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13inch 2011 or 13inch 2012 - which one do i get

A

absolutic

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 5, 2008
127
1
I am about to click on 'purchase" for a Macbook Air for my wife. My wife does not play games. She will use it as her everyday laptop and she will use it edit videos (she usually does it with iMovie) so having SSD will be very beneficial for her.


I was about to buy the newest 13ich for $1199, when I noticed that I can order the older 13inch for $1049 and save $150.

The only differences I see (that mean anything to me)

The new one has 1.8 i5 processor, the old one has 1.7 i5 processor
The new one has USB3 while the old one has USB2
The new one has actually lower display resolution that the old one
Everything else for all intents and purposes is the same. AM I MISSING SOME IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE?

Please help me save $150, or point to me what I am missing here
 
absolutic said:
I am about to click on 'purchase" for a Macbook Air for my wife. My wife does not play games. She will use it as her everyday laptop and she will use it edit videos (she usually does it with iMovie) so having SSD will be very beneficial for her.


I was about to buy the newest 13ich for $1199, when I noticed that I can order the older 13inch for $1049 and save $150.

The only differences I see (that mean anything to me)

The new one has 1.8 i5 processor, the old one has 1.7 i5 processor
The new one has USB3 while the old one has USB2
The new one has actually lower display resolution that the old one
Everything else for all intents and purposes is the same. AM I MISSING SOME IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE?

Please help me save $150, or point to me what I am missing here
Click to expand...

The new MBA has the same resolution as last year's version. SSD this year is faster, graphics card is far better, and you can get more RAM/storage with this year. Ivy Bridge is also better than Sandy Bridge processors, but I'm not sure by how much.
 
Badandy said:
The new MBA has the same resolution as last year's version. SSD this year is faster, graphics card is far better, and you can get more RAM/storage with this year. Ivy Bridge is also better than Sandy Bridge processors, but I'm not sure by how much.
Click to expand...

I went by Best Buy compare feature and it shows lower resolution on new model
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat13504&type=page&pageIdentity=searchDriven&useProductString=true&productString=1218524519689*1218378597515&unProductString=1218646127726*1218524518981*1218524519538*1218523196978*1218434733272*1218551141398*1218379465149*1218379464801*1218379465077*1218379465221*1218379465293&catId=

but I would not be surprised if Bestbuy site is wrong
 
 
Do you get education discount/B2S card with a 2011 model? If not, that's a $150 value, so you might as well get the 2012 if you're in school or know someone who is.

By the way, when I picked mine up yesterday, the guy said that being in high school counts as being a student as well, which I didn't think was correct, but didn't argue. He seemed to be new so he might've been mistaken.
 
bob5820 said:
You may want to check this youtube video out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGxb6_vhbGI
While the 2012 comes out a bit faster its up to you whether 'a bit faster' is worth $150.

Resolution is the same, Bestbuy drops the ball again.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I watched the video. Then I just purchased a refurb 2011 model off Apple site for $929+tax. Figured it was even a better deal, and the same 1 year Apple warranty applies. Thanks everyone

----------
Kyllle said:
Do you get education discount/B2S card with a 2011 model? If not, that's a $150 value, so you might as well get the 2012 if you're in school or know someone who is.

By the way, when I picked mine up yesterday, the guy said that being in high school counts as being a student as well, which I didn't think was correct, but didn't argue. He seemed to be new so he might've been mistaken.
Click to expand...

I would not get education discount, i usually get a government discount and the government discount is only 5% off
 
I was all set to get a new 2012, but now I'm starting to wonder which is the better way to go -- 2011 or 2012.
 
Sounds Good said:
I was all set to get a new 2012, but now I'm starting to wonder which is the better way to go -- 2011 or 2012.
Click to expand...

you know with Apple, they'll come up with something amazing next year and the year after next year. Its hard to keep up :) I am using the 27" iMac (2010 edition) and I am ok for now..... but I think in a year or so I'll probably surrender to 'retina display' laptop
 
absolutic said:
Please help me save $150, or point to me what I am missing here
Click to expand...

I suggest you talk to your wife about that. If you don't talk to her because you are sure she'd want the 2012 model for $150 more, then you don't need to talk to her, just get the 2012 model.
 
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