Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Should I get a 13" MBP or MBA???

by robstak Feb 10, 2009 11:02AM PST

After all the crap I've given fanbois over the years, I think I'm ready to stop playing salmon, and just swim downstream with all the other fish... (um, I don't fish, but that's the first metaphor that came to mind for some reason... actually I don't even like to eat fish... double weird)

Anyway, if I were to say, have come into a small to moderate amount of money, which would you all recommend?

Sexiness weight/size and battery life are very high on my list of shizz I'm looking for... so the mba fits the first two, but if its really a pos then thats fine as im sure most ppl love the MBP...

thanks in advance,
Dr. Karl

ps im sure someones posted this query before, but mine is better...

Discussion is locked

9 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Depends
by Nicholas Buenk Feb 10, 2009 4:23PM PST

If you want a desktop replacement go with the Macbook. If you plan on using a desktop mostly and need a laptop to carry around, go with the Macbook Air.

- Collapse -
ya im lookin for light computing needs, so mba, eh? hmmm....
by robstak Feb 11, 2009 2:15AM PST

now my worry is that what if there is a 2G mba around the corner! lol

- Collapse -
Nope
by Nicholas Buenk Feb 12, 2009 7:19AM PST

It was only just updated with the 9400mGT, this is the 2G.

- Collapse -
(NT) oh! ty!
by robstak Feb 14, 2009 7:44AM PST
- Collapse -
I personally question the usefulness of MBA degrees, but...
by shmody Feb 11, 2009 12:04AM PST

I personally question the usefulness of MBA degrees, but...education is always a good investment if you know what you'd like to do in at least the near/mid-term.

I'm looking into graduate certificate programs for a few different topics (engineering, conflict resolution, financial planning, etc.) instead of a full blown degree...but that may also be because I'm in a small company with room to grow...

Very best,
Shalin

- Collapse -
some food for thought...
by shmody Feb 11, 2009 1:28AM PST

Scott Berkun:
http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/berkun/2008/07/was-your-mba-worth-it-1.html
*****
My suspicion? I bet many MBAs are over-valued, and the Personal MBA (free, except for books which are available at your public library) is undervalued.
*****

http://www.slackermanager.com/2005/07/is_an_mba_worth.html
*****
A reader, Brandon, asked for my opinion on the utility of an MBA that?s not from a top school. And by top school, I?m assuming he?s talking about Ivy League sorts. [..]
I think can be valuable. My opinion is slightly skewed because I didn?t get my MBA right out of college. I spent a bunch of years working, both domestically and abroad, before going back to school. For me, the decision to get an MBA was more about learning how to break through my own perceived "career ceiling" than it was about getting the sheepskin.
*****

and finally, some numbers:
http://economiclogic.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-is-mba-worth.html
*****
So what is an MBA worth? A raw regression with few controls gives a return of 9.4% for men and 10.4% for women. Add controls for ability, returns drop to 6.3% and 6.7%. Or use fixed effects, and returns are only 4.8% and 3.8%. These numbers are truly not impressive given cost and supposed prestige of those programs. Which begs the question: are all MBA programs equally valuable?

For a school ranked outside the top 25, a full-time or part-time MBA program is essentially useless, in particular after controlling for ability. Executive programs have a return in the order of 11%. Going to a program ranked 11-25 increases returns by 27% (men) and 14% (women). Go to a top 10 school, and you can add another 6% or 28%.
*****

Happy decision making Happy
--S

- Collapse -
tysm -but- oh noes!
by robstak Feb 11, 2009 2:18AM PST

i mba = mac book air Sad

sry d00d to make you go thru all that trouble!

-k

- Collapse -
....ugghhh...
by shmody Feb 11, 2009 2:31AM PST

I thought the comparison was a bit odd...but I knew someone who was deciding between a nice, new DSLR and a house... it was a purchase vs. downpayment issue...

wow...I feel like a goof now... No worries Dr. Karl, this feeling too shall pass Wink(

--S

- Collapse -
this is what happens when...
by shmody Feb 11, 2009 3:22AM PST

this is what happens when...you pull a couple near all nighters Wink

Back to The CNET Lounge forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info