Buy MBA now...?

cpb · Feb 2, 2013, 02:38 PM

Hi all,

Looking to buy a MBA (11" 8gb ram, 128gb SSD, 2 ghz i7).

Is it worth waiting for the rumoured Haswell models or taking the plunge (giving my MBP to the missus as she's starting a degree).

Cheers

iAppl3Fan · Feb 2, 2013, 02:39 PM

Buy now. There's no time like the present.

maflynn · Feb 2, 2013, 02:47 PM

IF you need something now, then buy it. If you can wait until later this spring, then wait.

617aircav · Feb 2, 2013, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpb

Hi all,

Looking to buy a MBA (11" 8gb ram, 128gb SSD, 2 ghz i7).

Is it worth waiting for the rumoured Haswell models or taking the plunge (giving my MBP to the missus as she's starting a degree).

Cheers

Depends on you. Worth it is subjective. The only right answer here is yours.

cpb · Feb 2, 2013, 02:54 PM

Yeah, I guess it is down to me!

tmarks11 · Feb 2, 2013, 03:03 PM

Click on the buyers guide tab above.

"Buy only if you need it - Approaching the end of a cycle" is what it says about MBA.

That is somewhat misleading, since it is averaging years of MBA refreshes, and I think the average cycle time is a bit off. The next MBA will probably be released in Jun or Jul.

Can you wait until then?

Still100 · Feb 2, 2013, 03:04 PM

I thought there was news from intel at CES that haswell for laptops was delayed till the end of the year?

cpb · Feb 2, 2013, 03:11 PM

I could wait until June/July, it's more price dependant I guess. If the Haswell chips push the price up, it'll be a pain!

And it looks like the chips aren't being launched until June so not a lock for the next MBA refersh anyway.

ybz90 · Feb 2, 2013, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpb

I could wait until June/July, it's more price dependant I guess. If the Haswell chips push the price up, it'll be a pain!

And it looks like the chips aren't being launched until June so not a lock for the next MBA refersh anyway.

The price points are highly, highly unlikely to change. The Macbook line will inevitably be refreshed to Haswell, it's just an issue of when. If you don't need it, I'd wait, even if it might be 6 months or more. Otherwise, just go for it. I'm personally waiting for the Haswell Mini myself, but Air suffices for the time being.

NightMoose · Feb 2, 2013, 04:18 PM

I bought my MBA less than a week ago and I couldn't be happier. Got a good deal on it too (13" 8GB RAM for $1150 New!). The only way I'd regret not waiting is if the new refreshed 2013 MBA came with a retina display, which by all accounts doesn't seem like it'll happen.

Haswell is a little faster and uses less energy, but the real benefit is the upgrade in graphics. The mid-2012 is plenty fast for everyday use and a faster graphics processor wouldn't do me much good. Only hold out if you can think of reasons for needing the slight upgrade to Haswell. Otherwise, find a good deal on the mid-2012.

macAllen · Feb 2, 2013, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightMoose

I bought my MBA less than a week ago and I couldn't be happier. Got a good deal on it too (13" 8GB RAM for $1150 New!). The only way I'd regret not waiting is if the new refreshed 2013 MBA came with a retina display, which by all accounts doesn't seem like it'll happen.

Haswell is a little faster and uses less energy, but the real benefit is the upgrade in graphics. The mid-2012 is plenty fast for everyday use and a faster graphics processor wouldn't do me much good. Only hold out if you can think of reasons for needing the slight upgrade to Haswell. Otherwise, find a good deal on the mid-2012.

$1150!?!?!?

Where?

thekev · Feb 2, 2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maflynn

IF you need something now, then buy it. If you can wait until later this spring, then wait.

I would expect it to be later than Spring. The desktop models are set to debut first. Assuming the OP lives in the northern hemisphere, summer is more likely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpb

I could wait until June/July, it's more price dependant I guess. If the Haswell chips push the price up, it'll be a pain!

And it looks like the chips aren't being launched until June so not a lock for the next MBA refersh anyway.

This is an invalid concern. The new chips typically slide into the price points of the old ones. If Apple raised the price to cover increased cost of upgrades from the tail end of one cycle to the start of another, that would mean annual price increases in spite of relatively static chip pricing from year to year.

hkim1983 · Feb 2, 2013, 04:43 PM

I would also like to know where you got a 2012 MBA with 8 GB of ram for $1150...because I would jump on that right now...

NightMoose · 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macAllen

$1150!?!?!?

Where?

BestBuy Canada had a huge overstock sale on MBA and MBP. They are authorized Apple dealers and I just lucked out and happened to check.

The sale ended on Feb 1st. I posted the sale here, as well as on the MBP forum, on January 22nd but the mod moved it to the forum for buying tips and advice. I had been in the market for less than a week before I stumbled on this sale. A little patience and you'll save.

Still100 · Feb 2, 2013, 05:46 PM

Forget graphics, Isn't the main benefit of haswell the battery life increases? If a 11" air could get 12 hours

kage207 · Feb 2, 2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Still100

Forget graphics, Isn't the main benefit of haswell the battery life increases? If a 11" air could get 12 hours

I'm guessing Apple is going to rate battery life for 11" at 7 hours and 10 hours for the 13" with Haswell. I mean that's a 40% increase in battery life, crazy good. I'm just having a hard time seeing anything over 100% increase in battery life.

