Time to upgrade and I'm a bit out of the loop

jmelick07 · Dec 9, 2012, 04:52 PM

I currently have a 2008 aluminum macbook 2.0 ghz core 2 duo with 4gb ram. I am starting grad school in January and will be riding public transportation every day so I think a macbook air is the best choice for me due to portability.

Now, I am pretty set on staying at a 13 inch screen size but I'm really torn with ram and hard drive size.

I'm looking basically just at the refurb machines from apple and really leaning towards 2012 models due to the usb 3.0 and slightly better graphics.

Anyone have any input? I haven't upgraded in awhile and am a bit lost.

danistyping · Dec 9, 2012, 05:02 PM

Assuming you want to keep using this computer as long as you used your '08 macbook, I wouldn't hesitate to get the 8GB RAM and i7 upgrades.

Get 2012. Graphics are much better and the computer is very fast.

HD size depends on what you need and how much stuff you install/download. Maybe add another 50% to what currently use to figure that out.

jmelick07 · Dec 9, 2012, 05:20 PM

I currently only use 80gb. But in reality I could probably trim that down a bit pretty easily. I really don't want to spend the money on the 256 ssd.

Also, does anyone know if the 8gb ram versions ever go on the refurb store?

cedwhatev · Dec 9, 2012, 05:30 PM

Best deal you will get on a 2012 13" 8/128 is here:

http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-MacBo...25~pdp.hgcjcbb

128 is all you need, trust me. 8GB is a must.

jmelick07 · Dec 9, 2012, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedwhatev

Best deal you will get on a 2012 13" 8/128 is here:

http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-MacBo...25~pdp.hgcjcbb

128 is all you need, trust me. 8GB is a must.

I was just looking at this. Do they charge sales tax?

cedwhatev · Dec 9, 2012, 05:39 PM

Not sure, I think it depends on what state you are in. I'm from Canada, I have never dealt with them before.

jmelick07 · Dec 9, 2012, 07:02 PM

Also, my major gripe with my 2008 macbook is the screen. It's terrible, washed out with terrible viewing angles.

How much better will a 2012 air be?

halledise · Dec 9, 2012, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmelick07

Also, my major gripe with my 2008 macbook is the screen. It's terrible, washed out with terrible viewing angles.

How much better will a 2012 air be?

like going from beer to a nice pinot noir.

try here:
http://www.refurb.me

Lunchb0x8 · Dec 9, 2012, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halledise

like going from beer to a nice pinot noir.

try here:
http://www.refurb.me

Clearly you drink terrible beer.

A better analogy would be;
It is like going from Bud light to a boutique IPA.

halledise · Dec 10, 2012, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lunchb0x8

Clearly you drink terrible beer.

A better analogy would be;
It is like going from Bud light to a boutique IPA.

VB - is there another?

Dec 9, 2012, 04:52 PM	#1
jmelick07 macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, MI	Time to upgrade and I'm a bit out of the loop I currently have a 2008 aluminum macbook 2.0 ghz core 2 duo with 4gb ram. I am starting grad school in January and will be riding public transportation every day so I think a macbook air is the best choice for me due to portability. Now, I am pretty set on staying at a 13 inch screen size but I'm really torn with ram and hard drive size. I'm looking basically just at the refurb machines from apple and really leaning towards 2012 models due to the usb 3.0 and slightly better graphics. Anyone have any input? I haven't upgraded in awhile and am a bit lost.
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 05:30 PM	#4
cedwhatev macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada	Best deal you will get on a 2012 13" 8/128 is here: http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-MacBo...25~pdp.hgcjcbb 128 is all you need, trust me. 8GB is a must. __________________ MacBook Air 11" 2012 1.7GHz, 8GB, 128SSD
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 05:39 PM	#6
cedwhatev macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada	Not sure, I think it depends on what state you are in. I'm from Canada, I have never dealt with them before. __________________ MacBook Air 11" 2012 1.7GHz, 8GB, 128SSD
	0

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Dec 9, 2012, 05:02 PM	#2
danistyping macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boston, MA	Assuming you want to keep using this computer as long as you used your '08 macbook, I wouldn't hesitate to get the 8GB RAM and i7 upgrades. Get 2012. Graphics are much better and the computer is very fast. HD size depends on what you need and how much stuff you install/download. Maybe add another 50% to what currently use to figure that out.
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 05:20 PM	#3
jmelick07 Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, MI	I currently only use 80gb. But in reality I could probably trim that down a bit pretty easily. I really don't want to spend the money on the 256 ssd. Also, does anyone know if the 8gb ram versions ever go on the refurb store?
	0

Dec 9, 2012, 07:02 PM	#7
jmelick07 Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, MI	Also, my major gripe with my 2008 macbook is the screen. It's terrible, washed out with terrible viewing angles. How much better will a 2012 air be?
	0