MBA Refurb: SSD caught my eye

[snickerstonight]

I saw this today

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB450LL/A?mco=MjE0Njc4Ng

and was wondering what you all thought of it. I realize that a refubished Macbook of the same price is the better deal, but I've always wanted a MBA (I'm still using an iBook G4 from 2005, it's hanging in there). Anyway, the whole optical drive thing irritates me, as well as the lackluster video card and overall processor performance. However, the SSD caught my eye, especially at this low, low price.

I'm ready to click "Buy now." What do you all think? How much would this machine have costed when it was first release?

Thanks.

[Scottsdale]

Don't place the value on the price it was first released at, $3099. Yes, now it can be had for $1299 with 1.8 GHz and SSD. BUT, the real value is what it's capable of, and unfortunately what it is NOT capable of.

The revised MBA is a MUCH better system. The entire "system" of the original MBA is a bunch of bottleneck constraints... Do some research and find all of the problems of the original MBA.

I had the original MBA, it was worthless. I own the new MBA, and it's an amazingly powerful and portable machine... the best Mac I have ever owned... the original MBA was the worst Mac I have ever owned.

Good luck with your decision. I hope you do the research before going the "cheap" route.

[twobert]

I don't know, Scottsdale, that seems like a bit of a harsh response. Clearly the Rev. A Macbook Airs had their fair share of problems, because you can read about them everywhere. However, I think the reports of its uselessness are greatly exaggerated.

I'm trying to make a decision similar to the OP (just sold my old MBP 2.0 Core Duo), and I've been looking everywhere for evidence on the Macbook Air's performance. I read posts like yours, then I see videos like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld71pJgqjfI

...and I wonder where the discrepancy is coming from. That's a Rev A 1.8 SSD model and it seems pretty blazingly fast. I mean as long as you're not processing/viewing huge amounts of HD video I'm not seeing the huge problem with the original Macbook Airs.

[dborja]

There are several threads that you can read in this forum to give you a feel of the machine and its two revs and mass storage configurations. Decide what you need from the machine and see which minimum revision/configuration meets your needs. Also, don't forget to consider how long you think you'll keep it before replacing it and whether going to a later version/higher configuration now would have changed how long you think you'd keep it.

Just some suggestions...

[orrelse44]

I don't know, Scottsdale, that seems like a bit of a harsh response.

Yeah, he's a broken record.

Scottsdale, dude, we get the F'in point. :rolleyes:

[Miker2k]

Accept that there are known limitations, accept that it's not Apples finest offering, and it should be a nice machine. If it meets your needs than jump on it. If you expect to be doing heavy duty computing the refurbished aluminum MB is probably more for you. If you're like me and sit on the couch, update facebook and browse forums I think you'll be fine.


This is just my 2 cents as an owner of a Rev A MBA. This was my first Apple and it will not negatively influence my decision to purchase another Apple. Coming from a Vista machine this MBA has been a dream.

[remobot]

the most common complaint you'll hear about the air is related to streaming video. mostly hd & flash based video. movies that run through itunes & quicktime work just fine. if you're someone who feels the need to stream hd video on a 13" screen then this machine is probably not for you.

i recently purchased a refurbished air with the hdd and i have no complaints. think over what you're buying the machine for and that should help make your decision. good luck !

[Halon X]

I own both Rev A and B MBA's, both with SSD's.

I use both regularly and often have to check which machine I'm on, usually because I can't find a file I know I saved because it's on the other laptop.

If you use your computer like a lot of people do, for email, web, office, iTunes & iPhoto, the A is absolutely adequate and you will see little difference between the two. If you need the extra graphics horsepower, definitely go for the Rev B. If you don't, save your $$$ and pick up a Rev A SSD at a steal of a price.

Because of the extreme price difference and based on my needs, were I to do it again, I would purchase a Rev A SSD over the Rev B SSD in a heartbeat.

[tubbymac]

The rev A is a good deal if you're not looking for a graphics machine. It doesn't just work out of the box with HD video because of the heat it generates, but some people have managed to get it working with Coolbook and other tweaks. As a secondary machine when I really need the portability this thing rocks. I would be hesitant to recommend it as a primary machine though unless all you do is basic non graphics stuff.

