Why buy a MacBook Pro 15" instead of a MacBook Air?

[Simon]

moderators - I'm posting this in the business discussion forum because it seems like a 'business tools' kind of question, but feel free to delete this sentence and move it to chit chat if you think it belongs there (or just delete this and leave it here (or just ignore this completely)).

Thread Note: No need to suggest any non-Mac alternatives in this thread. I've used Macs for 24 years and their notebooks since they've had them (before actually, since I had an SE30-based Dynamac too). This is just to discuss the pros and cons of two potential Mac notebook purchases.

Okay, here's the setup...

I've used a nice little 12" PowerBook G4 for a couple of years and I'm thinking about finally gettting a newer notebook. I'm considering either a new 15" MacBook Pro or the 13" MacBook Air.

So I'm looking for reasons why you Mac owners and users (and those who are thinking of making the move) would choose the MacBook Pro 15" model over the 13.3" MacBook Air.

Personally, one of the factors for me is the weight of the notebook. I've been spoiled by the 4.6 pound 12" that I've been using. The MacBook Pro is 5.5 pounds so that would mean an extra pound on my lap and to carry around, plus it's several inches larger overall. The MacBook Air is only 3 pounds, so that would be over a pound and a half lighter at almost the same form factor (but thinner).

So...I need reasons NOT to buy the MacBook Air. Although I'm open to hearing reasons besides weight to reinforce my irrational leaning towards the Air too.

Who wants to go first?



(yes, for those who remember, the $7K Dynamac 'portable' was 18 pounds)