

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Thinking of reconfiguring my set-up due to what seems to be a lot of travelling in my future, taking a 17" MacBook Pro (MBP) is just not doable any more (it's huge).

I was thinking of going with the MBA for my travels, and getting an iMac for my workhorse. Currently my 17" MBP is just ideal as my workstation, but as I will be travelling on a weekly basis, it's just too big to lug around.

I've thought of the 15" MBP, or even the 13"; but for such smallish screens I'd rather just go all the way with the ultra light MBA.

The only intensive application I run is Lightroom; I am not too concerned about on board storage, as all my pictures are on external drives. What does concern me is the amount of RAM is has (2GB), which is not expandable, and the graphics card.

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Totally agree; but the main reason I am contemplating the MBA is because of portability; and while I will use it to cull my shots, it will not be my main workstation.

The MBA is due for upgrade pretty soon. If it's to get a 4GB RAM and a boost in its' graphics card then I ought to be just perfect; as my current MBP has 4GB RAM.
 
I had the same idea when I switched from PC based. After a booked appointment at the Apple Store I ran through all my options, which were almost exactly what you seem to have. The Apple Store took time & consideration to listen & gave me the opportunity to play with both but strongly advised to go with the 13 MacBook Pro. For numerous reasons, memory, processor speed, DVD back up of images if need.

They certainly talked me out of a 15" as I wanted portability on aircraft etc & with an Imac was over specing the MacBook. Well 12 months later I am glad I took their advise, as I would have been certainly pushing the MacAir & lugging the 15" & the 13" has been perfect with 4mb of Ram and a good size HD
 
Another option is to get a 13" MBP, and get a good SSD for it. You'll see a noticeable increase in performance, and it should be enough for you to use it as your desktop hooked up to an external monitor at the desk.
 
Peter_Hartland said:
..... but strongly advised to go with the 13 MacBook Pro. For numerous reasons, memory, processor speed, DVD back up of images if need.

....
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I thought of that option, the 13" MBP; but my believe is that the new MBA will come with at least 4GB RAM (which is what my current 17" MBP has); I am also certain it will have an upgraded processor and graphics card. As for DVD, never used it except to install application.

My only quandary, is if Apple decide to shelve the MBA due to poor sales :shrug:?!

So, in a sense, it is all down to how much of an upgrade the new MBA is to have. Also, I will have to think seriously about the weight of the various MBP (13" vs. 15"), if memory serves me well, there isn't that much of a weight saving between the two models.


weiran said:
Another option is to get a 13" MBP, and get a good SSD for it. You'll see a noticeable increase in performance, and it should be enough for you to use it as your desktop hooked up to an external monitor at the desk.
Click to expand...

Didn't think of that option; but what I really want is something very very very light. If things turn out as foreseen, I will be spending all my weekends in airports and on flights :( :bang:.

The iPad would have been ideal and perfect, had it been possible to run native OS X applications; but that's not possible and will not be an option.

Modbook was another option, but that's as heavy - if not heavier - than a normal MBP.
 
Wail said:
if memory serves me well, there isn't that much of a weight saving between the two models.
Click to expand...

Half a kilo between the two, I have a 15" and my girlfriend has a 13" and the weight difference is noticeable.
 
weiran said:
Depending on how much money you have to burn and if you can tolerate Windows, something like the Sony Viao Z might be exactly what you're looking for: http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vn-z-series. The same weight of the MacBook Air but with beefier specs.
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A machine like that Sony makes it tempting; but not my piece of cake.

Not wanting to come off as a Microsoft basher, as I love that company and all it stands for; but I am not keen on anything Windows unless forced to.


weiran said:
Half a kilo between the two, I have a 15" and my girlfriend has a 13" and the weight difference is noticeable.
Click to expand...

Thank you for putting it like that; you've made me go and actually tabulate this :thumbs:

MBA weighs at 1.36 kg; 13" MBP 2.04 kg; 15" MBP 2.54 kg; 17" MBP 2.99 kg.

Taken from Apple's site, there seems to be a mere 320g difference between the MBA and 13" MBP :shrug:. Makes me wonder if I was looking at the wrong laptop all together?

I had the 13" MB (Black), and that was great for portability; it lasted me throughout my years doing my Masters, but the 17" MBP came to replace it. May be time to go and have a look at this idea more closely.


stp23 said:
I have a MBA on which I run Aperture 3. It runs okay for storing and sorting images, but struggles when processing raw images.
Click to expand...

Now that's interesting, since I think Aperture will require just as much processing power as Lightroom. As I don't do any Post Processing, I am not concerned about how well that's handled.

Thank you, both, for the feedbacks here. I will have to give the MBA vs. 13" MBP a closer look.
 
Actually, I am liking the option of 13" MBP more and more.

For the extra 320 g in weight, and for an extra of £110 I get an extra 2GB RAM better graphics, an in-built DVD writer, and a similar 128GB solid state drive.

Seems like I've found my solution, unless the Ms. decides otherwise :shrug:
 
:thumbs:

I believe I have, and again, thank you :)

Now, to decide just how much RAM & SSD to have it configured with :p
 
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