[snickerstonight]

Don't place the value on the price it was first released at, $3099. Yes, now it can be had for $1299 with 1.8 GHz and SSD. BUT, the real value is what it's capable of, and unfortunately what it is NOT capable of.

The revised MBA is a MUCH better system. The entire "system" of the original MBA is a bunch of bottleneck constraints... Do some research and find all of the problems of the original MBA.

I had the original MBA, it was worthless. I own the new MBA, and it's an amazingly powerful and portable machine... the best Mac I have ever owned... the original MBA was the worst Mac I have ever owned.

Good luck with your decision. I hope you do the research before going the "cheap" route.


Sorry we can't all afford to upgrade our Macs every 2-4 months for meager processor performance boosts. Thanks for insulting my "cheap" way of doing things. Maybe next time I will research by, I don't know, reading message boards based on the product I'm considering purchasing, and then maybe posting on said message board to ask questions concerning the product.

Oh wait.

[Turmoil]

I saw this today

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB450LL/A?mco=MjE0Njc4Ng

and was wondering what you all thought of it. I realize that a refubished Macbook of the same price is the better deal, but I've always wanted a MBA (I'm still using an iBook G4 from 2005, it's hanging in there). Anyway, the whole optical drive thing irritates me, as well as the lackluster video card and overall processor performance. However, the SSD caught my eye, especially at this low, low price.

I'm ready to click "Buy now." What do you all think? How much would this machine have costed when it was first release?

Thanks.

I bought a refurb MBA HDD and I am just thrilled. It's a marvelous piece of computing excellence.

[Mactagonist]

Sorry we can't all afford to upgrade our Macs every 2-4 months for meager processor performance boosts. Thanks for insulting my "cheap" way of doing things. Maybe next time I will research by, I don't know, reading message boards based on the product I'm considering purchasing, and then maybe posting on said message board to ask questions concerning the product.

Oh wait.

He might be exaggerating to make his point, but it is a valid one. You have to take a realistic look at what the Rev A can and cant do and buy based on that. Not based on how much the discount it is.

I owned, (and still own) both. The Rev A is significantly less powerful then the Rev B. But I made it work for web, word processing, video and some Civ4 with few issues for 8 months and my girlfriend is extremely happy with it as we speak. It is just a matter of how you will be using it.

[andrew0122]

I just bought a Rev A MBA 1.6 80GB and I love it I have been playing 720p trailers from apple's site and HD simply looks great. When I got it, it looked perfect, but from what I've been hearing is that the clam shells where replaced... I simply love it, but I also didn't expect a whole lot from it. It is only used as a second computer. I have an iMac if I need to do anything power related.

I've heard about the numerous problems they've had, but also about how through several software updates many of the problems have been fixed.

I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything. . . unless I could get the Rev B for the same price.

I have also been toying around with the idea of replacing the HDD with a Solid State, but I'm not sure if I want to put the money into it just yet...

If anyone has done it let me know.

[andrew0122]

Oh and one more thing!

I know that apple's web site says it ships with iLife '08, but you get an install disk for iLife '09.

I ware really excited about that!

Saved me $80.

[Scottsdale]

Sorry we can't all afford to upgrade our Macs every 2-4 months for meager processor performance boosts. Thanks for insulting my "cheap" way of doing things. Maybe next time I will research by, I don't know, reading message boards based on the product I'm considering purchasing, and then maybe posting on said message board to ask questions concerning the product.

Oh wait.

I hope your inappropriate verbiage makes you feel better today. About the last thing we need at Mac Rumors is someone like you calling people names when they simply advised to your own question... SAD. Very SAD that people like you think it's acceptable to do this.

Going to the point of your message that was not calling me names... This is much greater than a processor update to the rev B MBA.

PATA drive to SATA-II - read the differences
65 NM CPU to 45 NM Penryn CPU - read the differences
3 MB L2 Cache to 6 MB L2 Cache - read the differences
Intel graphics to Nvidia GPU - read the differences
xBench marks between them - read the differences

And that is NOT all. This is a heck of a lot more than a processor upgrade and it's not like I am telling you to "update" every 2 to 4 months...

You asked a question and I replied. This is what I get for trying to help you decide that the revised MBA was a much better VALUE. Sure, the one you selected is "cheap."

