Would you get a refurbished macbook air 2014 or a retina macbook?

It all depends if you want the retina screen or a larger display.

Ati1111 said:

Hi guys, just wondering whether you guys will consider getting a refurbished macbook air 2014 or a retina macbook? the price difference is quite significant

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Well there's a reason for the price difference. It all depends on what you want out of a Mac.

I would think the price difference would be the biggest determinant here. The rMB is a brand-new device in a tiny form factor. You'll be paying a premium for that. If price were for some reason not a factor, I'd get the rMB, personally.

zhenya said:

I would think the price difference would be the biggest determinant here. The rMB is a brand-new device in a tiny form factor. You'll be paying a premium for that. If price were for some reason not a factor, I'd get the rMB, personally.

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The other big factor for me is the display. I made a second try last month at becoming a happy 11" MBA owner. I got an open box, absolutely pristine (probably only powered up once) 11" for $775, just a little over half what the base rMB will cost. Unfortunately, I was reminded all over again why both of my prior attempts to be a happy MBA owner failed: the display is really poor. I could take or leave the other differences; these two were the ones that really stood out for me.

I couldn't turn down a retina display. That will make using the rMB a far more pleasurable experience.

If money is an issue, MBA, if not, rMB.

The rMB. Super light, new keyboard, and retina display.

CEmajr said:

The rMB. Super light, new keyboard, and retina display.

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you say that like it's a good thing.

kingofwale said:

you say that like it's a good thing.

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You've tried it and didn't like it?

newellj said:

You've tried it and didn't like it?

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you've tried it and like it?

All i've seen in review is either they don't like it or said they would take them a few hours (at least) to get used to it.

Sounds like the Microsoft surface touch keyboard

Ati1111 said:

Hi guys, just wondering whether you guys will consider getting a refurbished macbook air 2014 or a retina macbook? the price difference is quite significant

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If I wanted thin & light I'd opt for the new MacBook because it's, umm, new. I like new things.

As said depends on your priorities, new MacBook has weaker performance with Retina display, Air has stronger performance with poor display

Q-6

only you can answer that question because you know your requirements for the device and what compromises you are able to make in order to get that.

This is a tough decision. I'm also contemplating on either a new 2015 MBA or MB. I like the MB strictly for the gold color (and maybe 12" screen - this is pending once I see it in person), but the MBA has a better CPU, ports and a screen I'm comfortable using on a daily basis.

Something tells me I'm going for the MB (as long as that 12" screen is comfy). I can deal with using an USB-C adapter for flash drives and SD cards which I still use.

Retina screen only please.....non retina screens should be the punishment we use on gang members and people who talk in movie theaters.

kingofwale said:

you've tried it and like it?

All i've seen in review is either they don't like it or said they would take them a few hours (at least) to get used to it.

Sounds like the Microsoft surface touch keyboard

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No, I haven't, but I'm not the person who's posting that it doesn't work before I've tried it.

I have been using a rMBP since I got it in early 2014, the screen resolution makes a huge difference, I would never be able to get anything done on the low resolution MBA, it just does not display enough. The newer MBP is so light and thin now that I would never get an air (without a retina display anyway).

kingofwale said:

you've tried it and like it?

All i've seen in review is either they don't like it or said they would take them a few hours (at least) to get used to it.

Sounds like the Microsoft surface touch keyboard

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Thats to be expected, to a certain extent. For myself anyway having watched the intro videos, and taken seriously how they've redesigned and thinned out the keyboard. I'd guess hard key stompers will have a longer adaptation period, and soft key strokers will have an easier time.

I ended up getting the MBA 11 refurb, the price was just too good to pass up. I don't have a keen eye so a retina display doesn't mean much to me. Thinness and light weight do, but not at the current price difference.

Encom82 said:

I ended up getting the MBA 11 refurb, the price was just too good to pass up. I don't have a keen eye so a retina display doesn't mean much to me. Thinness and light weight do, but not at the current price difference.

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Having bad eyes is all the more reason to get retina... it's like saying you're sticking with an old SD tv because HDTV doesn't make a difference. If your eyes are so bad that HD vs SD aren't noticeable, I hope your drivers license has been taken away.

I dont have bad eyes at all, i just don't see any difference besides some slightly sharper looking text.

Displays are a personal thing. Having said that, I personally don't think resolution is the weakest part of the MBA TN display panels. I find the horrible viewing angles and poor color gamut and accuracy (even after correction ) a bigger problem. If it doesn't bother people, they're fortunate because the 11" MBA is otherwise a beautiful little machine and it can be gotten (as a refurb) for hundreds less than the rMB is going to sell for when it hits the shelves.