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

[Simon]

Originally Posted by Cleo

Photoshop CS3 does everything I need except open and edit animated GIFS. (it does allow you to make animated GIFS, just doesn't allow you to open existing ones and see all the frames.)

Damn, that's too bad about not being able to edit the frames of existing gif files with Photoshop CS3. I wonder if that's changed in CS4 or if some other program is needed to do that now.

Originally Posted by Cleo

I've learned a few tricks like starting the initial backup through the network, stopping it right away, and then connecting the drive directly to the Mac through the drive's FireWire port and finishing the initial backup in under an hour rather then having the initial backup take over a day through the network. Then putting the drive back on the network and forgetting about it as it does it thing through the air.

That's a great trick and I'll use it. I really like the idea of wireless backups that run automatically and making the initial backup the way you mentioned sounds like a great idea.

Okay... New Question time... I was looking at how to configure the MacBook Pro at the Apple Store online and it seems there are three processor speed choices.

The base model, which seems just fine, runs at 2.4GHz. Then there is a 2.53GHz model which adds $500 to the price but comes with about a 25% larger hard drive that I don't need, and twice the RAM, which is something I'd add to the base model when I order anyway. The 2.8GHz version is only offered as an upgrade on the 2.53GHz model and adds another $300 to it's price.

SO, my question is: what are those small speed increments worth on a notebook computer? I can order the base model with the extra RAM for $150 extra. But I'm wondering if there's any reason to opt for paying more to get what seem to be tiny speed increases that I'm not sure I'd even notice.

Anyone have feedback on those processor speed choices?

Which one would you get?