Original MacBook Air Still a "Decent" Mac?

[Derrick Velasco]

Our family (especially in our economy) is not doing well financially, Does the 80GB 1.6GHz MacBook Air sound good for a 17 year old kid who needs a computer? I need a new computer, we have a pro, and an old iMac..
So really what my question is, does the old MacBook Air have bang for the $1,249.99 that it is?
We just cannot afford the new Air, we need a new computer anyhow..
(I don't like the new MacBook) :(

http://images.apple.com/macbookair/images/design_displayair20080115.jpg

[jmann]

No a MBA is waay too overpriced for what it does. You are paying for it's form factor. It's capabilities are significantly less than a macbook which is considerably cheaper. I would go for a macbook (the old one) if you like it.

[Derrick Velasco]

I'm such an idiot and your so right, but I'm so in love with the MacBook Air's Design, it's absolutely gorgeous. I love the Air...
It's design makes it ideal..

[zer0tails]

the Air is indeed a beautiful computer. But neither its beauty nor specs warrants you to purchase it if your family's financial situation is not doing too well.

Trust me, I own an air and would say as lovely as it is, its still just a computer and is not worth racking up more debt for or for it to take up family resources which can be used for more important things.

If you do indeed a new computer, a refurb macbook will be ideal. You won't be disappointed with it and it'll do almost everything you throw at it.

When things get better, you can get an Air :)

[Derrick Velasco]

the Air is indeed a beautiful computer. But neither its beauty nor specs warrants you to purchase it if your family's financial situation is not doing too well.

Trust me, I own an air and would say as lovely as it is, its still just a computer and is not worth racking up more debt for or for it to take up family resources which can be used for more important things.

If you do indeed a new computer, a refurb macbook will be ideal. You won't be disappointed with it and it'll do almost everything you throw at it.

When things get better, you can get an Air :)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e358/hetherkae/smile_icon.gif bravo!! *clap* *clap* *clap* Quality post. Thank you so much! Great advice.

[justit]

not worth racking up more debt for or for it to take up family resources which can be used for more important things.


kudos

The black macbook is also a looker and can be found easily under $1K.

[iknowyourider]

So really what my question is, does the old MacBook Air have bang for the $1,249.99 that it is?

No it does not. It did not, even when it was current. It is very much a luxury item. Since the question is about bang-for-the-buck, the Macbook is the best solution. A refurb probably has the most bang. I have a refurb and it is as good as new or better.

[netdog]

No it does not. It did not, even when it was current. It is very much a luxury item. Since the question is about bang-for-the-buck, the Macbook is the best solution. A refurb probably has the most bang. I have a refurb and it is as good as new or better.

As a portable to run productivity apps along with Safari, iTunes, Mail and the like, the MBA has no speed issues at all. A faster machine won't buy you anything for these sorts of tasks. And yeah, the size and weight are the bang, and the MBA has still got that bang in spades.

I use it out of the house 4 days a week, and this is much more than just a fashion item unless you don't need a supremely portable Mac. If you don't need a super portable, consider the old MacBook or even a white C2D iMac (a great machine!).

[mykoljay]

My personal feelings is that if your family is having financial problems, get a hp or dell for 400-500 dollars. Crazy deals around with this recession.

I own a MB Air, but I can afford it at 28 yrs old. If he works, tell him you'll go in on a Mac with him. Just my opinion. Good luck.

[Scepticalscribe]

Have to agree with zer0tails; unless absolute portability is a must, go for the MB, better still a refurb MB, which will meet both your needs and those of your family rather better in these straitened times.

Cheers and good luck

[cube]

When was such a crippled and overpriced netbook decent?

[Cynicalone]

As the others have suggested a more realistic choice for your situation would be a new White Macbook. You could add more RAM and still get it under the cost of the low end Macbook Air. If you went the Refurb route you would save even more money.

A new White Macbook with 2GB of RAM from Apple is $1,074 (http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB402LL/B?mco=MTkzOTI0Nw).

[Derrick Velasco]

Thanks for your recommendations. But, I...I need the Air..
Does anyone know if there selling the old ones for?
$1.1xx? Around that price range?

[zap2]

It looks like you have your mind made up already. :p

For the Ultraportable market, the old MacBook Air for that 1150(ish) price from MacMall is a good price.

But that is the ultraportable market, and you'll find a better deal outside of it, if your looking for a long term work horse to last you a while, you could look else where.(MacBook if your look for OS X, else where if you looking Windows/Linux) Or if you want something portable and small, a netbook(if your not doing to many system intensive things) are very nice, but no (legit) OS X support


But if the Air is what you want, its a darn fine computer, and people have used much slower computer.

[descartes]

check the refurbs on apple.com and craigslist. I have seen used Rev A MBA for under 1k.

[jackiecanev2]

If you use the live.com discount on ebay BIN, you can score one for around 1k if you scour.

[fyrefly]

Thanks for your recommendations. But, I...I need the Air..
Does anyone know if there selling the old ones for?
$1.1xx? Around that price range?

Find someone with an Apple EPP discount - the Refurb Air 1.6Ghz 80GB HDD is $999 there. And comes with full Apple warranty :D