Rodster · Feb 2, 2013, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightMoose

BestBuy Canada had a huge overstock sale on MBA and MBP. They are authorized Apple dealers and I just lucked out and happened to check.

Image

The sale ended on Feb 1st. I posted the sale here, as well as on the MBP forum, on January 22nd but the mod moved it to the forum for buying tips and advice. I had been in the market for less than a week before I stumbled on this sale. A little patience and you'll save.

Amazon.com is also having the same sale. It's between $99-$200 off select laptaps.

iSayuSay · Feb 2, 2013, 07:05 PM

I'd say this time of year, Apple is going all retina with MBPs and MBA becomes the low-end with the regular display.

Haswell is indeed promising with the iGP improvements. Certainly can be a great challenge to GT650M from yesteryear. And having lower resolution than retina is indeed a unique advantage for not taxing the GPU so hard.

Violet1337 · Feb 2, 2013, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpb

Hi all,

Looking to buy a MBA (11" 8gb ram, 128gb SSD, 2 ghz i7).

Is it worth waiting for the rumoured Haswell models or taking the plunge (giving my MBP to the missus as she's starting a degree).

Cheers

I, too, have been stuck with this dilemma for the past few weeks and have been desperately wanting to own a MacBook Air for University use (starts in a few weeks), casual use and some light gaming however, after much deliberation with myself, I have decided to wait 5 or so months for the release of the 2013 Air. Hopefully, the wait will be well worth it.

Geekbabe · Feb 3, 2013, 12:35 AM

I'm waiting for Haswell to upgrade but I'm waiting with a July 2011 MBA. If you need a system now it makes sense to get one, there are some good deals popping up lately.

Feb 2, 2013, 02:38 PM	#1
cpb macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2013	Buy MBA now...? Hi all, Looking to buy a MBA (11" 8gb ram, 128gb SSD, 2 ghz i7). Is it worth waiting for the rumoured Haswell models or taking the plunge (giving my MBP to the missus as she's starting a degree). Cheers
	0

Feb 2, 2013, 02:39 PM	#2
iAppl3Fan macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2011	Buy now. There's no time like the present. __________________  2012 15" Retina MacBook Pro + Thunderbolt Display + B&W MM-1  2011 27" iMac + Bose QC15  Unlocked iPhone 5 AWS + Bose QC3 \|  TV \|  Time Capsule \| B&W Zepplin Air
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Feb 2, 2013, 02:47 PM	#3
maflynn Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Boston	IF you need something now, then buy it. If you can wait until later this spring, then wait. __________________ ~Mike Flynn
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Feb 2, 2013, 07:05 PM	#18
iSayuSay macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2011	I'd say this time of year, Apple is going all retina with MBPs and MBA becomes the low-end with the regular display. Haswell is indeed promising with the iGP improvements. Certainly can be a great challenge to GT650M from yesteryear. And having lower resolution than retina is indeed a unique advantage for not taxing the GPU so hard. __________________ The things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything Sent from Paper Street Soap. Co
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Feb 2, 2013, 02:54 PM	#5
cpb Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2013	Yeah, I guess it is down to me!
	0

Feb 2, 2013, 03:03 PM	#6
tmarks11 macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2010	Click on the buyers guide tab above. "Buy only if you need it - Approaching the end of a cycle" is what it says about MBA. That is somewhat misleading, since it is averaging years of MBA refreshes, and I think the average cycle time is a bit off. The next MBA will probably be released in Jun or Jul. Can you wait until then?
	0

Feb 2, 2013, 03:04 PM	#7
Still100 macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2011	I thought there was news from intel at CES that haswell for laptops was delayed till the end of the year?
	0

Feb 2, 2013, 03:11 PM	#8
cpb Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2013	I could wait until June/July, it's more price dependant I guess. If the Haswell chips push the price up, it'll be a pain! And it looks like the chips aren't being launched until June so not a lock for the next MBA refersh anyway.
	0

Feb 2, 2013, 04:18 PM	#10
NightMoose macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2012	I bought my MBA less than a week ago and I couldn't be happier. Got a good deal on it too (13" 8GB RAM for $1150 New!). The only way I'd regret not waiting is if the new refreshed 2013 MBA came with a retina display, which by all accounts doesn't seem like it'll happen. Haswell is a little faster and uses less energy, but the real benefit is the upgrade in graphics. The mid-2012 is plenty fast for everyday use and a faster graphics processor wouldn't do me much good. Only hold out if you can think of reasons for needing the slight upgrade to Haswell. Otherwise, find a good deal on the mid-2012.
	0

Feb 2, 2013, 04:43 PM	#13
hkim1983 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2009	I would also like to know where you got a 2012 MBA with 8 GB of ram for $1150...because I would jump on that right now...
	0

Feb 2, 2013, 05:46 PM	#15
Still100 macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2011	Forget graphics, Isn't the main benefit of haswell the battery life increases? If a 11" air could get 12 hours
	0

Feb 3, 2013, 12:35 AM	#20
Geekbabe macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2011	I'm waiting for Haswell to upgrade but I'm waiting with a July 2011 MBA. If you need a system now it makes sense to get one, there are some good deals popping up lately.
	0