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Gift for Dad - Which MBA is better?

  • $919 2011 MBA 13"

    Votes: 12 75.0%
  • $929 2012 MBA 11"

    Votes: 4 25.0%

  • Total voters
    16

dmk1974

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
2,389
464
I am thinking of trying to convert my 65 year-old Dad from his old Windows laptop to a Mac. Looking at the Apple refurb site, I narrowed it to these two units that are just over $900 each.

1.) $919 2011 MBA 13"
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC965LL/A

2.) $929 2012 MBA 11"
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD224LL/A/

Both have an i5 1.7GHz processor, 4GB RAM, and 128GB flash storage. The tradeoffs are:

13" screen vs 11" screen
HD3000 vs HD4000
USB 2.0 vs USB 3.0
FaceTime camera vs FaceTime HD camera

The weight difference I don't think matters. What do you think? Thanks!
 

blevins321

macrumors 68030
Dec 24, 2010
2,768
96
Detroit, MI
How old is your Dad? If he's getting up there in years I'd highly suggest the 13" model. More than likely he isn't going to be gaming on it, so the 3000 might be fine for him. The bigger screen would make it much easier to read things with.
 

dmk1974

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
2,389
464
How old is your Dad? If he's getting up there in years I'd highly suggest the 13" model. More than likely he isn't going to be gaming on it, so the 3000 might be fine for him. The bigger screen would make it much easier to read things with.

Sorry, I updated the post. He's 65. I think his current laptop is a 14" or 15" Gateway.
 

Johnny Alien

macrumors member
Nov 17, 2012
98
0
Normally I would say 11" but since he is 65 the 11" might seem a bit small as far as resolution goes. The graphics likely won't make a huge difference to him.
 

Scepticalscribe

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Jul 29, 2008
63,957
46,414
In a coffee shop.
Yes, I, too, find myself in agreement with those who have posted.

Aging eyes will thank you for the larger screen; I love the form of the 11", but, unless he has a pressing need for portability, unless he travels a lot, I'd recommend the 13" for him. It is still exceedingly portable, but with an easier screen to view from the perspective of tired (and aging) eyes.
 

in2tech

macrumors regular
Aug 23, 2012
136
13
Definitely the 13" MacBook Air for your dad! If you could swing it, see if you can find an open box at Best Buy or a refurb 2012 base unit, that's what I have but brand new! But if you can't find one in your price range in the 2012 models than go with the 2011 13". I am getting up there and I could never have lived with the 11", plus I am using it at home 95% of the time!

Your a great son! I think your dad will love the MacBook Air 13"! I am sure he deserves it! Does he have other Apple devices?
 

hlkc

macrumors regular
Jan 15, 2008
208
0
I am sure he will love his 13" or 11" MBA. I've the same viewing concerns before I picked up my 11" MBA. But for travel and even just carry around the house, I love my 11" so much! For web surfing, not all the sites, but most of the sites I went to, I preset the font size to be bigger, I don't see any different than my 15" MBP these days.
 

dmk1974

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
2,389
464
I also found a 2011 13" MBA on Craigslist that I can get for $800-$820. No warranty left on it though, but mint condition. Would it be worth pursuing at that price?
 

Mrbobb

macrumors 603
Aug 27, 2012
5,009
209
I also found a 2011 13" MBA on Craigslist that I can get for $800-$820. No warranty left on it though, but mint condition. Would it be worth pursuing at that price?

if ur comfortable with Craiglist, go4rit.

Question to ask of course whether u wanto purchase applecare for ur Dad, or it's OK for him to call u whenever.
 
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