But, it wasn't like you said in your post, "hey I can only afford this amount, what should I do?" Even then, I would have told you to go to eBay and buy a rev B MBA with HDD for $1199. And by doing that you would get a MUCH BETTER machine at an even lower price. Check the stats on the difference between the "loaded" original MBA vs the new MBA with 1.6 and HDD.

I find it so offensive when someone like you decides to attack those that offer a little advice - only after you asked for it in the first place. Someone like you will never be happy in life.

So, I wish you peace and happiness.

[Carl Abudephane]

Scottsdale, will you please give it a rest. For one day? How about that?
Because you know, we get it, we really do get it. You think the Rev A is garbage. We. Get. It.

For chrissakes, every, bloody, day. Please, enough.

[Scottsdale]

Scottsdale, will you please give it a rest. For one day? How about that?
Because you know, we get it, we really do get it. You think the Rev A is garbage. We. Get. It.

For chrissakes, every, bloody, day. Please, enough.

The POINT is this guy called me a name, and it was not polite, not necessary, and definitely not what this forum is all about.

I made a valid claim that was a point of why not to go one route in favor of a better route. When someone asks a question, is it not ok to answer it? Apparently this is always about agreeing with everyone? Then why ask the question in the first place?

It's not about every day or anything else. It's about someone basing VALUE on something because of its former price and NOT based on value of the technology versus newer/better technology. I simply do not think that the original MBA is a great VALUE because it is currently deeply discounted. If someone wants to buy it, that's their deal. But when someone asks what we think, are we to lie to make them feel like it's ok then? Or should we not point out what for ourselves, and maybe for them, is a better path.

This forum can be fun sometimes. I get PMs from people saying they agree or wanting advice and etc, and that makes it fun. Reading what someone has to say about a product and especially rumors is fun. We all enjoy Macs and Apple products and that is what brings us together. The topic is fun for me. And I am always going to be honest, and I feel like I was duped by Apple to buy the original MBA. I feel that gives me the right to express my opinion about it.

Not like I am making things up here. Not like I am saying anything that isn't expressed all over this site and others. A lot of people are enticed because it's a discounted price. I just think those people should be aware of why the price is discounted... the differences are huge. I hate the fact that people are getting the shaft... Awareness should not make people angry or make them call people names on a public forum.

What should bother people is when forum members are calling people names just because they don't agree with the OP. It's truly SAD!

[Carl Abudephane]

Scottsdale. Look, at the level of name-calling, there really is nothing more to be said or done, so if you are able to rise above it and not respond, I reckon you're dealing with it just about right.

I've noticed that other members who have responded to threads recently have kinda withdrawn, and I understand why. It really does feel now as though it's become the Rev A haters & lovers nitpicking with each other.
For me, here, I guess it just feels like too much now. There are so many threads on the Rev A Air and whether or not it's a 'worthy' Mac, that anybody really can find the answers they require. They can choose who to believe if they are unable to come to the decision themselves. And if they still feel compelled to start another thread then yeah, I suppose people are gonna answer them. Really though, to me it honestly feels as though you revel in repeatedly and at length listing all the reasons why the Rev A is a POS.

The Rev A is a wonderful Mac for some, who do actually use it to do a hell of a lot. Such as me, using it for coding, for photoshop work, for Aperture & thousands of RAW files, the rest of the CS suite, as well as all the usual suspects - massive iTunes library, surfing, word processing etc ....
And for others, it's a waste of space!

I think the expression required here is 'Go Figure!'.

We could go on and on. I could carry on posting on how for me it's this or that and that I love the thing, but what's the point. It's been done to death and all I'm ever gonna say now is just "read the threads!".
Why not just leave folks to it. It's all been said.

[Pixellated]

Just stop arguing FFS, and stop trying to carry it on Scottsdale. Put it this way. The air will run circles around your iBook. Even my netbook with an Atom is fast under OSX. You will notice a speed difference. It isn't an iMac or an MBP though. It will play youtube. But the complaints are from the idiots who have 5 HD videos, Photoshop, FCP, skype and MSN all on at the same time, and expect the machine not to be phased. It is just not made for that.

[OnceBitten]

Nope, no rev. A for me, been there done that.

