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OwenMeasures

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 17, 2011
323
3
London
Looking at getting a new MacBook air... wil the low end model with 2GB of RAM be good enough for basic browsing, watching movies, downloading etc?
 
Looking at getting a new MacBook air... wil the low end model with 2GB of RAM be good enough for basic browsing, watching movies, downloading etc?
Any Mac model.... even the mini.... can easily handle such tasks. The biggest issue is how well can you see a movie on such a small screen. For some, it's not a problem at all.
 
Looking at getting a new MacBook air... wil the low end model with 2GB of RAM be good enough for basic browsing, watching movies, downloading etc?

Yes it will be fine , I had the same model for a few months before upgrading to 13" and it was a pleasant enough experience, but could feel the lack of Ram with heavier tasks, but quite rarely did I feel the need for more Ram. For downloading 64gb of storage is gonna be very tight, and that is the reason I upgraded(and bigger screen). Consider an External HD if going that route.
 
i think i need to get myself down to a Apple Store and put the 2 side-by-side, its basically going to replace my late iPad 2... i know its a completely different product but i thought paying £400 for something that i already but smaller (iPhone 4S) didn't seem worth it, so instead i will buy a MBA, which is a similar size... similar weight, but a computer, not a glorified iPhone!
 
Any Mac model.... even the mini.... can easily handle such tasks. The biggest issue is how well can you see a movie on such a small screen. For some, it's not a problem at all.

People buy the iPad for watching movies, so the 11 inch air is big enough certainly, id be more concerned if the OP was looking to use Screen estate intensive applications like Xcode or Photoshop.
 
Reply to: adamtj11

so your purely upgraded your 11" to a 13" because of storage?

what you call a 'Heavier' task?

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I have 21.5" iMac for that, the MBA is for my trip to New Zealand in may, want something portable and for surfing the net.
 
Reply to: adamtj11

so your purely upgraded your 11" to a 13" because of storage?

what you call a 'Heavier' task?

Well it was one of the main reasons , I kept maxing out the 64gb storage ver quickly and had to use a external HD to keep most of my files on. The higher end 11" has 128gb storage which is far more manageable. I upgraded for extra screen estate and for the extra Ram swell.

If you have an iMac already then the base MBA would certainly be a good choice as a companion to the iMac.
 
i just don't want to buy the 11" then later regret it because i don't like the screen size, i have always really been against notebooks (PC's) for how small their screens air, not sure if i would be contradicting myself if i buy the 11"

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i just don't want to buy the 11" then later regret it because i don't like the screen size, i have always really been against notebooks (PC's) for how small their screens air, not sure if i would be contradicting myself if i buy the 11"

i don't think its the SPEC I'm bothered about... i think its more the screen size.
 
i just don't want to buy the 11" then later regret it because i don't like the screen size, i have always really been against notebooks (PC's) for how small their screens air, not sure if i would be contradicting myself if i buy the 11"
If that's the case, this is your best idea:
i think i need to get myself down to a Apple Store and put the 2 side-by-side
 
i just don't want to buy the 11" then later regret it because i don't like the screen size, i have always really been against notebooks (PC's) for how small their screens air, not sure if i would be contradicting myself if i buy the 11"

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i don't think its the SPEC I'm bothered about... i think its more the screen size.

Best thing to do is go to an Apple store and check it out for yourself, the 11" does have a very high resolution for such a small screen.
 
If you do laptop stuff, you'll be fine with 2GB/64GB. I love the 11" over the 13" when you're going from place to place or on a plane.

I have 30GB free on mine. Mainly use it for web browsing and stuff like that.
 
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