Torn between which route to go, what MBA do you guys recommend

Hey Guys,

First post on the forum, so be gentle. This is my current situation I will be getting an 15" MBP from work shortly but I need something in the meantime that will be of use after I get the MBP. I have settled on going with a 13" MBA since I think I can get use out of it even if I have a 15" MBP as my main workhorse.

The problem is I don't really want to break the bank on it but I need some decent specs since I will be running Adobe Creative Suite. I have narrowed my options down to these 3 and would like your opinion or suggestions on one of these routes or another, thanks in advance.

1. Used 13" Macbook Air (Mid 2012) - $1350
- 2.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache
- 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L onboard memory
- 512gb Flash Storage
- Intel HD 4000 512mb
- Apple Care until August 2015

2. Used 13" Macbook Air (Latest 2013) - $1450
- 1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
- 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
- 256GB Flash Storage
- Intel HD 5000 1024mb

3. New from Apple Macbook Air (Latest 2013) - $1700 after tax
- 1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
- 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM
- 256GB Flash Storage
- Intel HD 5000 1024mb

Also, I like to run Diablo 3 every now and then. I know these are not meant for gaming but still would like a decent experience on D3 if possible. Thanks again

Agent-P said:

I'm in agreement with Sandman. Keep checking the refurb store for a 2013 model. The only caveat is itt might be a bit difficult to find the exact configuration you want.

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Yeah I have been on there like every hour for the last week or so but only the lower end 13" ones have popped up so far.

Thanks for all the replies.

So it looks like #2 is out, the guy wants more and I'm done haggling with him.

So now its between:
#1 at $1350
#3 brand new from Apple $1700
or I guess option 4 wait for refurbished one to appear.

What do you guys have against 1? Everyone seems to gravitate towards 2, why?

Sandman1969 said:

I would keep checking. The one I snagged popped up along with like 12 of varying models last Thursday around 12:30 pm EST.

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I think I'm going to just buy one from Apple and keep checking the refurbished site for the next 14 days. If I can't snag one before my return policy period ends I will just keep the one from Apple.

Two low end 13" were up this morning, it looks like one of them already sold. The specs were not right, I need at least 8gb ram and a 256gb SSD.

RedTomato said:

Agree re 8gb ram and 256gb SDD, but if you are tight for money then I would ask if you really need an i7. You can do everything with an i5 that you could with an i7, and in SOME situation it will take a few seconds longer. That's all.

I mean, this is your secondary computer. It doesn't need to have the horsepower of your primary MBP. (Is your company waiting for the new MBPs to come out?)

New 2013 MBA 8gb 256gb i5 is $1400 before tax which might be in your budget. Might also be slightly easier to find in refurb.

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The MBA 13" refurbished page just got fully stocked as of an hour ago. I wasn't quick enough to grab the configuration outlined as #2 in my post above but I got a fully maxed out version with 512gb SSD instead for 1569 before tax. I think I did pretty good, thoughts?