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128 versus 256 MacBook Air

Bear said:
Are you sure this is stupider than all of the other threads like this?
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Yes.

'Is X CPU, GPU, RAM # better than X' is a valid question.

128GB or 256 GB don't perform any different. They are entirely based on how much you, as an individual, need to store your data. No one can offer an opinion on that.
 
Go big because you say you probably want a lot of storage and it seems the cost difference is not an issue for you. Or if the money situation is good and getting better, go small and buy the next generation MBA when your smaller drive fills up.
 
I initially wanted the 256GB but the 128 model was available as a refurb & I figured I'll most likely be upgrading as soon as the 2012 models are released anyway.

The 128GB model has been fine, I have an external 2.5 inch WD drive for my pics & itunes & still have close to 80GB free on my SSD drive.
 
While I recommend going for the 256 Gb version (I did myself), I gotta admin that $300 extra for a 128gb upgrade is simply out of whack from a value point of view.

Apple surely went nuts with the pricing on that one.
 
I BOUGHT IT. This is the most amazing laptop i've used in a while. Simply loving it!!!!!!
 
256gb ssd

I purchased the 13" MBA and got hte bigger drive. It helps when working on "bigger" video or picture projects. Then i can just save them off to external drive to work on the next or put them back on the imac.

hopefully you have already pulled he trigger on this one! good luck.
 
Just a thought for everyone saying that it's a simple matter of 128gb vs 256gb being a storage space only issue:


I have no idea if this applies to Apple's blade style SSD's or whatever it is they use for the Air's, HOWEVER I have seen many times on Anandtech that bigger sized SSD's from the same product line are almost always faster than their smaller sized brothers. Something to do with more memory chips for larger bus width or something... (I am sure I failed completely at explaining whatever technological reason it really is)

Essentially, bigger capacity drives can not just offer more space but also offer speed increases. Which is an extra factor to consider when deciding on what SSD size to go for.
 
Kauai said:
Yes.

'Is X CPU, GPU, RAM # better than X' is a valid question.

128GB or 256 GB don't perform any different. They are entirely based on how much you, as an individual, need to store your data. No one can offer an opinion on that.
Click to expand...

Size does matter with SSD performance. 512 GB SSD are significantly faster than 128 GB SSD's of the same brands.

If you're buying SSD for performance, go for the biggest one possible.
 
mark28 said:
Size does matter with SSD performance. 512 GB SSD are significantly faster than 128 GB SSD's of the same brands.

If you're buying SSD for performance, go for the biggest one possible.
Click to expand...

Also the more free space you have, the better it will perform.
 
Goldmansachs said:
Hi guys,
I Will be purchasing a MacBook air on Tuesday and I am wondering whether to get a 128 GB solid state drive or a 256 GB solid state drive. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Neither. It's a bad time to buy a new MBA because Intel announced Ivy Bridge. I would wait for the refresh and then buy the 256 gb version ( or bigger ) :)
 
mark28 said:
Size does matter with SSD performance. 512 GB SSD are significantly faster than 128 GB SSD's of the same brands.

If you're buying SSD for performance, go for the biggest one possible.
Click to expand...

Different SSDs perform differently, yes. But if what you're saying is true then explain to me why I benchmark exactly the same as people who have posted results for their 256GB Samsung Apple SSDs?

I'm not convinced.
 
Macs work nicer when there is substantial un-used space on the drive, for whatever reason that OSX makes use of the un-used space in its operations. In my experience, having a 50% filled drive gives wonderful speed. Even at 75% filled it is fine. When you get closer to 90% full - which I've had when filling the drive with photos on an overseas trip - you start to notice things slowing down. In other words, in a 128GB drive, if you don't want to go over 80% full, you really don't have 128GB of storage - even taking into account the space needed for OSX.

Also, when I install Parallels/VMWare Fusion, that takes up about 30GB for my configuration, or more if you have a lot of Windows software. I'm left with very little disk space for everything else.

Hence, for me, 128GB is far too small.

For that reason, I'm getting rid of my 128GB MacBook Air, and waiting for the Ivy Bridge models. The 256 GB drive will be my minimum.

Also, I've experienced the speed of 8GB RAM memory, and so I'd want 8GB on the new MacBook Air too.
 
Go for the 256 you'll be happy when your not stressing over space. I just put a 240GB intel 520 in my MBP because I thought a 120 was going to be enough. If you get the 256 you get some piece of mind which is always worth having.
 
I have the 128 and have never felt a lack of memory. As a matter of fact, I split it 50/50 with Windows using 60GB and Mac using 60GB and I still have like 30GB left on both partitions.

Just make sure you have an external hard drive for music and pics and other wasteful space huggers and you're good to go!
 
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