I was fully intending to buy the 128gb version and use an external for supplemental storage, but didn't expect Apple to lower the 128gb to $999 and offer a more affordable 256gb option than before. Anyone going to go for the 256gb now, instead of 128gb? or still stick to 128gb?
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128GB or 256GB MBA?
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I'd say what they're charging for the 256gb over the 128 isn't really reasonable, I'd take the extra $100 you now have and spend it on RAM.
256gb. Even if you plan on having external storage, you want as much onboard as you can afford. Makes life faster, easier, and more transportable (don't always want to rely on external storage). I consider 256 minimum given OS X requirements.
Does anyone know if it is possible at a later time upgrade the SSD to a bigger size? If I believe so I thought OWC offered SSD's for the macbook airs.
The macbook air 128 4gb is the only one that is cost effective. Once you add 256 gb sad and 8gb of ram your able to buy a refurbed rMBP with the same specs and a screen to die for.
All the MR regulars who clearly have never read a single thread in the MBA forum.
1. You can't field upgrade the CPU. I mention this in a futile attempt to head off this question.
2. You can't field upgrade the memory.
3. No one knows if the SSD in the MBA 2013 is field upgradeable. If it is like the earlier MBA the answer is yes. Search this forum for OWC and read up on it.
1. You can't field upgrade the CPU. I mention this in a futile attempt to head off this question.
2. You can't field upgrade the memory.
3. No one knows if the SSD in the MBA 2013 is field upgradeable. If it is like the earlier MBA the answer is yes. Search this forum for OWC and read up on it.
I just asked support at the Online Apple Store via chat and they said the SSD drive is soldered...
If this is true, this is a major change from all previous MBAs where the memory was soldered but the SSD was not.
I did.
I ordered a 11" air with i7, 8gb ram and 512gb ssd
I replacing a aluminum macbook that is 5 years old. I need the extra storage as I don't want to lug an external and IMO cloud based is slow.
I tend to keep my Mac for a long time so its future proofed maxing it out.....maybe
I've ordered the same one i7/8GB/512GB and it will be my main working machine together with a thunderbolt 27' but I'm having second thoughts now as all the 9 hours battery tests were performed with the i5 processor, I hope I do not get slower battery life with i7 or I'll have to exchange it.
It may be a silly question, but if you're using it as a main working machine with a 27" monitor on Thunderbolt, won't you have access to power for most of the day?
No I don't, that's for when in in my office but in 80% if the time on the road.
The Thunderbolt Display solution will be temporary until the iMac refresh is out then this will be purely used on battery on the road.
That's why I'm concerned about getting lower battery with the i7
The Thunderbolt Display solution will be temporary until the iMac refresh is out then this will be purely used on battery on the road.
That's why I'm concerned about getting lower battery with the i7
i hope that is not true. hopefully they were confused, and thinking of the RAM instead.
You may not get 9 hours with either... as it is based on usage. You might get more or less time. Personally... I doubt that you would ever distinguish the difference in real life usage.
IMHO... some things are just not worth fretting about... and the difference in battery life between two configurations of a "9 hour" laptop is one of them.
/Jim
I have never needed more ram (I have a happy 4G), I have never needed more speed (I am never processor bound for the activities I do), I have needed more storage space, I have 128G.
I have a modest amount of stuff on my machine and use Itunes match, but don't really use my laptop for music. (I do watch tv on it through Hulu and through Airplay, because there are some shows that only go through that way as Hulu prevents them from being played on the ATV directly).
Since 2011, I have run 4G 128G machines with the lowest processor on the 11" model. Today, I would upgrade to 256G, but personally not the memory or the processor. I have better uses for the money, and I just wouldn't otherwise notice the other issues.
Amazing how many people micro-analyze decisions like this.
99 out of 100 people would not notice the faster CPU either in terms of battery life nor speed.
When agonizing over what upgrades to the base model they need, these same 99 people should be concerned about the following, in order. This has not changed since the first PC/Mac was produced that offered such options.
1. SSD/hard drive
2. Memory
3. CPU
yeah, that sounds hard to believe. personally i don't know why they solder the ram on there either, but i would be very surprised if they didn't just screw in the drive.
The priority for upgrades on the 2013 Airs, in my opinion and based on Apple's prices, look like this:
1. Ram 4gb --> 8gb. Always.
2. SSD 128 --> 256. Much preferred.
3. CPU Core i5 --> i7. No.
4. SSD 128 --> 512. No way.