[xoggyux]

Performance:
Let me put it in this way: 2 years ago I still had a P III @ 450mhz 512kb cache (YEAH!!! 450mhz!!!!) 384mb ram and at some point i had "upgraded" it to a nividia 4000 graphic card with 64mg video. That machine served me for over 8 years (1998-2005) with at most 2-3 upgrades (graphic card from a S3 savage 16mb which dont think it exist anymore, and 64mb ram to 384mb and a Maxtor Diamond 10 with 120gb from a 13gb HHD!!!!.) Now this is the point where you ask, what kind of program you could run in that piece of crap... To make it short almost anything from autocad design and 3d max modeling to light image manipulation to light video edition, reproduction of high resolution video playback (no HD 1080p since when I upgraded to my current mac they did not existed or they were too expensive) but i did saw a few 720i movies on that computer (with the original sound card, the sound and audio would get desynchronized every few mins, but once I "upgraded" it to a $15 generic one, everything was back to fine again) I could also play several "modern" games at mid-low resolution (usually 1024x784 since the display was 15",) I think the last game I played there was a Need For Speed ( version either 7 or 8, I dont remember since there are so many! and I havent played at all in 2-3 years due to school.) The whole system would boot up Windows XP SP2 (yes!! XP) from the time you pressed the power button, to the time the system was ready to open in 45s (when no having programs automatically starting up with the machine) to 1min 30s with yahoo, norton 2003, and a couple of other programs (about 2-3 more, but not as intensive like norton or yahoo messenger.) I want to stress out, that the computer I had after that one and before my current MBP was a athlon X2 4200 @ 2.2Ghz 3gb RAM and 10,000rpm WD raptor, and windows XP (the same installation disk and everything) would load in 1min without startup programs (it took a bit longer to pass the bios screen, that probably caused most of the difference) and 1:20 with all the startup programs (this time was yahoo! and norton 2005 not 2003, and two more programs.)
My point is that although modern computers beat 1000000 times older ones in benchmarks, usually when it comes to actually running the program the gap closes, I have never seen a computer that claims to be twice as fast as an older one actually running a program in HALF the time, usually is seconds if not milliseconds.
Someone pointed out that the MBA is "full of bottlenecks" let me tell you a little secret, it can only exist ONE bottle neck which is usually caused by the slower component (traditionally the HDD, but now we got SSD so that might change from system to system.)
I do however agree that the Mac Book Aluminum is a better deal for your money, battery last more, you get better performance overall, and is just 1 pound heavier (I particularly would not like a computer such as the Air that is too thin and too light, since I'd feel I might break it by just typing, but thats me) also you get a NEW one instead of a refurbished for the same price. SO... if you really appreciate 1 less pound (notice Im using the weight to compare them, because if I use the word portability they would be even since its true the Air is lighter but the Macbook's battery last more, and thats portability also) and you wont be doing professional video/image edition etc go for the air, otherwise the MacBook is way better value for money.

[kinkster]

It just depends on what you need it for. For simple tasks the Rev A is perfectly fine.. if you want more then that then it's worth the atleast $500 more to get the Rev. B

I can see where people are coming from with saying the Rev B is far better but that's either because they haven't considered the recent software updates or they were using fairly heavy programs on their machines.

[Scottsdale]

I don't like that they removed my post... although it did state the name I was called three times in it. But, they shouldn't have removed my post. I guess the OP's abusive language was removed, however.

[Scottsdale]

