Was considering an 11" MBA but with 8gb of RAM and 256gb SSD but have been holding out until the upcoming announcement from Apple on MacBook Pro/Air Upgrades. Just read on this site today that the most recent rumour is the 11" MBA is likely to be discontinued. If this is the case, how soon after any announcement will Apple cease taking orders for the MBA, particularly in the customised format that I would like?
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11" Air Customisation at Order
- Thread starter jeddouglas
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You must really love the 11" MBA if you consider buying one now. But yeah, if you do, buy it now. The rumor doesn't confirm anything, but why wait if the machine is everything you need right now.
Worst case they come with a new model with better internals, but it'll probably lose it's ports.
Personally I think the 12" MacBook is a better buy, it might even get discounted when the new models come.
Worst case they come with a new model with better internals, but it'll probably lose it's ports.
Personally I think the 12" MacBook is a better buy, it might even get discounted when the new models come.
How could anyone on this site possibly know the answer to that? If they discontinue, it's possible that they would stop offering build to order machines immediately I suppose, and also possible that existing stock sells out quickly. This happened in 2014 when they replaced the 2012 mini and people were not happy with the new models.
You don't necessarily need to special order this type of MBA however, B&H Photo usually has a large variety of different configurations in stock and ready to ship or pick up in the store. I got my 11" i7/8gb/512gb MBA there in 2013. They are currently showing the 11" i5/8gb/256gb model in stock. There may be other large vendors who also stock that configuration.
[edit] Sorry, just noticed you're in the UK, so that won't help unless you are coming to New York soon.
Apple usually removes all older models from their website when they close the site during the announcements of new models.
After that, you need to look for what other shops might have in stock...
(I really like my mba 11" 8/512 top! The screen is crap for photos though, but it is really powerful for all other kinds of things!)
After that, you need to look for what other shops might have in stock...
(I really like my mba 11" 8/512 top! The screen is crap for photos though, but it is really powerful for all other kinds of things!)
If you wait and it gets discontinued your next best thing is to get it from the refurb store and hope they have a config in stock you wanted. http://www.apple.com/uk/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_air/11
I always recommend the refurb store though, i've ordered around 80 Macs now from there (for work) and not once could i tell it was not brand new apart from the box. All still working fault free years on....
Refurbs are great, definitely check that. However, using the example of Mini update again, when the 2014 models came out and people disliked them (slower, soldered RAM), the 2012 refurbs disappeared very quickly, within a few days IIRC. There were some threads here where people posted when they snapped up the few that would appear over the next few weeks. Then they were gone.
Seems possible that something similar could happen with the 11" MBA. So if you're really clear on what you want, you should probably be prepared to buy it right after the announcement from Apple.
Seems possible that something similar could happen with the 11" MBA. So if you're really clear on what you want, you should probably be prepared to buy it right after the announcement from Apple.
The Rumor is spreading:
http://appleinsider.com/articles/16...-notebooks-this-fall-likely-no-11-macbook-air
Lou
http://appleinsider.com/articles/16...-notebooks-this-fall-likely-no-11-macbook-air
Lou
There's always a rumor that something will get discontinued when it hasn't been updated in over a year. iPods were discontinued after 5 years of no updates, 17" MBPs were discontinued out of the blue. It's hard to say what will get discontinued and what won't.
I'm with you Jed, going to dart to the Apple Store for a custom order on an 11; if it's not too late after the announcement. Have a feeling I'm not going to like the pricing on what's coming down the pike. That said, it's always risky buying a first gen(of anything for that matter).
Am now reading that if the 11" is discontinued, then the retina MacBook prices may come down, which is tempting (depending on how much they drop by).
Yeah, lots to like in the MacBook. If I go that route it'll be the M5 at the very least, so, that'll jack the price to 1850(I'm in Canada). Not a fan of the one USB C port, thereby having adapters sticking out of your laptop, at times, when moving about. Have also read about the new keyboard giving troubles mechanically, mandating AppleCare on top; for me anyway. All ads up to a lot of quid, just sayin'.
Cheers
I did exactly as suggested following the last 'rumor wave' concerning the 11" MBA's imminent demise: I bought an 'ultimate' 2.2GHz i7 model from the refurb store.
I guess if the 11" is, indeed, discontinued, I'll keep using mine ... I absolutely love the form factor.
On the other hand, a part of me really wants a new 11" with an SD card slot and a better display. I'd order one in a heartbeat.
I guess if the 11" is, indeed, discontinued, I'll keep using mine ... I absolutely love the form factor.
On the other hand, a part of me really wants a new 11" with an SD card slot and a better display. I'd order one in a heartbeat.
Ended up waiting for the Keynote on 27th October, only to find no upgrades for the MBA, the 11" being discontinued and a £100 price increase here in the UK for the 13" (now £1099 for the 256GB model). Managed to get myself the 13" 256GB for £999 at Argos as they haven't yet increased their prices. Still to unbox it but am delighted with to get the MBA at the pre Keynote price.
He shoots he scores, congrats. Got myself an eleven after the 27th, that I unfortunately couldn't upgrade to 8gb's. 4gb's will be fine for my uses, wish I would've ordered the 8 before the keynote though. Hindsight is 20/20.
Yes, same as you Macgyver1, managed to get an 11 from John Lewis. Would have preferred 8gb but hey-ho I'm glad I haven't been Brexited (yet)
Thankfully Apple didn't "claw back" the 11" MBA units in the retail channels like they did with the iPod Classic when it was discontinued. I know a few people who are scrambling to get an 11" MBA before they're gone.
IMO, the best deal (relatively speaking) on the 11" MBA has always been the base 4GB/128GB model. Apple's pricing increments for increased RAM and storage seemed excessive to me.
Fun anecdote.
In June 2014 I scored a brand new 2014 4/128 11" Air at Best Buy for $650 and with additional incentives, $475 out the door taxes included.
But deals like that are no longer available. There aren't many units left in the retail channels. I would NOT recommend that anyone who wants one to wait for a bargain. If someone wants one and finds a store that is selling one... buy it.
FWIW, I see the 11" i5 4gb/128gb for $849 and 11" i5 4gb/256gb for $999 in stock at B&H Photo. The Apple refurb store has the same two models, each for about $50 less. Funny thing is, for me the new ones from B&H would actually be cheaper than the Apple refurbs, since I wouldn't pay sales tax.
Apple also has the 11" i7/8gb/512gb refurb for $1319, that's the one I'd get if I were in the market. I have the 2013 in that same configuration and love it, and I paid $1800 for mine back in 2013!
http://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_air/11
Apple also has the 11" i7/8gb/512gb refurb for $1319, that's the one I'd get if I were in the market. I have the 2013 in that same configuration and love it, and I paid $1800 for mine back in 2013!
http://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_air/11
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Apple concentrates their efforts on very very few models.
Most PC makers have more models of computer in production for this fiscal year than apple has total.
Most Phone makers have more models of phone in production for this physical year than apple has had total.
Concentrates engineering, development, marketing and sales efforts. Minimizes production costs.
Most PC makers have more models of computer in production for this fiscal year than apple has total.
Most Phone makers have more models of phone in production for this physical year than apple has had total.
Concentrates engineering, development, marketing and sales efforts. Minimizes production costs.
