New Air vs Refurb?

[katatoniq]

I'm looking at the new MBA with ivy core i5, and a refurb (Jul 2011) with sandy core i7. My question is: given the specs, which ultimately nets me a better/longer lasting computer? I want this thing to be around for a while, and with the specs listed below, they are approximately the same price.

New:
ivy core i5
8GB ram
128GB flash
Intel HD Graphics 4000

Refurb:
sandy core i7
4GB ram
256GB flash
Intel HD Graphics 3000

Help!

[RocketRed]

ivy core i5
8GB ram
128GB flash
Intel HD Graphics 4000

- Memory can be substituted with an external hard drive
- 8 GB ram is a better investment in the long run than 4 GB ram
- Ivy Bridge > Sandy Bridge
- USB 3.0 > USB 2.0

[katatoniq]

Thank you! So the lower Ivy Bridget (Core i5) is still better than the higher Sandy Bridge (Core i7)?

ivy core i5
8GB ram
128GB flash
Intel HD Graphics 4000

- Memory can be substituted with an external hard drive
- 8 GB ram is a better investment in the long run than 4 GB ram
- Ivy Bridge > Sandy Bridge
- USB 3.0 > USB 2.0