Performance:
Let me put it in this way: 2 years ago I still had a P III @ 450mhz 512kb cache (YEAH!!! 450mhz!!!!) 384mb ram and at some point i had "upgraded" it to a nividia 4000 graphic card with 64mg video. That machine served me for over 8 years (1998-2005) with at most 2-3 upgrades (graphic card from a S3 savage 16mb which dont think it exist anymore, and 64mb ram to 384mb and a Maxtor Diamond 10 with 120gb from a 13gb HHD!!!!.) Now this is the point where you ask, what kind of program you could run in that piece of crap... To make it short almost anything from autocad design and 3d max modeling to light image manipulation to light video edition, reproduction of high resolution video playback (no HD 1080p since when I upgraded to my current mac they did not existed or they were too expensive) but i did saw a few 720i movies on that computer (with the original sound card, the sound and audio would get desynchronized every few mins, but once I "upgraded" it to a $15 generic one, everything was back to fine again) I could also play several "modern" games at mid-low resolution (usually 1024x784 since the display was 15",) I think the last game I played there was a Need For Speed ( version either 7 or 8, I dont remember since there are so many! and I havent played at all in 2-3 years due to school.) The whole system would boot up Windows XP SP2 (yes!! XP) from the time you pressed the power button, to the time the system was ready to open in 45s (when no having programs automatically starting up with the machine) to 1min 30s with yahoo, norton 2003, and a couple of other programs (about 2-3 more, but not as intensive like norton or yahoo messenger.) I want to stress out, that the computer I had after that one and before my current MBP was a athlon X2 4200 @ 2.2Ghz 3gb RAM and 10,000rpm WD raptor, and windows XP (the same installation disk and everything) would load in 1min without startup programs (it took a bit longer to pass the bios screen, that probably caused most of the difference) and 1:20 with all the startup programs (this time was yahoo! and norton 2005 not 2003, and two more programs.)
My point is that although modern computers beat 1000000 times older ones in benchmarks, usually when it comes to actually running the program the gap closes, I have never seen a computer that claims to be twice as fast as an older one actually running a program in HALF the time, usually is seconds if not milliseconds.
Someone pointed out that the MBA is "full of bottlenecks" let me tell you a little secret, it can only exist ONE bottle neck which is usually caused by the slower component (traditionally the HDD, but now we got SSD so that might change from system to system.)
I do however agree that the Mac Book Aluminum is a better deal for your money, battery last more, you get better performance overall, and is just 1 pound heavier (I particularly would not like a computer such as the Air that is too thin and too light, since I'd feel I might break it by just typing, but thats me) also you get a NEW one instead of a refurbished for the same price. SO... if you really appreciate 1 less pound (notice Im using the weight to compare them, because if I use the word portability they would be even since its true the Air is lighter but the Macbook's battery last more, and thats portability also) and you wont be doing professional video/image edition etc go for the air, otherwise the MacBook is way better value for money.

You really used one computer for eight years??? WOW. That's getting maximum use out of a machine.

My point on BOTTLENECKS was that you could consider every major component a constraint on the system. Not like one thing, PATA drive, was the problem. It was also an overheated 65 NM CPU. It was also an Intel graphics card. Software that couldn't run video efficiently. There's more. That's truthfully not all. My point was even if one thing could be fixed, another would be the bottleneck.

The really amazing thing is Apple fixed EVERY problem with the revised MBA. I think that shows that the lesson was learned. I just had hoped everyone didn't have to learn the lesson too. There are enough of us that already learned the lesson. Apparently that has to be anger point for everyone interested in the cheap MBA, and that has become the lesson for me.

If you compare the MBA that this poster was comparing to a new MB, you're right, the new MB is about 10 times the computer for the same price.

[miffed]

I

PATA drive to SATA-II - read the differences
65 NM CPU to 45 NM Penryn CPU - read the differences
3 MB L2 Cache to 6 MB L2 Cache - read the differences
Intel graphics to Nvidia GPU - read the differences
xBench marks between them - read the differences



I read thee figures , and while they appear to mean a great deal , the fact is my 1.8 SSD Rev A has never let me down , performs better than the white macbook it replaced (despite costing less) and is probaly the best mac I have owned period .
Of course it isn't the most powerful - but all things considered I am happier with my Rev A air than I was with the MBP I returned in Jan .
If there were only a couple of hundred quid between the Revs I could understand the nitpicking , but when you are talking about the huge savings on the Rev A I cannot understand why anyone would want to discourage their purchase ? OK so the rev b is 'better' (anyone that knows their alphabet will have a pretty good idea that this is the case ! ) , but having used the Rev A for a month or so , I cannot understand why someone would seeming dedicate their life to discrediting a laptop that many people are happy / blown away with
OF COURSE better specced machines exist ! but that doesn't make machines with lower specs worthless , does it ?

[zedsdead]

I have a REV A w/SSD and I have had no problems at all with core shutdowns or anything of the sort. If you are using it as a secondary computer it is perfect, but it seems you would be better off waiting and saving for a REV B or a regular Macbook.

[bossxii]

To the OP, as a owner of the Rev B MBA and a MB prior to that, I have to say this Rev B does everything I need vs the early 2008 MB 2.4Ghz and seems as responsive if not more so. As far as the refurbs from Apple, I'd have to agree with several other people about what you intend on using it for. I read alot of forums, tech sites, youtube reviews etc.. the Rev A seemed to be hit and miss on "heat issues".

