11" 1.6 Core2Duo Macbook Air for $450?

I need a laptop, badly.

I have a deadline in a month so the hope to wait until WWDC has peacefully fluttered away. I am fully aware of the approaching Retina Macbook Air, but it's looking like that has been pushed back to September or October, after the summer days in coffee shops and, more importantly, after this deadline.

I found an excellent condition 11" Macbook air with 4GB of RAM and 128GB SSD. The reason I'm tempted is because I live in OS X. I know Windows and know it well, but I deal with a lot of HLS+ partitioned drives as a DIT (digital imaging technician) and spend hours using rsync each day to have some need for a unix based system. I was enticed by Chromebooks, but I live in the depths of the NYC subway for a couple hours each day so I need offline capability and, more importantly, ability to use Final Draft and Office.

I think the dream would be a $450 13" but I am not sure. I need to read HLS+ drives, use Final Draft, and portable and small enough to carry around in a bag all day. If you were pressed for time, what system would you get? I should also mention I have a very powerful Mac Pro at home so any video editing or heavy lifting will always be done with that. This would just be there for when I am out in the field or running about my day.

Thanks!

Lol, clearly I've been dealing with HLS streams all day.

Battery life is been a big concern for me, but I'm not entirely sure I want to drop any serious money on a macbook considering the new ones are basically around the corner. With that said, I am around an outlet most of the time I am out due to lighting grids for shoots or the local Starbucks.

You're right, the USB 2 is a killer for me. I thought it at least had Thunderbolt so I could use some adapters. I think I'm going to have to pass on this.

Thanks for your input!

You know the saying it's too good to be true?

Jumped the gun on a 13.3" 2013 for $680! Spent the weekend so stoked on winning the auction on eBay. Sure enough, no tracking number and the guy is has only replied with "Already sold it, sorry" and "You've got the wrong person" when I pressed him further. Of course, he still took the $680.

Filed a dispute with PayPal, money will be tied up for the next ten days.

Anybody got a Mac laptop their looking to sell? So much for this deadline..

Yea but with a 12" retina around the corner is it really worth my money? I jumped on this because it was such a deal. The refurb is $930 plus tax and I would rather not let this deadline dictate my money. At this point I think a refurbished 13" rMBP would be money better spent.

Scepticalscribe said:

Yes, but a deal where your money vanishes into thin air leaving you with nothing in your hands does not strike me as "such a good deal".

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Hahaha, excellent point.

I'd love the battery life of the '13 Air but would love the resolution and scaling options of the rMBP. This is why a 12" is somewhat of the perfect machine for me in terms of my needs, but as you say, it doesn't exist yet so it really doesn't fit my "needs"

Decisions decisions...

To close this out, I jumped on a refurb 13" Haswell rMBP and could not be happier. I can't imagine using any other screen anymore! Who knew something like a display could have such a profound impact on a computer experience.

I'll be eyeing the 12" retina Air. Right now the rMBP works but I'd like to have something lighter and easier on my back all day. But for now I have a great laptop that will last me until the 12" retina show up on the refurb section

Thanks for all your suggestions!