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MBA buy or don't buy

N

NikChyz

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 31, 2014
1
0
Hey guys,

I'm looking to jump into the Mac world real soon but I'm facing a bit of a dilemma. Should I go ahead and buy the latest MBA or should I wait until the rumored one is released in October.

I'm a University student from Canada and they have a "Student price" of $949 plus a $110 apple STORE gift card with your purchase. Do you think the cost and incentive outweighs the new specs and potential design of the new one?

Thanks for your help!
 
There is no release of a new mba this year.

Buy now. They are nice and cheap.
 
I'm personally waiting for a Retina MacBook Air, although that would come in 2015 at the earliest, and I doubt they would release it in the summer where educational buyers would get a discount plus an App Store gift card. If you can't wait at least half a year, I would recommend buying the current model this summer.
 
NikChyz said:
Hey guys,

I'm looking to jump into the Mac world real soon but I'm facing a bit of a dilemma. Should I go ahead and buy the latest MBA or should I wait until the rumored one is released in October.

I'm a University student from Canada and they have a "Student price" of $949 plus a $110 apple STORE gift card with your purchase. Do you think the cost and incentive outweighs the new specs and potential design of the new one?

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

If you need a Mac, buy one now, and take advantage of the various offers which are available. However, if you merely want one, I'd suggest that you wait a while, and see what transpires.

Moreover, whenever a brand new design, or technology is unveiled, I, personally wait at least six months before investing in it, simply because that is the length of time it may take to sort out any unforeseen glitches in a new system or technology.
 
Scepticalscribe said:
Moreover, whenever a brand new design, or technology is unveiled, I, personally wait at least six months before investing in it, simply because that is the length of time it may take to sort out any unforeseen glitches in a new system or technology.[/SIZE][/FONT]
Click to expand...

This is solid advice. Sometimes it's better to wait for second generation releases.
 
Just Google around the web. There's plenty of information on the new Airs coming out in a few months.

According to 9TO5 MAC:

Apple’s upcoming redesigned 12-inch MacBook with a Retina display is expected to ship later than expected and new 11-inch and 13-inch MacBook Air models have gone into production, according to a pair of reports from Taiwan’s Economic Daily News. The first report says that updates to both current MacBook Air sizes have entered production with Apple partner Quanta Computer, and that the new computers will boost Quanta’s 2014 notebook shipment numbers by 15%. The new devices are said to sport new chassis, screens, and chipsets, and volume shipments are due in late-August barring any unforeseen component delays.
Click to expand...
 
I'm with the crowd that does not expect new MBAs to ship until Q1 2015. Ht problem is there won't be any new Haswell chips in the line used for the MBA between now and the end of the year. In addition the Broadwell line that will be used for the MBA won't be available in volume until Q1 at the earliest.

What I am hoping to get in the fall is a pre-announcement much like the new Mac Pro. I doubt we will get it because there isn't the same pressure on Apple to do so.
 
I would get it now if you need it now, OP. I understand wanting to get the latest and greatest, but in my opinion you should always make a purchase based on need first and then want second. Does the latest MacBook Air serve your needs?

Along with that, I would also venture over to the refurbished section of the Apple Store and take a look at what you see there as you may be able to save yourself even more money on one of the previous models. I just purchased last year's MacBook Air model although I could have gotten this years model. Why? Because last years model served my needs just fine for the next few years.

If you don't need one right now and its more of a want, and you have the cash to spare, then waiting doesn't really hurt you.
 
scepticalscribe said:
if you need a mac, buy one now, and take advantage of the various offers which are available. However, if you merely want one, i'd suggest that you wait a while, and see what transpires.

Moreover, whenever a brand new design, or technology is unveiled, i, personally wait at least six months before investing in it, simply because that is the length of time it may take to sort out any unforeseen glitches in a new system or technology.
Click to expand...

+1
 
If you need need (want) the laptop now, then buy it now. If you are one of the "I must have the latest & greatest" guys, then by all means wait.

I have a 13" mid 2013 i7 / 8 / 512 and it's one of the best machines I've owned. No looking back. ;)
 
Dweez said:
If you need need (want) the laptop now, then buy it now. If you are one of the "I must have the latest & greatest" guys, then by all means wait.

I have a 13" mid 2013 i7 / 8 / 512 and it's one of the best machines I've owned. No looking back. ;)
Click to expand...

Agree completely. As it happens, I have the exact same machine and it is outstanding; indeed, it is by far the best computer I have ever owned.
 
Dweez said:
If you need need (want) the laptop now, then buy it now. If you are one of the "I must have the latest & greatest" guys, then by all means wait.

I have a 13" mid 2013 i7 / 8 / 512 and it's one of the best machines I've owned. No looking back. ;)
Click to expand...

I too have this outstanding Air model and simply could not be happier. Best Apple laptop I've yet owned, and I've owned at least a dozen of them.
 
I have the 11" with the same specs. It's my all-time favorite computer as well, and I go all the way back to the "Fat Mac" 512k in 1985 (Apple ][ before that). :)
 
If you want to save money, the non-retina airs look good with Netflix.
Even the 4K youtube videos look good without retina.

Depending on your major, the i5 with 4gb ram would be sufficient.
 
NikChyz said:
Hey guys,

I'm looking to jump into the Mac world real soon but I'm facing a bit of a dilemma. Should I go ahead and buy the latest MBA or should I wait until the rumored one is released in October.

I'm a University student from Canada and they have a "Student price" of $949 plus a $110 apple STORE gift card with your purchase. Do you think the cost and incentive outweighs the new specs and potential design of the new one?

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

I was going to upgrade my MBA 2011 this year, but read, the new MBA won't be released until next year, 2015. I'm waiting, but you're a student, so you should consider purchasing now.
 
I upgraded from a 2011 to a 2013 MBA one year ago. The current model is already a big upgrade from 2011 IMO… :)

USB 3.0
significantly longer battery life
faster wifi (802.11ac)
8gb RAM (4gb was the max available in 2011)
faster SSD (also 512gb which wasn't available in 2011)
faster processors
 
Boyd01 said:
I upgraded from a 2011 to a 2013 MBA one year ago. The current model is already a big upgrade from 2011 IMO… :)

USB 3.0
significantly longer battery life
faster wifi (802.11ac)
8gb RAM (4gb was the max available in 2011)
faster SSD (also 512gb which wasn't available in 2011)
faster processors
Click to expand...

Yes, this is a very good summary of the improvements. The speed, improved memory, responsiveness, and excellent battery are all quite striking.
 
I have just bought from the Apple store one refurbished, maxed out mid 2013 MBA (1.7Ghz/8GB ram/512GB SSD) to replace my early 2011 MBA and I must say it really is a stunning machine.

I do not really care whether a new retina MBA (or whatever) will be out in the next 6 to 12 months. If you need it buy it now and you won't be disappointed ! :p
 
Buy it tomorrow.
You will wish you bought it last week.
I have the base model MBA 13'
Best product I have ever purchased, of any type.

I buy new models not refurb.
The refurbs available in Toronto are usually a prior model and not worth the discount to me.
Apple products retain their value - had an iMac for 3½ years and sold it for 45% of what I paid.
 
LxHunter said:
Buy it tomorrow.

I buy new models not refurb.
The refurbs available in Toronto are usually a prior model and not worth the discount to me.
Click to expand...

Mid 2013 and early 2014 MBAs do share the same specs if I am not wrong, in particular on the 1.7Ghz version.

The refurb, mid 2013 maxed-out version is cheaper than same specs early 2014 one (some 20% off at least in Italy).
 
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