My only advice would be to consider the cost vs time you upgrade your machines. If possible the Rev B refurb eve at say 1500 vs 1000 Rev A maybe worth while for the advances in the hardware and longer service life for such things like Snow Leapord etc..

If the budget allows the Rev B I can say I am very happy with this MBA and it has become my main/only computer. I've retired my desktop windows based machine and hope to sell it to purchase a iMac or find a used one once the new ones come out and people decide to upgrade. Good Luck.

[Scottsdale]

I read thee figures , and while they appear to mean a great deal , the fact is my 1.8 SSD Rev A has never let me down , performs better than the white macbook it replaced (despite costing less) and is probaly the best mac I have owned period .
Of course it isn't the most powerful - but all things considered I am happier with my Rev A air than I was with the MBP I returned in Jan .
If there were only a couple of hundred quid between the Revs I could understand the nitpicking , but when you are talking about the huge savings on the Rev A I cannot understand why anyone would want to discourage their purchase ? OK so the rev b is 'better' (anyone that knows their alphabet will have a pretty good idea that this is the case ! ) , but having used the Rev A for a month or so , I cannot understand why someone would seeming dedicate their life to discrediting a laptop that many people are happy / blown away with
OF COURSE better specced machines exist ! but that doesn't make machines with lower specs worthless , does it ?

You know, if people want to spend money on the original MBA, that is their deal. I just try to show people the truth about the original. It has serious limitations that will show effects now for some and soon for others. For some people, they don't need much power, and the original MBA will work for them. For some people, they don't want to do video or use intensive apps or demand much from their computer, and the original MBA is right. For others, they really want or need the power of a netbook and they get an amazingly designed small portable MBA and the original MBA is right. But for most, that require their MBA run as their primary Mac, or they require video capabilities, or they use intensive apps, or they just expect more without problems, the revised MBA is a much better solution.

I am glad your original MBA works for you. I did have the HDD 1.6 original MBA... I have the 1.86 GHz/SSD rev B MBA. I realize the differences between SSD and HDD are huge, but you have to admit, the actual limitations of your PATA SSD is making it slower than a rev B HDD. There are plenty of benchmarks and test that show it. As far as read/write speed and more, that PATA drive is really limited. I have used an original MBA 1.8 and SSD and it suffered the exact same problems of my 1.6 original MBA.

I am not saying to anyone go buy a new MBA every two to four months like the OP claimed. What I am saying is the contrary. While an original MBA may be tweaked and software modified to be able to do some things it previously couldn't, it is not going to stand the test of time. It may work now for some, but in the long run it is limited. No matter how many software tweaks Apple comes up with to change the MBA, the PATA drive technology, graphics, 65 NM CPU, and etc are stuck in the original MBA.

Hey, I bought the original MBA for $1799... I wish more than anyone it was capable of the tasks I had to throw at it... but it wasn't even close. It literally experienced overheating and core shutdown after 90 seconds of any video (NON-HD), it would then lock up completely. It was so slow to do standard app tasks, that I had to open and close apps to keep it moving. I had to close email to use Safari. I had to close Safari to use Word. I had to close Word to use email. And every time I had to "switch" it took nearly 30 seconds. Not to mention a 2-minute boot time. For anything else, the computer would just be so slow that it was ridiculous to waste the time. I quit using it and gave up on it. Everytime I took it out I got frustrated...

I am trying to advise people, that if they consider that they need more, and we all will need more maybe not now but in the near future, to spend a little more money now for a rev B MBA. Even with even HDD and 1.6 GHz, the rev B is simply amazing while I could never describe the original as amazing other than the display and form factor. Look, at the low-end of the rev B MBA, it has the Nvidia graphics, it has a 45 NM Penryn CPU with 6 MB L2 cache, it has 1066 MHz RAM, it has capability to drive up to a 30" Apple Cinema Display, and it will not overheat or let you down whether throwing an intensive app, 1080p HD video, or etc...

I have seen rev B MBAs 1.6/HDD on eBay brand new for $1250 to $1500. I personally think that anyone considering an original MBA in any form, should take a step back and think about the "long-run." While the original MBA may get some tasks done for some, in the long-run it is still severely limited by its CPU, drive technology, graphics, and etc.

My rev B MBA would probably be capable of being my primary Mac for several years... maybe five. Can ANYONE say that about the original MBA? Applications, video players and programs, and entertainment software requires faster and faster computers and more and more resources (and drive space). While someone may say their needs may not change, the application updates and etc will make the original MBA obsolete MANY YEARS before the rev B MBA is obsolete. So, rather than buy a new computer more often, I am encouraging the OPPOSITE. I am encouraging that people understand why Apple had to reduce the price on the rev A MBA to $999 to $1299 even though it costs $1799 to $3099 just eight months ago.

I was/am simply trying to suggest that people think, NOT about the short term, but rather the long term when they would NOT need a new Mac if they had a rev B, while the original MBA will NOT stand the test of time.

Heck, I wish the original MBA would have been what Apple made out of the rev B... Apple learned its lesson, and again the early adopters, including me, paid the price of lessons learned so that the revised MBA owners could reap the true rewards of those lessons. My whole logic is that smart intelligent people spending this much money don't have to learn the lesson for themselves when others have learned the lesson and written about it excessively here on Mac Rumors.

I don't wish to offend anyone. I wish to help them see if the short term gain of a reduced price now on a technologically outdated (for most, already) computer is the right thing when for just a little more they can buy a rev B that is truly capable of lasting time for others.

I am sorry for anyone that has been offended that I suggest people steer away from the original... it is only because of my own stupidity that I suggest it. I was dumb for being an early adopter... it happens all of the time with Apple products. The first revision of any new Apple product always seems to be "perfect," while the original version always seems to not live up to the expectations of those who bought the original. Luckily for Apple, people like me just keep buying until Apple gets it right. Apple did everything really right with the rev B MBA.

Best wishes to all whether you own or buy a MacBook Air in any version or form.

Cheers.

[Carl Abudephane]

:)
I think all Air'ers, be they of the A or the B variety, should meet(virtually!)and share a big group hug!

Come what may, we have all recognised it's appeal, one that took us beyond the cost versus spec equation that many simplistically take to indicate it's lack of true worth.

What do we actually get for investing in this most singular of Macs?
One hell of an experience. It is, quite simply, a joy to use.
It really is all about the experience.

[spencers]

:)
I think all Air'ers, be they of the A or the B variety, should meet(virtually!)and share a big group hug!

Come what may, we have all recognised it's appeal, one that took us beyond the cost versus spec equation that many simplistically take to indicate it's lack of true worth.

What do we actually get for investing in this most singular of Macs?
One hell of an experience. It is, quite simply, a joy to use.
It really is all about the experience.

I fail to see the relevance of this to the topic.

[600bck]

Hey hows it going everyone?
Ive been researching this topic trying to make up my mind too and joined just to post this little qeustion.

I want to buy the refurb Mac Air but not sure if it would fit my needs.
I usually just use the internet,myspace,forums,etc. I also need music and the occasional movie. Finally, I play an online game (Soldierfront:D) and it'd be great if i can keep playing on the Mac.

So what do you think. Is it right for me? Thanks for any help

[Carl Abudephane]

I fail to see the relevance of this to the topic.

Maybe, if you'd actually read through the posts in this thread, and then read the post immediately preceding mine from Scottsdale, you may, just, be able to see the relevance of my post.
I suspect not however.

[darngooddesign]

I fail to see the relevance of this to the topic.

Your response was significantly less relevant.

[spencers]

Hey hows it going everyone?
Ive been researching this topic trying to make up my mind too and joined just to post this little qeustion.

I want to buy the refurb Mac Air but not sure if it would fit my needs.
I usually just use the internet,myspace,forums,etc. I also need music and the occasional movie. Finally, I play an online game (Soldierfront:D) and it'd be great if i can keep playing on the Mac.

So what do you think. Is it right for me? Thanks for any help

Pick up whichever Air you want. With what you are doing (internet, occasional movie), even the base model revision A would suit you fine. But if you get into playing high definition, I'd definitely suggest going with revision B.

[Scottsdale]

Pick up whichever Air you want. With what you are doing (internet, occasional movie), even the base model revision A would suit you fine. But if you get into playing high definition, I'd definitely suggest going with revision B.

Mine couldn't even play non-HD video for 90 seconds without totally overheating, experiencing core shutdown and completely locking up. That was my rev A, 1.6, HDD, MBA. That's the truth.